To withdraw an endorsement from a candidate is...

[WilliamPitt]

Lord knows I have my disagreements with some of Dean's policies.

Lord knows I am an advocate and employee of Dennis Kucinich.

But I stand with supporters of Howard Dean today. The withdrawal of endorsements from Dean as he is sweating blood to serve the people and his supporters is one of the lowest things I have ever seen in politics.

There is an old saying that politics is a long, shallow trench where the whores run free and good men die like dogs. The groups and people bailing on Dean are proving that saying to be axiomatic.

It sickens me.

[mrgorth]

1. Thanks Will.

[BL_Zebub]

2. Still a proud member of Devils for Dean here!

I'm ABG in November though (Anybody But God)

[rucky]

8. What do you have against Dennis Kucinich?

O8)

[GreenArrow]

41. That ought to be obvious

he's the Devil, after all.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

3. Loyalty is one thing, going down with the ship is another.

Perhaps AFSCME believes they would be better off to spend their resources battling Bush than in trying to prop up a campaign that no dispassionate observer thinks has a chance.

[chocolateeater]

29. Perhaps AFSCME doesn't mind

being seen as a bunch of backstabbers, but that is the impression left when this type of thing happens. If things go south this fall, are they going to run or are they going to stand up with us. This kind of decision does not lead to a good conclusion on my part.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

70. Anyone putting resources into Dean's campaign at this point,

is only wasting resources that could be better used against Bush.


Maybe they are more concerned about the real future of our country than they are about the hurt feelings of supporters of a failed candidate.

[Tim_in_HK]

78. There is a difference between withdrawing

resources and withdrawing an endorsement.

One saves money, the other hurts credibility (both for the receiver and giver of the endorsement).

[chocolateeater]

91. It is not about hurt feelings,

it is about trust. If they cut and run once when the going got tough, then how do you they won't do it again? Credibility is a resource too, and they just threw it away.

[progressivebydesign]

73. Thanks for the poll and thread Will.. you are a gentleman N/T

[On the Road]

4. Thanks, Will

The party is coalescing around Kerry, and unless an earthquake happens he will be the nominee. But earthquakes have happened, even in this primary season.

I just don't understand the quick "de-endorsement" thing, especially from individuals. It makes the endorser look worse than the candidate.

[eyesroll]

5. Can I add a caveat to my vote of "raw political cowardice?"

"Barring a truly unforgiveable action by the candidate..."

For instance, I have no problems if someone withdraws an endorsement when they find out the candidate sexually assaulted someone (a la those newspapers changing their tune on Arnold). (What they were doing endorsing Arnold in the first place is another story altogether.)

But just because the candidate isn't doing well...that's just sad.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

6. Let me know when Tom Harkin stands up to avow his continued support

until then..... :boring: It's fucking politics.
BTW: has Dean mortgaged a house or let any other "blood" to keep the campaign going?

[dsc]

11. unlike your candidate

he didn't marry an heiress.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

19. You don't like Kerry because of who he married? OK.

[dsc]

23. No but Kerry's grand gesture

is like me spending $150. Sorry that isn't too impressive.

On edit I do have to ask. Is it too much to ask that you actually read my posts as written and not make up posts to respond to. This is a serious inquiry not an insult.

[MaddogTerp]

22. to be more specific,

an "African-American" heiress widow of a former colleague. not that there's anything wrong with that...

[aldian159]

34. While nowhere near a rich as kerry

Dr. Dean is not poor, and he and his wife are very well off, to say the least

[dsc]

43. Not really

Of their assests well over 1/3 is in trust for their kids. Presumedly the couldn't use that money if they tried. That leaves their home and office. That isn't much. Maybe, they have a couple of million if that.

[youngred]

54. he hasn't used her money on this campaign

and can't because they keep seperate accounts and it would be a political donation for her and subject to campaign finance laws

[Ficus]

17. big TH never pulled out

Saw him on saturday and still supports Dean. Perhaps it wasn't the wisest thing he's ever done in his career...

[Casablanca]

21. Has Dean had to mortgage his house? ...

No. And why not?

[pacifictiger]

24. I am outraged that it remains acceptable

and "normal" for people to make excuses and say its "just politics." Bottom line it is tantamount to lying for convenience sake, and goes a long way to explain why politics in this country is in such a sorry state. A lie is a lie no matter what shade you color it. If there is not honesty what hope does this country have? Democratic representation indeed. What a joke. More like feathering your own nest for ego and monetary gain. Are we so morally corrupt and afraid of what other people will think that we are willing to forego our integrity with such ease?

