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American Morning
Backing for Howard Dean
Aired December 09, 2003 - 07:05 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: This morning, political news and a huge coup at hand now for the front runner in the Democratic presidential race. Just an hour from now, former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, already leading in many polls, is expected to get the biggest endorsement of his political campaign.
Kelly Wallace now has more from Harlem here in New York City.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And the next president of the United States is going to be a Democrat, and you will all be welcome at the inauguration.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): A pumped up Howard Dean, getting the nod from 23 New York City lawmakers Monday, about to get perhaps the biggest boost yet of his candidacy. Former Vice President Al Gore, the man Democrats hoped would beat George W. Bush in 2000, expected to endorse Dean Tuesday.
Political analysts say Gore is making the move now, weeks before the kickoff contest in Iowa and New Hampshire, to have the most impact.
JOSEPH MERCURIO, POLITICAL CONSULSTANT: He understands that if the Democrats are going to win, if they have any chance, they have to give the nominee of the party a long time to raise money and campaign and get known with the voters.
WALLACE: The nod comes as the former Vermont governor increases his lead over the eight other Democratic presidential candidates, according to the latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll, with the support of 25 percent of registered Democrats. In second place, retired General Wesley Clark, who tried to shrug off the Gore news in an interview Monday night.
WESLEY CLARK (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I don't pay any attention to endorsements unless they're for me.
WALLACE: Senator Joseph Lieberman conceded he did not even receive a heads-up from his former running mate.
SEN. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I was surprised ,but I am more determined than ever to continue to fight for what's right for my party and my country.
WALLACE: The Gephardt team, currently locked in a tight and tough fight with Dean in Iowa, said -- quote -- "Dick Gephardt fought side by side with Al Gore to pass the Clinton economic plan, pass the assault weapons ban and defend against Republican attacks on Medicare and affirmative action. On each of these issues, Howard Dean was on the wrong side."
Senator John Kerry, in a statement, said he respected Gore, but then questioned Gore's relevance, saying -- quote -- "The election is about the future, not about the past."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
And last night at an event, Howard Dean was coy, saying he could not confirm or deny this news. But it will be official one hour from now, and the two men after appearing together here in Harlem will fly off together to Iowa.
Many observers believe what this does is it gives Dean something he has been lacking within the Democratic Party establishment, and that is stature -- instantly transforming him from a long-shot outsider to a leading candidate within the party -- Bill.
HEMMER: Kelly, thanks.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired December 9, 2003 - 07:05 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: This morning, political news and a huge coup at hand now for the front runner in the Democratic presidential race. Just an hour from now, former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, already leading in many polls, is expected to get the biggest endorsement of his political campaign.
Kelly Wallace now has more from Harlem here in New York City.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And the next president of the United States is going to be a Democrat, and you will all be welcome at the inauguration.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): A pumped up Howard Dean, getting the nod from 23 New York City lawmakers Monday, about to get perhaps the biggest boost yet of his candidacy. Former Vice President Al Gore, the man Democrats hoped would beat George W. Bush in 2000, expected to endorse Dean Tuesday.
Political analysts say Gore is making the move now, weeks before the kickoff contest in Iowa and New Hampshire, to have the most impact.
JOSEPH MERCURIO, POLITICAL CONSULSTANT: He understands that if the Democrats are going to win, if they have any chance, they have to give the nominee of the party a long time to raise money and campaign and get known with the voters.
WALLACE: The nod comes as the former Vermont governor increases his lead over the eight other Democratic presidential candidates, according to the latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll, with the support of 25 percent of registered Democrats. In second place, retired General Wesley Clark, who tried to shrug off the Gore news in an interview Monday night.
WESLEY CLARK (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I don't pay any attention to endorsements unless they're for me.
WALLACE: Senator Joseph Lieberman conceded he did not even receive a heads-up from his former running mate.
SEN. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I was surprised ,but I am more determined than ever to continue to fight for what's right for my party and my country.
WALLACE: The Gephardt team, currently locked in a tight and tough fight with Dean in Iowa, said -- quote -- "Dick Gephardt fought side by side with Al Gore to pass the Clinton economic plan, pass the assault weapons ban and defend against Republican attacks on Medicare and affirmative action. On each of these issues, Howard Dean was on the wrong side."
Senator John Kerry, in a statement, said he respected Gore, but then questioned Gore's relevance, saying -- quote -- "The election is about the future, not about the past."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
And last night at an event, Howard Dean was coy, saying he could not confirm or deny this news. But it will be official one hour from now, and the two men after appearing together here in Harlem will fly off together to Iowa.
Many observers believe what this does is it gives Dean something he has been lacking within the Democratic Party establishment, and that is stature -- instantly transforming him from a long-shot outsider to a leading candidate within the party -- Bill.
HEMMER: Kelly, thanks.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
