Governors Delay on Dean

[Freddie Stubbs]

Democrats Hold Off on Endorsing Former Peer for President

INDIANAPOLIS -- Former Vermont governor Howard Dean has powered his way to the top tier of the Democratic presidential race by energizing the party's rank and file, but he has had much tougher luck wooing one of his natural consistencies: his fellow governors.

Dean's lack of success in attracting endorsements from Democratic chief executives stands in sharp contrast President Bush's success four years ago among Republican governors. The GOP governors coalesced early around the candidacy of the then-governor of Texas, and their financial and political support helped push him to the nomination and eventually the White House.

In contrast to the Republicans in 2000, Democratic governors this year have remained on the sidelines as Dean's candidacy has gained strength and support. On the basis of interviews with many of the Democrats who are attending the National Governors Association (NGA) meeting here this week, it appears unlikely that Dean can expect to see significant gubernatorial support anytime soon.

"It's not going to happen," said Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, who holds open the possibility of eventually endorsing one of the nine Democratic presidential candidates but who remains neutral for now.

more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16859-2003Aug19.html

[VermontDem2004]

1. I like Napolitano

but I have a feeling she might be endorsing Lieberman

[Nazgul35]

2. yeah...we dems have this funny habit

of actually electing our representatives for the nomination...unlike the annointing of Bush in 2000...this means nothing more than Gephardt not getting the endorsment from the AFL-CIO....everybodies waiting for the filed to clear to avoid creating splits in the party that are not neccessary...

[dsc]

3. a more interesting comparison

would be to Clinton in 92. I have no idea how fast he locked down governors back then. Bush was annoited by all the Republican power brokers so it is a very different story.