[Casablanca]

36. Deleted by poster

[Nadienne]

69. Well Said (n/t)

[bobbyboucher]

42. Patiently waiting for NYfM

to find the high road.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

71. I'm allowed an occasional detour

[MidwestMomma]

83. Talking about kickin' a man when he's down

:eyes:

[rucky]

7. Why would these pols put their credibility on the line by vocally withdra?

Of course it's dispicable. But from the pol's perspective, it seems less expedient to withdraw an endorsement than to just shut up and let the endorsement fade away. Unless you're intentionally trying to damage that candidate - but even then, you're admitting you bet on a dog.

Dean deserves better than this.

[LuminousX]

9. answer: The nature of politics

If you aren't winning, you are losing. If you are losing, those that support you are going to be painted as supporting a loser. Endorsements are a two way street. Good endorsements don't come without strings. If the candidate is not going to be able to hold up his end of the deal, then the endorsement gets withdrawn.

[Casablanca]

28. Good explanation of why American politics doesn't work. nt

In real politics, an endorsement isn't a tactic, it's a commitment. It's a person of integrity standing up for his/her own integrity by standing with another person's integrity.

The organizations withdrawing their support because of the media's scarlet letter treatment of Dean are showing their endorsements to be as cheap and common as dirt.

To echo another poster here - Dean, and American politics, deserve better.

[Mairead]

37. "as cheap and common as dirt"

Yep. You pegged it. Why do you think they almost all wait to endorse the frontrunner?

[Rowdyboy]

10. Should be an "all of the above" catagory

Sickening, cowardly, disgusting...I have NO respect for anyone or any group that could be so incredibly shallow. Perhaps you might want to THINK BEFORE you endorse

[Ficus]

12. it says a lot about endorsements

and what they mean to and for people.

Why do people make endorsements? Do they endorse because they really believe in a candidate, or do they endorse to gain political favor with a candidate they see as the eventual winner (or nominee)?

I don't have any answer, just something to think about next time you see an endorsement given.

[redqueen]

20. Well put

Not all endorsements are equal.

[HFishbine]

27. Great Point!

Rep. Killpatrick withdrew her endorsement for Dean today. When she endorsed him, she cited his energy, fresh ideas and ability to set a new direction. Has any of that changed. Certainly not. Killpatrick was obviously trying to get some publicity for herself more than advancing a candidate.

[Casablanca]

13. Again, all of the above. nt

[MaddogTerp]

14. can I vote "all of the above?"

withdrawing an endorsement? that's low.

"Howie is the best person for the job"

Um, "well, since he's no longer the front runner, now Howie isn't the best person for the job anymore"

and next week:
"well, Howie still has a chance to win the nomination, so we're really not sure if hes' any good for the job or not, we'll let you know after its' decided"

give those endorsement pullers a low-class ticket to Losersville.

[Missy Vixen]

15. Thanks, Will

>There is an old saying that politics is a long, shallow trench where the whores run free and good men die like dogs. The groups and people bailing on Dean are proving that saying to be axiomatic.<

I held political office on a very small local level. I can't even imagine how demoralizing it must be to have an endorser rescind their promise of support. I know how I suffered with rejection on that small level -- what happens to someone who experiences the knife in the back publicly, continuously, on every news cycle?

How cowardly.

I hope that the representative and the union over the weekend are bombarded with those asking them if they cut and run on everyone in their lives (or business dealings) that needs their support.

In the meantime, would you please tell Dennis Kucinich how charming and wonderful his Washington state supporters were in the caucus I was at on Saturday? I got a nice copy of his "Prayer for America" speech from one of them, too.

Julie

[redqueen]

16. ... typical of what passes for 'Democrats' these days. n/t

[LittleDannySlowhorse]

18. Will, thank you for posting this

I couldn't agree more with your assessment. My two big questions have been:

1. Why did they endorse Dean in the first place if that endorsement was "probationary" and could be withdrawn at any time?

2. Where were these people when Kerry was down? He certainly could have used some of this support over the summer.

I guess the endorsements of certain groups and individuals is only good for as long as you're the top guy. I realize that politics is a dirty business, and perhaps I'm just being naive in expecting people who endorsed Dean to stand by him, but I find this appallingly cynical, and would feel the same way if it was happening to any other candidate.

