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Politics

Iowa Gore camp sees open Democratic race
Connecticut's Joe Lieberman isn't viewed as a shoo-in for the Democrats' '04 presidential nod.
By THOMAS BEAUMONT
Register Staff Writer
12/17/2002

Even though Sen. Joseph Lieberman was Al Gore's running mate two years ago, he shouldn't expect to inherit Gore's supporters in Iowa should he run for the White House himself in 2004.

Former Gore campaign strategists and backers in the state said Monday that the votes Gore drew might be scattered among a crowd of Democratic candidates in the 2004 precinct caucuses, now that the former vice president has declared he's not running. The Gore faithful also could hold out until the 2000 nominee endorses a candidate, which he said Monday at a news conference that he might do.

But Connecticut's Lieberman would not be the natural heir in Iowa, the strategists and supporters agreed.

"Lieberman was the one he chose at the time. It doesn't mean any of the others aren't qualified," said Steve Hildebrand, Gore's caucus campaign director in 2000. "I would suspect Iowa caucus attendees are pretty wide open and aren't going to decide until they know who all is in the field."

Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts and Vermont Gov. Howard Dean have taken the first steps toward running for president, though no Democrat has formally announced his or her candidacy.

Potential candidates also include Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota, Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt of Missouri, and the Rev. Al Sharpton, a civil rights advocate.

Lieberman said he wouldn't run for president if Gore sought the party's nomination in 2004. But Gore said Sunday that he would not enter the race.

Lieberman said Monday in Washington, D.C., that he would announce by early January whether he planned to run for president. "Remember, there's still a good long year between January of "03 and January of "04, when this all really starts," he said.

Democrats who supported and worked for Gore in 2000 agreed that it's too early to say which Democrat would get their support in the 2004 caucuses, which launch the nominating process in 13 months.

Terry Goodmann of Dubuque volunteered for Gore in 2000 and hosted him in her home. She said she wouldn't necessarily gravitate toward Lieberman now that Gore was out.

"We start anew, and the landscape changes and leadership evolves," she said. "Different skill sets match different times."

Goodmann remained neutral but said she expected to support a candidate with experience and credibility in international affairs and national defense issues. Those criteria don't rule out Lieberman, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Kerry, a decorated Vietnam veteran who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also might fit the profile, she said.

Gore said Monday that he probably would endorse a candidate in 2004. "I have not ruled anyone in or ruled anyone out," he said in North Carolina at the news conference. "I probably will endorse someone. Don't know for sure, but I probably will."

Gore told the Des Moines Register in November that Lieberman would be a "formidable candidate" but that "there are many other good candidates as well."

Retired University of Wisconsin political scientist Charles Jones said the potential for an endorsement by Gore could have influence in Iowa.

"For the Iowa Gore folks, he's sent a signal, whether he really intended to or not, that 'I may endorse someone, so hold off," " Jones said. "Now, maybe he meant to do that."

Hildebrand, Gore's 2000 caucus director, said such an endorsement would be only as meaningful as the work Gore invested in it.

"Any candidate who gets that endorsement would be better than had he not," said Hildebrand, a former aide to Daschle who traveled with Daschle on a political trip to Bettendorf last weekend. "But it depends if the endorsement is only on paper or does it come with any weight behind it."

http://www.dmregister.com/news/stories/c4789004/20009358.html

America – The Right Way!!
The Daily Update – December 18, 2002

REMEMBER THE TRADE CENTER!!

AMERICA’S WAR ON TERROR – Day 464

The news as reported in The Washington Times:

[Note – All links go to The Washington Times’ website.]

1. The EPA has reversed its position on the Army Corps of Engineers dumping sludge into the Potomac. The sludge is the result of drinking water treatment for service that supplies 1,000,000 residents.

[While no one has been able to prove deleterious effects from previous EPA permitted dumping, the EPA nevertheless sees fit to affect significantly the cost of drinking water to 20% of the Washington metro area.]

EPA targets dumping sludge in Potomac

2. President Bush has vowed the Nation will have a missile defense.

[Good! The sooner the better!]

Bush vows to build missile defenses

3. US troops are saying they captured a high-ranking Talibum official, but faulty intelligence on the matter allowed him to go free and end up in Pakistan.

[Ooops!]

Soldiers say U.S. let Taliban general go

4. Sen. Santorum is confident that Sen. Lott will keep his position as Majority Leader.

[Ugh.]

Santorum 'confident' Lott will survive

5. The five largest business organizations in South Korea issued a joint statement saying that current anti-American sentiments in that country could be bad for business.

[Could be bad for defense, too.]

Anti-American stance troubles South Koreans

6. The FTC is expected to announce new rules setting up a National “no call” list for people to document their desire to have telemarketers not call their telephone number. Telemarketers are deeply concerned for their industry.

[Well, let me try to be concerned about those telemarketers. All right, that failed. Sign me up!]

Consumers to get help avoiding telemarketers

7. The District received four brand-new bright shiny utility trucks for patching up the city’s streets.

[Knowing the District, they will never actually use the trucks for fear they might become dirty.]

Patching up

We shall not rest until we have cut a swath 60-miles wide through the entire left - taking all that is before us with us as we go. We shall leave nothing to the enemy that may be of value to him. We shall show him that he may count on nothing and will be able to keep nothing, not his spirit, not his soul, not that upon which he shall feed. We shall not cease until the moment we have rent through their entire land and have arrived at the sea, with our glorious victory upon us.

Home Page of the December 19th Society

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE SOCIETY!!!

Now you have the info, go support the United States of America!!!