“After the last eight years, even our dogs and cats have learned that elections matter.” - Al Gore

Urging Americans to reject the Bush legacy of incompetence, negligence and failure, former Vice President Al Gore - who has become the de facto Democratic standard-bearer in the past seven years - endorsed Barack Obama Monday.

Gore said George W. Bush and his cronies have “dishonored and disrespected” the Constitution and led our country through “eight years of the most serious foreign policy mistakes in the entire history of our nation.”

[NOTE: Did anyone else watching this get the feeling that this guy would make an excellent Vice President? Just throwing it out there]

At a campaign rally in Detroit, Michigan, Al Gore called for Americans to move past partisanship and select, in Barack Obama, a great leader who can solve the global climate crisis and create a brighter future for the U.S. and the planet.

He didn’t stop at foreign policy and climate change, either.

Al Gore cited myriad concerns about the environment, lead-painted toys and food safety - even pet foods - as other reasons to vote Democrat.

Joining Obama in the midst of the Democratic nominee’s two-week tour of the U.S. to talk about ways to revitalize the economy, Monday marked Gore’s debut in this historic, often contentious 2008 election.

Gore praised Barack Obama as someone who could mobilize people, young and old, who had never before taken part in the political process.

Follow the jump for some terrific Al Gore quotes from the rally …

• “I feel that same spirit in this auditorium tonight, building all over this country this year.”

• “Take it from me, elections matter. If you think the next appointments to our Supreme Court are important, you know that elections matter. If you live in the city of New Orleans, you know that elections matter. If you or a member of your family are serving in the active military, the National Guard or Reserves, you know that elections matter.”

• “Americans simply cannot afford to continue the policies of the last eight years for another four.

• “If you are a wounded veteran, you know that elections matter. If you’ve lost your job; if you’re struggling with a mortgage, you know that elections matter.”

• “After eight years of lost jobs and lower wages, we need change. After eight years of incompetence, negligence and failure, we need change.”

• “And yet another said the United States cannot afford to risk the future of the free world with inexperience and immaturity in the White House. Who were they talking about? Every single one of those quotes came from the campaign of 1960, when the the Republicans attacked John Fitzgerald Kennedy for allegedly lacking the age and experience necessary to be president.”