The buzz around Al Gore is building into a quiet roar. It all adds up: His new movie, An Inconvenient Truth. His new persona – not so stuffy. His not so new – but very wise and gutsy – stand against the war. Al is very cool at the moment.

Is Al Gore running for president in 2008? His denials are deliciously nuanced. He told Time magazine “I have no intention of being a candidate.” Which sounds a lot like a man who’s leaving himself open to being drafted.

To be sure, he knows how to give a real no – he did in 2004 – but he’s choosing not to. And the timing of his current media push is perfect to set up a 2008 run.

Funny thing about Gore, he’s always seemed surprisingly honest for a politician. Sure, in 2000 he was Mr. Focus Group, but then, he seemed like he was overly focused-grouped. (In contrast to Bush, who was heavily handled but seemed like a “regular guy” who spoke his mind.)

So I’d guess that Gore really is thinking about a run, thinking hard. Despite the groundswell building in support of a Gore run, his hesitation is understandable. If he were to lose again, that would be a special kind of agony.

Still, I’d like to see him commit. I think he’d be a great president — smart, caring, able to move us forward. So I say: Run, Al, run.