Kerry secures crucial Southern endorsement

[WilliamPitt]

Well...maybe not crucial, but still interesting. :)

===

David DiMartino
John Kerry for President
www.johnkerry.com

For Immediate Release

December 30, 2003

John Kerry Secures Endorsement of Redding Pitt

Alabama Democratic Party Chair Will Chair Kerry for President

Washington, D.C. - Today, Alabama Democratic Party Chair Redding Pitt announced his endorsement of Democratic Candidate for President John Kerry and agreed to serve Chairman of the Kerry Campaign in Alabama.

Pitt is a Vietnam veteran who was awarded the bronze star. He also served in the Office of the Chief of Staff for Intelligence in Washington D.C. and served as U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama in Montgomery.

"When Senator Kerry came and spoke at the Alabama Jefferson Jackson Dinner, I knew that he was a strong candidate and great leader. He spoke to the voters in Alabama and listened to their concerns. I am pleased to serve as the Chair for the Kerry Campaign in Alabama and support the campaign as we move closer to the nomination. I am convinced that Senator Kerry is the most qualified and strongest candidate for the general election in November and that with his leadership we will win," Pitt said.

"I am thrilled that Redding has agreed to serve as Chair for my Alabama campaign. He is a valuable part of our team and I look forward to working with him and campaigning with him in Alabama and the South," said Kerry.

Kerry's strong support in Alabama and across the nation paired with the endorsement of this strong state party leader is proof that Kerry's campaign is building momentum, especially in the South. Kerry is building a national campaign structure in every state to compete for the Democratic nomination for president.

[goobergunch]

1. This is old news

Pitt's been in my delegate count for a bit over a week now. ;)

Incidentally, are you planning on running for a Kerry delegate position from Massachusetts?

[WilliamPitt]

4. No

but I sure as hell will be at the convention, no matter who the nominee is.

[flpoljunkie]

8. No, it's not. And there's more...

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2003_1230e.html

Democratic Leaders Denounce Dean Comments on Party, Foreign Policy
Five current and former Democratic Party Chairs from Wyoming, Virginia, Alabama, North Dakota, and Georgia issued the following statement today:


December  30,  2003

For Immediate Release

“As current and past Chairs of state Democratic Parties, in states where Republicans have recently done well in Presidential elections, we know how quickly ill-considered statements by national Democrats can impact our state elections.  As chairs, we also know that full and vigorous debate between our candidates leads to the nomination of our best and strongest candidates.

“With this in mind, we must express our strong disappointment in the recent statements of Howard Dean.  Over the past few weeks, Gov. Dean has spoken before he thought, been forced to retract, apologize for and “clarify” many of his remarks.  In addition to ill-considered statements on critical subjects, such as reserving judgment on what punishment should be meted out to Osama bin Laden, he has attacked our party leaders and the policies of President Bill Clinton that produced the most sustained period of economic growth in our country’s history.  Rather than welcome full debate on his policy positions he has called on Party leaders to intervene in the nominating process to stifle debate between our candidates.  Gov. Dean has gone so far as to suggest that he and his supporters may have an agenda other than insuring the defeat of George Bush if he isn't the nominee of our party.

“As current and former chairs of our state parties, in states where Republicans have recently done well in Presidential elections, we need a nominee who can neutralize the traditional GOP strengths on taxes and national security.  And we know that regardless of the intensity in our primary fight, it will not compare to the onslaught that George Bush and the Republicans will dish out. That's why we support John Kerry for President; a combat veteran who supports middle class tax cuts and knows as Harry Truman once said, "if you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen". We suggest that Governor Dean should take his temperature now.”


Mike Gierau, Chairman Wyoming Democratic Party
Redding Pitt, Chairman Alabama Democratic Party
Larry Framme, Former Chair of Virginia Democratic Party
Dan Hannaher, Former Chair of North Dakota Democratic Party
David Worley, Former Chair of Georgia Democratic Party

[WilliamPitt]

25. Right, that too

:)

[slinkerwink]

2. that's nice to hear about your father

:hi:

[HFishbine]

20. Is he?

Seriously, any relation to Will?

[goobergunch]

23. Yeah, Will said so in another thread (n/t)

[adadem]

29. Cool

those Pitts are smart people.

