Howard Dean

excerpts from the Iowa Daily Report

March 2003

…Bad news for the Dem aspirants if Hillary runs. The Quinnipiac poll says she would get 37% in the Democrat field with Gephardt a distant second 13%, Lieberman 12% and Kerry at 8%. Without Hillary, Lieberman gets 21%, Gephardt 17%, Kerry 12%, Edwards 8%. Moseley (No Hyphen) Braun 7%, Graham 6%, Sharpton 5%, Dean 4% and Kucinich 2%. (3/7/2003)

…Dean and Kucinich arrived yesterday in Iowa and lost little time stressing their central – although misguided – themes. Both basically are single-issue candidates – against any Iraq military action. Quad-City Times report this morning says Dean’s efforts to comment on other issues were unsuccessful. (He’s painted himself into the one-issue, anti-war corner – starting to look like another McGovern.)  (3/8/2003)

… Dean and Kucinich told reporters North Korea is a greater threat than Iraq. Des Moines Register headline this morning: “Democrats: Korea poses more serious threat to the U. S.” – commenting on Dean and Kucinich visits to central Iowa. Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson reports Dean said the North Korea represents a nuclear threat that could become a “full-blown crisis.” Henderson report quotes Dean as saying Iraq is a “third-rate military power” that poses no threat to the U. S. (3/8/2003) 

…Several media outlets indicate five Dem presidential candidates – the five low-rung candidates: Dean, Edwards, Kucinich, Moseley (no hyphen) Braun and Sharpton – will accept public campaign financing (taxpayer dollars) for their campaigns. John Kerry, the richest Dem prospect, will delay decision on public funding for a couple months – or possibly tap into wife Teresa Heinz Kerry’s fortune. (3/8/2003)

…Dean finally ventured from his one-issue, anti-war rhetoric on NBC’s “Meet the Press” yesterday, but his comments about homosexuality weren’t any better than his inadequate analysis of the Iraqi-Saddam situation. Dean, a physician and former Vermont governor, said he doesn’t believe “homosexuality is a choice of lifestyle. Most scientific research shows that it is genetic. So, it is not a lifestyle choice.” (3/10/2003)

… Under the headline “Kerry is the Granite in New Hampshire Democratic Primary Poll,” a Suffolk University news release reports the Mass. Sen “holds a commanding lead.” A survey of 496 likely Dem voters – in an exclusive 7NEWS-Suffolk University poll – gave Kerry 32% with Lieberman 17 %.  Dean, the former VT gov earlier assumed to be a regional favorite, had 10%, followed by Gephardt 6% and Edwards 2%. Three others each got 1%. That leaves 30% undecided…Also from the 7NEWS-Suffolk poll, about one-third (32%) of the likely Dem voters expect GWB to win a second term, 45% are undecided. (Yes, the poll identifies these folks as “likely Democratic voters.) Eleven percent expect Kerry to be the next president, while Dean and Lieberman each register 3% support when it comes to naming the ultimate 2004 winner. (3/14/2003)

… Survey conducted by Research 2000 for KCCI-TV 3/10-3/12 indicates Gephardt (22%), Kerry (20%) and Lieberman (16%) are bunched together at head of Dem presidential pack. Edwards was fourth with 8%, followed by Dean (6%) and Sharpton (1%). KCCI said Graham, Clark, Moseley Braun and Kucinich all registered less than 1%. Twenty-seven percent were undecided.  (3/15/2003)

… They haven’t been in Iowa for a week, but Kerry and Dean haven’t lost their touch for irresponsible, reckless rhetoric. They are probably feeling more at home on the Left Coast, however, since – according to the San Francisco Chronicle – they both “ramped up criticism” of GWB and called “the president an inept diplomat who has bungled the nation’s foreign policy” during California appearances. Edwards was also in the state for fundraising events with – whom else? – trial lawyers in San Francisco and L. A. (Iowa Presidential Watch, 3/15/2003)

