(US Rep Jim) McDermott endorses Dean, cites opposition to Iraq war

[pruner]

SEATTLE — U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott yesterday endorsed former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean in the crowded Democratic presidential race.

…

"What I'm interested in is someone who can get the progressive wing of the Democratic party energized," McDermott said. But he said Dean can appeal to a broad swath of voters.

…

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2001760290_dige07m.html (last item at the bottom)

[La_Serpiente]

1. Awesome

Awesome

[Dookus]

2. Good for Dean...

I respect McDermott a lot.

[sleipnir]

3. I've said it once, I'll say it again

GO DEAN!!!!


I tell ya, the Iraq War thing is going to be the clencher. This article is just more proof. The Dems better nominate an anti-Iraq war candidate or we risk losing just enough voters to turn this thing over....to the thugs. It will happen, enough voters will refuse to vote for a Pro-War Dem, like Gephardt, and * will get another 4 years. We must choose wisely...

[Dookus]

4. I agree....

It's why I'm supporting Clark.

[jamesinca]

5. People powered Howard

Go Dean, pick up the endorsements. With Graham dropping out, lets hope he goes after the Graham endorsement. We as Dems can use all the southern help we can get.

[pruner]

6. Graham's daughter posted on Dean's blog earlier tonight

Hi. I'm Senator Bob Graham's oldest daughter. I just want to thank all of you for your kind remarks regarding my Dad. It means a lot. Best of luck to your candidate. He is a good man.

the comment was posted at 11:45 PM on the "Statement on Sen. Bob Graham's Withdrawal" thread.

[whirlygigspin]

7. good news

McDermott is well respected here. Bully!

Sen.Graham is also a good man, I wish him well
He is admired and needed in the senate, not to mention
that we need his fine help to win Florida again.

This time I hope we get to count the votes!

[jamesinca]

8. Good, I am glad his family is supporting Dean at least

Hopefully Dad will follow. No Dem has picked up more than 4 of the 11 southern states in a long time. I think Graham may help us get FL. Clark may get us AR. Edwards will hopefully come thru with NC. 1 state away from tying Clintons record of 4 southern states. The southern Dems were livid this weekend in D.C. for being overlooked in '00 by Gore. Gore put some time into W.Va and FL but that was it. We also need to go after the Asian population. Here in CA they are 60% Dem, 30% undecided and 10% repug. But nobody ask their opinion and as a result votes are lost to apathy. Pick up the Asian vote and you will take Hawaii. Go after any other minority vote and you will take CA. CA is almost one third of the way to the WH by way of the electoral vote. He is also picking up the endorsement of one of the WA representatives. If he does this right, he will pick up the entire Pacific rim of the U.S. and a few southern states. Throw in NY for good measure and Dean is in. Any candidate for that matter is in with this.

[jsw_81]

9. Excellent!

I was afraid that McDermott might endorse Kucinich.

[rhite5]

11. To tell ya the truth, I did too ......

I expected McDermott to eventually make a first round commitment to Kucinich and to withhold any endorsements this early.

With his Dean endorsement, that is one more superdelegate to add to the 60-plus superdelegates Dean has already got committed. That's an unheard of total this early in the race.

The McDermott endorsement means a lot to progressives. It confirms Dean's liberal credentials. Though not perfect, they are OK in the areas most important to McDermott. Others will follow his lead.

[Khephra]

10. This is most excellent news!

McDermott is one of the greats out there right now. Great, great news!

:bounce:

[WilliamPitt]

12. Jim McDermott is a damned good man

Good for Howard!

[goobergunch]

13. Excellent!

McDermott is one of my favorite members of the House. This is a very good endorsement for Dean.

The delegate count will be updated this afternoon.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

14. Washington is a lock for Dean.

As a matter of fact I believe that he has the whole left coast wrapped up. :D

[Rose Siding]

15. I called hom a few times about this

This is so exciting! His office always said it was WAY too early to be thinking about endorsements but one of them told me that he is good friends with Betty Means, who is the head of Dean's campaign in WA. The office just opened this week. 228 9th Ave, Seattle. :party:

[Evanstondem]

16. McDermott is supporting Dean for the right reasons.

Dean has certainly energized the Dem presidential race.