What's the deal with Gephardt?

[SavageWombat]

I'm reading Time magazine and they comment, "Wow, this Dean guy's actually caught up to Dick Gephardt in the Iowa polls!"

I haven't heard anyone supporting Gephardt for president. He might as well not be in the race. No one seems to be considering him a factor, except for pollsters.

(Personally, I'm surprised he had the gall to run after helping lose the 2002 elections for the Dems.)

From what I've seen among likely Democratic voters, the race seems to be between Dean (the favorite of us internet activist types) and Kerry (the favorite of pundits). The pollsters seem to think it's between Lieberman and Gephardt, with Dean making a "strong showing".

Anyone else noticing this?

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

1. Gephardt's supporters aren't the internet type

Don't underestimate Gephardt. His base is the unions, and he is quite popular with them. Gephardt and Kucinich are right now the only nominees I'd vote for.

Gep's too moderate for some people here, but on economic issues, he represents my views fairly well.

[Cocoa]

2. He is running #1 in Iowa

and he's raising a lot of money.

He has a loyal following. I think older voters might like him. That's not based on any data, other than my father liking him and my father being an old guy.

[Colin Ex]

3. Don't knock Gephardt too hard...

He has the union vote pretty solidly, as someone above mentioned. Plus, although DU'ers generally don't think of him that way, he really does have a fire when he's speaking.

I'd cast my vote for him.

-C