Dean's Support Slowly Grows on Capitol Hill

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Support for White House hopeful Howard Dean is slowly building on Capitol Hill despite fear by many fellow Democrats that he cannot beat President Bush.

While most of the 253 Democrats in Congress have yet to endorse a candidate for their party's 2004 presidential nomination, a couple of dozen have thrown their support to Dean, figuring the fiery former Vermont governor is their best hope.

Recent polls show Dean -- who has run against Washington insiders -- leading his eight Democratic rivals. They also find him far behind Bush.

As of this week, aides said Dean had the support of 29 members of Congress, including a handful since former Vice President Al Gore endorsed him early this month.
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"Far from concluding he can't win, we sense he is gaining momentum and has the best chance to win since he is the most willing to take Bush on," Schakowsky told Reuters.
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Boston Globe

[JNelson6563]

1. an insider I know

tells me Dean is being seen more and more as one who has coat-tails.

Julie

[bearfartinthewoods]

2. an insider i know says fear is growing about having to drag howard

around and listen to him preach about how the war was wrong in districts where opposition to the war is 30% or less.

[RetroLounge]

3. An insider I know said we have a amazing surplus

of Sour grapes!

[bearfartinthewoods]

4. check your email

the new issue of snappy comebacks should be there by now.

[shance]

5. Why are you so afraid of Deans success?

Honestly. If you are a Dem, I cannot understand why such bitter words would come would come out of your mouth on any candidate. What purpose does it serve?

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. I have to ask is that a goal for yourself and for us Dems - to be the weakest link?

If you havent seen Dean, take the time to get involved and give it a fair shake, or if you dislike him, go to work for Clark or Kerry (whoever) and bolster their campaign.

Either way, its the negativity and backbiting that brings down our party and weakens us as a whole. I hope thats not your intended goal.

We have some really good candidates, and there are two that I dont care for myself, but I dont spend my time pounding them either. That would make my actions counter productive and I might as well join the Republican party because I would be helping them win anyway.

[Skwmom]

6. Dean is the Democratic version of George Bush.

Just because he puts a D in front of his name is not going to make people like him.

In regards to negativity and backbiting maybe you should have advised Dean prior to his running push polls against other candidates.

[oasis]

7. Calling the DLC "the Republican wing of the Democratic Party" is

not exactly a clarion call to unity either. As a life long Democrat I've got to admit, the more I'm finding out about Dr. Dean, the less I like his chances.

[Scott Lee]

9. unfortunately TRUE.

Hopefully a Dean administration can energize the return of Democratic principles and platforms to the party. I'm sick of the Congressional Dems bowing and scraping to the Republicans.

[SahaleArm]

11. LOL - Dean to energize Democratic principles? On what planet? n/t

[bearfartinthewoods]

10. it's not his success i fear...it's his failure against bush that drives me

[Scott Lee]

8. an insider I know says 4 out of 5 choose Jiff