Why was Harlem used for the announcement?

[reknewcomer]

Was their a hidden message or agenda set by using Harlem? Did the Clintons have any input to the location? Was Bill in his Harlem office at the time?

[dajabr]

1. Dean had already scheduled a fundraiser at that location (nt)

[killbotfactory]

2. And Gore was going to be in the neighborhood anyway (nt)

[dajabr]

3. That's funny...

I was in the middle of editing my post to add that info, and I got a weird feeling I should stop. Checked back, and there you were!

Maybe we're psychotic? :-)

[Jerseycoa]

4. I was wondering

about this yesterday. About the two blocks from Clinton's office thing. I know Dean was already scheduled to be there, but when the first reports of the endorsement were coming out, it was Gore was going to do it in Iowa. Then it changed to Harlem, which is what made me start to wonder.

:dem:

[CalebHayes]

5. Guess where the RNC is???

[Myra]

6. Great question reknewcomer, and Gore/Dean did explain that at length.

At their Harlem appearance. They spent a lot of time explaining
that they want to mobilize their base, i.e., African American
voters, and not take them for granted. Thus the Harlem announcement.

I'm very pleased to see them speak directly to that critical
demographic. I hope they continue to do so. I hope Dean works with
the NAACP and other groups to insure that more elections aren't
stolen by using disenfranchisement of African Americans as a
strategy. I hope he follows up words with actions.

As much as I love Prez Gore, frankly he did let us down by
refusing to defend the victimized voters of color in Fla.
He let us all down by his failure to stand with his African
American supporters and speak the truth. The Pugs eliminate
votes from blacks because they usually vote Dem. It was the
biggest issue in 2000. It'll be a big issue in 2004.
The same voter purge process is *still* being used in many
states.

Spend more time in Harlem Doc Dean. And discuss this very issue
with people there, and with many others.

[G_j]

7. Gore had very solid support

from the African American community in 2000.

[TreasonousBastard]

8. No matter how he explains it...

I think he did it there to rub Clinton's nose in it.

Clark has pretty close ties to Clinton, so if Gore wants to stay alive, he has to hook on to somebody's coatttails, and Dean's the only one around.

Making the announcement this early and in Harlem was a shot across Clinton's bow.

Keep watching-- it will get interesting.