US:BARACK OBAMA would consider appointing former vice-president Al Gore to a cabinet-level position or even vice-president, he told a town hall meeting in Pennsylvania yesterday. Denis Staunton reports from Washington.
A woman in the audience asked Mr Obama if he would consider asking Mr Gore to take up a cabinet post "or higher" as part of a commitment to combat global warming.
"Not only will I, but I will make a commitment that Al Gore will be at the table and play a central part in us figuring out how we solve this problem. He's somebody I talk to on a regular basis.
"I'm already consulting with him in terms of these issues, but climate change is real. It is something we have to deal with now, not 10 years from now, not 20 years from now," he said.
The only position Mr Obama could offer Mr Gore above cabinet rank is that of vice-president, although the Illinois senator has insisted that he will not discuss potential running mates until he secures the Democratic nomination.
Mr Obama's remarks came as a new poll put him ahead of Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania, a state the former first lady's campaign team admits she must win if she is to remain a viable candidate.
The Public Policy poll, which showed Mr Obama trailing Mrs Clinton in the state by 26 points less than three weeks ago, now gives him a two-point lead.
Most other polls continue to show Mrs Clinton ahead, although her lead has diminished in recent weeks.
The Public Policy poll, which has been more accurate than most others in a number of earlier primaries, shows Mr Obama ahead among all age groups except those over 65, although Mrs Clinton still enjoys a comfortable lead among women.
Mrs Clinton yesterday called on Mr Obama to work with her and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) on an agreement to seat Florida's disputed delegates at August's national convention. The DNC stripped Florida and Michigan of its delegates because the two states held unauthorised early primaries but DNC chairman Howard Dean said yesterday he was committed to seating Florida's delegates at the convention.
Mr Dean said, however, that it was critical that Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton were "comfortable with the compromises that have to be worked out".
Neither candidate campaigned in Florida but Mrs Clinton, who won the primary, wants the delegates to be allocated in accordance with the votes cast. Plans to rerun the primaries in Michigan and Florida fell through following disagreements over how they should be paid for.
Republican nominee John McCain said yesterday that he is in the "embryonic stages" of choosing a running mate and has drawn up a list of about 20 possible vice-presidential candidates.
"It's every name imaginable," the 71-year-old senator said, although he declined to identify anyone on the list. "I'm aware of enhanced importance of this issue because of my age."
Among the names touted as possible running mates are Mr McCain's former rival in the presidential race, Mike Huckabee, whose conservative Christian credentials could help to secure part of the party base.
Speculation has also surrounded Florida governor Charlie Crist and former Ohio congressman and federal budget director Rob Portman.
Mr McCain said he hoped to announce his choice well ahead of the Republican convention in September.
"If I had a personal preference I'd like to do it before the convention to avoid some of the mistakes that I've seen made in the past as you get into a time crunch and maybe sometimes don't make the announcement right or maybe they have not examined every single candidate," he said.