Howard Dean is 'absolutely, categorically not running in 2012'

[jefferson_dem]

Thanks Dr. Dean. Frankly, I'm not surprised. After all, he's a loyal Democrat.

Howard Dean is 'absolutely, categorically not running in 2012'

After the "shellacking" suffered by the Democratic Party, it's only natural that folks would start wondering if President Obama were in danger of facing a primary challenge in 2012. The name that keeps popping up is former Vermont governor and 2004 presidential aspirant Howard Dean. Actually, it got started the morning of the midterm elections with a piece from John Fund of the Wall Street Journal. And Roger Simon picks up the ball today at Politico.

Who knows if there will be a left-flank challenge of the president? But this much is clear. It won't come from Dean.

The former head of the Democratic National Committee is traveling on business in Canada, but his spokesperson, Karen Finney, was as clear as can be on this issue. Pushing back hard on the growing chatter that Dean is thinking about or would undertake a challenge to Obama, Finney said, "It's absolutely not true. He supports President Obama in 2012 and he has repeatedly said so publicly." In fact, Finney said, Dean said so several times on CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Nov. 2.

Yes, I did ask the next question. Is the Dean denial categorical? "He is absolutely, categorically not running in 2012." Can't get anymore definitive than that?

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2010/11/howard_dean_is_absolutely_cate.html

[dave29]

1. Could he leave the door any more open?

Categorical denials made absolutely mean he is probably headed to Iowa next week

;)

Edit to add, I do not, obviously, believe he intends to run, and agree with his decision. Deaniac here, but think his talents are best suited elsewhere

[AtomicKitten]

2. That's irrelevant to some who intend to use him as a cudgel against the Dem party regardless. nt

[glitch]

3. Who's for begging?

I am.

Unrec for the creepy "loyal dem" crack.

[stray cat]

4. Smart enough to know the US is better off with the current dem than a GOP

no loyalty even required - just common sense and Dean is not stupid and wants what is best for the American people

[David__77]

5. Nonsense. No primary challenge will occur.

This is chattering from non-Democratic sources obviously.

[krawhitham]

8. no body that matters anyway, some other name will be on ballots

but no one that stands any chance at polling above 10% or will allow the press to create a false "civil war for dems" story. You know someone like kucinich

[krawhitham]

6. Good for him

[NYC Liberal]

7. Some here will try to insist that it means he really is running,

just like Gore was going to run in 2008 despite repeated denials worded in every possible way.

So for anyone who thinks there's going to be a primary in 2012, it's time to face reality.:

Dean is not running.
Hillary is not running.
Gore is not running.
Kucinich is not running.
Grayson is not running.
Feingold is not running.

[Bad Thoughts]

9. Any other failed candidates we can dredge up?

Kerry?
Edwards?
Richardson?
Clark (Clarkie here)?
Gore?
Kucinich?
Sharpton?
Dukakis?
Mondale?

Maybe we should commune with the dead to see if Paul Simon is interested?

[CakeGrrl]

10. John Fund - WSJ. Roger Simon, Politico. They're stirring up sh*t amongst Dems per norm.