Dean Vows to Lead Democrats Back to Power

[ProudToBeLiberal]

Posted on Wed, Feb. 09, 2005

Dean Vows to Lead Democrats Back to Power

WILL LESTER

Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Howard Dean promised cheering supporters Wednesday night he would harness their energy to lead the Democratic Party back to power in the halls of Congress and the White House by 2008.

The virtually certain incoming chairman of the Democratic National Committee rallied hundreds of young supporters, and a few he called "young at heart," in a campaign-style appearance at a Washington nightspot within view of the Capitol. In his first public appearance since clinching the chairmanship, he gave a glimpse of the kind of uncompromising leadership he plans for the national party.

The Democrats "are a party of the future, while Republicans are the party of the past," Dean said.

"We need to be proud to be Democrats," said Dean, recalling the kind of exuberant appearances he made during 2003 when he came close to winning the Democratic presidential nomination before collapsing in early 2004 in Iowa.

more at...http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/10859524.htm

____________________________________________________________-
read the whole article, Dean has some humor LOL.

[roguevalley]

1. God, this is great. I feel lighter than I have in a long time. GO Dean!

[Depth03]

16. Time for changes...

<http://www.depthaudio.com/Dean.htm>

Howard Dean Remix

[Mich Otter]

100. The NEW DNC

What changes do you think the Democrats will push for? What are they going to do differently with Dean as chairman?
Personally, I'd like to see the Democrats all fight for a health care program that covers all Americans, even if it means having to close some overseas military bases to get the funding.
I'd also like to see a commitment supporting workers, like WalMart workers, to join Unions.
What do the Democrats need to do to get you enthused about supporting them?

[tabasco]

40. Let the revolution begin !

I will follow Dean and all the Democrats that want to fight to the gates of hell to take my country back !

LET'S GO GET THOSE CORRUPT WAR-PROFITEERING BASTARDS !

[renaissanceguy]

82. This is just what we need

a beam of light in all this darkness....

This man inspires me to no end.

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.14741193

[coloradodem2005]

2. I like the Dean quote.

Democrats are the party of the future and Republicans are the party of the past.

[Politicub]

88. There's our sound bite

That everyone has said that we need.

We are the party of the future. Simple. Elegant.

I love it.

[sasquatch]

3. I have the guitar intro to "Blackened" from Metallica playing in my head

Because that is the music that will be awesome for the soundtrack of Rpublicans shitting themselves in fear of the glorius tide of the resurrected democratic party.
:)

[Pirate Smile]

4. You've gotta love this part:

"As Dean worked up the crowd, one of his supporters shouted: "Give 'em hell, Howard!"

"I'm trying to be restrained in my new role," Dean said with a mischievous grin. "I may be looking for a three-piece suit ...

He paused and then burst out laughing.

"Fat chance!"'

[Eloriel]

50. Oh, that is HILARIOUS

ROTFL.

He is definitely his own man. No two ways about that.

[CatWoman]

65. I LOVE that man!!!!!!!!!

I was a Deanie until things fell apart..............

[Califooyah Operative]

115. haha, that's awesome. nt

[Gloria]

5. I got a mailing today from the DNC with my 2005 Member Card...

Once Dean is in officially, I'm going to send a few bucks along....

[renaissanceguy]

83. I hope that he does something like...

asking those who support him to add 5 cents onto their donation.

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.14741193

[FloridaPat]

6. I konw Dean can lead. Will the Democrats follow? I just wonder

how many of them care more for corporations than common folks.

[hedda_foil]

8. Well, since the entire base is solidly behind Dean ...

We're going to make life damned near impossible for any so-called "leaders" who don't see the writing on the wall. They sure as shit didn't lead, so they can follow Dea (and all of us) or get the fuck out of our way. It's OUR party!

[havocmom]

10. "It's OUR party!" I love it! We get to give the DEM leaders a lesson

in democracy! WOO HOO! Get the party back on track. The Doctor is IN!

[Mad_Dem_X]

68. God, I love him!

He's got the energy and the vision to get us back on track. You GO, Howard!:toast:

[PROBLEMCHILD]

114. I don't know ..........

Dean had the base solidly behind him during the primaries......... and then "poof", I cannot think of a valid reason for proping up Kerry insted of electing Dean. I'm still not sure why so many jumped off the Dean train and put John Kerry (a candidate who actually dropped below Al Sharpton % in the run for nominee) IF we don't stick together, and with him the past will repeat.

