Al is, and always has been, the person who has been the

When Tipper Gore declares, “Al is, and always has been, the person who has been the candidate – the elected official. And he is the one who makes policy. As his wife, I have the wonderful opportunity to advocate for causes that I am passionate about, and I’m thankful for that,” she speaks not only of her place beside a husband, but of the eternal balance between power and influence, between the one who bears the crown and the one who whispers wisdom into his ear. Her words shine with humility, yet they carry the strength of one who has embraced a calling that is no less noble for being indirect.

At the heart of her statement is the distinction between authority and advocacy. Al Gore, as candidate and elected official, was entrusted with the power of decision, the crafting of laws, the shaping of policy. Tipper, by her own testimony, did not carry that mantle. Yet she rejoices in her freedom to champion the causes that stirred her spirit, to speak on behalf of the vulnerable, to lift her voice where it might echo in the halls of power. Her thankfulness reveals a truth that the ancients knew well: that influence does not always wear the crown, and that the strength of a household, a kingdom, or a nation often rests upon those who counsel, support, and advocate from positions unseen.

History abounds with examples of such quiet power. Consider Pericles, the great statesman of Athens, whose voice guided the city during its golden age. Though he stood as the elected official, much of his strength came from the counsel of Aspasia, a woman whose intellect and vision were hidden behind the curtain of private life, yet whose influence shaped discourse, inspired oratory, and guided decisions that changed history. Like Tipper Gore, Aspasia never held office, but her advocacy helped ignite ideas that endured long after her time.

Tipper’s words also reveal the wisdom of gratitude in limitation. She does not lament that she was not the candidate, nor does she begrudge the role that was his alone. Instead, she embraces her own unique path, finding joy in the freedom it gives her to pursue her passions. This is a lesson of great weight: too often, people resent the roles they do not hold, the powers they do not possess. Yet Tipper’s thankfulness reminds us that greatness is not diminished by being different. Every role, whether in the spotlight or in the shadows, carries sacred opportunities to serve.

The lesson here is also one of partnership. The union of two people, bound in marriage or in shared purpose, is strongest when each honors their place without rivalry. Al Gore bore the burden of policy, Tipper Gore carried the banner of advocacy, and together they formed a whole greater than the sum of its parts. This echoes the ancient ideal of harmony, where the lyre produces its sweetest music not when all strings sound alike, but when each string contributes its own voice to the song.

From this truth flows a call to us all: embrace the role given to you with thankfulness. Do not despise what you are not, but instead rejoice in what you are free to do. If you cannot make the laws, perhaps you can influence hearts. If you cannot hold the office, perhaps you can inspire the people. If you are not the voice at the podium, you may still be the strength that steadies the speaker. Each path, each gift, each place in life is sacred when lived with devotion.

Practical wisdom follows. Find the causes that stir your spirit, and advocate for them with passion, no matter your station. If you stand beside one who holds power, do not see yourself as lesser, but as a partner, an advocate, a force in your own right. Speak with humility, act with courage, and practice daily thankfulness for the unique opportunities your role affords. In doing so, you honor not only yourself, but also the harmony of the greater whole.

Thus, in the words of Tipper Gore, we are taught that one need not be the policymaker to shape the world. To advocate with conviction, to support with wisdom, and to live with gratitude is itself a noble calling. The crowns of power are few, but the voices of influence are many—and together they weave the fabric of history. Let us therefore be thankful for our place in the pattern, and weave it with all the strength and beauty we can give.