Some interesting comments by Tony Coelho last night on Charlie Rose...

[Gloria]

The ultimate insider, he spoke first about the Dean campaign, but said 2004 depends on Bush screwing up. The power of the incumbency is the most important factor; he said Americans get comfortable and don't like to change. While he was, as he described himself, a political animal and enjoyed how the Dean campaign and all the hoopla was going, he did not transfer his enthusiasm into a prediction in the 2004 election and Dean's chances. In fact, his discussion of incumbency left me feeling that he had his doubts.

On the Gore matter, he clearly stated that Gore liked the idea of being involved and by supporting Dean he could go after Bush without having to run. He said Gore had business interests and now he could attend to them and drop in and out of the political season whenever he wanted to.
If found this rather disturbing, because it seemed to indicate that Gore had some personal agenda in all this over and above endorsing Dean.

Later, on CNBC, Ed Rollins was asked if Gore was the head of the party and he said no. He said Gore had the chance after 2000 and dropped out of sight for a year. Which sort of buttresses Coehlo's feeling about Gore coming in now in a way that is convenient.

Gloria Borger commented on how many Dems were angry about the timing and I myself wonder if there will be a lot of "sitting on hands" down the road.


(Some of this posted on other threads....finally got around to posting it on its own.)

[soleft]

1. I saw him on Scarborough and he was very enthusiastic about the

endorsement.

He also said all the media speculation about a Gore Clinton was sophmoric.

[KittyWampus]

2. Thanks, Glad To Get The Chance To Read This

I don't put much stock in the Clinton/Gore Civil War although I DO think Dean has had designs on being a "Power Broker" since the moment he became Lt. Governor.

It'll be interesting to see how this all shakes out...

But regarding Gores's endorsement... congratulation due to Dean but that Gore suggested other Candidates fall in line and thier activists as well is just REALLY bad form...

IMO it's almost as if Gore WANTED to sabotage the endorsement.