[outrage]

148. Dean had the base solidly behind him during the primaries......... and the

...I think people just got a little jittery and saw Kerry as a more mainstream candidate, more solid, war hero, distinguished senator, blah, blah. Everyone was just so afraid of losing and felt Kerry more of a sure thing. Just my opinion.

[PROBLEMCHILD]

116. I agree

I posted below, curious as to why did all the Dean supporters of now..
NOT stay on board during the primaries, we could of had him in the WH.

[mike_c]

7. I wasn't paying attention at the time, so can someone tell me...

...whether Terry McAuliffe held rallies with cheering supporters before being elected to the DNC chair? Is there a doctor in the house?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

14. I think the crowds opted for

the Paint Drying Convention.

[Cha]

9. I am proud!

Young at here!

[Larkspur]

11. Give 'em hell and us hope, Howard!

Goddess, I :loveya: that man!

[Rose Siding]

12. Zounds

:D

[Bouncy Ball]

122. Zounds!

I'm an old Deaniac and I haven't heard that said in so long!

I love it!

[PassingFair]

13. Holding my breath until Saturday

...then I'm gonna exhale like crazy!
Howard, we've got your back!

[Southsideirish]

15. I haven't been this happy since I packed away my orange "Stormer" cap.

'Love you Howard!!!!

[Erika]

17. Dean's got class and guts!

When he withdrew from the presidential race, I sent him an email that
he had brought the party together as a movement and completely revitalized the party. He is truly the uniter.

[dave29]

18. Bulldog Democrat

That's my guy.

[young_at_heart]

19. There are a lot of us who are "over-the-hill" pulling for you

Your honesty, decency and enthusiasm were very contagious. I have a lot of confidence in you!

[lyonn]

20. Isn't it sad that it took the Dems so long

to figure out they had a serious problem? Dean hit the campaign trail and quickly inspires millions, and I am not at all convinced Trippi was a big part of it. The guy was out there surprising himself all that summer, his numbers kept growing like no one elses. There's a story somewhere about Iowa. I probably won't like it when it comes out, if ever. There was some buying and selling going on, or is that "bought & sold."

[Eloriel]

54. Iowa -- the short version

There were a lot of dirty tricks that went on at the hands of Kerry people, Gephardt & friends, Vilsack, and then there were backroom deals (Edwards/Kucnich), etc. Dean didn't so much "lose" Iowa as he was manipulated and dirty-tricked out of it. (Things like calling Dean's No. 1 caucus-goers and telling them the wrong location for the caucus -- that kind of thing and numerous others, and worse.)

I don't know that Dean would have won Iowa -- but the sorrow and pity is precisely that: that we don't/can't know. Our party's so-called leadership took the choice away from us. Personally, given the fact that those Dean supporters you mention came from all across the political spectrum, I ALWAYS felt, from the time I first became a supporter early on, that Dean would win the general election in an historic landslide IF the public could get even a small percentage of him UNFILTERED thru media lenses. That didn't happen, of course.

[CAcyclist]

137. It was pay to play

The Iowa caucus uses the Democratic race as a fundraising opportunity.

Kerry gave the Iowa party a lot of money; Dean didn't give anything - I will dig up the Chronicle story I read this in - I fully believe the caucuses were pre-decided based on pay to play and I think Dean was entirely justified in criticising the caucus structure - I think his first instinct was spot-on.

All states should convery to primaries and we should do away entirely with caucuses, so a few people don't have disproportionate influence.

[CAcyclist]

138. notes on soliciting donations by the party

I 'm still looking for the articles which talked about how much money and stuff the candidates gave state parties in caucus states, but here is a note describing the solicitation of money on the day of the caucus itself, which I think is a potentially corrupting influence.


http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:a7HWpE4r6CEJ:index.truman.edu/PDF/2003-2004/January22/Page%25206.pdf+iowa+caucus+kerry+dean+fundraising&hl=en

This is the html version of the file http://index.truman.edu/PDF/2003-2004/January22/Page%206.pdf.