I originally came to support Dean because I liked what he had to say and I felt that he would make the best president. I still feel that way, despite the fact that the chips are down and he most likely won't be in the race much longer. Isn't that what an endorsement is supposed to be all about --- a show of belief in a candidate?

Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to soapbox on the occasion of my 1000th post, by the way.

[David Zephyr]

25. Like MaddogTerp, "All of the Above"

Pretty lousy, indeed.

[jeter]

26. Will, I still don't understand how you went from being...

a hard core Kerry supporter for all these months. Then when he actually starts to win...to go over to Kucinich.

I don't get it.

Is it because Kucinich offered you job and Kerry didn't?

[WilliamPitt]

30. I have always been a Kerry fan

and still am. But the Kucinich campaign offered me an opportunity to do real good work for a real good Democrat. My working with Kucinich is not a slap at Kerry. Kucinich is an extraordinary person and it was a privilege to be asked to serve.

[liberalmike27]

50. shows

It just shows the same spineless-flight from the guy you originally supported like many of those who originally supported Dean because of his positions, and are now Kerry supporters. You would expect more from Unions, known to be loyal, and politicians. Either they were just jumping on the bandwagon of the poll-topper in the first place, or they have no convictions whatsoever.

This post is right on, as I saw another endorsement was removed today.

Judging by the effect of endorsements, which is very little, I doubt this will have much effect. I think people, even those in Unions, still pretty much vote the same reasons, and with the same diversity as other voters.

[VelmaD]

64. Do a little homework

I seem to recall Will writing a wonderful piece about Dennis a while back. You might wanta go take a peek:
http://www.truthout.org/docs_03/080703A.shtml

There's a world of difference between elected (and former) officials retracting their endorsements of a candidate and being willing to support more than one candidate. Hell, I vacilated daily for months between Kerry and Kucinich and would still enthusiastically support or work for either one of them.

[KoKo]

77. It's really an excellent way to get one's "feet wet" in "K-St.. Country,"

too...and it's a good thing to do, Will. "on the edge of ...well"
the Pen is "mightier than the sword," but the "Pen" don't pay so much money that one can stay with it forever.:D The "sword" OTOH, does have some bucks and some cache behind it. In these times.....swords are good, and in these times following the $$$'s is good too. Fighting fire with fire, corruption with corruption.....Dirty times call for those who see it all and can get in the ring and fight it out.

Good for you!.....pragmatist, here.....our dark little hearts can still hope to earn a living from our "Principles." And....there isn't anything so wrong with that....unless one is a "purist." And, "purists" don't live so long or they are martyrs, in the end.

I'm not....and I don't think you are, either...:-)'s

On Edit: to each his own....not trying to paint you with a brush that doesn't belong to your collection.

[Edwards4President]

31. Political Reality

Like it or not, endorsements are less about a politician's views about a particular candidate and more about being sure they back the right horse early on so that their early support can later be parlayed into something they need down the road. Certainly, one of Howard Dean's biggest selling points was his perceived inevitability and he used this as a mechanism for gathering endorsements. The unfortunate downside of this is that, if he no longer seems to be the golden boy, he's likely to lose some of his support. He knew this going in and, although he has every right to be frustrated and disappointed, he surely can't be surprised.

Political reality ain't always pretty.

[bobbyboucher]

38. Man that's weak.

They could easily wait until he withdraws and then go whereever they want. To withdraw an endorsement during a campaign is the epitamy of Insider Political cowardice. It's kind of like the IWR, pink tutus all of them.

Don't try to defend the indefensible. This ridiculous pansy-ass cowardice might just cost the Dems the big prize.

[Edwards4President]

67. Dean knew this going in - he sought the "insider political" support

He kissed up to these people, actively sought their support, and then bragged that their endorsement said something about his worthiness to be president. So, forgive us if we're not weeping with him as he wrings his hands and sings the blues because those same people he insisted proved his fitness for the presidency are now behaving like the insider politicians they have been all along.

And, trust me, the withdrawal of these endorsements from Howard Dean is NOT going to cause the Dems to lose the big prize.

[Mairead]

32. You forgot a choice: "Self-serving"

How many non-politicians have withdrawn their endorsements from him? None, I don't think, have they?

The political endorsements were given in the expectation that they'd pay off. They were an investment. Now they think Dean isn't going to be able to pay off and, in good self-interested-capitalist fashion, they're starting to withdraw their stakes.

How can any supporter of Capitalism fault them? :evilgrin:

[bobbyboucher]

33. Some would call it

Chickenshit. I dare say it might cost the Dems too. They are acting just like what they are called by bartcop, pink tutus.

