Both Al Gore and NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg have been quite coy about running for president thus far, but growing murmurs from the Beltway media indicate that the duo is ready to step in for the Democratic — in the event a rumored scandal takes down Hillary Clinton.

Columnist Robert Novak has confirmed with New York political sources that Bloomberg engaged in a “long, private discussion about 2008 politics” with former Democratic Sen. David Boren earlier this year.

And it’s well-known that Bloomberg is a big ally of the former VP. “I hope Al Gore enters the race; I think it would be good for the country,” the mayor said this spring.

While Gore has continued to deny so publicly, some believe that he would be the only viable presidential candidate at this late stage in the game, if Clinton were forced out.