Thursday, January 22, 2004

The Iowa Caucuses:
Understanding the Process
>snip<
called the caucus to order. The first item
on the agenda was the passing of a large
pink envelope for donations to help sup-
port the Democratic Party, which is
responsible for paying for the
Democratic caucuses.

[CAcyclist]

139. Someone else who disses caucuses

http://gadflyer.com/articles/?ArticleID=19

The Iowa caucuses really are a stupid way to choose a nominee.
Dean was damaged in Iowa by the revelation that he once disparaged the caucus system for privileging special interests and Byzantine procedural expertise at the expense of ordinary voters. A Des Moines newscast devoted 13 minutes of its coverage one night to the shocking charge.

You would have thought Dean had called for outlawing corn. Or worse, the subsidies we pay Iowans to not grow it.

But let's face it, Iowans should have thanked Dean for taking it easy on them. Caucuses are silly. They do advantage special interests, and understanding how to work the complicated rules is more important than an individual vote.

But that's just the least of it. Here are three more reasons the Iowa caucuses are asinine:

1. Caucuses combine the mean-spirited fickleness of junior high social politics with a 70s key party, and therefore defy the quaint notion of one person, one vote. That's because you don't vote in caucuses, as you do in primaries, you team up. And once this Model UN exercise begins, being people's second choice (nearly impossible if you've been the frontrunner, as Dean discovered) is at least as important as being their first. If your candidate doesn't have the support of 15 percent of the people who came to the Mason City gymnasium caucus, well, tough luck geekboy. Now go decide which clique's phony affection you want to bask in.

>snip<

2. Caucuses are too complicated for normal people to understand, so you can imagine the difficulty campaign reporters have with them. Hence the quadrennial exercise in error-filled reporting that says X candidate got X percent of the vote, when in fact he got X percent of the support in the caucuses, which is a very different thing. Entrance polls showed Dean about even with Edwards, getting somewhere in the mid-20 percent range instead of the 18 percent of caucus support he ended up with at the end of the night. Imagine the different storyline if Dean came in a close third, as he would have in a primary, instead of a distant one?

3. The Iowa caucuses take place in Iowa. This has been said before, but can't be over emphasized: It's ridiculous that a few thousand people in a lily white state based on a 19th Century economy get to exercise this much say over who gets to be president. Give me California, New York, or Florida any day. (Okay, maybe not Florida but you get my point.)

Both political parties should jerk Iowa's precious first in the nation status ASAP. After all, if Iraq was smart enough to reject caucuses, why not America?

>snip<

[Debi]

140. No one paid me to caucus.....

and the fund raising in your post below is for attendees to give to the state house and senate races.

The only thing the party asked each campaign for is to pay to use the Voter Activation Network (which is a list of identified Democratic voters). Every campaign pays to use the list, that's how the party pays to compile and update the list.

Iowa is not corrupt and no campaign got snuffed for not giving as much money as another campaign.

And if your pay to play rule fit - then John Edwards would have won the caucuses b/c his campaign 'loaned' the party computers for the 2002 campaign.

<on edit>

And I don't think an opinion piece oh how a non-Iowan doesn't like the structure of the Iowa caucuses is really a 'news' piece. So it's easier to write a story about how many votes each candidate got in a primary. Caucuses are party building activities for those who want to do more than pull a lever or fill in a little oval on a piece of paper.

[CAcyclist]

141. Sorry, I think Iowa is corrupt - unintentionally so , but corrupt, nonthel

When a roomful of people can see clearly who is and who isn't giving money and when people can actively campaign for their person through out the whole process, there is something really wrong.

You cannot campaign at a polling place in a primary .

What Iowa does affects the rest of the country - we *all* have a right to comment on that process.

Also, when only 100,000 people can participate in the caucus out of 2.9 million people, there is something wrong there, too - its sounds a lot more like active discourgement of party partcipation rather than party-building

I really don't want to offend you or Iowans in general, but we need to clearly examine the problems with the elections and the caucus structure is a huge problem.

[Debi]

146. Hold on.

First of all - candidates do not (nor do their staff) participate in a caucus unless they are registered voters. You've talked about money at a caucus and I'm telling you the only thing at a caucus is coffee/punch - cookies/cake - and if you're really lucky some sub sandwiches!

