Dean Focuses on Winning Michigan Primary

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&ncid=703&e=3&u=/ap/20040131/ap_on_el_pr/pursuing_michigan

LANSING, Mich. - Democrat John Kerry (news - web sites), armed with union endorsements and backing from party stalwarts, is determined to seal the deal with Michigan voters, but rival Howard Dean (news - web sites) has made winning the high-stakes state priority No. 1.


A recent statewide poll showed Kerry knocking Dean off the leader's perch and taking a significant lead in Michigan. But Dean held a well-attended rally Thursday in East Lansing, and he plans to hold a second on Sunday in Detroit while Kerry and others in the race campaign in other states.


"For anyone who thinks they can come here in the last three days and suddenly win in Michigan, I think they're wrong," Dean said Thursday. "We're going to be strong here."


Many Democratic voters say they haven't made up their minds who will get their vote in the Feb. 7 caucuses.

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[jsw_81]

1. Note that popular Governor Jennifer Granholm endorsed Kerry

[RogueTrooper]

6. As did popular senator Tom Harkin endorse Dean

in Iowa. ;)

[Iverson]

7. That means almost nothing.

Granholm's connection to the Kerry campaign through her husband has been common knowledge for anyone paying attention.

In 2000, that awful, awful governor Engler promised Michigan to Bush. McCain carried the state. There's the most recent example of the results of a gubernatorial endorsement in the primaries.

Granholm is a product of the Ed McNamara machine. This will go a long way, but it is hardly conclusive. The single greatest factor in Michigan Democratic politics is the UAW. That's what you want to look for. Conversely, for the Republicans it's the Chamber of Commerce and the businesses in Amway country.

Look to see who the unions support and whether or not community leaders in Detroit are uniting behind a candidate. So far it's up in the air.

Take my word for it as a Green.
:thumbsup:

edited typo

[jsw_81]

The 156,000 member Michigan Education Assoc. endorsed Kerry

Just a few hours ago, I believe.

[Iverson]

15. That is a far better indicator.

Union support counts for a great deal in MI. If the UAW tilts for Kerry, then expect Kerry to win.

Close followers of Michigan politics may know that the Machinists endorsed Gephardt right about the time he dropped out. I don't think they've re-endorsed.

[NNN0LHI]

18. The UAW has indicated that they will make an endorsement after Tuesday

[UrbScotty]

2. Go Dean! (nt)

[THUNDER HANDS]

3. Dean doesn't get it

He had TWO YEARS to win Iowa and New Hampshire and didn't.

Now he thinks a little over a week will get him Michigan.

He just doesn't get it. You have to WIN in order to keep WINNING.

I disagree with this strategy 100%. I'd be worried if I were a Dean supporter at the way he's approaching this.

[ibegurpard]

4. I'm so worried I think I'll go hit the bat.

eom

[THUNDER HANDS]

5. good, give him more of your money

He's put it to such good use already, right?

[Skip Intro]

8. How dare Dean

Doesn't he know that after a couple of setbacks, and in the face of adversity, he should just give in, give up, and quit? Doesn't he know there's a coronation going on? What's with this guy?

:eyes:

[jsw_81]

9. Setbacks? That's an understatement

Dean was the clear front-runner for months, spent over $30 million in Iowa and New Hampshire, and so far he has yet to win even a single primary or caucus.

[ibegurpard]

10. I find your preoccupation with Dean choosing to continue puzzling.

eom

[jsw_81]

13. I find the Dean campaign's preoccupation with botox beyond puzzling

In fact, I think it's totally insane. The fact that you people consider it an "issue" just shows how desperate you really are; your guy would get slaughtered by Bush if he tried those kinds of amateur tactics.

[ibegurpard]

14. Wow, that one came out of left field.

Were we talking about botox?

[virtualobserver]

12. Kerry has all of the advantages of the Washington insider

Dean has to raise money, he doesn't have any mansions to sell or a fortune to draw on.

As for the outcome....We shall see.

[Skip Intro]

16. ...

I love the fact that he's not giving in. He's a fighter, and an inspiration and he's won me over again several times since NH (where a second place, after the media barrage, was pretty respectable, imho).

We'll see what happens later this month and then in March (and for some reason, I'm thinking CA might just change some fortunes). And I think we'll be seeing the Dean team at the convention, which might not turn out exactly the way those readying for a coronation think it will.


:D

[THUNDER HANDS]

11. I'm not saying he should give in but this strategy is doomed to fail

By the time the primary reaches Michigan Kerry and/or Clark will be stealing all the headlines.

You have to get momentum, and you can't get it by skipping states.

[patricia92243]

17. I believe Roy Neal is going to get Dean's orginization "organized" and

we will be able to win the nomination and then the Presidency!