Post by PaulaB on Feb 7, 2004 22:33:30 GMT -5
www.nytimes.com/2004/02/08/politics/campaign/08GORE.html
By ELISABETH BUMILLER
Published: February 8, 2004
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 — He is a standard-bearer of the Democratic Party, one of the best-known figures in American politics and the presidential candidate who won more popular votes in 2000 than George W. Bush. But is an endorsement from Al Gore the kiss of political death?
That is the question — and the joke — buzzing through Democratic circles and late-night talk shows as even Howard Dean, the candidate bestowed with Mr. Gore's endorsement, traces his precipitous tumble from front-runner to the day in early December that Mr. Gore gave him his seal of approval.
Of course, Dr. Dean turned his view into a compliment of sorts when Bob Woodward of The Washington Post asked him on the CNN program "Larry King Live" if perhaps he might be in a better position today had he said no to Mr. Gore's support.
"I actually do think the endorsement of Al Gore began the decline," Dr. Dean began, to what must have been some astonishment from Mr. Gore. But Dr. Dean instantly amplified his statement to indicate that the endorsement from Mr. Gore, a powerhouse of the establishment, so threatened the other Democratic candidates that they began the attacks on his candidacy that helped derail it.
"The establishment in Washington really realized that I might be the nominee and they did not like it," Dr. Dean concluded.
(On the same program, former Senator Bob Dole, the Republican presidential candidate in 1996, had a less complicated view, which he imparted on behalf of Senators John Kerry and John Edwards. "My advice to Kerry and Edwards is, if Gore calls, don't take the call," Mr. Dole said. "I mean, it may be an endorsement."
Beyond the impact for Dr. Dean, some Democrats said there might be political consequences for Mr. Gore, who, in backing Dr. Dean, did not first alert his 2000 running mate and another Democrat then in the race, Senator Joseph I. Lieberman.
Some Democrats say Mr. Gore's endorsement now looks like an effort to jump on the Dean freight train when it appeared to be hurtling nonstop to the party's nomination.
More at above link
By ELISABETH BUMILLER
Published: February 8, 2004
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 — He is a standard-bearer of the Democratic Party, one of the best-known figures in American politics and the presidential candidate who won more popular votes in 2000 than George W. Bush. But is an endorsement from Al Gore the kiss of political death?
That is the question — and the joke — buzzing through Democratic circles and late-night talk shows as even Howard Dean, the candidate bestowed with Mr. Gore's endorsement, traces his precipitous tumble from front-runner to the day in early December that Mr. Gore gave him his seal of approval.
Of course, Dr. Dean turned his view into a compliment of sorts when Bob Woodward of The Washington Post asked him on the CNN program "Larry King Live" if perhaps he might be in a better position today had he said no to Mr. Gore's support.
"I actually do think the endorsement of Al Gore began the decline," Dr. Dean began, to what must have been some astonishment from Mr. Gore. But Dr. Dean instantly amplified his statement to indicate that the endorsement from Mr. Gore, a powerhouse of the establishment, so threatened the other Democratic candidates that they began the attacks on his candidacy that helped derail it.
"The establishment in Washington really realized that I might be the nominee and they did not like it," Dr. Dean concluded.
(On the same program, former Senator Bob Dole, the Republican presidential candidate in 1996, had a less complicated view, which he imparted on behalf of Senators John Kerry and John Edwards. "My advice to Kerry and Edwards is, if Gore calls, don't take the call," Mr. Dole said. "I mean, it may be an endorsement."
Beyond the impact for Dr. Dean, some Democrats said there might be political consequences for Mr. Gore, who, in backing Dr. Dean, did not first alert his 2000 running mate and another Democrat then in the race, Senator Joseph I. Lieberman.
Some Democrats say Mr. Gore's endorsement now looks like an effort to jump on the Dean freight train when it appeared to be hurtling nonstop to the party's nomination.
More at above link