Presidential Election of 2004

The Candidates

The Democratic field initially spanned diverse backgrounds and interests, from the anticipated congressional contingent to retired Allied Supreme Commander Wesley Clark, to grassroots-based African-American leader Reverend Al Sharpton. Vermont Governor Howard Dean, a physician by profession and first-time national office seeker, claimed distinction as the first to forcefully question U.S. involvement in Iraq. His pioneering nature served him well on another front: according to one estimate, internet use of political news and information increased 83 percent 2000–04. Dean visibly tapped this source, attracting young voters and legions of small donors online. With assistance from http://Meetup.com, his campaign began sponsoring its own “Meetups,” mainly metropolitan soirees that offered social mingling and political bonding. During the first nine months of 2003, Dean raised $25 million, the most ever recorded up to that time by a non-incumbent. The 2000 Democratic candidate, former Vice President Al Gore, threw his support to Dean in early December [Page 665]2003 and veteran newscaster Ted Koppel subsequently opened a televised New Hampshire debate by asking all the Democratic candidates if they felt Dean could defeat George W. Bush. Energy did not translate into effectiveness, however. Dean diffused his youthful supporters en masse to small towns, where they failed to make an impact on older, more reserved voters. In addition to several tactical blunders, the infamous Dean “scream” of confidence (or perhaps nervousness) after the Iowa Caucus portrayed his more brash, uncontrollable side, effectively ending his presidential aspirations.

George W. Bush in 2004. Seventeen million more Americans voted in 2004 than in 2000.

John Kerry appeared calmly presidential. Liberal in politics and conservative in manner, he confronted Dean's momentum by shuffling his staff and securing a $6.4 million second mortgage on his Boston home. Besides affirming his serious commitment to the race, this infusion temporarily freed him from the restrictions of federal hard money under the BCRA (or, McCain-Feingold, after its authors). Consequently, Kerry could allocate his primary funds more strategically.

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