author Democrat Al Gore and moralist wife, Tipper, are backing off their wedding vows. Once, Al said of Tipper, that she's "someone I've loved with my whole heart since the night of my high school senior prom." Legally separated, divorce looks likely on the way. After 40 years, this decision was not made at Britney Spears divorce speeds.
Tipper was not the usual vice presidential who heads up feel-good programs on behalf of the White House (usually this includes the stereotypical female role of nurturing children, be it through improving literacy or decreasing obesity). Instead, Tipper created the Parents Music Resource Center. Like other well-connected wives, she used Al's influence to move it forward.
To be noted, no mention of a John Edwards-type scandal has appeared. Not even a Monica Lewinsky - Bill Clinton level event. Just two people who find marriage inconvenient.
How will this play on President Barack Obama? For starters, Al is not an elected official. Obama is still married, and no scandals is in any way connected to his marriage. Yet, Gore is a Democrat, Obama is pushing various action for gay marriage. The current gulf oil spill, North Korea and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is biggest on his to-do list, and probably, for Obama, working to the Iraq War follows soon after. In other words, talk shows will mention it, as will blogs like this one, but it will be inconsequential. The average Democrat's view of marriage is flexible, and open top revision. Republicans might crow about Al and Tipper's personal failure to stick with their marriage, but Al's political career is over anyway. more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100601/ap_on_re_us/us_gore_separation