Also, there are 2.9 people in Iowa - no all are registered voters and not all are registered Democrats. the 100,000 (which I think is closer to 130,000) people you are talking about chose to caucus - get on the asses of the people who refuse to participate, not on those who were active enough to attend. Also, and I don't have this information so this is a stab in the air, I can't believe that 100% of registered Democrats voted in any of the primaries nationwide.

The only way to understand a caucus is to attend one. Dean admitted he was wrong to knock the caucus process when he only had word of mouth information about the caucuses. And I'd ask the same of you. It's not a hard process to go in to a room and stand for the candidate of your choice.

It seems the hard part is then to be asked to sit on the County Central Committee or on a platform committee or do something other than not do anything.

My caucus started at 7:00 P.M. (I think) and was over by 8:00 - the candidate preference portion was completed 30 minutes into the caucus. It's just not that difficult.

[CAcyclist]

152. Primaries are still going to be better than caucuses

no matter how you look at it. Fairer, more inclusive and more democratic.

I didn't "talk about" money in the caucus, I submitted a section of an article that described the caucus process.

[CAcyclist]

147. A follow-the-money story (2003)

http://www.capitaleye.org/inside.asp?ID=58


Laying the Foundation

Soft money contributions from leadership committees reveal the ambitions of presidential aspirants

By Steven Weiss
>snip<

In the months leading up to 2004, each candidate will be working to secure key endorsements from state and local party leaders that could prove critical when the votes are taken.

But some, like Edwards, could have a leg up on the others, thanks to the money they have funneled to Democratic party organizations and candidates from their leadership committees.

Edwards poured nearly half a million dollars in soft money into Iowa and New Hampshire from his New American Optimists leadership committee last year, according to reports filed with the Internal Revenue Service. That made him by far the most generous of the major Democratic presidential contenders.

Rep. Richard Gephardt (Mo.), the former House Democratic leader who announced his entry into the presidential contest last weekend, was second on the generosity list. His leadership committee, the Effective Government Committee, doled out more than $360,000 in soft money to Iowa and New Hampshire last year.

Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, who made his presidential ambitions formally known late last year, distributed more than $137,000 in soft money within the two states through his leadership committee, the Citizen Soldier Fund, through Sept. 30 of 2002. That figure could rise when the Citizen Soldier Fund's filings through November become available. Under the new campaign finance law, leadership committees affiliated with federal candidates could not raise or spend unlimited soft money contributions after Nov. 5.



Neither Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, a previously announced presidential candidate, nor Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman, who is expected to announce his presidential plans next week, maintain soft money accounts affiliated with their leadership committees.



The two biggest soft money contributors, Edwards' New American Optimists and Gephardt's Effective Government Committee, employed different giving strategies. Edwards channeled the lion's share of his money to the parties rather than to candidates. In Iowa alone, New American Optimists contributed more than $212,000 to Democratic party committees. The total included in-kind contributions of computer equipment and software worth more than $65,000. In New Hampshire, New American Optimists gave Democratic party committees more than $162,000, including nearly $29,000 worth of computer equipment and software.

[Debi]

151. Then under your pay to play theory...

Edwards and Gephardt should have been the big winners out of Iowa.

Gephardt came in fourth with 11% of the outcome and Edwards (thanks to some manuvering with the Kucinich campaign) came in second behind Kerry.

Do campaigns spend money in Iowa? yes
Does it predict the outcome of the caucuses? no

(Oh, God, I'm sounding like Donald Rumsfeld)...:spank: make it go away


on edit:

I wonder if the campaigns spent any money in any other states? :shrug: I don't know, but I do think they put field staff in each state they were running in - which makes all states that have primaries/caucuses corrupt by allowing their state parties to accept money from presidential campaigns

[CAcyclist]

153. That doesn't follow

I'm not talking about who gave the absolute most amount of money - it's about party insiders who know how to play the game, who know that the wheels have to be greased and that its not really about the actual voting.

In a caucus, everyone can see who you are voting for and they can harass you over it. In a primary , no one can.

In a caucus, a far higher percent of the most active people are participating - people who know how much money was donated by the candidates, people who may also be running for their own local races and are benefiting from those donations.

