Barack Obama stumped early and often about the need for a high-level (even cabinet-level) post to combat global climate challenges. Who he had in mind, of course, was Al Gore, the former vice president who, after losing to George Bush in 2000, saw massive showings of public support for his work on climate issues, spurring a movement to draft Gore into the 2008 race for president.

But he couldn't be sweet-talked into government then, and he won't be now.

To put a stop to any public speculation, Gore has made clear to Obama's transition team that, while he has the utmost respect for those who serve in government, he has no plans -- and little personal interest, it seems -- to join the ranks of the Obama administration. He asserts that the momentum behind the advocacy and organizing that won the former veep an Oscar and Nobel Prize will be much easier to maintain outside of government than inside. "He has seen, first-hand that those in government can only go so far unless there’s a groundswell of public support for the bold initiatives that are really needed," Gore spokesperson Kalee Kreider tells NEWSWEEK.

Gore's office confirms only that Gore and Obama have spoken prior to and since the election, and it appears that Gore could be willing to be consulted, but only in an unofficial capacity. (Obama has signaled he'd welcome any help, having promised supporters that Gore will play a central role on climate issues.) But, says Kreider, "[Gore] feels that, right now, this is the best thing for him to do with his life—to continue trying to build [private] support for the bold changes that we have to make to solve the climate crisis."