The first and more the cynical approach is my personal favorite, I have to admit.  It feels right to me.  Every campaign needs a message and needs people to spread that message.  With 1000 operatives, Al Gore will be running a campaign based on his message and his issue.  Turning this campaign into a presidential bid is too easy for a cynic like me to not think Al Gore is running.

The second approach, takes Al Gore at his word -- he has no intention of running in 2008.  But even then, I think Al Gore will run.  Let's face it, the more Al Gore is engaged in the public sphere, the more pressure that is put on him to run.  By hiring and training 1000 operatives to give his global warming presentation, Al Gore is becoming fully engaged in the public sphere.  When that happens, Al Gore will be under so much pressure to run that there's no way he can justify to himself not running.

There is one more explanation, of course.  Al Gore could be thinking of running, but is being cautious.  By creating an orgainzation around global warming, he gets his feet wet, sets the stage for a presidential run, but gives him room to back out if need be.