In a primary, these same conflicts exist but are diluted by the far higher percentage of non-party insiders and there's not nearly the same opportunity to influence the votes of the others.

I'd say that the fact that Dean even placed third was a tribute to the good judgement of a lot of Iowans.

[progressivebydesign]

165. That was my take on Iowa, as well.

I fought hard to forgive the Democratic contenders for saving the GOP all that money by destroying Dean. All that talk of "electability" around here at that time was vehemently argued against by me.

[renaissanceguy]

84. It was the MSM that destroyed him

by altering the sound bite, a la "I have a scream."

Repugs may bash him now, but they bash him because they are AFRAID of him. He will go after all of them, and won't tire. He has the support of many.

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.14741193

[CaliforniaPeggy]

21. Go get 'em, Howard!

I haven't felt this happy or hopeful since I can't remember when! The good Dr. is the cure for our malaise! Finally, we're on the correct track...

[barb162]

22. this is the FIRST and only good thing that has happened since the

November election. I can't wait for Dean to get the post. He will make a difference

[Melynn]

23. Dean's passion is nice

It's nice to have unabashed progressive leading the Democratic party instead of the Repub lite types that have been running the DNC.

[phrenzy]

24. There's Gotta Be A Play On The 'DNC' Achronym Too!

Hmm..

The Dean NC ?

The DeaN C?

Dean and See?

Dean N Conquer?

Or just simple DN-C

DEAN is now going to give progressives a voice and show that there is more to 'morality' than thumping a bible. There is more to compassion than 'praying for our troops' and there is more to the United States than arrogance and ignorance.

Suck on it repub lights - I don't give a fuck if we LOSE seats anymore. I no longer compromise my principles for LOSERS.

[MadisonProgressive]

34. How about Dean, National Chairman

[blackspade]

44. we are

We are the D-N-C. We have the power, and we have the beat!

(Thanks to BOC for the inspiration)

[Debi]

46. Isn't that a GoGo's song?

We got the Beat?

We got the Dean :kick:

[ktowntennesseedem]

91. How about "Dean-N-Charge" eom

[98geoduck]

25. Dean as chair is the best decision the party has made in LOOOOONG time.

I am concerned about Reid as the minority leader. Why they keep selecting people with baggage and ammo for repugs to torture the party with, I can't seem to understand.

[Dirk39]

26. Good Luck from the other side of the Atlantic!

I don't want to be overly optimistic, but if the Democrats in the USA would really start to BE SOMETHING again and to attack again; this might have a bigger impact on the rest of the world, than every war, Bush could ever start.
I'm so tired of "liberals" killing the poor a bit slower than the Republicans, invading Iraq a bit more moderate than the Republicans, privatising the last public toilet on earth a little less rude than the Republicans.

Dirk

[MadisonProgressive]

35. Believe me - you're not alone!

You've got it figured out better than most people on this side of the pond.

[ktowntennesseedem]

93. Thank you.

I'm tired of those who think the key to success is trying to come across as "Republican-Lite." We've got priorities and values and issues that are worth standing up for and fighting for.

[progressiveandproud]

113. So well put. Thank you. n/t

[genieroze]

27. YES!

:bounce: :bounce:.

[Pachamama]

28. You lead and show the way Doctor and I'll follow....

I got an email today from John Kerry's group asking to donate to the DNC...I called them and told them that if they elect Dean as the next DNC Chair, that I'll donate generously...if not, don't expect a penny from me.....

[greeklady]

29. Is Dean really right?

Hello all. Do all of you think Dean is the one? I mean he didn't do that well when everyone picked Kerry...... don't you think Hillary is the better choice?

[Mechatanketra]

32. Yes, Not exactly, and hell no.

"Everyone" didn't pick Kerry. Iowa (who then voted for Bush instead of 'their' nominee) and New Hampshire picked Kerry; if we had a simultaneous national primary, Kerry's not our candidate.

Putting Hillary in the chair would be just like keeping McCauliffe around, except that the dittoheads get to brush the dust off their old jokes, too. Dean's the only guy I've seen orbiting the position who even seems, just from time to time, to understand that the GOP isn't interested in having a 'loyal opposition' party, and that "bipartisan" is just another word for submissive urination.

