Posted on 08/28/2002 2:30:48 PM PDT by LurkedLongEnough
LANSING, Mich. (AP) _ U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman spent Tuesday visiting with Michigan AFL-CIO President Mark Gaffney and other labor leaders, wooing those who could be useful in a potential 2004 presidential bid.
On Monday, he campaigned with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer Granholm, attorney general candidate Gary Peters and secretary of state candidate Melvin ``Butch'' Hollowell. Lieberman also met with Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and Wendell Anthony, head of Detroit chapter of the NAACP.
Lieberman, D-Conn., said he expects to make many more visits to Michigan as 2004 grows closer. He's been in the state four times over the past year and a half.
``It's an opportunity to renew friendships or deepen them, and also to let people know who I am, what my hopes and dreams are,'' said Lieberman, the unsuccessful 2000 Democratic vice presidential candidate.
``People are telling me, much to my pleasure, if I run again, they're with me.''
Lieberman said he intends to stick to his commitment not to run if 2000 presidential nominee Al Gore gets in the race.
``Al has said that he'll decide by the end of the year. ... That timing is fine with me,'' Lieberman said in a phone call with The Associated Press.
If he does run, Lieberman said he hopes Michigan moves up its Democratic presidential caucus from mid-March to sometime in February, giving the state more clout in choosing the Democratic nominee.
``This is the kind of a state that has the kind of variety and diversity in the party that it ought to have an important role in the process,'' he said.
It's true. I heard both of them say it.
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