It's getting hard to handle some of this KERRY IS THE NEXT COMING shyte. Some of us are worried.

[Nicholas_J]

35. Normal

They are elected to represent their constituency. To oppose their constituency would be the real betrayal, as it is their jb to support the people who elected them.

[Casablanca]

Dean hasn't changed his platform from last November, so ...

What proof do you have that it _isn't_ just due to Dean's scarlet letter media treatment?

And if their constituency is that fickle, how does that prove the charge of amoral, opportunistic politics wrong? Do you support amoral, opportunistic politics?

[Casablanca]

40. Deleted double post.

[chocolateeater]

49. If that is indeed the case,

then they should have checked with their constituency to begin with, before endorsing a candidate.

[revcarol]

63. AFSCME members didn't get to vote on Dean's endorsement

so any "consituency" argument on that score doesn't stand up.

They also didn't get to vote on the de-endorsement, so any constituency" argument on that score doesn't stand up.

And they won't get to vote for endorsing Kerry, so any "consituency" argument on that score doesn't stand up.

And I would say that a "consituency" argument would not stand up for an individual unless oover 50% of the reghistered Democrats showed up for the election and then over 50% voted for one candidate. Then you would have a 25% "constituency."

All of the above.

[genius]

39. Many of these endorsements were reprehensible in the first place

ASCME only endorsed Dean because it's management thought Dean would win. The members did not vote on the issue. Dean's got a terrible labor record. Now the endorsement is being withdrawn because they don't think he will win any more. Kucinich and Edwards have the best labor record. Any bets that they won't endorse the candidate with the best labor record? Kerry's got a good labor rating but I suspect ASCME will turn around and endorse him solely because of his frontrunner status. This also is reprehensible. People who follow their conscience don't have this problem. Even Molly Ivins made it clear that electability helped her decide to endorse Dean. These people are beneath contempt.

[mdguss]

45. Smart:

Why waste money now and make your union look ineffective when you can focus on organizing for the fall.

[bobbyboucher]

47. A group or union changing is one thing,

an individual or elected official doing it is froont-running, bandwagon jumping horseshit.

[no name no slogan]

44. I've NEVER seen it before

Even when certain candidates weren't faring well in previous presidential elections, the political endorsers didn't abandon ship like a bunch of scared rats.

I don't remember that happening in any election cycle in the past 25 years (the ones I can remember). Is there any precidence for this in past elections?

[LittleDannySlowhorse]

51. I've never seen it either

I thought maybe I was just being naive and that this sort of thing actually happens all the time, but the sense that I'm getting is that this is a first.

I guess these people never heard the saying "You made your bed, now lie in it." If it works for five-year-olds, surely adult politicians can grasp this one. Even if it was a case of utter, shameless political cowardice, wouldn't it be better for them to just wait for Dean to drop out and keep their mouths shut? This makes them look TERRIBLE, and it seriously lessens the value of any future endorsements they might give.

[diamondsoul]

56. Well thank goodness!

I was beginning to wonder the same thing, having never seen anything like this before! Personally, I think it is to puke.

What kills me about it is that their opportunistic tendencies are now flapping in the wind for all to see. I can't fathom how any of them could possibly NOT realize they now appear so pathetically disloyal that their endorsements are abolsutely meaningless. Worse, in the case of the Unions, they've demolished any real political clout their membership had. One of the AFSME members needs to whack that guy upside the head a few times and knock some sense into him!

[GreenArrow]

46. they made their endorsements too early

They shouldn't have endorsed anyone. let the voters decide. But having endorsed, it's sheer cowardice to pull back when the candidate honored starts losing. Plus it makes them look stupid, shallow, and fickle.

[HFishbine]

57. Jan. 17

Was when Rep. Killpatrick endorsed Dean. She withdrew her support today. Naked opportunism.

[mmonk]

48. Raw political cowardice nails it

But alot of politics is that way unfortunately.

[stopbush]

52. Well, it's certainly inelegant, to say the least.

You back a candidate. He loses and drops out. Voilà! The perfect out has just presented itself: "we proudly supported X, Now that he's left the race, we're happy to transfer that support to Y."

American politics has lost all sense of diplomacy. Indicative of our repub-dominated times.

[progressivebydesign]

74. I love "inelegant".. that's a wonderful word. N/T

[youngred]

53. I'm by no means a Dean Fan

but if you endorse someone and think they are the best candidate for a job and go on the record as supporting them you ought to stick by your guns.