[98geoduck]

33. Thanks, Really well put!

[greeklady]

41. I'm just not sure that Dean

is going to help the party. He self destructed pretty quick.

[Debi]

48. Gee, I wonder why you would say that...

to make people angry? :grr:

Nah, you probably REALLY feel that way :mad:

REALLY...:eyes:

[greeklady]

132. Why would I want to

make people angry? I want to see us do a lot better than we have. I think Hillary is the better candidate for the chairmanship AND the presidency.

[Eloriel]

55. Yeah, self-destructed right into the Chairmanship of the Party he

pledged to TAKE BACK on his way to TAKING BACK THE COUNTRY and the WHITE HOUSE.

Total, utter failure whom I'd follow him to the ends of the earth (figuratively speaking). The funny thing is, I'm not alone -- lots more out there just like me.

[Bouncy Ball]

123. He self-destructed?

If he self-destructed how could he be poised to be DNC chair as of Saturday?

LOL!!!! What a funny post!

[greeklady]

130. He self destructed when running

for President. How is he going to be more popular now? He might get the chairmanship but I wonder if that will last.

[Southern Dem 2005]

131. He definitely self-destructed

From sure-fire nominee to screaming like a goofball. Oh well, at least he's chair of the DNC. Hopefully he can do some good.

[greeklady]

133. Well that is

sort of what I meant. I want to see the democratic party succeed. I might have upset some people saying that I didn't think Dean the ideal choice. I'm a new poster and long time lurker.

[Southern Dem 2005]

134. Oh, don't worry

I've pissed off everyone on this board. You didn't upset me. I agree with you. I think Dean would have made a poor choice for pres and I think he's likely to screw up as chair. However, voicing your opinion on here is enough to get you lambasted, and usually leads to people making snide remarks about how you aren't a true Dem. Wouldn't be too concerned about making someone mad.

[keopeli]

150. Civil discourse is the goal - and a broad array of opinions are welcome

What's important to remember in posting is that DU is like a safe-haven for proponents of the Democratic Party in general, and the rules are designed to provide that atmosphere here. Constructive criticism is encouraged, but so is lively debate and civil discourse.

Welcome to both of you, by the way!

Keo

[greeklady]

161. Thanks!

[greeklady]

159. Well, thanks

I feel better!

[keopeli]

149. Hi greeklady! Welcome to DU

And if you're a long-time lurker, then welcome to the world of posting!

Keo

[greeklady]

160. Thanks!! I enjoy hearing the various opinions of many,

and meant to join here sooner.

[rayofreason]

39. Hillary...

...is good as a candidate, but someone like Dean is who you want to build an organization. The question is, will the organization be robust and be seen as representative of the American people?

[Debi]

47. For DNC Chair?

I didn't realize she was running...please show me to her website...or how many votes she has committed :silly:

[bitchkitty]

64. hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Thanks for the laugh. n/t

[pelagius]

70. Yes, Dean is right. The "safe" choices...

...promoting "business as usual" are exactly the wrong choice for the party right now. Talk about self-destructing!

[Zhade]

73. HILLARY? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

You people don't even try anymore.

[Zenlitened]

86. ROTFL!

:D :D :D

This is deep satire, right?

[blueblitzkrieg]

30. When Dean says it...I believe it!

GO DR. DEAN!!!!

[Raiden]

31. You ROCK HOWARD DEAN!!!

We are finally getting the leadership we deserve: Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Rahm Emanuel, Barbara Boxer (the de facto top congressional Dem), and now Give 'em Hell Howard?! I think I'm having a wet dream over our dream team!

:kick:

[Zhade]

74. I'm a little concerned about Reid - it's been said he supports Scalia...

...for Chief Justice.

I'm really hoping that's a misunderstanding...!

[Southern Dem 2005]

157. I think people overestimate the importance of the Chief Justice

While I would hate to see Scalia as Chief Justice (he's a TERRIBLE SC justice, almost as bad as Thomas) he would still only have 1 vote. He would get to set agenda and other stuff. Still, whoever Bush selects will likely be objectionable to almost all Dems.

