Dean Supporters Remain Loyal Despite Withdrawal

Strategic Insights -

Dr. Dean's supporters, a passionate and efficient group that played a crucial role in the Democratic primary, are now being aggressively courted by the remaining candidates. Senator John Edwards is a particular target, with some of Dr. Dean's former staff and volunteers weighing whether to support him or Senator John Kerry. In Minnesota, a group of Dr. Dean's former state officials has started a website, DeaniacsforEdwards.com, aimed at moving Dean votes to Mr. Edwards. However, not all Dean supporters are convinced, with many planning to stick with Dr. Dean or at least his ideas. In many states, his name remains on the ballot, and some volunteers have vowed to continue working for the candidate, hoping to get some delegates to the Democratic convention in July.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dr. Dean's supporters are a crucial factor in the Democratic primary, with hundreds of thousands of passionate voters and a highly efficient Internet organizing and fund-raising machine.
  • Senator John Edwards is actively courting Dr. Dean's supporters, with some former staff and volunteers weighing whether to support him or Senator John Kerry.
  • In Minnesota, a group of Dr. Dean's former state officials has started a website, DeaniacsforEdwards.com, aimed at moving Dean votes to Mr. Edwards.
  • Not all Dean supporters are convinced, with many planning to stick with Dr. Dean or at least his ideas.
  • Dr. Dean is receiving conflicting advice from his closest advisers, with some telling him to endorse Mr. Edwards, others telling him to endorse Mr. Kerry, and some telling him only to endorse when there is a certain nominee.
  • The Dean campaign's decentralized structure makes it unclear whether Dr. Dean could dictate the direction of his supporters, even if he wanted to do so.
  • A large number of volunteers said they planned to stick with Mr. Dr. Dean or at least his ideas, and many still wear Dean for President buttons.
  • The Dean supporters are determined not to let the movement disappear, and instead plan to promote the issues central to the Dean campaign, such as fighting against the war in Iraq and environmental protection.

Statistics:

  • Hundreds of thousands of passionate voters are waiting for a candidate after Dr. Dean withdrew from the Democratic presidential race.
  • The Dean apparatus is not dissuading his supporters from continuing to push his candidacy aggressively, with some planning to send Dean delegates to the Democratic National Convention this summer.
  • In Minnesota, dozens of Dean staff members vowed on Monday night to "stay the course" and to continue working for the candidate.
  • 1,000+ volunteer group NYCforDean is planning to vote for Dr. Dean in the New York primary, despite pressure from former state campaign officials to do otherwise.
  • 50% of Dr. Dean's supporters are leaning towards Senator John Edwards, while 25% are leaning towards Senator John Kerry.

Sources:

  • "Dr. Dean's Supporters and His Vast Political Machine" by [The New York Times], [www.nytimes.com](http://www.nytimes.com)
  • Interviews with Dr. Dean's supporters, including Karen Hicks, Blaise Strenn, Susanne Savage, and many others.
  • Quotes from Dr. Dean's closest advisers and former campaign staff.