Dean Gaining Early Momentum in DNC Race
WASHINGTON - Howard Dean's hard-charging race to head the Democratic National Committee is gaining early momentum that recalls the streaking start of his 2004 presidential campaign.
On Tuesday, the former Vermont governor announced he had the unanimous backing of the Florida delegation to the DNC and also the support of Democratic chairs in Mississippi, Utah, Oklahoma, Washington state and Vermont. He plans house parties around the nation later this week, like the ones he used while trying to gain the Democratic presidential nomination.
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Many party veterans are nervous that the outspoken Dean will lead the party too far to the left and are eager to rally around an alternative candidate.
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Candidates competing to be the party establishment's alternative to Dean are:
_Simon Rosenberg, a
shrewd party strategist who founded the centrist New Democrat Network and led an aggressive campaign to win Hispanic voters to support Democrats.
_Martin Frost, a former Texas congressman who led the Democrats' congressional campaign committee and raised $80 million over two election cycles.
_Tim Roemer, a former Indiana congressman and the most conservative of the group, who could win support of some moderate DNC members but also could face opposition from advocates of abortion rights.
_Wellington Webb, former mayor of Denver, who is the only black candidate and has long-standing ties within the Democratic Party.
_David Leland, a former Ohio Democratic chairman and veteran party activist who touted his success helping President Clinton (news - web sites) win Ohio eight years ago.
_Fowler, an up-and-coming Democratic strategist and son of a former national chairman, with experience running campaigns in more than a dozen states.
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A sign of nervousness within the party was the intense campaign by some within the party to recruit current Democratic Chairman Terry McAuliffe to stay in the position. McAuliffe said the race is still very open.
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