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Wow, what a ringing endorsement... |
Posted on 09/18/2002 11:39:53 AM PDT by Gothmog
PORTSMOUTH - With the drama of last week’s midterm primary barely past, the stage is already being set for 2004.
Apparently, Al Gore is interested in reprising his role.
Sunday night reports began circulating that Gore has confided to his top aides that he will take another shot at the presidency.
Almost immediately, people in the Gore camp denied the reports. With scheduled stops in Iowa, New Hampshire and the focal point of the 2000 election, Florida, it’s hard not to see Gore is preparing another presidential bid.
The Portsmouth Democratic headquarters is still strewn with the mementos of Gore’s 2000 run. From bumper stickers, pins and posters, Gore stares out at candidates and activists. Yet local Democrats had mixed reactions to the news of a possible Gore run.
"A lot of people are committed to other candidates already," Portsmouth Democratic Chair Anita Freedman said. "A lot of people were upset about the way the whole last election was handled. I wish him well, but I don’t think he’ll get the same support he had last time around."
Freedman is supporting House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt. Gephardt was in New Hampshire on Monday with 1st Congressional District hopeful Martha Fuller Clark.
Despite the fact that Gore won the popular vote in the 2000 election, there are no signs that he would be a shoe-in for the 2004 Democratic nomination. Many local Democrats were undecided about who they would be supporting this early on.
"It’s important we take a look at the substantive issues here," New Hampshire state Sen. Burt Cohen said. "At a time when the trade deficit is ballooning, and workers are losing their jobs, any candidate who can give Americans a sense of hope will have a shot."
But is Gore that man?
"That’s the beauty of the New Hampshire primary," Cohen said. "It’s a unique process: retail politics. I, as a voter, will certainly be watching all the candidates will interest."
Steve Marchand, communications director for Mark Fernald’s gubernatorial campaign, said he believes the Gore’s entry would entry of Gore can only increase the quality of the field of candidates.
"If Gore indeed becomes a part of the 2004, he’s an important voice in the party and he will be a great addition," Marchand said. "Obviously in the past he’s proven he can be a very competitive candidate. The best candidates come out of competition, and there’s a lot of great potential candidates out there."
State Rep. Terie Norelli said she believes if Gore makes a stronger statement, his support for another run will broaden.
"People haven’t put him in the mix because he hasn’t really been here, and hasn’t said he would run," Norelli said. "Other candidates have been visible in the state. We’ll have to wait to see what he does, and then wait to see how it all shakes out."
Hampton Falls Democratic Chair E. Elaine Ahearn, unhappy with almost every decision the current administration has made, said she would be happy to see Gore throw his hat in the ring.
"The last election was heartbreaking, especially to those of us who don’t think we lost in the first place," Ahearn said. "I would be happy to support any of the prospective candidates. They all make our current president look like a shrub. So far the Democrats haven’t come up with a bozo yet."
Joining Congressman Gephardt as early Democratic hopefuls are North Carolina Sen. John Edwards and Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, Gore’s former running mate.
In assessing the reasons for Gore’s 2000 loss, most cite his failure to utilize President Clinton’s star power and campaigning skills.
"The last time I saw Clinton speak, the crowd would have coronated him if they could have," Ahearn said. "To run away from Clinton, and his immense popularity, was absolutely a strategic mistake."
Freedman agreed.
"You have to feel bad about the whole thing," Freedman said. "He should have been president, but things are different now."
Some Dem lackey: "'The last time I saw Clinton speak [before a room of brainless lackies like me], the crowd would have coronated him if they could have,' Ahearn said."
Yeah, except that's why most people moved to this country, to get away from 'annointed rulers' so they could make their own choice.
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Wow, what a ringing endorsement... |
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