… A Los Angeles Times online headline: “State Supporters Line Democratic War Chests” Times report says “none of the candidates has established a firm advantage in California” – but that “Kerry staked his ground Thursday with a tough speech in San Francisco defending [CA] Gov. Gray Davis and blaming President Bush for California’s hard economic times.” The Times report said, however, the main goal is money – not for their CA efforts yet, but to fuel campaign operations in New Hampshire and Iowa. Times also reports on Dem Hollywood derby: Dean has Rob Reiner and Martin Sheen. Gephardt has Michael Douglas (3/15/2003)

… Things turned a bit nasty yesterday at California Dem state convention as Dean named opponents by name. L. A. Times coverage reports Dean criticized Edwards and Kerry – by name – for supporting Congressional resolution authorizing military force against Iraq. Quotes Dean as saying, “I don’t think we can win the White House if we vote for the president’s unilateral attack on Iraq and then come to California and say we’re against the war.” Never fear, however, cuz Dean pledged to support Edwards or Kerry if either gets the Dem nomination. (3/16/2003)

…From Greg Pierce’s “Inside Politics” column in yesterday’s Washington Times: Dean said “he planned to rein in his blunt critiques of President Bush while U. S. troops are fighting in Iraq. Mr. Dean, whose outspoken opposition to the war with Iraq has become a centerpiece of his campaign, said he would try to soften his approach and refrain from attacking Mr. Bush directly while the president is directing troops at war…Mr. Dean said he realized at a campaign event in New Hampshire on Tuesday he was not comfortable with his usual approach.” (3/21/2003)

… latest New Hampshire survey showing Dean’s virtually tied with Kerry in battle of regional favorite sons. American Research Survey poll, conducted 3/16-3/19, indicates Dean gained 6 points over past month – although Kerry still leads with 23% to Dean’s 22%. Gephardt third (15%), Lieberman fourth (12%), 20% still undecided. Other Dem candidates in low – very low – single digits with Edwards leading that group with 3%. (That’s right 3% -- but it’s better than the 0% received by Kucinich, Sharpton and Clark, who’s doubtlessly getting better numbers for his current gig as CNN military analyst.) Interesting sidebar: 99% of respondents were “aware” of Hart, but he received only 2% on the ballot support question. (Iowa Presidential Watch, (3/22/2003)

… In today’s roundup story about yesterday’s visits to DSM by Gephardt, Dean and Kucinich, Des Moines Register staff writer Thomas Beaumont focuses on Gephardt. The headline, “Gephardt to curb campaign for sake of troops…The 2004 presidential nomination candidate continues backing the war against Iraq.” Gephardt gets 12 paragraphs vs. three for Dean, two for Kucinich. Key quote: “Gephardt is widely viewed as the likely frontrunner in the race for the Iowa caucuses in January 2004.” (3/24/2003)

…From yesterday’s coverage of their appearances at the UAW conference in Des Moines –Des Moines Register staff writer Thomas Beaumont reports Gephardt “isn’t stepping back from his support of President Bush in the war on Iraq,” but will curtail his public campaigning during early stages of war. Report says Gephardt made decision to scale back “out of respect for the troops in Iraq.” Kucinich criticized the bombing of Baghdad and the campaign of “shock and awe,” saying he has a “patriotic duty” to speak out against war. Beaumont reports Dean “declined to say whether he supported the bombing of Baghdad, but renewed his criticism of the war…Dean said he will offer his support for American troops while criticizing Bush for attacking Iraq.” (3/24/2003)

… From this morning’s Des Moines Register: Thomas Beaumont reports, headline “Candidates tangle over Iraq…John Edwards and John Kerry dispute deception accusations by Dean” Beaumont coverage of Dean campaigning in Des Moines yesterday, “Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean on Monday accused rivals John Edwards and John Kerry of being intentionally deceptive about their positions supporting the Bush administration’s war in Iraq.” (3/25/2003)