[Zhade]

166. I think Scalia's worse than Thomas.

But then, that's like saying a shotgun wound is worse than a gunshot.

[JNelson6563]

36. Many of us out here

are ready to work with you Governor! Who--hoo!!! We'll have a partner at the top to work with! I can't wait.

:toast:

Julie

[LTR]

37. This is great news

Sure, I was pulling for Clark in the primaries, but looking back, perhaps Howard Dean really was the guy. The DNC needs a take-no-shit type of guy, and Dean fills the bill.

GO HOWARD!

[Glenda]

38. What happened?

I've missed something. Before I was reading how the DNC people didn't want Dean. THen today in my mailbox, in a John Kerry letter, I got

"Again, it is just two days until Howard Dean becomes chairman. Please join me now in getting his efforts to strengthen our Party off to a record-setting start. "

Woooo hooooo!!!

Is this a certainty!!

I LOOOOOOOVE Howard!!!

:yourock:

[Eloriel]

56. Everyone dropped out, one by one by one

including Roemer day before yesterday, I think it was. That leaves DEAN!!!


WhooHooo!!

[Glenda]

87. That's so wonderful!!

He is definitely the man of the people!!

:hi:

[Javaman]

42. Anyone know where I can sign up to help him??

[Eloriel]

59. Several options

One, the DNC has a website, somewhere. I don't happen to have a link. I'm sure you can sign up there -- but why not wait until he's officially voted in?

Second, there's always Democracy For America, which had been Dean For America until Dean dropped out of the primaries. They are organizing in pretty much all 50 states -- and Dean is quick to say that there are more members NOW than when he dropped out of the pres. race:

DFA http://www.democracyforamerica.com/

Dean may not "head" that anymore as DNC Chair, probably, but he sent an email that it will continue to do the work of recruiting and helping fund candidates at all levels. They really do good work -- very community-oriented.

Actually, now that I think about it, obviously you should do both. :-)

[Southern Dem 2005]

43. Dean will be a disaster for the Dems

unless he does a much better job than he did on his presidential campaign. He was handed the nomination and screwed it up.

Quote from the Bull Moose Blog

"Critics say Mr. Dean hurt both his candidacy and party with some of his statements during the Democratic primary campaign. Mr. Dean said terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden should not be judged until he has had a jury trial, expressed doubt about whether Iraqis were better off with Saddam Hussein out of power, called Hamas terrorists "soldiers," and angered Jewish Democrats when he said that the United States should be "evenhanded" in its Middle East policy rather than always favoring Israel."

http://www.bullmooseblog.com

Its possible he alienates moderate Dems and independents. While I think the party needs to take a more liberal stance on a lot of issues the Dems will become a non-factor in national politics if they don't broaden their appeal in certain areas.

[Debi]

49. And the Bull Moose blog is the leader in liberal oganizations...

:eyes: Please, stop quoting right-wing publications to try to show Dean is not the one...it's getting boring.


(edited to add)

From their web site.....

About the Bull Moose

The Bull Moose is an unofficial blog sponsored by the Democratic Leadership Council. Although the Bull Moose has a deep affinity for the New Donkey, he is an independent in the tradition of Theodore Roosevelt's Progressive Party of 1912.

[Southern Dem 2005]

52. Umm, I don't believe I've quoted from a "right-wing" site before

However, if you would provide your list of Debi-approved web sites I'll confine myself to those from now on. Maybe I should avoid anything that doesn't conform to your world view?

Regardless of what you think about Bull Moose, Dean will be a disaster for the Dems.

[Eloriel]

60. Then we'll go down enthused, excited, alive and fighting -- a far cry

from the pathetic, lackluster, dispirited and depressed/depressing disaster we're facing right now.

I'm willing to chance it (tho I'm 110% sure there's no gamble whatsoever), simply to have the opportunity to be excited and engaged again.

Just take a look at these Dean as DNC chair threads today -- loads of excitement and enthusiasm, relief and plain ole joy. HOPE, too, lots of it.

Somehow I just can't quite make myself believe that having an engaged, energized, enthusiastic, HOPEFUL, fighting base -- one that rejoins the Party and starts contributing again -- is going to be a "disaster" for the Democrats.

YMMV.

