Juliet Eilperin writes in The Washington Post blog "Post Politics": "An individual familiar with Gore's decision, who asked not to be identified because it involved a personal matter, confirmed that Gore opted a couple of months ago to become vegan. Gore's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment." Teacherken writes on Daily Kos: "One could posit that Gore, whose weight had ballooned, took the approach at least in part for health reasons."
We were surprised when former President Bill Clinton became a vegan several years ago, as he was known for eating fast food. Clinton went vegan for health reasons, as Joe Conason reported for AARP the Magazine. Clinton was dealing with heart disease, and his vegan lifestyle helped him to lose the more than 30 pounds he needed to, and has kept the weight off and improved his health, writes Conason.
It shouldn't be as surprising that Al Gore, who served as Clinton's vice president, has gone vegan, because Gore has been passionately pointing out for years how environmental change is needed to prevent global warming. It so happens that going vegan does more to prevent global warming than even switching to a hybrid car, so we are thrilled to hear that Gore is now vegan and congruent with his climate message.