Mediating Figure or Compromise Candidate?

From TNR:

No More Waiting by the Phone

It's hardly a surprise at this point, but it appears that Al Gore has decided against endorsing a candidate in the Democratic primary. Greg Sargent: I've just spoken to a source close to Gore myself, and this person confirmed that the report is correct: Gore will not endose.... Basically, Gore appears to be preserving for himself the option of stepping in and declaring a winner in the event of a war over superdelegates, and thus being seen as a kind of mediating figure, rather than as someone trying to influence the outcome.

Pleased as I would have been had he decided to endorse Obama, I have to say this strikes me as a pretty sensible posture.

--Christopher Orr