Its apalling that people are withdrawing their endorsements

[JNelson6563]

55. I have to admit

Pretty noble post.

Julie

[NashVegas]

58. None of the Above

The withdrawals are the actions of dishonorable people. Nothing more, nothing less.

It's always good to know who the true ones are. It's better to know who they aren't.

59. maybe the "fix" is in place

I usually don't look at things that way, but it begins to smell that way to me.

[ibegurpard]

60. politics as usual

doesn't particularly upset me because it's not unexpected. As to whether I think it's right... no I don't. It seems to me that you endorse someone because you believe in something they're saying. However, I think we all know that a lot of people were banking on Dean being the front-runner and hoping to cash in on it.

[bhunt70]

61. It shows that they don't care about issues, only self preservation.

Either they were misinformed early, in which they should have waited to endorse, or they just had a case of jumping on a bandwagon.

Sickening to me really, make sure you throw your support behind someone you can and will endorse in good and bad times.

[JI7]

62. it depends on why

if they are withdrawing an endorsement because of some specific issue or other thing which conflicts with their reason for the endorsement in the first place, then i would say it's ok. but if it's just because someone doesn't seem to be doing well then that's different.

[KoKo]

65. It's "cowardice" I voted that, but it's also fear. Fear of the Repugs

which is logical when one has experience with how they can trash you and throw you in jail if they want.

So, while I voted for your "harshist scenario" I understand that given what the BFEE is capable of, that it's a bit of "self preservation."

I don't condone it...but I understand it and can give it a "pass" just this time around. :-(

[sistersofmercy]

66. Perhaps it's just an insider vs outsider thing

:evilgrin:
I really don't know what to think of it but I do feel sorry for Dean.

[elsiesummers]

68. Yep. Fair weather friends hangin' with the Homecoming King. <eom>

[arewethereyet]

72. so its only OK for Dean to change his mind ?

its not OK for the unions to take action of the breech of trust they felt at his antics ?

They were foolish to have backed him in the first place but I see no problem with them re-evaluating this. I can't understand why they waited this long.

[Shanty Oilish]

75. Godfather: It's just business

Machiavelli: It's nothing personal, it's just politics.

[DrFunkenstein]

76. Here's Why David Corn Dis-Endorsed Dean

Dean's right to boot Trippi. What warrants criticism is his decision to put his campaign in the mitts of a Washington insider. Neel, a former Al Gore aide, was head of the U.S. Telecom Association in Washington in the late 1990s until he left to join Gore's 2000 campaign. The USTA lobbies on behalf of the telecommunications industry. As its lead lobbyist, Neel was the embodiment of the "special interests" that Dean has assailed on the campaign trail.

Since entering the race, Dean has insistently said, "we have to take our country back" from the special interests. The slogan on his bus reads, "You Have The Power." He has decried the hold that business interests have on the federal government. Well, what does he think Neel did when he ran the telecom lobby? Did Neel go up to Capitol Hill--or send his underlings--to beseech legislators to pass legislation with consumers foremost in mind? Did he use his connections with the Clinton-Gore administration to help out consumer advocates trying to protect the rights of "ordinary Americans" as Congress and regulatory agencies handled telecom issues? Is maple syrup good for your teeth?

Neel was part of Washington's insider network--which does not look out for the people Dean claims he wants to empower. In 1999 and 2000, the USTA spent $3.5 million to lobby Congress, according to lobbying reports it filed. (The association probably spent more; not all lobbying activity is reported.) To help the telecoms, Neel recruited other influence peddlers in town, including the lobbying firm of Haley Barbour, who then chaired the Republican National Committee. Other Barbour clients: British American Tobacco, the Edison Electric Institute, Glaxo Wellcome, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Philip Morris. Neel's outfit also retained Wallman Strategic Consulting, which represented General Motors and WorldCom.

To increase the odds that members of Congress would heed the pleas of telecom companies, the U.S. Telecom Association, through its political action committee, donated generously to incumbent legislators. In the 1998 and 2000 election cycles, it doled out $266,000 to members of the House and Senator. Nearly 80 percent of that went to Republicans. GOPers helped by this PAC included Representatives Dick Armey, Bob Barr, Tom DeLay, Newt Gingrich, Dennis Hastert and Henry Hyde and Senators John Ashcroft, Sam Brownback, Bill Frist, Orrin Hatch and Trent Lott.

It really seems that Neel was committed to bringing change to Washington.

