So Dean Likes The Gep

[BrewCrew]

I found this interesting. I know DUer's usually also try to guess who'll endorse who if one drops out. After reading this I'd guess Dean might back Dick if things don't work out. Also I wouldn't be surprised to see Gep return the favor if Dick's run ends early. Given the fact that I expect their respect to be mutual.



http://www.rogersimon.com/archive/001013.html#001013
ROGER SIMON COLUMN
JULY 9, 2003

WASHINGTON - - A conversation with former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, a Democratic candidate for president:


Me: What’s your campaign strategy for the primaries.
Dean: I am going to point out the differences between me and the Washington Democrats that are running. I’m going to be Howard Dean.

Me: What do you think of your fellow candidates?
Dean: I like them. Some more than others. I worked for Dick Gephardt (in 1988.) I love Dick Gephardt. He’s one of the most decent people I know. And he’s the one I know the best.

[blm]

1. It hasn't stopped Dean from calling Gephardt "Bushlite"

or attacking him and others through phone polls in Iowa. I think Dean is trying to curry favor with Gep and labor unions by playing nicey now.

"First phone attack

Straight-talking Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean is testing his attack message in Iowa. Political operatives say Dean's phone polling is probing for weaknesses in support for Sens. John Edwards and John Kerry and Rep. Dick Gephardt. For rookie pol Edwards, it's about experience. For Gephardt, it's his alliance with Bush on key issues. Questions about Kerry test Iowans' reaction to his vote backing the war in Iraq."

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/archive/030512/12whisplead.php

[w4rma]

4. Gephardt was attacked by the DLC leadership in the same memo that Dean was

...
The memo got attention because it castigated Dean for representing the "McGovern-Mondale wing" of the party, "defined by weakness abroad and elitist, interest group liberalism at home." And it criticized Rep. Richard Gephardt, one of the DLC's earliest supporters, for his big health care plan. From and Reed said Gephardt had been infected by the "pander virus."
...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5758-2003Jun2.html

[dsc]

9. I asked you this before to no avail

but since it would cost me three bucks to read this article I have no choice. Assuming that the charges are true what is wrong with this. Is he not allowed to poll, and again YOU HAVE NOT SHOWN IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM, that this is a push poll, on what will and won't work? If he says that Gephardt went to the White House and did a photo op for the war that is 100% correct. And in point of fact three Ohio reps who opposed the war were pilloried here using that very photo op (Dennis K, Sherrod Brown, and Stephanie Tubbs Jones). So again, just what is wrong with truthful negative attacks being tested, and not used.

[DrFunkenstein]

2. Fishing for a VP?

Just wondering...

[CMT]

3. I think Gep and Graham

would make Dean's shortlist for VP.

[polpilot]

8. Graham has been blasting Chimpy lately.

Dean/Graham '04

[On the Road]

5. Maybe He's Fishing for Gephardt's Electors

if Gephardt drops out.

Or maybe he's just speaking his mind.

[PATRICK]

6. I'd say speaking his mind

The worst you could say it was a positive way of avoiding making carping judgments on the others. Which no one should do. It is bad and unnecessary. The people will decide. Be positive. Put your best forward.

[FuriousMNDem]

7. Dean/Gephardt or Gephardt/Dean would be great.

Of course, I think Gephardt is the better candidate ;-).