Edge in Iowa Rests in Senator's Hands

[stickdog]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-harkin3jan03,1,3110393.story?coll=la-home-headlines

The 64-year-old Harkin, by far the state's most influential Democrat, is torn on a decision that could help tip the balance in the highly competitive caucus race. He said he plans to deliberate until early next week, and then announce his decision.

Like many prominent Democrats around the country, Harkin appears drawn to Howard Dean's take-no-prisoners attacks on President Bush and impressed by the former Vermont governor's formidable fundraising and innovative use of the Internet to build support for his candidacy.

"I happen to like Gov. Dean," Harkin said in a telephone interview Friday. "I like his combativeness. I like the fact that he seems to be bringing a lot of new people into the party."

But despite persistent rumors that he would endorse Dean, if anyone, Harkin stopped well short of tipping his hand as he spoke from a vacation spot in the Bahamas.

[jamesinca]

1. That would be good for the Dean campaign, I think.

I hope he gives his endorsement to somebody soon. It would be nice to have the primary as a done deal by Jan 5th. That way we could get on with the "bidness" of beating Bush. I am getting tired of all the playoffs stuff, lets just get to the championships.

[MaineDem]

2. By January 5? Before any primary/caucus?

Then every vote cast will be irrelevant?

Let's just stick with the rules, let people vote, elect delegates, and THEN declare a winner. If it takes a while so be it.

[Cheswick2.0]

3. did you make up a new rule?

There is no rule against endorsements. Endorsements don't end voting.

[MaineDem]

4. No new rule

I was responding to this statement: "It would be nice to have the primary as a done deal by Jan 5th."

I took that to mean the nomination rather than just the Iowa caucus.

Of course endorsements are part of the game. Nothing wrong with them. But that wasn't the point of my post. Sorry if it was unclear.

[jamesinca]

5. How I meant it to be taken

I want to hurry up and get to the Presidential race. I want to get into the battle with Bush now!!!! I know that the primaries are an important part of the election process, and I know that it is important to go vote on election day and I know tht it is important to work for a candidate and I know that....

No new rules, I am just growing impatient. I want to know what the first Tues in Nov holds for us now.

[Lisa0825]

6. I agree that we should stick to the rules and have the primary

but I also thing the rumblings of a concerted effort by cell phone to beat Dean are wrong. Is this a precendent? Has there been a case before where a strong front runner was ganged up against? If so, did he survive the contest, or did another cnadidate win?

[saltpoint]

7. On Tom Harkin...

... Does anybody know if Senator Harkin has been mentioned as a potential VP nominee? He sure has the chops.

Barring that, I'd like to see the Democrats re-take the White House in November and the new Democratic president name Harkin to the Supreme Court. In this scenario, Harkin would be approved by the newly-elected Democratic majority in the Senate.