Question for Dean: How Solid a Base? [View All]

[maddezmom]

Analysis
Question for Dean: How Solid a Base?
Army of Supporters Untried in Crisis
By Dan Balz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, January 15, 2004; Page A01


DES MOINES, Jan. 14 -- For most of 2003, Howard Dean's campaign showed some of the qualities of a Silicon Valley enterprise in the boom days of the 1990s -- an innovative political machine that was all about the promise of something new -- new voters, new money and a new politics for a demoralized Democratic Party.
~snip~

The turn of the year has brought more intense engagement from voters in Iowa and New Hampshire and, with that, an inevitable tightening in the polls. Dean's once-commanding lead in New Hampshire has begun to dissipate in the face of a surge by retired Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark. In Iowa, Dean is engaged in a spirited four-way contest against Rep. Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.) and the rising candidacies of Sens. John F. Kerry (Mass.) and John Edwards (N.C.).

~snip~

Dean advisers dismiss talk that Dean has stalled or is in any real trouble, while acknowledging that they have lost ground in New Hampshire and are fighting for a victory in Iowa. "We've got a tough fight in Iowa and New Hampshire, and it's going to be a tough fight beyond that," said Dean pollster Paul Maslin. "What's going to sustain us beyond that is what Howard Dean has built. That is going to be our shield."

Campaign manager Joe Trippi said he is so confident of the base upon which Dean has built his campaign that he believes a loss in Iowa will bring a redoubled intensity among those who have sustained the campaign through the past year. Victories here and in New Hampshire, he said, will bring an explosion of money and support.
~snip~

more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18199-2004Jan14.html

This is interesting...a loss will bring a redoubled intensity. Not sure I buy it, but the Dean campaign has shown in the past if he is criticized or has a bad showing in a debate the money flows. Time will tell. :)