Couldn't believe my eyes when I read this. This is huge. http://apnews.myway.com/article/20031208/D7VAF64G0.html Gore to Endorse Howard Dean, Sources Say _Email this Story Dec 8, 4:54 PM (ET) By RON FOURNIER (AP) Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean speaks at a news conference after receiving New York... Full Image MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - Former Vice President Al Gore intends to endorse Howard Dean for the Democratic presidential nomination, a dramatic move that could cement Dean's position in the fight for the party's nod. Gore, who lost to President Bush in the disputed 2000 election, has agreed to endorse Dean in Harlem in New York City on Tuesday and then travel with the former Vermont governor to Iowa, sight of the Jan. 19 caucuses which kickoff the nominating process, said a Democratic source close to Gore. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Dean will return from Iowa in time for Tuesday night's Democratic debate in New Hampshire. Dean's campaign declined to comment. Gore won the popular vote by half a million votes in 2000 but conceded to Republican Bush after a tumultuous 36-day recount in Florida and a 5-4 Supreme Court vote against him. Gore's concession came Dec. 13, 2000. The endorsement comes just weeks after two key union endorsements boosted Dean's candidacy. Gore's approval adds further evidence to Dean's case that he can carry the party's mantle next November and is more than an Internet-driven outsider. Dean leads in key early state polls in New Hampshire and Iowa, and is trying to persuade Democrats wary of his lack of foreign policy experience and missteps on the campaign that his nomination is all but certain.
Eh, if an actual ex-President had endorsed him, then yea, it would be huge. Gore couldn't even win his own friggin' home state which by the way, if he had won TN, he would be the President now.
Dean's biggest obstacle to securing the nomination right now is the party establishment. Gore is second only to the Clintons as the face of the party right now. His endorsement goes a long way toward bridging Dean's final gap. As for Manny and Jorge's comments, I wouldn't suggest a Gore nod does anything for Dean in a general election, but it's huge in the primary race. Further, Gore's been on fire since he decided not to run. The endorsement's a very big deal but the fact that Gore plans to stump for Dean is equally big. Anyone who thinks this is no big deal hasn't been paying attention at all.
I have never understood this argument. Gore should have gotten Tenneseans' votes simply because he's from there? If I run for president, should I win Pennsylvania just because I live there? Just because a person of one political ideology comes from a certain region doesn't mean that the majority of that region shares that ideology.
See this smile? This is Howard's crazy smile. This is the smile that says, 'I hate your guts but I'll smile at you anyway.' This is the smile that says 'I want to tear you limb from limb and then feed your vital organs to hyenas.' Howard is nice and pleasant on the outside, but has a BLAZING INFERNO churning on his inside! Howard is secretly plotting his next bitter rebuke of John Kerry's courageous military service. He is thinking of new ways to stereotype White Southerners or to be insensitive to those who find the Confederate Flag a symbol of injustice. Howard is a crazy maniac seeking his next victim! He stalks the members on his secret 'grudge list' and strangles them in a furious rage while they sleep! This man is a psychopath!
I must say I hope that facial expressions become a central issue in the 2004 race. This will play well to any mammal that runs against the current president.
Did you read about Dean's recent appearance w/ Jesse Jackson. Dean supporters were caring signs that read "African-Americans for Dean." Problem was, all the sign carriers were white! Perhaps the signs should have read, "Afrikaner-Americans for Dean!" Actually, i think this is pretty significant for Dean, at least as far as the primaries go. Gore's been almost Howard-esque in his anger lately, so it fits with his campaign 2000 repudiation of most of what he and Bill Clinton ran on. I can't see it being a big boost in the general election. It's not like there was any question of the party establishment repudiating their nominee. While there are some things I like about Dean, and I do think he's a more formidable opponent than Dukakis, Mondale, or McGovern (he's a much more ruthless, cunning politician than they were, and I say that w/out malice- all successful politicians are cunning and ruthless to some degree), I could never vote for him. He's wrong about gun control, wrong about taxes, and unbelievable wrong about foreign policy. He's got hutzpah tho'- I'll gibe him that!
Mistake for both parties. Gore should not endorse any candidates and Dean should not saddle his horse to Gore.
Dang no edit. That quote from Dean should read: I want to tear you limb from limb and then handfeed your vital organs to hyenas.
Gore has more legitimacy than any of the other current candidates. If you believe this is bad for Dean, who would have been a better Democrat to endorse him. Clinton? Daschle?
