Is reopening the Al Gore sex case fair?

The Portland Police Department is re-examining the "crazed sex poodle" allegations against Al Gore, after his accuser, masseuse Molly Hagerty, went public in the National Enquirer. Portland Police Chief Mike Reese says he's reopening the case over "procedural issues" — Hagerty's 2009 statement about the alleged 2006 hotel harassment incident shouldn't have been filed away without a review by upper-level police commanders. But after four years of inaction, is it fair to revisit this long-cold case? (Listen to Molly Hagerty's statement against Al Gore)

Hagerty may have the goods on Gore: Portland police had little choice but to reopen the case, says John Hinderaker in PowerLine. Hagerty reportedly has "DNA evidence" on a pair of black pants she wore that night, and strong "corroboration" from a friend she called after the alleged incident. Apparently, the police failed to ask the hotel for surveillance video from the night in question, which — if such tapes still exist — might provide "valuable (or titillating) evidence" to back up Hagerty's story.

"Crazed sex poodle, Part 2"

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The cops are hanging Gore out to dry: "I'm on Team Gore on this one," says Jeralyn Merritt in TalkLeft. Hagerty's behavior has been suspiciously erratic and profit-driven, and her DNA evidence doesn't change "the 'he said/she said' nature of the matter" — you'd expect some DNA residue after a massage. To top it all off, the police will now "clam up" during a potentially prolonged investigation, while the media frenzy they triggered by "releasing her one-sided accusation" unfolds.

"Portland police re-open Al Gore masseuse investigation"

Gore should welcome the new investigation: With Hagerty's side of the story "all over the internet and the tabloids," says Michael Crowley in Time, a "thorough review by the police" might just be "the best thing for Gore's reputation." If his "firm denials" are true, bringing in an "impartial third party capable of exonerating him" is his best shot at getting out of the "miserable spot" he's in.

"On Al Gore"