Dean Camp Sees Mischief Behind Rumors That He'll Primary Obama

[ProSense]

Sam Stein

Dean Camp Sees Mischief Behind Rumors That He'll Primary Obama

WASHINGTON -- For the second time in as many days, a progressive-minded politician who is either out of office -- or soon to be -- has had to deny that they will be launching a primary challenge against President Obama in 2012.

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It's become a customary feature of the political press to begin speculation about the upcoming election cycle the day after one just ended. And certainly, there is enough palpable angst among progressives to wonder how the president will cope with his base.

But the back-to-back airing of will-Obama-be-primaried stories did strike some, including two former members of the Dean camp, as a bit suspicious.

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"The notion that Governor Dean or Senator Feingold are going to mount a primary challenge to President Obama is nonsense," said Kombiz Lavasany, a former researcher at the DNC during the Dean years. "It was a notion dreamed up by two right-wing columnists (John Fund and Bill Kristol) and regurgitated by Roger Simon at Politico for mainstream consumption. It's really just the latest reminder that if Kristol and Fund are giving you the inside scoop about politics, especially Democratic politics you're wasting your time listening to them."

Speculation of a Feingold presidential bid was primarily the senator's own doing, as his post-loss decree to continue fighting "in 2012" struck many as having political undertones. The Dean rumors, however, seem traceable to two sources, a piece written by The Wall Street Journal's John Fund and a column by Roger Simon in Politico.

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Sure enough, here is the WSJ minutes ago ruling it out again based on the two pieces mentioned above: Howard Dean Rules Out 2012 Bid

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But spokeswoman Karen Finney, responding to reports The Wall Street Journal’s John Fund and Politico’s Roger Simon hinting at a Dean groundswell, sought today to rule it out.

“No way, no how, not happening,” Ms. Finney said.

She said Mr. Dean was traveling on business in Canada and could not talk about it himself, but that she had spoken to him Thursday morning and he was adamant that the rumors should be dispelled.

“He asked me to make it explicitly clear,” Ms. Finney said. “He supports President Obama and will support him in 2012.”

[Pirate Smile]

1. RW is pushing this meme and idiots on the left are helping.

Frankly, they seem to be forming a bizarre coalition.

[emulatorloo]

2. Here you go: GOP Pollster On 2012: Romney's In Trouble, Obama Primary Challenge 'Likely'

So there's one GOP operative pushing this scenario. Take time to read the article if you can, this guy is so nasty and manipulative.

GOP Pollster On 2012: Romney's In Trouble, Obama Primary Challenge 'Likely'
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/gop-pollster-on-2012-romneys-in-trouble-obama-primary-challenge-likely.php?ref=fpi