It begins. Has Gore's Endorsement swayed your vote?

[TheDonkey]

A question for everyone, has Gore's endorsement changed DUers opinion on Dr. Dean?

Last night when this news came out I was very doubtful that Gore's endorsement would have much power (as in the case for Gov. Davis & SanFran). Plus I didn't think the news would be as interested in Gore's endorsement as they seem to ignore him at whatever chance they get.

But after seeing Gore's endorsement speech and the media flurry over it I'm starting to scratch my head. Early in this process I've dedicated myself to ABB, but was most interested in the little liberal doctor from Vernmont. When I learned he was not as liberal as I believed I began shopping around the canidates and picked up Kerry as #1. Recently with Kerry's poor performance I though Clark might be a good alternative to Dean who i feared could not win and was a republican in donkey clothes.

Now I'm really starting to doubt that, Gore made an extremely good case for Dean and I am starting to think that he does stand one of the best chances of changing this party and the person in the WH.

I do see Dean on the rise from here on but I hope the best for all the other canidates as well. We have a great selection out there (I know they've all been my #1 and #last at one point it seems haha)

[On the Road]

1. I Think the Big Effect of Gore's Endorsement

is that he couched it in terms that Dean was the most winnable candidate. This used to be considered Dean's Achilles' heel. Coming from someone like Al Gore, this has to make some people stop and think.

[TheDonkey]

2. it sure got my attention

I think many are underestimating Dean. Gore also had an uphill battle and beat Bush.

A piece of stale toast might even put up a good fight against toast. At least it wouldn't send our young men and women to die for.... what's the new reason for Iraq again.

[mikehiggins]

8. Gore had an UPHILL battle????

I can't be reading that correctly, can I? An experienced, well spoken Vice President endorsed by his President and the entire Democratic Party and facing an idiot who hadn't succeeded in one venture in his life had to wage an UPHILL battle?

All Gore had to do was avoid pissing it all away, and he managed to fail at that. If Bill CLinton had been able to run again he'd be President today no matter what the Bush League threw at him.

Gore had everything you could want in running a presidential campaign and still managed to be part of a drastic loss. Why the hell was Florida even in the running to be important? Because Gore lost all those other states, that's why.

It's good that Dean got the endorsement rather than Lieberman but if I was the Doctor I wouldn't be one iota more confident tonight than I was last week. Gore is good for pr but he isn't going to sway a whole bunch of voters.

Of course, I could be wrong but if the Dean steamroller sputters in the early rounds it is unlikely Gore's endorsement is going to be of any sort of help at all.

[TheDonkey]

10. Yes he did.

Gore started off as a sort of "old news" politician and was never that well known as VP (even though he should have been).

The media ignored, then lied, then ignored, then lied about everything and anything Gore related and with all this heavy ammo Gore still won (or lost by a ridiculously small amount). Now we have the same repuke running with a very much tarnished record (still floundering economy, tanking Iraq situation, poor domestic policies).

[Melodybe]

16. To those who say no, WE HAVE TO BE UNITED!

[tokenlib]

3. It has lowered my opinion of Al Gore however...n/t

[leftofthedial]

4. I've always liked Dean

But DK is still my guy.

Kucinich!

[Rainbowreflect]

5. That is how I feel as well.

Not upset with Gore, but he didn't change my mind.

[veganwitch]

6. i guess im trying to figure what the

HELL NO! vote would be considering there are two No answers that have explainations.

is the 22 (and the time of posting) HELL NO meaning you support someone else (and why not vote in the "i never liked dean.")

im just curious as to the peoples explanations behid the HELL NO vote.

i, by the way, voted for no, i didnt like dean to begin with, or whatever, answer

[TheDonkey]

7. I appologize for the ambigious "HELL NO" option

I considered that the option for those people, really turned off by the Gore announcment,

But if anyone else has another explanation please explain :).

[Monte Carlo]

9. I still think Kerry is best-equipped.

To beat Bush and the GOP and to lead the Democrats for the next 4 years. I congratulate Dean for getting Gore's support, but it changes very little for me.

[TheDonkey]

13. Kerry

Could (or possibly will!) make an incredible American president.

[Monte Carlo]

20. If he doesn't get it this time, he'll run again.

In any case, whether Dean wins this time around, or God forbid, against Bush's successor should he win in 2004.

I think he could bring America to a new age. He has the brains, the drive, and the direction to do it.

[Cocoa]

11. I liked Dean until Gore endorsed him

Kidding. Really I'm just a spectator in the primaries, I like some candidates better than others, but my state votes in March, so it won't matter, and anyway all I care about is beating Bush, I hope the primaries are over quickly.

[BigMcLargehuge]

12. I am torn actually.

I try not to litmus test any of the candidates, but Gore has ALWAYS been a problem candidate for me. I still remember the battles I had with my Mom over music during the pop music Satanism pogroms of the mid 80s, and Mr. and Mrs. Gore were responsible for that.

My Mom always had an open mind towards music, hell, she gave me Kiss: Rock and Roll Over for my 5th Christmas. Then, as soon as that PMRC foolishness started she was taking tapes out of my room and throwing them away, and it's not like I was a little kid. I was in high school, getting good grades, beloved by students and teachers alike, and working full time + at the family restaurant. The whole thing just added to my teen angst and stress.

So I have a chip on my shoulder when it comes to Al Gore, and I am trying not to make it an issue because his endorcement will likely strengthen Dean's campaign.

Who will I vote for in the primary? To be honest, I don't know, and this endorcement didn't sway me either way, yet.

[imhotep]

14. all these bitter clarkies

would rather Bush win than Dean.

[Justice]

17. Clark Clark Clark

is all I am starting to hear from Dean people.

Enjoy the endorsement, celebrate it -- you are supposed to be happy!

[KalicoKitty]

15. I have always like Howard Dean!

I am glad that Al Gore has endorsed him. Maybe it is a bit soon, but maybe now, there can be more dwelling on Dean and his issues. Lieberman should bow out now. I never understood why Al Gore ever chose Lieberman to run with him.

Gore gave a powerful speech, and is endorsing the BEST candidate!

[youngred]

18. It hasn't changed my vote

I believe in my candidate for my reasons, not for Al Gore's. I am liking Dr. Dean less and less as the weeks go on and I learn more about him.

Will the endorsement mean anything? I think it would be felt more in the race against Bush if Dean is the candidate, if he's not however then Gorw just lost his (considerable) voice against Bush.

[juancarlos]

19. I don't trust anybody associated with Al Gore.

He has always given me the impression that there is a puppet master behind him. I guess you could say it is a personal dislike of the man.