I think we're hyping up this endorsement way too much

[Kamika]

Honestly will it really change that many ppls opinion.

I'll be frank, the race is between Clark and Dean. And I really doubt this will make so ppl will switch from Clark to Dean..

We're really overhyping this.. It's just an endorsement for crying out loud.

[Terwilliger]

1. let me guess...Clarkie

like someone pointed out earlier, I doubt the Clark supporters were this tepid about endorsements when it looked like Bill and Hillary were both going to endorse Clark

[Kamika]

4. As a matter of fact

I'm a Deanie..

Just that I'm a realist..

Just how many Clarkies do you think will change to Dean because of this?

[Terwilliger]

11. quite a few

because people still think more of Gore than they do Dean or Clark

[Cheswick2.0]

23. I think more of Gore than Dean or Clark

I would prefer to vote for him but he doesn't own my brain. I think Kamika is right it is just an endorsement.

[dfong63]

21. i think it will not sway many Clarkies - but it will help Dean

... with the great mass of undecideds that Dean and Clark are battling over. and, when the dust settles and the second-tier candidates drop out - Gore's endorsement will help Dean sweep up more of their supporters.

[jpgray]

13. When did you become wholly Dean, Ter? (nt)

[John_H]

18. Wanna bet Clinton does endorse Clark?

[ZenLefty]

2. DUers endorse hype

It's what makes this place fun. :D

[goobergunch]

14. So true. (n/t)

[Faygo Kid]

3. It's an attempt to unite the Dems

Al Gore recognizes that the party is imploding. I have said it before: We need to unite behind whoever gets the nomination. Keep your eyes on the prize. A second Bush term will be the end of our nation as we have known it.

[Padraig18]

5. President Gore's endorsement...

... will have a HUGE effect on the Americans who haven't been paying much attention up till now.

[pmbryant]

6. It may well sway some undecideds

Of whom there are a very large number still.

--Peter

[Maple]

7. Gore endorsement

is the kiss of death. Be serious.

[Cleita]

9. I hope you mean the kiss of death to Bush.

eom

[eileen_d]

8. I agree... it might make more people notice Dean

but it's not going to change anyone's mind who is already decided.

And overhype... what an understatement. Obviously it's good news for Dean though.

[Paragon]

10. Yeah, he's only the rightful President of the United States

Only got half a million more popular votes than *.

What's the big deal?!?

[Malva Zebrina]

12. the important thing is that this endorsement will cause the other

candidates to back out and support the strongest candidate, I would hope. So far that is Dean, because of the Gore endorsement. It allows the energy to be more completley focused--and the press coverage to be more focused on the Democratic platform and candidate. That is what is important. The field has now been narrowed, imo. If the others, and I really like and love Kucinich and wish in my dreams he would become president, do not back down now, they will be seen as dissidents against their own party's efforts to take back this country from the fascist Bush. We cannot afford that. Gore has forced this issue to become ahead of it's time in order to give the Democrats the focus they need. We need every bit of power from all the people that we can get and at this point it is the power that comes from the full support of one person by everybody--if Al supports Dean, that is good enough for me.

[Jerseycoa]

19. You must be dreaming

It's great that Dean got a plum endorsement. Sincerely, I am happy for him and for all of you. But if you think this primary is over because of it, you are whacked.

[littlejoe]

15. Endorsements mean a lot.

Anyone who thinks otherwise is simply naiive. Al Gore has considerable fundraising prowess and plenty of political prestige. Dean has got to be ecstatic over this endorsement. You cannot underestimate it's importance.

[Larkspur]

16. When Gore is put back in the polls as a possbile Prez candidate

he does very well. Before he bowed out, Gore had to support of 30 - 50% of the Democrats polled, who would vote in primaries. It's possible that many of these went into the undecided column or went to a candidate whose campaign is foundering and because they supported Gore in 2000 and feel that he was robbed of the White House, they may change their minds and back Dean based upon Gore's endorsement.

It could be interesting in the next couple of weekds to see what happens to the Undecided voters based upon this endorsement.

[John_H]

17. This endorsement;'s about strategy--and it's a good strategy. With a risk.

Gore thinks it's important to clear the field--he knows it'll get Gebhardt, Lieberman, CMB, and maybe even Edwards out of the picture fast. Focus the money, focus the debate, focus the media--on the heavyweights.
Unfortunately, Kucinich and Sharpton like the ol' ego getting stroked too much to get out--they'll keep spending other people's money for a combined one percent of the vote.

Here's the risk--there is some speculation that this endoresement is more than just typically odd Gore political tonedeafness, and that it's about trying to screw "Clinton's guy," Clark.

If this is true (I doubt it, actually) Clinton will certainly endorse Clark before the first primaries. Except his timing will be a lot better.

Personally, I don't think Gore's endorsement means much one way or another except in Iowa. But hey, time will tell.

[NashVegas]

20. Clark and Dean and Kerry, Too

Kerry has good mojo, I'm telling ya. Don't discount him yet.

[Skidmore]

22. I agree with you...

I like both Clark and Dean and would support a ticket headed by either one of these gentlemen. I also get tired of the incessant bickering between their supporters. I would personally love to see all the candidates be included in cabinet positions later. They are all good, bright, and capable people.

[in_cog_ni_to]

24. I think you're right, Kamika.

I have NEVER had MY vote swayed by someone endorsing a candidate. It may be me, I don't know. I don't like people telling me what to do and who to vote for and that's basically what endorsements are. Someone trying to tell ME who THEY think "I" should vote for. JMCPO