Dean debacle should just about finish Gore for goo

[GSC Admin]

tennessean.com/opinion/columnists/chavez/archives/04/02/46534390.shtml?Element_ID=46534390

Dean debacle should just about finish Gore for good

If you're wondering why Al Gore has been hiding in his own supposed home state days before the Democratic primary, his endorsed candidate, Howard Dean, provided the answer Tuesday night on CNN's Larry King Live.

Dean says his candidacy started nose-diving after Gore endorsed him.

Holy Revenge of Bill and Hillary Clinton, Batman! It seems that Gore's endorsement tarnished ol' Howard's image as an outsider who would change things in Washington.

So Gore in Tennessee has been kept out of sight like Saddam Hussein in a 12-foot-deep rat hole, and Dean isn't even expected to campaign here anymore.

Next Tuesday, Gore will lose his home state for the second time in four years — this time exclusively due to the sentiments of his fellow Democrats. And that incredible event may well write his political obituary as far as ever being a viable candidate again.

Rutgers University political scientist Ross K. Baker put it this way in the Los Angeles Times:

''The more prominent the endorser, the worse it looks. Take Gore: Already ridiculed for losing his home state of Tennessee in the 2000 election, Gore, by endorsing Dean, cemented a reputation for political ineptitude.''

Right now, he is the butt of jokes. Jay Leno quipped this week, as reported by The Associated Press:

''Yesterday, Howard Dean got under 10% of the vote in South Carolina, Missouri, and Oklahoma. That Al Gore endorsement is really kicking in!''

Former GOP presidential nominee Bob Dole got off the best line on Larry King:

''The best advice for Kerry and Edwards is if Al Gore calls, don't pick up.''

The only thing that could revive talk about Gore's political career would be if Tipper tears off one of his earth tone suit lapels to reveal a nipple ring a la Janet Jackson.

With Gore, there are so many questions and so few answers. The latest, unanswered question is why did he feel the need to take such a chance so early in 2004 Democratic presidential politics.

''Gore took a calculated risk in jumping out front in endorsing Dean, primarily from the polls, in an effort to keep his name on the big board,'' replied Kerry Haynie, an associate professor of political science at Duke University, on the Ascribe Newswire.

''It seals his fate in the party,'' Haynie said. ''He's not a major player anymore. It was odd behavior for someone who wanted to be a standard-bearer. Gore would have been well-advised to have waited. Bill Clinton has waited. He knows his endorsement matters.''

There are other questions:

Why did Gore feel the need to run so far from Bill Clinton and his administration's successes in the 2000 race?

And why did he just seek recounts in a handful of southern Florida counties when voters, particularly African-Americans ones, were apparently disenfranchised in the northern part of the state? Gore's decision not to seek a statewide recount probably lost him the U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

Yes, there are a lot of questions. But with Tuesday's vote in Tennessee and Dean's withdrawal if he loses in Wisconsin, Democrats and voters will no longer care about answers to the political mystery that is Al Gore.

[GoreSupporterNJ]

My cover letter to all these papers:

Will there now be any opinions forthcoming from the media about how Gephardt is backing Kerry just because he is the media/DLC frontrunner of the week with only 10% of the delegates chosen? While Gephardt may well be a good man, do you think he doesn't see a VP/Cabinet slot for himself in that? I am astounded by the blinders so many wear. Al Gore however, can't win with the press or some people no matter what he does, can he? He comes out early and endorses a man because he truly believes in the grassroots support he has awakened, and is grilled for it. If he didn't endorse anyone, the media would grill him for that. FYI, Tom Harkin and Bill Bradley, as well as other Governors and officials also endorsed Dean, including the Governor of ny state, NJ. Funny however, I don't recall seeing them grilled in the press for their, "Bad choice." How many of these papers who are coincidentally picking this weekend, the very weekend Mr. Gore is to be honored by the Tennessee Democratic Party for his service to the State and this country btw, have covered any of the truly truthful, eloquent, and empassioned speeches he has given on issues from freedom and security, the economy, civil liberties, climate change, etc.? You also mean to tell me that Tennesseans feel so snubbed by a a native son, that they would vote for a man from Arkansas who has NO roots in Tennessee or domestic policy experience? Are there no unemployed in Tennessee? Do you all also need to be reminded of Al Gore's stunning victories in Tennessee when he ran for the House and Senate, and his record of service to this state and this country? How soon people forget when it suits their own purposes. Please, I know Tennessee is veering more to the right, (case in point 2000) which you all never forget to pummel us with, but really, this type of coverage of Gore is so blatantly obvious, biased, and frankly, redundant. It is also obvious that it is only what you all in the media pick and choose to show to the American people that gets printed. What are you all so afraid of?

Jan

[ErinB]

Dean says his candidacy started nose-diving after Gore endorsed him.

Dean actually said this? WTF!! I don't feel sorry for him anymore.
This article is pure, vile, trash. Wish we could put a huge, write-in Gore ad there....just to get in their face.
I'll write a letter to the editor. It is my homestate so perhaps they will print it.

[GSC Admin]

Here is my reply:

Mr. Chavez,

I am so tired of the constant bashing of Al Gore from Tennesseans. Al Gore is one of this nation's finest statesmen and is the moral leader of the United States. Gore has gave twenty-five plus years to Tennessee and the nation, but it never seems to be enough for some people. While as a representative and senator, Gore fought for Tennesseans and their interests by coming homing home often and hearing first hand the needs of his constituents. As Vice President, Gore along with President Clinton, instituted an agenda that favored the average person and it resulted in the longest peacetime, economic expansion in history. In 2000, Gore may not the most exciting candidate, but he continued the fight for the needs of the common folk. Not to mention, he garnered the most votes of any Democrat in history, while also getting more votes than President Bush. Now as a private citizen, Gore continues to speak out on issues that are near and dear to many while giving back to Tennessee as a visiting professor. People like Al Gore are a rarity these days. He displays real compassion, honor, and integrity, something that some public servants in recent memory have not displayed.

[PaulaB]

Dean says his candidacy started nose-diving after Gore endorsed him.

Actually Dean did say this, but he went on to say that it wasn't for the reasons you are thinking, Gore gave two of the best speeches of this election and he was not even a candidate. He then went on to say his downfall he felt was because he was the front-runner and he was being attack by the other candidates and the media.

Just to be clear, I'm not saying the article was correct, or that I agree with it, but I watched King that night and in all fairness to all involved this is what was really said. I think when letter are written we should slam the reporter for leaving out the rest of what Dean said. I sure the transcripts are available from CNN.

I will write to them tonight.

Paula