"is that on this issue there are two polarized camps, one that would applaud everything Gore has to say and the other that only want to look for holes in his arguments to disparage the man."

Gore's film is being shown to 7 year olds- therefore obviously, it's appeals to people don't need any scientific understanding.

"I don't think Gore's predictions are completely sound at least as far as timings but I'm not willing to bet my life or the lives of my children on that hunch. I do absolutely believe though that Gore is completely convicted on this issue and that he's not just using it as a political ploy."

I'm not sure what Gore is convinced of or not. But he making a lot of money with jet tours, his house is not green and basically there is no evidence that it is not a political ploy. Whether he just wants to make a lot of money, or become president or both, is not something I can be sure about- I'm not sure Gore even has made a particular choice in these terms.

"The issue must be raised and continue to be pushed into the public consciousness just to ensure there's slow and methodical action taken in the conservation area and Gore has the bully pulpit. He's in a position where he must take the lead since he has the football right now. If he crosses the line a bit from time to time I think that's OK since the people on the opposite side of the debate are ruthless and will never back down."

I think Clinton would defeat Gore, so that is why he won't get in. But Clinton could stumble badly, so Gore is probably waiting for this, or may even try in a very backdoor way try to help Clinton fall.

"If Gore upsets a few scientists, that upset will pale in comparison to the alienation they've gotten from the Bush administration and I doubt it will do any long-term harm."

I do think a number of scientists have been alarmed by Gore's pseudoscience. I think previously, they dismissed the various news reports, like most who people don't have much confidence in any news reports
As for James E. Hansen: "Hansen is best known for his testimony on climate change to congressional committees in the 1980s that helped raise broad awareness of the global warming issue. He is a vocal critic of the Bush Administration's stance on climate change."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Hansen
First, I don't why this guy hasn't been fired- I fail to see why anyone thinks he is doing good job as a NASA administer director.
Second, he is the supporter of Gore.
Again according to wiki, Hansen statements:
"Hansen has made a number of statements concerning global warming. Among these are:

* A global tipping point will be reached in 10 years (starting from 2006) if levels of greenhouse gases such as methane and CO2 are not reduced. Global warming at this point becomes unstoppable.[5]
* Global warming was 0.5–0.75 °C in the past century, and about 0.3 °C in the last 25 years
* Climate sensitivity to CO2 doubling is 3±1 °C.
* The dangerous concentration of CO2 can be no more than approximately 450 ppm; a feasible strategy for planetary rescue almost surely requires a means of extracting greenhouse gases from the air.[6]"