Endorsement by 2000 candidate signals Establishment acceptance of one-time maverickBy Tom Curry
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 — Al Gore’s expected endorsement of Democratic front-runner Howard Dean on Tuesday is another sign that the Democratic Party Establishment is recognizing the strength of Dean’s candidacy. Deemed improbable six months ago, a Dean nomination has begun to seem increasingly likely.
GORE’S BACKING fits with those of the two biggest labor unions, which threw their weight behind Dean last month. Gore and the leaders of the two unions, Andrew Stern of the service employees and Gerry McEntee of the state and county employees, are battle-hardened realists.
Stern in particular has voiced something between awe and envy at Dean’s grass-roots mobilization of donors and volunteers.
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Asked for his reaction to Gore’s expected announcement, Moveon.org director of organizing Zack Exley told MSNBC.com Monday night, “Al Gore is a great statesman. He has been showing great leadership over the past several months. An endorsement from him would be incredibly significant.”
Exley said a Gore endorsement of Dean would have an effect on the 1.7 million Moveon members in the United States.
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http://msnbc.com/news/1002950.asp?0cv=CA01