Gore to Endorse Dean, Remaking Democratic Race (NYT)

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Gore to Endorse Dean, Remaking Democratic Race

By ADAM NAGOURNEY and JODI WILGOREN

Published: December 9, 2003


WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 — Al Gore has decided to endorse Howard Dean for president, aides to the men said Monday, a move that rocked the Democratic presidential field and hastened Dr. Dean's evolution from a long-shot maverick to a leading candidate of the Democratic establishment.


Mr. Gore will announce his endorsement of Dr. Dean on Tuesday at events in Harlem and in Iowa, Democrats close to both men said.

The decision by Mr. Gore, the former vice president who opened the floodgates to this crowded Democratic nomination contest by declaring last December that he would not run again, stunned Democrats and emboldened the Dean campaign, which chartered three jets to carry Dr. Dean, Mr. Gore and dozens of reporters to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

"This is huge," said Donna Brazile, who was Mr. Gore's campaign manager in 2000. "It gives Dean what Dean has been missing most: stature. Gore is a major-league insider, somebody with enormous credibility that Democrats respect, who can rally the grass roots and who's been speaking very strongly in the last few months about the direction he wants to take the country."

Gerald McEntee, the president of the municipal workers union, which endorsed Dr. Dean last month, said: "I think this may be the beginning of the end for the other candidates."

(more)

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/09/politics/campaigns/09GORE.html?ex=1071550800&en=c95939efafc8cc1e&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

[MercutioATC]

1. WOW!!!

How big it THAT? I didn't realize that Gore was endorsing anybody this early. Great news coming home from working a midnight shift last night!

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3. It's going to be a big day for Dean....

BTW what are your working initials? I'll say hey when I come thru CLE center's airspace...

TN

[MercutioATC]

4. HL, I'm changing areas in January, but my airspace now is

Cleveland Center's "Area 5" (low altitude east and south of PIT. high altitude from CXR to ETG on J146, from about 70m east of DJB to PSB on J60 and from EWC to Midst intersection on J64 - roughly a CXR/ETG/TON/EWC box from FL240 on up).

[MarianJack]

2. McEntee May Be Right

This is huge! My guess is that the real president believes that it's in the best interests of the party, and in '04, that means the country, for this to end quickly so we can unite behind one candidate and send dubbya back to the beer tap in crawford.

I believe that John Kerry is the best man and the most formidable candidate, but if Dean is inevitable, I will, as I've said many times before, support him actively and enthusiastically.

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

5. Gore said this morning

while he was in Harlem with the good doctor that he endorsed him because Dean has the best chance of beating shrub and that Dean is highly qualified to be President. He spoke of Dean's stance on the Iraq War, saying that despite his supposed lack of foreign policy experience he was the only major candidate who was against the war.

Gore also stated that we need to get in line, as Democrats, just as the repubs do, and not tear each other up during the primaries and hurt our chances during the regular election.

A good, good day for Dr. Dean. I can't wait to hear Gore's extended speech in Iowa today.

[PaDUer]

7. Imus smeared

him this am..What an asshole. He said that he was receiving a lot of IM's and was reading a few on the air..lol. He was saying that Gore was posing as Hitler! I think he needs to wakeup and realize who poses as Hitler.

[Beetwasher]

6. This Should Wrap it Up For Dean

I could be wrong, but I think should do it.

I'm sorta glad. If we can get a clear front runner now, then he could focus like a laser beam on the Chimp for a whole year...The whole party has to unite and soon behind him though...I hope this is a first step...