Gore Backs Dean

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They are calling it the Gore Score. Former Vice President Al Gore threw his weight behind Howard Dean, giving the former Vermont governor the kind of establishment credibility his campaign can use. It’s a blow to the other candidates, especially Senator Joseph Lieberman, Gore’s vice presidential running mate in 2000.

While the Dean campaign says this endorsement could “change the face of the campaign.” its still not clear if this will enable Dean to lock down the nomination. When it comes to voters, do endorsements really make a difference? We’ll ask two of the best reporters on the campaign trail. USA Today’s Walter Shapiro and The New Republic’s Ryan Lizza on Doctor Dean’s drive toward the ultimate house call.

Guests:

Walter Shapiro, political columnist for USA Today, and author of “One-Car Caravan: On The Road with the 2004 Cemocrats Before America Tunes In”

Ryan Lizza, Associate editor of The New Republic

Lisa Wangsness, political reporter for The Concord Monitor

Doug Hataway, former national spokesman for the Gore Campaign (1999-2000)