Gore’s On Board!
One cannot help but wonder, as the United States goes to war, what the situation would be like if Al Gore was president. One thing is for certain if Gore were president Bush would not be voted on the Apple board of directors. And last time I checked the Supreme Court does not have power over the board of Apple.
Apple has made a great move in getting Gore on board. His questionable inventing of the internet aside he brings to the table a wealth of contacts and connections from the inner halls of governmental power. In one key Apple market in particular — education — Gore’s insight could be a key step to retaining and growing this market.
Gore will hopefully also ground Apple. Steve Jobs quite obviously lives in his own world — a world where 95% of the world uses Macs, not the other way round. Gore knows, as we all do, that Macs are still in the minority. Hopefully he’ll have some refreshing ideas to help reverse this trend.
What do you think? Is Gore good or bad for Apple? Or will he make no difference either way?
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Comments
I find Mr. Gore’s addition to the Apple BOD to be troubling, to say the least. He has utterly no experience in running a corporation, let alone a technology company. I grow weary of politics having to be factored into every aspect of our lives—from entertainment to the products we use. I grow weary of having it rammed down my throat at every turn.
There is simply no business-based rationale for appointing Mr. Gore to Apple’s BOD. It is obviously a move based in politics, not fiscal responsibility. And regardless of one’s personal politcal views, that is troubling as an Apple customer, and a long-time fan of Apple and it’s products. I shudder at the thought of Apple becoming a corporate political activist.
Let there be no misunderstanding: Mr. Gore is NOT a businessman, he is a politician. His addition to the Apple BOD may improve Apple’s already-favorable standing within Democratic Party circles, but it does nothing to improve their products, their standing with the Enterprise markets (where the REAL money is made the computer industry), with Wall Street (from either a business OR a political point of view), or with those whose political leanings may not mirror those of Mr. Gore.
I mean this in no way to be an indictment of Mr. Gore, or his politics. Only of Apple’s decision to throw themselves so publicly into the political fray and to appoint a board member with no corporate or technology background.
I do not look forward to seeing the Mac-related discussion forums turned into platforms for the poisonous brand of politcal “debate” that is so rampant on the internet today.
Like Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks, Apple should stick to what it does best, and leave the dirty world of politics to the dirty politicians.
What if Mr. Gore becomes a presidential candidate? Will he have to quit the BOD before having made any contribution?
This is nothing but a HUGE campaign contribution. ABC has just done the same thing by giving Gore 75 hours of TV time and a large pile of cash. Since he is not a candidate at this time they are not considered campaign contributions. Believe you me, he will use the money. Al Gore will be our next president.
As for Jobs, he has just decided to become a willing member of the left who subjegate the masses for profit and power. He has pledged a portion of his treasure and all of his voice and he expects lots of love and huge government contracts. Microsoft will get hammered by the feds now.