Dean: Dem Race Comes Down to Electability

ABC News ^ | April 25, 2008 | ABC News' Jonathan Greenberger and Teddy Davis

[mdittmar]

ABC News' Jonathan Greenberger and Teddy Davis Report: In an interview set to appear in Saturday's Financial Times, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean says that he thinks the Democratic race for president will come down to superdelegates' perception of electability.

"I think the race is going to come down to the perception in the last six or eight races of who the best opponent for McCain will be. I do not think in the long run it will come down to the popular vote or anything else," said Dean.

Dean added that he thinks it is "very unlikely" that the superdelegates will elevate a candidate who is trailing in pledged delegates and the popular vote before adding that "it is possible" and that superdelegates have "every right to do it."

Asked about speculation that a senior party figure like former Vice President Al Gore or House Speaker Nancy Pelosi could prevail on one of the candidates to withdraw after June 3, Dean dismissed the scenario as "total bullshit." 

Dean has gone out of his way to be impartial in the 2008 race. His early opposition to the Iraq war lines up with Obama, and he criticized the Clinton '90s in "You Have the Power," the book he wrote after his failed '04 White House bid.

But his comments to the Financial Times are interesting because they play into the Clinton campaign's closing argument: that uncommitted superdelegates should feel free to buck the pledged-delegate leader and choose the candidate perceived to be most electable at the end of the nominating process.

[randita]

"I think the race is going to come down to the perception in the last six or eight races of who the best opponent for McCain will be. I do not think in the long run it will come down to the popular vote or anything else," said Dean.

Dean added that he thinks it is "very unlikely" that the superdelegates will elevate a candidate who is trailing in pledged delegates and the popular vote before adding that "it is possible" and that superdelegates have "every right to do it."

These two statements seem contradictory. Howard's in big bind and trying to play both ends against the middle.

[longtermmemmory]

a vince foster warnign was sent?

[dr_who]

More to the point, Dean knows all there is to know about electability. Sure.

[chiller]

We disagree. First, I doubt the supers will have the nerve to wreak havoc with their black base while rewarding the Clintons, whom they despise. If they do, there will be literal hell to pay, and will finally demonstrate unambigously that blacks have been used and abused, and will forever be within that party. It'll dislodge many of 'em from the party.....

....which brings us back to Bill roaming the White House. Not gonna' happen either.

The pimple of a political party that's been acting up for years is about to pop, either at the convention, or with a pathetic totally unelelectable presidential candidate that perfectly represents the status of the Democratic Party. Perfect.

[processing please hold]

I don’t think so. This is Mcpain’s to win if he can keep his stupid, ignorant, liberal loving mouth shut.

[Rudder]

...if he can keep his stupid, ignorant, liberal loving mouth shut.

After today, re: NC GOP, I think it's too late for McCain woo anybody that's to the right of rinos.

[processing please hold]

After today, re: NC GOP, I think it's too late for McCain woo anybody that's to the right of rinos.

Ain't that the truth. This whole damn election is fubar.

[Kickass Conservative]

Let the riots begin!

[Recovering_Democrat]

Howard Dean has a lot of competition for the biggest boob in the Democrat party, but he is definitely in the running.

[the invisib1e hand]

"things you don't want to watch being produced"

LOL!