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reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, out of a fear that their profits might be affected if they had to stop dumping so much pollution into the atmosphere."

His recent Oscar win for the documentary, "An inconvenient Truth," has not only given Gore a platform, but has helped revamp his image, from a wooden geek to an elder statesman with more fervor. Despite several "Draft Al" campaigns, Gore declined to run in 2004, calling on the Democrats to "Present fresh faces and new ideas." He argued that if he were to run the election would be more about the rematch itself rather than the issues affecting the country. 2008, however, presents a different scenario, with Clinton and Obama leading what is considered to be a weak field.

Moreover, the Latino vote is expected to play a significant role in the election of the nation's next Chief Executive. With no southern strategy of which to speak,the dems may turn their eye westward. Arizona's population is 25 percent Hispanic. New Mexico's is 42. California, Florida, Texas and New York also have sizable Latino populations. These six states account for 162 electoral votes, 60% of the total needed to be elected

The dramatic increase in the number of Latino citizens in the 1990s has created a powerful voting bloc that both Democrats and Republicans are wooing. Statistics show that between 1984 and 1996, the GOP's share of the Hispanic vote in presidential elections dropped from 37 to 21 percent, while voter registration increased by nearly 30%. The ever-growing clout of Latinos is evident in California, where Latinos comprise about 30 percent of the population. This political weight has enabled Latinos to combat anti-immigration sentiment, including denial of social services to legal immigrants. The Democrats might not only look west for the number two man on the 2008 ticket, but they may be wise to look at Latino candidates, the most viable of whom is New Mexico Governor, Bill Richardson.

Richardson has impressive credentials. He was nominated as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. In 1998, he was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Secretary of Energy. He was elected Governor of "The Land of Enchantment" in 2002. He has also negotiated with Saddam Hussein and the government of the Sudan to free prisoners and his work addressing human rights abuses earned him a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1995, 1997, 2000 and 2001. He also assisted in the arms negotiations with North Korean

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