Dean Ends Campaign, Vows to Back Nominee

[w4rma]

By ROSS SNEYD, Associated Press Writer

BURLINGTON, Vt. - Faster than you can say dot.com bust, Howard Dean's quest for the presidency ended Wednesday as the Democrat, winless in 17 contests, bowed to political reality and abandoned his bid.

Once the little-known former governor of a small Northeast state, Dean took a summer ride to presidential campaign heights, attracting scores of followers and a Democratic record $41 million in campaign dollars largely through the Internet.
…
Dean did not endorse any of his rivals, although he called Edwards and Kerry to discuss his departure from the race. Both had kind words for the former candidate, with Edwards saying Dean "has energized and revolutionized this race, and excited a whole new generation of young people."

Kerry told reporters in Ohio that "it's impossible not to express admiration and respect for the campaign that he's put together and what he's achieved."
…
"I will support the nominee of our party," Dean said. "I will do everything I can to beat George W. Bush. I urge you to do the same. But we will not be above in this organization of letting our nominee know that we expect them to adhere to the standards that this organization has set for decency, honest, integrity and standing up for ordinary American working people."
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=1&u=/ap/20040218/ap_on_el_pr/dean

[UrbScotty]

1. Dupe (nt)

[knight_of_the_star]

2. To all Dean people out there

As a Clarkie, all I can say is while it might seem very fake to say I know how you feel, I can say I have a general idea. I'm sorry. He was a good man. Without him we wouldn't even be contemplating taking on Bush, much less preparing to take the fight to him.

To Howard Dean.

[bigwillq]

3. Thanks for your kind words

I am feeling blue but I know the fight will continue and we all owe thanks to Dr. Dean. Yes, you know how it feels, you went through last week with Clark, who like Dean, was a true pioneer of the grassroots movement.

[meti57b]

4. Dean is a true patriot and a true Democrat!! I thank him for ...

"I will support the nominee of our party," Dean said. "I will do everything I can to beat George W. Bush......."

And yes, being a Clark person, I understand how the Dean people must feel. Dean ran a great campaign and broke new ground in many areas.

[madfloridian]

5. He still wants our help in the primaries. News is not getting it right.

DEAN: I am no longer actively pursuing the presidency. We will, however, continue to build a new organization, using our enormous grassroots network, to continue the effort to transform the Democratic Party and to change our country. And I...

(APPLAUSE)

And speaking to all of you and all of the hundreds of thousands of people around America who are going to get this word, either by the establishment media...

(LAUGHTER)

... or the Internet, I have some things that I specifically want to ask of our supporters.

First, keep active in the primary. Sending delegates to the convention only continues to energize our party. Fight on in the caucuses. We are on the ballots. Use your network to send progressive delegates to the convention in Boston. We are not going away. We are staying together, unified -- all of us.

[w4rma]

6. That is also quoted in the AP article

…
A day after his distant third-place finish in Wisconsin, Dean announced that he would no longer actively pursue the presidency, but "we will, however, continue to build a new organization using our enormous grass-roots network to continue the effort to transform the Democratic Party and to change our country."

Striking the defiant tone that has been the hallmark of his candidacy, the former Vermont governor urged his delegates of some 200 to stick with him.

"Keep active in the primary," Dean declared to an overflow crowd of more than 500 flag-waving supporters and staff. "Sending delegates to the convention only continues to energize our party. Fight on in the caucuses. We are on the ballots. Use your network to send progressive delegates to the convention in Boston."
…

[SinkingInTheRain]

7. Myself and many others are pushing for Kucinich/Dean to defeat Bush/Kerry

We MUST not allow another corporate resident to ruin us for another four years.

[Barad Simith]

8. I have to kick this, because...

I just woke up, and had to look for awhile to see what everyone was referring to. When I went to sleep, Dean was still in the race.