Washington
Times
Inside
Politics: Front-runner Dean
By
Greg Pierce
January
17, 2005
Former
presidential candidate Howard Dean appears to be the front-runner to
become the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee,
according to a survey of the DNC conducted by Hotline, the National
Journal's daily briefing on politics.
"But before Deaniacs and anti-Deaniacs
scream (in excitement/disgust/angst), the Vermonter appears to be
facing a stiff challenge from [former Texas Rep.] Martin Frost, who
has one of the larger home-state DNC delegations in his pocket. Even
when combining first and second choices, Dean does not yet exceed 40
percent, while Frost is lingering just under 30 percent,"
Hotline said.
"Beyond
Dean and Frost, no other candidate receives double-digit
support," Hotline said, adding: "The candidate who fared
the poorest in the survey is [former Indiana Rep.] Tim Roemer, who
received almost three times more 'last choice' support than he did
first/second choice support combined."
Hotline surveyed the entire DNC membership
from Tuesday through Friday and received responses from 187 members,
about 42 percent of the DNC membership. |