The Dem superstar is set to end his long silence on politics tonight at a Detroit rally where he will officially throw his support behind Obama. It comes after a noted absence from the endorsement game during the tight primary fight between Obama and Hillary Clinton.

A boisterous Gore endorsement of nominee Obama  is hardly a shocker, but any movement by the 2000 runner-up on the political scene is met with whispered rumors about some sort of surprise re-entry into the presidential race - either as a candidate during the primaries or as a potential VP selection for Obama.

Gore for Veep? Seriously? There are plenty of smart folks in the media who buy into that as a way fro Obama to further bring the party together and take care of the dreaded experience question without dragging along Bill and Hillary for the ride.

Both the Gore and Obama camps are mum on the issue, and Al himself has always given firm denials when asked about a return to high public office. Think of him as an intriguing wild card in the ADD-riddled Veepstakes world.

Below is the text of Gore’s endorsement letter to his supporters posted at at AlGore.com…

A few hours from now I will step on stage in Detroit, Michigan to announce my support for Senator Barack Obama. From now through Election Day, I intend to do whatever I can to make sure he is elected President of the United States.

Over the next four years, we are going to face many difficult challenges — including bringing our troops home from Iraq, fixing our economy, and solving the climate crisis. Barack Obama is clearly the candidate best able to solve these problems and bring change to America.

I’ve never asked members of AlGore.com to contribute to a political campaign before, but this moment and this election are too important to let pass without taking action.

That’s why I am asking you to join me today in showing your support for Barack Obama by making a contribution to his campaign today:

Over the past 18 months, Barack Obama has united a movement. He knows change does not come from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or Capitol Hill. It begins when people stand up and take action.

With the help of millions of supporters like you, Barack Obama will bring the change we so desperately need in order to solve our country’s most pressing problems.

If you’ve already contributed to Barack Obama’s campaign, I ask that you consider making another contribution. If you haven’t, please join the movement right now:

On the issues that matter most, Barack Obama is clearly the right choice to lead our nation.

We have a lot of work to do in the next few months to elect Barack Obama president and it begins by making a contribution to his campaign today.

Thank you for everything you do,

Al Gore