CNN: Dean gains endorsements in the South (Cummings endorsement)

[BlueEyedSon]

Did not see this in LBN yet. We could use some positive Dem news to counterbalance the Saddam PR storm....

http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/12/13/elec04.prez.dean.endorsements/index.html

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Challenging his critics' view that he lacks appeal in the South, Howard Dean won the endorsement Saturday of the Congressional Black Caucus chairman as well as the backing of more than a dozen state and local lawmakers in Georgia in his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.

U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland said the endorsement was his own and not representative of the 39-member caucus he leads, telling Dean supporters at a private campaign stop in Atlanta that the former Vermont governor brings a much-needed influx of new energy to the Democratic Party.

[Rose Siding]

1. This really is good to see

snip>
Cummings' endorsement -- and that of the gathered Georgia lawmakers -- followed Tuesday's high-profile endorsement of another key Southerner, former Vice President Al Gore.

"We're the answer to the question of whether Howard Dean can campaign in the South," said state Rep. Nan Orrock of Georgia. "This is the South. We're Southerners. We're for Howard Dean."

[Muddleoftheroad]

2. Other than technically

Since when is Maryland part of the South?

[Cheswick2.0]

4. you either are or you are not part of the south

I think Md does qualify from having been there.

[Muddleoftheroad]

6. It is south of Mason-Dixon

But never listed among any true list of southern states. When people mention the South, they usually refer to the Old South -- states that seceded. Maryland did not.

Also by character, Maryland is not a Southern state and has more in common with its northern neighbors.

[CaptAhab]

7. Mason-Dixon line

Well, Maryland is on the Southern side of the Mason-Dixon line, and it would have seceded during the Civil War, had it not been for its governor who put martial law in place. Is that enough to qualify it as a Southern state?

[Muddleoftheroad]

9. No

It has neither a Southern culture, nor a history of secession. Those are usually the guidelines. It is, more accurately, a Mid-Atlantic state, but has much in common with PA, DE and NJ.

[Rose Siding]

10. State Rep of GEORGIA

[salin]

13. the 'southerners' statement - was made by a Georgia state representative

I would consider a georgian a southerner. (The rep. from Maryland did not make this statement.)

[0007]

3. Good news!

[October]

5. Kick

[comradebillyboy]

8. dean demonstrates a level of competence

in organization and personal politics reminicent of that other governor from a small unimportant state who won two terms. aside from universal health care and civil unions, dean is not particularly liberal. he is very pragmatic. and he ain't gonna bend over for bush or rove. unlike the democratic establishment, dean has not put his manhood in a blind trust managed by the repukes. he is a fighter

[MasonJar]

11. Maryland is definiteky considered

a Southern state. A few Southern states did not secede for various reasons. Kentucky was bribed, but it became an intense battleground, pittin brother against brother, father against son, all the awful etcs. D.C. was chosen to be where it is because it was a Southern location at the time. Also there are numerous cosmopoitan cities in the South: New Orleans (always has been), Atlanta, etc.

[Muddleoftheroad]

12. I lived in MD

And have never heard it referred to in that way.

Like I said, not a Southern culture by any means. Not a Southern city for Baltimore (ask any true Southerner), didn't secede and has more in common with the North.

[davidinalameda]

14. go to some parts of the Delmarva peninsula

you'll find southern attitudes

just like you'll find them in parts of Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, WV and other states that weren't part of the Confederacy