Is the Democratic establishment realizing it can't beat Dean?

[CTLawGuy]

A while ago, I thought that eventually those who were fighting Dean the outsider may one day realize they can't knock him off and get behind him. They might do this for a couple of reasons:

1. to avoid continuing a messy primary conflict. Obviously the other candidates will not drop out, but they may be told to stop attacking Dean. The sooner the Dems can unify the better.

2. to save themselves from retribution by the Dean people once he takes over the party leadership (the nominee is the de facto leader of the party) If they get behind him, it is less likely Dean will replace them.


Is Al Gore only the beginning? Will other people follow suit? Will the attacks on Dean stop?

on edit: not intended as flame bait, I understand that no votes have been cast and other candidates have a chance to win, but Im speculating on the thought processes of Gore and people like him.

[AP]

1. I think it's more like this:

They know the Republicans are pushing him, and they know the right wing can get the media to do whatever they want to do. If they resist the media push, Democrats place themselves in a postion of possibly criticizing someone they will have to run, and if they criticize him, they'l drive down turnout among Dems if he's nominated.

So, instead, they jump on the media bandwagon. It makes Repulbicans think twice. if they keep pushing Dean without Democrats pushing back, do they run the risk of pushing Dean right to the presidency?

[LuminousX]

2. Yeah, it is all a ploy because Dean from Vermont is a Republican plant

sheesh

[zeemike]

9. Could it just be

That Gore realizes that Deans message and approach to the nomination is resonating with real people? Why not get behind someone that has a good plan.
Why put any other motive to it other than to make it sour grapes.

[kentuck]

3. I think the establishment kicked Al Gore out of the race?

So Gore is not endorsing an establishment candidate, contrary to what many might think...

[MadAsHell]

7. I see we posted roughly the same thought at the same time ...

eom

[kentuck]

11. I think Gore wanted to run...

But was told he would not have the support of the Party....

[MadAsHell]

4. I am not so sure that ...

Al Gore would agree with your characterization of him as a insider in the Democratic establishment.

He has a number of reasons to not have the warm and fuzzies about the support and reception he got from the insiders. If you recall last summer, Gore got a pretty cool reaction when he was testing the waters for a second run.

[CTLawGuy]

13. he still has a lot of clout with the establishment

he is a former vice president. the same people who ran his campaign are now running kerry's. He's very tied to clinton.

I think he is happy to endorse Dean, he and Dean have a lot in common, position-wise.

[Upfront]

5. Clintons Endorse Clark?

Look for this to happen now. The party has a big problem if this should go down. Split city!

[arewethereyet]

6. Dean has been quietly making nice with them

I don't think this is a secret.

[slinkerwink]

8. it'll be even better news if that happens

[arewethereyet]

10. its already happened but there will be no fanfare

maybe a little more Clark sniping but generally no reaction from them till its well into voting time.

12. bingo

In my opinion