Al Gore
Al Gore Reuters

Former Vice President Al Gore is not chalking up what was widely viewed as a loss by President Barack Obama in last night’s debate with GOP contender Mitt Romney to the president’s overconfidence – Gore is blaming the high altitude of Denver for Obama’s performance.

  1. Speaking during post-debate coverage on Current TV, the cable network headed by Gore, the former vice president blamed Obama’s schedule and Denver’s high altitude for why Obama lost the debate.

“I’m going to say something controversial here. Obama arrived in Denver at 2 p.m., just a few hours before the debate started. Romney did his debate prep in Denver,” the former vice president and failed 2000 Democratic presidential candidate said, which you can view in the video below.

“When you go to 5,000 feet and you only have a few hours to adjust … I don’t know, maybe,” Gore said, trailing off.

Comedian John Fugelsang, who was on a panel with Gore for Current TV’s post-debate coverage, said he also had that experience but opined that it wasn’t a valid excuse for Obama’s debate performance.

“The first time I ever did stand-up in Denver I had the same exact effect. I flew down … and when you’re lungs aren’t acclimated to that kind of air, yeah, it makes you drawn, it makes you off. The president had an off night,” Fugelsang said.

Cenk Uygur, who hosts “The Young Turks” on Current TV, also wasn’t buying Gore’s explanation.

“I just came from L.A. the same day. You know what I did? I drank two cups of coffee before coming out here,” he said.

The Twitterverse was having fun with Gore’s unconventional theory.

Conservative commentator S.E. Cupp alluded to Gore’s passion for global warming issues when she weighed in on the ex-vice president.

“I mean, of COURSE Current TV is going to blame the weather,” she wrote.

“Worst. Spin. Ever,” wrote Romney spokesman Ryan Williams.

“According to Al Gore, the next debate should be held at the dead sea, just to be fair. Altitude and all that,” former “Love Connection” host Chuck Woolery said.

Conservative author Jedediah Bila said she “never laughed so hard in all my life,” after hearing Gore’s take on Obama’s debate performance.

“Al Gore said perhaps Obama's performance at the debates last night was due to the altitude. Good thing they didn't have it at pikes peak,” wrote country music singer Charlie Daniels.

“Thanks to Al Gore, I now have an excuse to work at the beach every day,” said Scott Adcox. “The 10 foot drop in altitude should make me much smarter.”

:Al Gore is suggesting that Denver's altitude affected Obama performance last night. Please. Stop. Now,” wrote @JarredT_Escobar.

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