[Brian_Expat]

3. But Kerry is an old-school Washington Massachusetts New England Liberal!!!

He cannot win in the South! ;)

[Bombtrack]

5. Kerry can win Florida with Graham as vp

and possibly Louisiana with Landrieu as vp

because he doesn't favor raising middle class income taxes. Because he'd be a natural commander and cheif with all the expertise that requires, as well as a natural domestic president. And southernors care about environmental issues more than you think

[libview]

6. Oh come on......

Kerry's campain has become an embarrasment to him and pretty much anyone who supports him. Is he still polling below Al Sharpton?
Clark is the only one who can defeat Bushie.
IMHO

[Bombtrack]

12. Kerry's PRIMARY campaign has been rocked. But his GENERAL campaign

his potential general campaign has no parellel in any way to running in a primary.

Kerry could beat Bush, so could Edwards. I'm also supporting Clark, but I don't need to lie about the opposition, particularly heros like Kerry

[SheilaT]

28. Kerry won't be running a general campaign

if he's not nominated. And at the rate he's going, he most assuredly won't make the nomination.

If his strategy was not to worry about the primaries but concentrate on the general election, it wasn't a very good strategy.

[jsw_81]

7. Alabama is irrelevant in 2004

It won't hold a presidential primary until June, and it will be solid for Bush in November. It's pretty sad if this is what Senator Kerry is bragging about these days.

ON EDIT: Didn't notice that this was your father, Will. I'm sure he's a great guy regardless of who he's endorsing. I didn't mean to suggest that he was irrelevant.

[Monte Carlo]

22. Irrelevant? It's one of those Southern states...

... that the Democrats have been saying they need to make much progress in in recent years. It's a plus.

[jsw_81]

24. We have no chance in Alabama

I don't speak for the Dean campaign, but I think we have a better chance of winning Texas than we do Alabama.

[Monte Carlo]

26. Support will come gradually, not overnight...

... and Kerry's campaign just increased their chances in the primary through Alabama Democrats.

[jsw_81]

30. You don't understand

The Alabama primary will be held in June, months after Super Tuesday and only a few weeks before our convention in Boston. Alabama Dems will be lucky to get a 5 percent turnout in their primary.

[tishaLA]

9. Congratulations to Kerry

and to those working for him!

[VelmaD]

10. Well, color me stunned.

I'm just shocked...shocked I tell ya. ;-)

[Raya]

11. Good for the Senator. When is he going to get some big IOWA endorsements?

Wish Gore had endorsed him instead of Dean. Gore is my guy,
but I think something funky went down with the Dean endorsement?

Wish I knew what.

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JNelson6563]

14. you step over the line

with your remarks.

[WillyT]

16. AGAIN...

The desperation will probably get louder, though.

:shrug:

[Padraig18]

19. "Loyal, but misguided supporters"?

Care for some fries with that heaping platter of condescension, Bombtrack? :eyes:

[HFishbine]

21. That "A-hole?"

Bombastic!

[sandnsea]

31. He has 1/3 of the Iowa legislative Dems

"Today, the Kerry Campaign announced the support of several prominent Iowans, including Representative Mary Gaskill – the 24th state legislator to throw their support behind Kerry – Paulee Lipsman, staff director of the Iowa House and Susan Pamperin, the Chairwoman of the Democratic Party in Scott County, the 3rd largest county in the state."

"The Kerry Campaign proudly has the support of over a third of the Democratic Caucus in the Iowa Legislature, more than double that of any other candidate. Many of the other new endorsements are from Iowans who have switched alliances with other candidates."


http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2003_1223a.html

[RUexperienced]

15. Ya think Kerry will still be around when Alabama

has its primary? When is it anyway?

[Myra]

17. Congrats to Kerry and his supporters on this endorsement.

It looks like a good one.

[NashVegas]

18. What'd'ja Bribe Him With, Will, Huh? Huh?

Inquiring minds want to know :)

[Jacobin]

27. Kerry would be slaughtered in Alabama, IMHO

I'll be glad when we finally have a nominee and can get behind whoever it might be

[diamondsoul]

32. Well done, Will and Mr. Pitt.

Really, you're both very inspirational people. Happiest of all New Years!

[Cheswick2.0]

33. Well this is very nice

I am not sure of how this qualifies as "crucial". Congratulations in any case

[Leilani]

34. Congrats to the Kerry Campaign

I am supporting Clark, however I respect Kerry very much, agree with his positions, & would be happy to support him if he is the nominee.

[Loren645]

35. That's great news Will.

It looks like Sen. Kerry is doing well in NH.
Based on the polls anyway.