People: Dec. 3, 2001

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In politics, as in stand-up, timing is all. But AL GORE never quite mastered either. After all, this is the man who opens banquets with the line "I am Al Gore. I used to be the next President of the United States." He's also teaching at two Tennessee universities, writing a book with Tipper about families...but clearly, time to get a real job. So he has. The former VP will be vice chairman (i.e. rainmaker) for Metropolitan West Financial, a Los Angeles-based firm that manages more than $50 billion in assets. "I am eager to learn more about business as an active executive of this dynamic and community-oriented company," Gore enthused. Detractors said he went West because he couldn't close a Wall Street deal, where he'd hoped to make big bucks for another White House run. Gore's people won't comment. And the beard? Again, timing. Even in Kabul they know beards are out this fall.