Black Caucus chief backs Dean

Birmingham Star Saturday 13th December, 2003

White House hopeful Howard Dean won the backing Saturday of Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Elijah Cummings in his bid for the Democratic nomination.

Cummings, from Maryland, was the fifth member of the 39-person group to formally endorse Dean, who has been actively reaching out to the black community for support.

These are difficult and dangerous times for all Americans, Cummings said in a news release. These are times that cry out for a president of strength, moral conviction and balance ... I am convinced that Gov. Dean will be that president.

Cummings will serve the Dean campaign as a national spokesman on issues such as health care, education and jobs, the statement said.

Dean, current front-runner in the Democratic pack, upset some blacks last month when he urged Democrats to court the vote of Southern whites, the guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks.