Democratic presidential hopefuls appeal to party faithful (Feb 2003 article - same time, last time)

CNN ^ | February 21, 2003 | John Mercurio CNN Washington Bureau

[DoodleBob]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Trying to fire up party activists after a weak showing in last fall's elections, four Democratic 2004 presidential hopefuls took on President Bush Friday at the Democratic National Committee's winter meeting -- but also took jabs at each other over the widsom of military action against Iraq.

"What I want to know is why the Democratic leadership in Congress is supporting the Bush administration's position on Iraq?" former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean said as he opened his speech at the Democratic National Committee's winter meeting in Washington. "I'm Howard Dean, and I'm here to represent the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party."

Indeed, while Democrats appear united in their goal of beating Bush in 2004, clear tensions surfaced during the morning meeting when candidates discussed the merits of a U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

[DoodleBob]

This article is effectively from the same point in the 2004 election cycle that we're in today in terms of months from the General Election. Thus, it offers some insight into just what was happening on the Democrat side at the same point the last time a Republican President was going for re-election.

Ultimately, Howard "YEEHA" Dean, Wesley Clark, John Edward, Dick Gephardt, Joe Lieberman, Dennis Kucinich, Carol Moseley Braun, Al Sharpton, Lyndon LaRouche, and Nominee Lurch crowded the field.

Yes, I know 2003 is a long time ago and the issues in 2019 are different. Also, the Dems did much better in the most recent midterms vs in 2002. Nonetheless, when you read that Howard Dean in 2003 said...

White folks in the South who ride around in pick-up trucks with Confederate flag decals on them ought to be voting for us and not them because their kids don't have health insurance and their kids need better schools too.

...it is comforting to know some things haven't changed too much.