Al Gore announced on 60 minutes tonight that he will not run for President in 2004. You can read the transcript here.

"Gore made his announcement tonight in an interview with CBS's "60 Minutes," saying, "I personally have the energy and drive and ambition to make another campaign but I don't think that it's the right thing for me to do."

Conn. Senator Joe Lieberman, Gore's vice presidential running mate in 2002, has said he is likely to run if Gore declines. Mass. Senator John Kerry and Vermont Governor Howard Dean have also thrown their hats in the ring.

"Senate Democratic Leader Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.), House Minority Leader Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.) and Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) are actively exploring whether to run."

That's a pretty crowded playing field and it's still early. We'd like to see a more left-leaning Democratic candidate with some libertarian sensibilities get on board. We wish we could think of one.

Update: Katharine Seelye in the New York Times examines Gore's Saturday Night Live Appearance, just one day before his announcement he won't run, looking for signs. What she finds is that Gore is now comfortable with himself and his decision and yes, the signs were there in the show.

Here's more on the wide-open nomination race and who's likely to join the fray.