Yepsen: There's cause for pause

[maddezmom]

Yepsen: There's cause for pause
By DAVID YEPSEN
Register Political Columnist
01/11/2004

Howard Dean's bashing of the Iowa caucuses on Canadian Public Television four years ago isn't the sort of thing that's going to cost him much support in Iowa today, but it is just one more thing that makes undecided Democrats wary of him. For a guy trying to close some sales here, NBC's story about his comments couldn't have come at a worse time.

He can be thankful that Senator Tom Harkin rushed in and endorsed him. It helped Dean change the subject. (The only way to change a media feeding frenzy is to toss the pack some fresh meat to frenzy about.) To borrow an old rural phrase, Harkin made a silk purse out of a sow's ear by saying Dean's fast lip reminded him of Harry Truman's. Dean's talk first, think later style is even a bit like the senator's, who, after a long career in Iowa politics, has lost a few toes because of mouth problems.

An endorsement of a guy who is a front-runner isn't exactly courageous. Nor is the endorsement likely to deliver tons of votes to Dean at this late date because we don't have machine politics in this state. Personal endorsements - as opposed to those special-interest ones - don't "deliver" much. Most of the people in Harkin's organization are already working for candidates of their own choosing.

~snip~

more: http://desmoinesregister.com/opinion/stories/c5917686/23223609.html

[BJ]

1. And the rest of the Register editorial staff endorsed Edwards.

Yippy-skippy.

[chimpymustgo]

2. It's a good idea to pause and reconsider. Edwards is fantastic.

That endorsement should help a lot with the many undecideds.

[BJ]

3. A Register endorsement's the kiss of death.

[anti-bush]

5. Kiss of death to Dean, Gepardt, and Kerry

Endorsements don't win elections, we all know that. But it will obviously not have a negative effect.

[chimpymustgo]

6. LOL. And the endorsement was so unmitigated. They LOVE Edwards.

No - on the one hand this, or we wish this or that - just straight up: this guy is the one!

[anti-bush]

4. Edwards deserved endorsement

If you look at his policies, ideas, experience, demeanor, character, passion, and ability to connect with voters throughout the Iowa campaign he has clearly demostrated he is deserving of the endorsement.

[LuminousX]

7. I agree...Edwards earned that endorsement

But one should note Yepsen also said turnout is the real key to the caucuses.