PHILADELPHIA — Former Vice President Al Gore broke his silence Monday by endorsing Democrat Hillary Clinton for president but also confirmed that he will skip this year’s Democratic National Convention.
Mr. Gore, who had said previously he would not endorse a candidate until the nomination became official, said on Twitter that he will back Mrs. Clinton, who is expected to be nominated during this week’s event.
“I am not able to attend this year’s convention but I will be voting for Hillary Clinton,” said Mr. Gore, who served as President Bill Clinton’s vice president.
“Given her qualifications and experience — and given the significant challenges facing our nation and the world, including, especially, the global climate crisis, I encourage everyone else to do the same,” he said in a series of tweets.
A Gore spokeswoman told the Tennessean that Mr. Gore had “obligations in Tennessee,” although she did not specify what those were.
Mr. Gore, one of eight Tennessee superdelegates, may be the most prominent Democrat to skirt the convention, which features anticipated speeches by President Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joseph R. Biden.
The Democratic National Convention begins Monday and runs through Thursday at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.
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