Neel might well be a fine person, a good CEO, a believer (on his own time) in the values of the Democratic Party. But he was a bigtime player in the very game that Dean claims he wants to destroy. Dean's choice of Neel suggests Dean is clueless or disingenuous. Does he not know what it means to head the U.S. Telecom Association? Does he not understand that it is wrong--or, at the least, ill-considered--to place a lobbyist at the front of a charge on Washington? Was he not worried that this action would cause his opponents, the media and--most importantly--his devoted supporters to question his sincerity and his judgment?

There has always been a disconnect in the Dean campaign between the man and the movement. If two years ago someone cooked up the idea to create a progressive, reform-minded grassroots crusade that would focus on harnessing "people power" to confront Washington's money-and-power culture and a leader for such an effort was needed, Dean's name would not have jumped to mind. Senator Paul Wellstone maybe, not Dean. Yet thousands of Americans were yearning for such an endeavor, and Dean found a way to tap into their desires. It was not the most natural or conventional of couplings, but it happened. And he was propelled to the front of the presidential pack.

Dean has signaled that he is not fully committed to his core message--unless he wants to argue that it takes a thief to catch a thief. But does he really believe it takes a corporate lobbyist to "take back America" from the corporate lobbyists? Let him explain that in one of the e-mails he regularly sends his thousands of followers. They trusted Dean, and there is nothing wrong with hope. But as Dean fans deal with the disappointment of New Hampshire, he has delivered them more bad news to process. Looking at the Neel move--a scream of a different sort--it would not be unreasonable for any Deaniac who embraced this campaign as a reform movement to say, Stick a fork in it; it's done.

Edited for link.

http://www.thenation.com/capitalgames/index.mhtml?bid=3&pid=1219

[Tatiana]

79. It's ghetto. n/t

[ShadowCabinet]

80. Herd mentality

That's all it is plain an simple. Jump on-board the front-runner. You see it in so many aspects of life, from our jobs, sports and now politics. Why should this be an different because it's a political endorsement?

AFSCME got in on a Dean endorsement when they thought "the gettin' was good" by jumping in as early as they did. Now with 11 primaries and caucuses and nothing to show but second and third place finishes, it would require huge commitment on AFSCME's leadership to continue backing Gov. Dean to the end. That kind of backbone and leadership doesn't exist in politics. It's the "rats off a sinking ship" syndrome.

[Edwards4President]

81. You're right

And Dean took full advantage of the "herd mentality" when it worked to his favor. Unfortunately, it has turned against him.

It's the nature of the beast.

[flaminbats]

82. endorsements are dolled-up crap...

withdrawing an endorsement is only pure crap. :hurts:

[MAlibdem]

84. Everything is relative

Dean isn't doing well, he isn't advancing the union's interests.

The AFSCME's reputation is injured slightly, but it's goals are advanced, and I think that's the best service the leadership can do for its members.

[revcarol]

87. Its goals were never advaced by Dean.

Both Gephart and Kucinich were/are more committed to unions. Pure chutzpah by McEntee to attach the union to the front-runner who looked invincible.

[Exgeneral]

85. Wow

Will Pitt, defender of the little guy!



:yourock:

[Eloriel]

86. I've seen FAR, FAR worse this political season -- from OUR side

I used to worry about the GOP's dirty tricks, including computerized voting schemes. No longer. Our own side is just as dirty. In fact, I now join with those who speculate meanly about just WHY the DNC didn't seem the least bit interested when Bev Harris spoke to "someone very high up" in the DNC about Black Box Voting.

I didn't vote. Withdrawn endorsements are the least of my worries -- and Dean's too. They're just self-serving garbage which show that the initial endorsements weren't worth the paper they weren't written on.

Far bigger fish to fry.

[thelocalkgb]

88. It's really stupid.

Did Howard Dean drastically change his policy positions? No. I think this is bandwagoning at its worst.

[arewethereyet]

90. Dr Dean rendered himself unelectable by his own hand

thats NOT what they had signed onto.

Unions endorse to create synergy. They did their part, Dean did not. Contract broken by Dean.

[paulk]

89. In defence of the union dis - endorsement

It's not their money. It belongs to the rank and file, and they owe it to those members to use that money wisely. Their ultimate goal is to put a Democrat in the White House - and if it looks like that money is being ill spent, they have every right to change horses.

[hedgetrimmer]

92. it does little for the endorsers future endorsing...

it destroys the fundemental backbone of their propensity to influence the outcome of future races... however, and unfortunately they have already brought damnation upon this primary season.