Former U.S. Vice President and Nobel Laureate Al Gore gave a rousing speech in Detroit on Monday night, endorsing Barack Obama over John McCain in their race to become president of the United States, and praising Obama’s leadership on energy and environmental issues and the need to reduce global warming.

Gore, who turned his one-man environmental crusade into a new career and the Oscar-winning film An Inconvenient Truth, called Obama "a candidate who, in response to those doubting our ability to solve the climate crisis and create a bright future, inspired millions to say, 'Yes, we can.'"

"For America to lead the world through the dangers and opportunity we're seeing before us, we've got to have new leadership,” said Gore, who won the popular vote in his 2000 presidential bid, yet lost the White House to George W. Bush. “After eight years of incompetence, neglect, and failure, we need change."

In response, a grateful Obama said: "When I am president, I will be counting on Al Gore to help me lead the fight for a clean energy future here in the United States and around the world."

To hear more of what Gore had to say about Obama, watch the video of his endorsement speech on YouTube.
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