Al Gore definitely seems to be stirring things up. He's clearly pitching hard, though it's a little unclear what he may have in mind.

The numbers suggest that a case could be made for Mr. Gore in 2008 ... though it's a little unclear what he may have in mind. Clearly, he is someone to be watched, especially as an alternative to Hillary Clinton.

Bloomberg is really pitching a shutout now. Even the debates really did not upend the mayor's apple cart.

Clearly, there are other candidates who are going to breathe a sigh of relief that the millions of dollars and the name recognition he would have brought to the race will not be there.

He's wonderful at stirring up an argument and slinging around rhetoric. ... For some of these people, it seems to be a theological issue. For us, it's an analytic issue.

The goals are not incompatible. But first things first. New York is a very blue state and for a primary and general election, putting yourself at that level does nothing to lower his chances by any means ... that becomes part of his contrast with the Democratic and Republican challengers. It widens the stature gap.