Dean wins straw poll at TN Democratic picnic [View All]

Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean, a former Vermont governor, won last weekend's straw poll at a Tennessee Democratic Labor Day picnic.

Dean organizers in Tennessee described the results as significant because the picnic was sponsored by labor groups, which are backing U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt, D-Mo.

''It's also important as this is the first straw poll in the South, where some think Dean would be weak,'' said Gary Cobb, Tennessee's director of grass-roots outreach for Dean.

About 2,600 Democrats from across the state attended the rally at the Charles Hand Farm in Montgomery County.

Of 877 straw votes cast, Dean collected 348, about 40%, beating Gephardt's 232 votes, organizers said.

more: http://www.tennessean.com/local/archives/03/09/39051084.shtml?Element_ID=39051084