I'm thinking that Gore's endorsement might -- emphasis MIGHT -- just piss off the party establishement worse, have them thinking that he's trying to sink them for giggles.

"Enough Democrats think that Gore had his victory stolen by Bush & Co., that having their man back on the campaign trail could very well prove as energizing as Dean's populist anger."

The same thing was said about 2002 elections---you know, the ones where all those angry Democrats would go to the polls and give them clear control of the Senate, defeat Jeb Bush and Katherine Harris in Florida, and pick up seats in the House (and maybe even win it back).

And we all know how the 2002 elections turned out.

Too many Democratic activists are seeking catharsis in 2004 instead of victory, and Dean offers them the political equivalent of Primal Scream therapy. Maybe Dean's combination of higher taxes, more government regulations, support for gay marriage, and "be kind to others" approach to national security will indeed sweep him to vicotry in 2004.

But somehow I doubt it.

"To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man." William Shakespeare

Joe Lieberman must have been absent the day they taught that in school. His double speak is all the more pathetic because he's not an amoral hedonist like bubba nor a cellulose pseudo-human like Gore.

He knew what he was doing was wrong, but he just couldn't stop himself from doing it. It's so embarrassing, I can't even look at a picture of him.

First of all, "democratic" describes a process. The proper term for the treasonous, America hating, sewer sucking assholes who vote for Democrat Party candidates is "democrat".

Secondly, Al "I insist all the votes be counted! Unless they're military. Or anyone else that might vote against me." Gore's endorsement is the kiss of death for any candidate in this election, at almost any level.

Well, this completes Gore's transformation from wonkish moderate Southern Democrat to elitist angry liberal crackpot.

Why do this now? It's almost like he wanted to screw Joe Leiberman. Or more likely, to get his mug in front of the camera and tell Democrats "I'm a Democrat power center to", since he's quite likely envious of the king makers the Clinton's are trying to play. But, this basically puts Gore on the side of the angry left and the angry left's candidate with the Clinton people playing the Hawkish moderates backing Clark (at least according to conventional wisdom). So, Dean vs. Clark is kind of a proxy battle for Gore vs. the Clintons. It's especially odd coming on the heals of Hillary's trip to the war zones to play the voice of reason for her party.

Interesting stuff. And I suspect Bill & Hillary are completely loving this. They clearly want this extreme leftward lurch to play itself out, destroy the insurgency through self-immolation via a humiliating loss in '04, and all the wannabe powers that be in the Democratic party will be poisoned by it. Then, Bill & Hillary can ride in remind everyone who's boss. And Gore plays right into their hands. This is final proof that his political career is toast (not that there was much doubt about that at this point).

On a side note: hat tip to erp who wrote "cellulose pseudo-human like Gore". That's poetry man.

erp said it better than me, that's what you get when you sell your principles.

Just to follow up, Sandy, E.G. Ross made the same observations regarding Lieberman's principles here and here
during the 2000 election campaign.

Not being a Democrat, could anyone tell me if really anyone actually cares who Gore endorses? Yes, I do hear about the anger at their failed attempt at election fraud, but as another poster said, 2002 just further cemented GOP control over both houses of Congress.

With the economy improving, right now it looks like the election will be a mandate on the war on terrorism. Lets face it, Gore would not have been as bold or as risky as Bush. And more Americans would have been killed right here in the USA. Unless something horrible goes wrong, like another terrorist attack here, or a complete meltdown in Iraq, Dean is going to lose and lose big.

Not many people vote for suicide. With Dean's anti-war rhetoric, while it may be appealing for the a small group, ain't going to win him high office.

As for Bill and Hillary, I really don't see them coming back either. The impression I get is that the Democrats are as sick of them as the rest of us are. Hillary's turkey day events did not reflect well on her, when they were observed by the press at all. It was the Clinton's that cut 8 divisions from the US Army, divisions they tell us we need now.