… Dean and Kucinich continued their (increasingly dismal) campaign efforts in IA yesterday. Dean showed for a “live” interview on 5 p.m. WHO-TV newscast while Kucinich was reduced to videotape interview on 6 p.m. show. Standard stuff from both – although Dean rejected suggestions Democrats would be viewed as the anti-war party in 2004 (Iowa Presidential Watch, 3/25/2003)

… Dean opens two-day Sioux City visit by saying Kerry continues to “wobble around” on his Iraq war position. Dean quote: “To this day, I don’t know what John Kerry’s position is. It’s still hard to figure out, reading his statements, which way he’s going to come down on it, and I think you all ought to ask him.” Dean made his comments before a couple dozen activists – the Truman Club. (Iowa Presidential Watch, 3/28/2003)

… Dean has sent a handwritten letter to Edwards apologizing for a statement he made charging Edwards has been avoiding discussion of his support for the Iraq invasion when appearing before anti-war audiences. Dean told delegates at the CA Dem state convention earlier this month that Edwards and Kerry – both supporters of the Senate Iraq resolution last fall – were not standing by their votes for the resolution. Edwards, however, reaffirmed his support for military action – and was booed by delegates – during his convention remarks. Meanwhile, Kerry told reporters he had been “100 percent consistent” in his position that Saddam must be disarmed, adding: “I have no response to Howard Dean.” (Iowa Presidential Watch, 3/28/2003)

…During Dean’s Sioux City visit yesterday, he also said Democrats must draw distinctions with GWB. Dean: “If you disagree with the war, then say so. If you don’t agree with the war, then say so, but don’t try to wobble around in between.” KMEG-TV (Sioux City) also reported that Woodbury County Dem chairman Al Sturgeon “likes Dean’s chances in the Iowa caucuses.” Before beginning his comments to the local Truman Club, Dean asked for a moment of silence for Marine Sgt. Bradley Korthaus – a Davenport native who was first Iowan to die during the Iraq confrontation (3/28/2003)

…When Kerry wasn’t consumed repelling Dean’s criticisms yesterday, he apparently was busy assuring Southern Democrats he plans to mount serious campaign efforts in their states. Several media outlets indicate Kerry has been distributing the text of remarks he made in CA earlier in March about his determination to compete in the South. His actions were probably prompted by a headline – “Kerry might have written off the South” – in The State newspaper in Columbia, S. C., earlier this week. Kerry quote: “I intend to campaign and talk to folks and think that we can win a number of states there, Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas and a number of others.” (3/28/2003)

… Des Moines Register reports this morning four Dem aspirants – Dean, Edwards, Kerry, Gephardt – have spent the $65,000 each to secure Iowa Democratic Party’s voter information database. Also indicates Lieberman is “expected” to buy the list in April and Kucinich has “expressed interest” in getting the file. Moines Register’s Thomas Beaumont writes that Hart is expected to visit IA during April and he also has inquired about purchasing the state Dem party’s voter database. (3/29/2003)

… Dean campaign reported it was nearing its quarterly goal of $1.5 million.  (Iowa Presidential Watch, 3/29/2003)

… In an e-mail Thursday, Dean told supporters – and potential contributors – he was within $83,000 of his first quarter goal. (Iowa Presidential Watch, 3/29/2003)

…Dean presidential website indicates he will meet with Des Moines-area supporters next Wednesday, 4/2, for a “National Dean in 2004 Meetup Day” – whatever that means?  Website also notes that 9,008 have signed on to the Dean bandwagon so far – Des Moines ranks 51st on supporter signup list with 39, Iowa City 77th with 25, and Quad Cities 96th with 18. (Iowa Presidential Watch, 3/29/2003)

… Dean, whose first quarter goal was in the $1.5 million range, scheduled for New York fundraisers today and also will hold a DC fundraiser tomorrow. (Iowa Presidential Watch, 3/30/2003)

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