Dean withdraws from Virginia Democratic fund-raiser

Associated Press | February 6, 2004

[HAL9000]

RICHMOND, Va. -- Howard Dean will skip the Virginia Democratic Party's annual fund-raising gala Saturday on the eve of the state's presidential primary, the Dean campaign said Friday.

The former Vermont governor decided to skip the only joint appearance with his three chief rivals for the nomination as he focuses his struggling campaign's scarce resources on a winning the Wisconsin primary. A loss there will end his candidacy, he told supporters.

Dean's withdrawal from the Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner leaves Sens. John Kerry of Massachusetts, John Edwards of North Carolina and former Gen. Wesley Clark of Arkansas as the candidates headlining the largest annual gathering of Virginia Democrats.

His decision is no surprise. Dean has spent far less time or money in Virginia than the other three candidates, and he was the last of the three to sign on to attend the dinner.

Clark, Edwards and Kerry are televising campaign ads in the state, Kerry and Edwards have visited the state several times, and all three have a full weekend of campaigning planned for Virginia.

Campaign spokesman Garrett Graff said Dean will return to Burlington, Vt., and spend the night Saturday at his home.

[HAL9000]

Yeeeaaaahhhhggghhhaarrggg!

[Coop]

Bad news, folks. Better ask for your money back.

[xsmommy]

the earthwatchers will be boohooing....

[CougarGA7]

Looks like we wont have Dean's antics for much longer.

[COUNTrecount]

Campaign spokesman Garrett Graff said Dean will return to Burlington, Vt., and spend the night Saturday at his home...


where he will practice screaming "paper or plastic, ma'am?" in anticipation of his new position at Price Chopper in Burlington, Vermont.

[theDentist]

Dean will return to Burlington, Vt., and spend the night Saturday at his home.

... writing his whiney withdrawal speech.

[samtheman]

What was that list of states he was going to compete in? The list he yelled out over the TV screen on that fateful night in Iowa?

[PBRSTREETGANG]

What was that list of states he was going to compete in?

Apparently now he just stands in the shower alone, screaming "Wisconsin" at the top of his lungs.

[jwfiv]

I just love watchin' this fool as he flounders and flops i the shallow end.

Whatta total maroon.

Cash'n Kerry's turn will be coming soon

[HAL9000]

What was that list of states he was going to compete in? The list he yelled out over the TV screen on that fateful night in Iowa?

The best presentation of Dean's complete list of states is available here, in various multimedia formats (wmv, avi, mpg) -

Howard Dean: Reloaded

It's awesome. 5 stars.

[You Dirty Rats]

I don't care how many times they zap Dean's campaign with defibrillators or perform CPR, it's not coming back.

Call time of death on this campaign for crying out loud!

[HAL9000]

P.S. When viewing "Howard Dean: Reloaded", it's a good idea to turn down the volume a bit. Don't blow out your speakers.

[iceskater]

Richmond Ping!

[jla]

Apparently now he just stands in the shower alone, screaming "Wisconsin" at the top of his lungs.

LOL

[sirshackleton]

I don't know much about primary politics, but it just seems weird that Dean would bank everything on Wisconsin or Washington and skip everything else. Maybe if Dean had already won two or three states it would make some sense, but can't see how winning Wisconsin will put him back in the hunt.

Of course, I'm not saying Dean knows what he's doing either....

[Mudboy Slim]

Just fer that, I'm votin' fer the Breck girl...MUD

[Gopher Broke]

We need some Richmond Freepers to visit the Democrats tomorrow during their annual George Jefferson/Jesse Jackson Day dinner in Richmond.

Good chance for a Freep and media exposure.

[Mudboy Slim]

When and where it it? Being "the Virginia Democratic Party's annual fund-raising gala," I gotta believe it'll be a motley crew of folks cheerin' 'em on!!

FReegards...MUD

[Mudboy Slim]

Democratic Presidentials To Headline JJ

General Wesley Clark will join U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts and U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina as headliners during the Democratic Party of Virginia’s Feb. 7 Jefferson Jackson Day dinner at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

"With the Jefferson Jackson Day dinner just three days before Virginia's presidential primary, I know that Virginia Democrats will be extremely excited to hear from at least three of the Democratic presidential hopefuls," said Lindsey E. Reynolds, the Democratic Party of Virginia's executive director. "The presence of these distinguished candidates adds to the importance Virginia is playing in the decision about who will represent our party in November in the presidential race."

Invitations for the party’s annual gala have already gone out, but if you did not receive an invitation, you can still attend the dinner. Ticket and table purchase information is available by calling 804-644-1966 or emailing jj2004@vademocrats.org. Hotel information is available online at www.vademocrats.org.

Don’t forget: Included in the ticket price is JJ After Dark, the party’s post-dinner shindig sponsored by One Virginia and Kaine For Governor. After the speeches are over, you can dance the night away downstairs at the Richmond Center to the tunes of Johnny Houston and the Legends Band and Show!

The program starts at 7 p.m.

Answered my own question...MUD

[Flora McDonald]

Now Gopher, you don't think I'd miss a chance like this do you? A few of us fun-loving right wing conspiracy types plan to do a meet & greet outside the convention center.