The man considered a given to run for the Democratic nomination, and the only candidate polling significant numbers, has stepped aside to the delight of some, the cagrin of others, and to the surprise of most. This leaves a pretty even field with many potential candidates each only polling moderate name recognition let alone support.
The White House publicly admitted they were wary of a possible rematch (whispering, "I mean, he did win the popular vote).
Much like Nixon stepping aside after losing to Kennedy in a close race, Gore could very well become the 'elder stateman' figure. He hasn't quit politics and could certainly run again in 2008 or for some other office at any time, however, despite what appeared to be a whirlwind media tourn in preparation for a big campaign, it was instead a kiss-off to politics today. In his recent stint on SNL he mocked everyone from Trent Lott, to John Kerry; even making slightly homoerotic suggections as to how he got Sen. Joe Liebermann to be his running mate in 2000. From the near fatal kiss delievered to his wife during the monologue to mockingpotential democratic candiates it turned from a man trying to prove he's not a stiff to a man moking the past two years of his life and showing us why he's leaving it behind, for now. An appropriately moderate "f*ck you" send-off.
Citing reasons such as the potential for a Bush/Gore fight to focus more on the past and a botched 2000 election ratehr than the future or a true contest of the issues. Instead of looking bitter, he wanted to leave it be.
There was no endorsement for any candidate or details on what he would now do, but he did take a mild jab at Karl Rove and Bush's election strategy of focusing on the impending war for political gain rather than for any principled stand on the issue.
With lackluster sales of two books co-authored by Gore and his wife Tipper possibly weighing into the equation Gore goes back to a more civilian life, again, for now.

I agree with the lesser of two evils statement, it would be nice for once to pick a candadate because you truly believed in them, rather than because you have to pick some one, and he didn't blow anything up recently type of thing. I think the lack of big names in this next election, along with the fact that the american public's presidental rating always increases during a war effort is going to make it very difficult for any democratic canadate to have a real chance. Maybe they'll surprise us, and hopefully it will be a good surprise this time.

What she said.

Though I really wish that he had run again. It seemed as though he was the only democrat who is not afraid to say exactly what he thinks of Bush's policies; though, gee, could that have anything to do with the fact that he's not in office and all the other possible presidential candidates are? Perhaps he's still sore about the 2000 election (who wouldn't be?), but in any case, the democrats had better not nominate a wishy-washy congressman who has played follow the leader with Herr Büsh since September 11th. If that occurs... well, lets just say that I'm sick and tired of having to choose "the lesser of two evils" in every other election!