Dean reported to get Cong. Robert Scott (D) VA endorsement

[ed_vadem]

and may be named state campaign chair.

As VA's only black and most powerful Democratic Congressman, this endorsement could shift the power structure significantly for VA's Feb 10th primary. The fact that he is also reported to become Dean's campaign state chair emphasises that the importance of this endorsement.

Dean is fighting Edwards and Sharpton in SC and his campaign apparently didn't get as much traction, although since I don't live there that could be disputed. VA may be Dean's 1st victory in the south and will help with his credibility there.

However, VA will not be "in play in Nov 2004" unless Bush is to loose by a lanslide.

Northern VA liberal urban Democratic base has gravitated heavily towards Dean with the endorsement of former LT Gov Beyer several months ago, effectively grounding the Kerry campaign.

The state party may have a fight over who gets on the ballot as the very heavy 10,000 signature requirement has only be met by Dean and Clark thus far with 20-30 days left for the deadline. the DNC is try to require that only 5,000 be the minimum, but state law says otherwise.

[pruner]

1. Dean leads newest Zogby SC poll

you are misniformed about his lack of "traction"

Dean is opening his SC office today and will receive the formal endorsement of Jesse Jackson Jr.

[ed_vadem]

2. well, that is certainly a shift, glad to hear it

I didnt look forward to Dean loosing to Sharpton.

Jesse Jr is a congressman from Illinois, however.

Dean is surging everywhere with active Democratic voters as demostrated by NH.

There are no polls available in VA. The VA Dean office has been open for about 3 weeks and is located in the heart of North VA. He visits Tidewater today at 6:30PM

[Nazgul35]

3. Interesting...

seems that i've seen two different reports about how the establishment believes Dean's the winner (from TPM):

I had lunch today with someone who is not a politician but a fairly prominent Washington Democrat -- certainly not someone from the party's liberal wing. And in the course of answering a
Advertisement question, I said "If it ends up being Dean ..." At which point, with the rest of my sentence still on deck down in my throat, my friend shot back : "It's Dean."

And that the establishment party members had payed real attention to the Dean camps raising of $50k+ for Boswell and the $50k donated to the Florida Dems....seems the realize that not only has he raised a tun of cash...he's willing to share it to ensure down ticket support....over at DKos:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2003/12/6/6237/86925

Now, we're seeing most of the outright opposition to Dean evaporate, and this week proved the turning point. The latest NH, IA, and MA polls. The $50K for the Florida Democratic Party. The realization of what the SEIU and AFSCME endorsements meant, the realization that it would take a miracle to overtake Dean given his current advantages in support, money, and most important (and most often overlooked) -- his ground organization. Clark, the only guy left with a chance to catch Dean, trails in all three with just over a month left before the first ballots get cast. Had he entered the race a mere two or three months earlier... but that's academic. Clark entered when he entered.

looking good for the primaries...

[Freddie Stubbs]

4. Another African American for Dean

It seems that Al Sharpton is the one of only a few Democrats who were offended by Dean's confederate flag remark.

[goobergunch]

5. Already added to the Delegate Count (n/t)

[slinkerwink]

6. is VA considered a part of the South?

[NewJerseyDem]

8. Yeah

And Scott is from the Norfolk area, not near DC.

[w4rma]

7. Clark, Dean qualify for Virginia primary ballot (November 18, 2003)

By the Associated Press
Published November 18, 2003

RICHMOND, Va. -- Retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean on Tuesday became the first Democratic candidates to get their names on the ballot for Virginia's presidential primary.

Clark was the first to file the required 10,000 signatures with the Virginia State Board of Elections.

Six hours later, Dean's campaign rushed nearly 20,000 signatures to the state board, which stayed open late to accommodate it.
…
Clark, who entered the race two months ago, was the last to join the primary contenders in Virginia. Volunteers collected 10,911 signatures on his behalf, said Marjorie Clark of Chesterfield, the 7th District Democratic chairwoman.
…
http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/virginia/dp-va--primaryfilings1118nov18,0,114144.story?coll=dp-headlines-virginia