AP Newsbreak: Gore to endorse Dean, sources say
RON FOURNIER, AP Political Writer
(12-08) 14:13 PST MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) --
Former Vice President Al Gore intends to endorse Howard Dean for the Democratic presidential nomination, a dramatic move that could boost Dean's front-runner position.
Gore, who lost to President Bush in the disputed 2000 election, has agreed to endorse Dean in Harlem in New York City on Tuesday and then travel with the former Vermont governor to Iowa, sight of the Jan. 19 caucuses which kick off the nominating process, said a Democratic source close to Gore.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Dean will return from Iowa in time for Tuesday night's Democratic debate in New Hampshire.
Dean's campaign declined to comment.
Gore won the popular vote by half a million votes in 2000 but conceded to Republican Bush after a tumultuous 36-day recount in Florida and a 5-4 Supreme Court vote against him. Gore's concession came Dec. 13, 2000.
The endorsement comes just weeks after two key union endorsements boosted Dean's candidacy. Gore's approval adds further evidence to Dean's case that he can carry the party's mantle next November and is more than an Internet-driven outsider.
Dean leads in key early state polls in New Hampshire and Iowa, and is trying to persuade Democrats wary of his lack of foreign policy experience and missteps on the campaign that his nomination is all but certain.
In addition to his 2000 bid, Gore ran for president unsuccessfully in 1988 and then, while a Tennessee senator, was surprised to be picked as Bill Clinton's running mate in 1992. Though Gore often was criticized as overly controlled and cautious, he was praised for the work he did as an influential vice president.
He used his expertise in science and technology to be the White House point man on telecommunications reform and the information superhighway.
After losing the 2000 election, Gore accepted the job of vice chairman of Metropolitan West Financial, a Los Angeles-based financial services holding company. He juggled that job with his duties as college professor, guest speaker and author.
That should be "site." What happened to AP editors?
Dear AP - I cite you for an oversight in spelling.
If this wasn't a retyping error, shame on their reporters and copy editors.
So, Lieberman only found out when reporters called for comment. Mr. Klass-with-A-Capital-K didn't bother to call him first before the media told him... nice move there, Ace.