STRAW MEN

DEAN WINS STRAW POLL: Former Vt. Gov. Captures Both Categories over Kerry (Vaughn Ververs, 6/14/03, Hotline)

Former Gov. Howard Dean was victorious in a straw poll of Democratic activists at the Wisconsin Democratic Party convention.

Dean beat eight competing Democrats in both categories -- delegates and alternates, and official guests.

John Kerry was second to Dean in the delegate count (126 to 33). Kerry also was second to Dean in the guest count (77 to 17).

Dean's combined total of 203 topped Kerry's combined total of 50.

Paper balloting took place on Friday and Saturday during the state convention. Dean's campaign spent a lot of energy organizing straw poll voting and other visible signs of support at the convention. Dean's convention speech also was well received. Dean, Kerry and Kucinich personally attended the convention.

If you're Kerry, and you actually attend the thing, you're required by the dynamics of campaign coverage to put some effort into winning the poll. If you don't pundits and politicos start questioning your organization. Posted by Orrin Judd at June 15, 2003 5:41 AM