Gore to Endorse Howard Dean, Sources Say
As I am writing this, I am watching CNN's expectant coverage of a hotel ballroom in Harlem, where former Vice President Al Gore is expected to endorse Howard Dean for the Democratic nomination.
Gore, who lost to President Bush in the disputed 2000 election, has agreed to endorse Dean in Harlem in New York City on Tuesday and then travel with the former Vermont governor to Iowa, sight of the Jan. 19 caucuses which kickoff the nominating process, said a Democratic source close to Gore.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Dean will return from Iowa in time for Tuesday night's Democratic debate in New Hampshire.
Dean's campaign declined to comment.
Gore won the popular vote by half a million votes in 2000 but conceded to Republican Bush after a tumultuous 36-day recount in Florida and a 5-4 Supreme Court vote against him. Gore's concession came Dec. 13, 2000.
The endorsement comes just weeks after two key union endorsements boosted Dean's candidacy. Gore's approval adds further evidence to Dean's case that he can carry the party's mantle next November and is more than an Internet-driven outsider.
Dean leads in key early state polls in New Hampshire and Iowa, and is trying to persuade Democrats wary of his lack of foreign policy experience and missteps on the campaign that his nomination is all but certain.
I'm still supporting Wesley Clark, but Democrats would also have an excellent choice in Howard Dean. Not only is he "anyone but Bush", but he actually has some ideas that would be a welcome change.
Howard is in the building, but Al is as yet nowhere to be found. Hey, it's 11 months before the general election. This is what passes for drama, folks....
