Al Gore waves off official role

Featured Topics:

• Barack Obama
• Presidential Transition

• Play Video Video: Windsor Marching Band Picked For Inauguration CBS4 Denver
• Play Video Video: Racist fliers found in Raleigh neighborhood WRAL Raleigh
• Play Video Video: Obama Watch Monday: Job Creation Plan CBS 2 Chicago

He may be assembling a Team of Heavyweights, but Barack Obama isn’t likely to have the full-time services of one of the most formidable powers on the political landscape.

When Obama and Joe Biden sit down with Al Gore at noon Tuesday in Chicago, they’ll be talking issues — not making the pitch for the former vice-president to return to government service, say transition officials and those close to Gore.

Gore intends on continuing his work on the environment and energy from the outside rather than accepting a post.

“This meeting is a continuation of their conversations about climate and energy and how policies to address them can help the economy and jobs,” said Gore spokeswoman Kalee Kreider. “Former Vice President Gore still believes his calling at this time is to help educate the public about the issues through his roles at the Alliance at Climate Protection and other work.”

Even from the outside, though, Gore remains a forceful voice and enjoys a considerable following. That’s why Obama disclosed the event to the public and why he’ll let cameras in to take shots of the three.

Called the ‘Goreacle,’ half in jest, for his early prophecy on global warming, the Nobel Prize winner may be on his way to having that nickname validated further.