Gephardt Works on 2004 Presidential Bid (UPDATE)

Associated Press | Fri, Jan 03, 2003 | WILL LESTER

[Movemout]

WASHINGTON - Departing Democratic House leader Dick Gephardt of Missouri has decided to form a presidential exploratory committee, kicking off his second run for the White House in 14 years at an event later this month, The Associated Press has learned.

AP Photo

An invitation obtained by the AP says Gephardt will raise money for the exploratory committee at an event Jan. 22, asking for donations of at least $1,000 — or half the maximum for presidential candidates.

"Join us for a reception benefiting Richard Gephardt for President Exploratory Committee," the invitation said.

A source close to Gephardt, who spoke only on condition of anonymity, confirmed Thursday night that the Missouri Democrat has decided to form the exploratory committee — the traditional first step in a presidential bid — in the next few days.

Gephardt is stepping aside after eight years as the Democratic House leader and will bank on a a strong national organization and close ties to traditional Democratic groups like organized labor to help him in his presidential bid.

His last bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988 started strong in Iowa, but quickly faded.

[hellinahandcart]

(slap!)

That's for your keyword. LOL!

[Movemout]

OUCH! But it was worth it.

[leadpenny]

"I can believe that Al Sharpton will be elected President before Dick Gephardt."
~Imus, 03Jan03, talking to Jeff Greenfield of CNN.

[glock rocks]

relax dick, you haven't been indicted yet...

[Sungirl]

PUKE!

[Man of the Right]

Another guy who will be President only if Bush and Cheney are knocked off.

[OXENinFLA]

Read Bill HR 4482

[mewzilla]

It's '88 all over again. The return of the Seven Dwarves. And we all know how that ended. Bwah hah hah hah hah.

[ohioWfan]

Just what I was thinking! The Seven DWARVES!! Hi-ho, hi-ho!

I smell a landslide........

[Free the USA]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[Clintons Are White Trash]

Finally someone to stand up for the eyebrow challenged!

[Zack Nguyen]

Gephardt has run a lot more than twice. He has flirted with running just about every time since 1988. In fact it could be argued that he has never stopped running at any time in the last 14 years. He may have even toyed with challenging Bill Clinton in 1996. He has never generated much support. He inspires virtually no one. He just assumes that because everyone calls him "the distinguished Minority Leader" and holds doors open for him on Capitol Hill, then of course this will translate into multiplied millions of votes on the campaign trail.

He will fail completely, though it is hard to say who will actually win, as this is the most pathetic crop of Presidential candidates I have seen fielded by a major party in a long time.