Howard Dean's big endorsements

[jravnsbo]

Bradley doesn't do much.  he is fromthe liberal elites of the partya nd so is Dean.  Gore has moved towards this wing as well, even though he tried to run as a DLCers.  Gore's means a bit more as he did get the nominationa nd will campaign for Dean in Iowa and a certain level of respect goes with former nominees or Presidents on both sides.

Honestly though labor unions mean more in IA as it is all about organization, not just votes.

As I've said before, this is the first primary season I've really paid any attention to (I'm only 20, so the last primary cycle, I didn't really care much), so bear with me if this is a completely stupid question.  Or feel free to smack me upside the head.  You're call.

It looks like Dean is going to win.  My question is, what do all his recent big name endorsements do?

Do Bill Bradley and Al Gore actually carry that much weight to ensure Dean a win in Iowa and elsewhere?

[jravnsbo]

best part of the endorsement is that Dean got the free media attention for another day.

I think Bradley's endorsement helps Dean a little in the sense that it adds to a chorus of other endorsements from big name democrats and gives the (mistaken) impression that Dean is electable.

[jravnsbo]

Gore has definately changed over the years.  

He may be positioning himself for 2008, but unsure.  He missed his chance to shape the party when he was the nominee, and goinginto hiding afterwards.

It's hard to figure where Gore is coming from, until you consider that he's allowing himself to be mis-handled by advisors just as he did in 2000. In 2004, however, his advisors have moved to the left, and as a group actually believe that Dean has the ability to create a resurgence in the party.

Gore has thrown away an enormous amount of credibility. In 1988 he was the most conservative of the so-called "seven dwarfs" seeking the Democratic nomination, and in 2001 broke with the party to cast the deciding Senate vote in favor of the Persian Gulf War.

He used to be my favorite active Democrat, but I must admit that after 9/11, I'm relieved he lost.

[jravnsbo]

The packers lost the game more than the eagles won it.

As for Ednorsements, they matter a little, but prominent ones like Harkin's in IA is a bit more significant.  He is the father of the dem party in IA and has a lot of organization and support.  I say it puts Dean over the top.

thank you, yeah mcnabb rushed for over 100 yards, which is the postseason record for the most by a QB. true they suck without mcnabb but they proved it last year tey could win without him. This was the best game of the eags year. we going to the ship whatt

[jravnsbo]

interesting with Vilsack's wife.  Almost like Gov endorsement, you know she talked toi him about it and all.  That's ok, Kerry needs a strong finish to bounce into NH.

[jravnsbo]

Kerry seems to be drowning in NH though, now only 1-2% ahead of Lieberman for 3rd, which would be a great boost for Lieberman and crushing to Kerry.

Kerry now has in Iowa a strong team of supporters from his national security team. He's using former Generals from the armed forces like Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy (Ret.) who was the highest ranking woman in the military ever, a couple former Asst. Secy. of State,Former Ambassador Joe Wilson, and the well liked former Governor Jeanne Shaheen. He also has a retired Brid. General