Al Gore’s American Life

1 minute read
By TIME

A look back through the archives at TIME’s environmental hero and Nobel Peace Prize winner

Man in Bloom

Al Gore, Academy Award and Nobel Prize-winner — and former Vice President of the United States — has just published a new book, The Assault on Reason.Steve Pyke for TIME

Nominated

With Bill Clinton at the Democratic National Convention in 1992. Clinton and Gore would win the White House in the fall, defeating incumbent Republicans George H.W. Bush and Dan Quayle.Steve Liss for TIME

Lunch Buddies

As Vice President, Gore met weekly for lunch with President Clinton.P.F. Bentley for TIME

Conferring

On an elevator with Clinton in the White House during the final days of the administration.Diana Walker for TIME

Dark Cloud

As Clinton became more deeply entangled in the Monica Lewinsky scandal, Gore distanced himself from his long-time political partner.Diana Walker for TIME

New Friends

In 2000, Gore, along with Vice Presidential nominee Joe Lieberman, made their own run for the White House.Diana Walker for TIME

Last Minute Reprieve

The 2000 election was so close that it came down to a handful of disputed votes in Florida. In this image, Gore and Lieberman, with a concession speech in hand, learn that the results have come under question and abort conceding to Bush.Callie Shell / The White House

Controversy

The case of the disputed votes went all the way to the Supreme Court, which decided in favor of the Republican Bush.Manny Ceneta / AFP / Getty

Back on the Street

A private citizen once again, Gore turned his attention to his passion for promoting environmental awareness.Callie Shell / Aurora for TIME

Documentarian

Gore warns of the hazards of climate change in the film, An Inconvenient Truth, which earned him and his producers an Academy Award in February 2007.Paramount / AP

Elder Statesman

The Gores speak to winning and losing Democrats on election night 2002. Gore talks to Lincoln Davis of Tennessee, a winner, while Tipper consoles Jeanne Shaheen, of New Hampshire.Callie Shell / Aurora for TIME

Childhood

At the age of 3, with (from left) his sister Nancy, father Al Gore, Sr., and mother Pauline.Ed Clark / Time Life Pictures / Getty

A Wide Open Future

Gore in his office in May 2007.Steve Pyke for TIME

Vietnam

Private Gore poses with a group of soldiers in 1971. He is in the back row, second from right.AP

Tying the Knot

Tipper and Al chat with his parents on their wedding day in 1970.AP

Family

The Gores have three daughters (from left) Sarah, Kristin and Karenna, photographed here (by Tipper) with Al in 1985.Tipper Gore

Candidate

Gore quit law school in 1976 to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in Tennessee's fourth district.Jeffrey Markowitz / Sygma / Corbis

Aspirations

In 1988, Gore, by now a U.S. Senator, took a run at the White House, but lost the party's nomination to Michael Dukakis.Curtis Compton / Bettmann / Corbis

Can You Hear Me Now?

Conferring on the phone during his bid for the presidency.Bruno Torres / Bettmann / Corbis

Green Peas

While in Congress Gore fought to improve food labeling. Here he demonstrates that the spoonful of canned peas in his hand contains the same amount of salt as the 250 ounces of fresh peas on his desk.Susan T. Mcelhinney

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