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U.S. GOVERNMENT 2: Gore Backs Dean for 2004 Elections

Follow the money. That is what political gurus in Washington are saying about the 2004 elections. (A guru is a leading expert or authority in a particular subject or area of study.) Many opinion columnists across the country are predicting that even with former Vice President and 2000 Presidential hopeful Al Gore's backing, candidate Howard Dean will not have enough campaign money or votes to beat incumbent President Bush. (An incumbent is the present official still serving and in office and most likely running for re-election.)

On Tuesday, December 9, Gore announced he was backing Howard Dean for the Democratic nomination. Gore also contributed 500 thousand dollars to Dean's campaign for President. Gore said one of the top reasons he was endorsing Dean was because Dean was the only Democratic candidate who opposed the war in Iraq.

For those of you who might not remember, fellow 2004 Presidential candidate Joe Lieberman ran as Gore's Vice President in the 2000 elections. Lieberman was surprised by Gore's choice and he released this statement: "The choice in this campaign has now become clear. Howard Dean and now Al Gore say they want to take our country back. I want to take America forward." Lieberman also said he was disappointed that Gore had not telephoned him before making the public announcement.

As of Thursday, December 11, President Bush had raised just over 110 million dollars for his re-election campaign, which exceeded his record of 100 million dollars set during the 2000 elections. And, President Bush says his campaign and fundraising work is only beginning. Dean, on the other hand, leads Democratic candidates in fundraising, with retired General Wesley Clark next behind him.

--Written by Lauri Putt

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