Dem Hopefuls Face Test At Party Meeting

By CBSNews.com Senior Political Editor Vaughn Ververs

When party activists gather in Washington Friday and Saturday for the Democratic National Committee's winter meeting, they will hear from 10 announced or interested candidates, each with something to gain — or lose.

It is the first of what is expected to be a long line of "cattle calls" — debates, forums, party gatherings — at which the candidates will appear together to jostle for position on key issues and court important constituencies. But this particular meeting has gained a tradition of thrusting relative unknowns into the spotlight and setting the tone for the campaign to come.

In 1991, then-Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton impressed the gathering with his "New Democrat" message. In 2003, another governor, Howard Dean, gained the admiration of party stalwarts frustrated with what they saw as tepid resistance to President Bush and the looming war in Iraq. His declaration that "I'm here to represent the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party" thrilled the audience and helped turn Dean into a serious contender.

To strategist Joe Trippi, who managed Dean's presidential campaign, the DNC winter meeting has become a big event for any Democrat interested in winning the party's nomination. Clinton's appearance generated the "first real initial buzz" for his candidacy, said Trippi. For Dean, it was a "home run" moment.

Because of that growing tradition, the meeting can have ramifications spanning the entire nominating process, from recruiting people to help build an organization in key primary states to securing the votes of so-called superdelegates to the Democratic National Convention, whose support can give a candidate a leg up on the nomination before the first caucus is held.

The dynamic for this year's gathering is slightly different than in the past because of the well-defined tiers of candidates, according to Trippi. Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama join former vice presidential nominee John Edwards in the top group widely viewed as the heavyweights of the field. All three are slated to speak Friday.

Sen. Chris Dodd, retired Gen. Wesley Clark and Rep. Dennis Kucinich also are scheduled to appear on Friday's program. Saturday's lineup features Sen. Joe Biden, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack and former Sen. Mike Gravel.

All have announced some form of presidential campaign except Clark. His spokesperson, Erick Mullen, tells CBSNews.com that his is considering a bid and that a determination will be made "in the near term."

Donna Brazile, who managed Al Gore's 2000 presidential campaign and is currently a DNC member, said a candidate needs to project three things to succeed at the meeting — electability, energy and enthusiasm.

She likened the event to a first date between the candidates and the crowd, who until now have only engaged in flirtations. "After the flirtations comes the dating, and after that comes the real thing — falling in love and choosing," she said. "This is the beginning, and we're off to a great start."

Networking among those in the audience is just as important as what is said on the dais, Brazile said. "Circulating among the crowd, getting an opportunity to walk around, the whole thing is important," she said. "You need individuals to circulate your petitions."

For the better-known candidates such as Clinton, Edwards and Obama, the challenge is not to stumble or leave attendees feeling flat. For the rest of the field, the event is an opportunity to make an impression and, if not break into the top tier, at least differentiate themselves. In either case, says Trippi, "these guys need to show up with their game faces on."

Opposition to the war in Iraq and President Bush's determination to send more troops there will certainly be a theme struck by all the speakers. But because all the candidates oppose the surge and the war to some degree, the differences there are likely to be nuanced. Unlike 2003, when Dean grabbed the anti-war mantle, this year's differences may be more about style than substance. "It may be the candidate that breaks character who surprises," said Trippi.

For her part, Brazile said she is excited to hear from candidates who are not as familiar to her, like Richardson and Biden, though she has no strong loyalties going in to the meeting — and probably won't coming out, either.

"I'm dating," she said. "I have no intentions of falling in love right now."