Gore speaks on Democratic race

Al Gore did not rule out an endorsement in the Democratic presidential race, but all but ruled out a speculative scenario some have spun out as the battle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama goes on and on -- namely, that he would emerge as a compromise nominee with either Clinton or Obama as his running mate.

In an interview today on National Public Radio, Gore at first laughed and was somewhat at a loss for words when he was asked about the scenario.

"In a year of remote contingencies, that's about as remote as you could possibly imagine," he replied.

He also expressed confidence that a nominee will be decided soon after the last nomination contests on June 3. "There will be a nominee before the convention," he said.

Gore -- former vice president, Democratic nominee in 2000, and Nobel Prize winner for his work to combat global warming -- is probably one of the few party leaders with the standing to help bring the nomination fight to a close.