February 18, 2004
Dean calls it quits
After a series of disappointing losses in the Democratic primaries, presidential candidate Howard Dean has finally bowed out. I wish I could say that his leave was graceful—it was anything but.
It’s been a rough road for Dean. After first receiving the endorsement of Al Gore, which some speculated locked Dean in for the nomination—myself included—Dean was on top of the Democratic Party. But only for a minute. He fizzled in Iowa, and we all know the yell that came out of that.
And he hasn’t been the same since.
He lost New Hampshire by 12 points, and his time as a Democratic presidential candidate has since won him no primaries. Even Clark, who actually won a primary in Oklahoma, called it quits after seeing the writing on the wall.
Waffling on the issues, Dean even waffled on his leave. After saying Wisconsin would make or break his candidacy, he went back on his word and rescinded his promise. Maybe advance information about a certain Kerry affair had something to do with the change.
But now his campaign is over, and he did end up leaving after Wisconsin. Dean made it clear, however, that the fight is not.
"[O]ur campaign for change is not over," Dean said in a statement on his Web site.
And we should believe him. Dean has shifted the debate of the Democratic Party to the left, and with non-stop TV, radio and Internet coverage of this presidential race, it'll be hard for the candidates to swing back to the middle with Dean gone.
But the question still remains: Who will Dr. Dean endorse? I'd put my money on Edwards, especially since the two have been planning meetings of late.
Posted by Deleted Author at February 18, 2004 04:51 PMAs a republican I was saddened by it. He was the only one who stood up for the rights of gays. My lover, Neil and I could’nt believe our ears.
In 1983 I created the first gay football team prior to that DeVry never had one. It expanded into the GFL the gay football league. Now when we pat each other it has a whole new meaning but we play a hard game. Cover me! Wooooo!
But to see Dean Go was really tragic but I still have hope, Vermont and California are states that allow Neil and I to marry. I’m going to be a bride! Let’s Elope!
Posted by: joebagodonuts at February 18, 2004 05:36 PMYes, and we’re all so upset that he pulled the Democratic Party to the left. It’s not like we want an actual opposition party or anything.
Posted by: Robert Grebel at February 18, 2004 05:37 PMIt’s a good thing he shifted it to the left, or at least away from pale imitation of the conservatives we were becoming in the public realm. We were really starting to look pathetic there. It’s good to have some pride back, after all that post-Cold-War, post-Clinton, post-9/11 confusion. Now if we can just get to work on the policies…
Posted by: Stephen Daugherty at February 18, 2004 11:56 PM