[Southern Dem 2005]

63. Don't you think this board represents a very poor sample for Dems

I would wager a weeks pay that 99% of the members of this board would self-identify as left-wing liberal Dems, not moderate Dems, not conservative Dems, and not independents. The boards reaction to Dean's election isn't necessarily indicative of Dem's as a whole. I sincerely hope Deam does manage to revive the party, but I fear that he is going to screw things up worse than they already are.

[ProudToBeLiberal]

72. So you identify with the DLC?

cough

[Zhade]

76. I'm an independent, wasn't a Deaniac, and I think he'll be great.

And I'm fucking LOVING the fear from DLCers about him winning this. About time they realized they are no longer needed - or WANTED.

[EST]

78. We are behind dean because:

He has brains

He uses them

He has guts, balls, cojones, whatever you choose to call it

He can speak without having to have a vote on every word

Thinks rapidly on his feet

Tells the truth, if somewhat unvarnishedly

He has the ideas that will work

He really cares about people

He is NOT a "compassionate conservative"

He makes sense

He is a leader

He is NOT business as usual

We respect him

The DNC/DLC/ Etc champions go along to get along-needs vision

We have to have a powerful vision and direction that we, the people are, indeed, the people of truth, ethics and values. Dean embodies all these.

This list could go on and on, so, would you PLEASE stop pissing on everybody's boots?? It's getting a little old.

[Speed8098]

102. 65,000 seems like a good number to me

I'd say that number covers the broad spectrum of our party.

Most polls you see are the results of 1000-3000likely voters. Those results are generally accepted as representation one way or the other of how the country feels about the poll subject.

We are almost 65,000 strong. Why would you say we are a poor sample?

200, 300, now that's a poor sample, not 65,000.

:)

[ScreamingMeemie]

103. Excuse me?????? There are tons of moderate Dems here.

Just check out an abortion/religion/gun control thread sometime, and then tell me we're not indicative of the party as a whole. Upon meeting me you'd probably label me a freep at first. Look farther than what the freeps will tell you about us.

[Southern Dem 2005]

127. I wouldn't say there are "tons"

I consider myself a liberal Dem. From what I see on the boards here about 90% of the people who post are liberal Dems, 9% moderates, and 1% conservative.

[Chico Man]

67. You know who is a disaster for the dems?

Anoyone who voted for Condoleeza Rice.

The Democratic Party does not even exist.

[Debi]

71. OMG

Maybe I should get really mad now and feign disgust and cry and tell you your not a Democrat and then I'll stay home instead of working for a candidate because I need to follow each of your posts to see if you're being mean to me. let's sling insults back and forth and not get anything accomplished.....or I can just put you on ignore and let you go back to the DLC.

[Southern Dem 2005]

90. Well, if we slung insults back and forth it would be

par for the course for the board. However, thats not what I want to do. What I really want is to know why you think Dean will be such a good leader when he absolutely came apart during the presidential primary. I think he will be a disaster because he is going to alienate a lot of Dems/independents who won't buy into his ideas. I agree that the Dem leadership has sucked for the last few years but the party still has to be inclusive and not drive out people who have conservative values.

[The_Counsel]

99. LOL! Classic!

"Well, if we slung insults back and forth it would be par for the course for the board."

If what you say is true, then wouldn't that be the BEST example of this board being "inclusive?" You know... having room for ALL ideas?


"What I really want is to know why you think Dean will be such a good leader when he absolutely came apart during the presidential primary."

First of all, what makes you think he's a BAD leader? The man governed a state for ELEVEN YEARS!

I've seen dozens of reasons why various posters think he's a good leader in this thread alone. What have we heard from you? "Dean would be a disaster for the party." No proof. No reasoning. Just (apparently unfounded) opinion.

Oh yeah, he "absolutely came apart" in the primaries for what reason? Because the media told you so? Because the Republicans told you so? Because the DLC told you so? I'm sure they can all be trusted. They can't possibly have an ulterior motive for spurting that rhetorical jizz... :eyes:


"I think he will be a disaster because he is going to alienate a lot of Dems/independents who won't buy into his ideas. I agree that the Dem leadership has sucked for the last few years but the party still has to be inclusive and not drive out people who have conservative values."

...so we should instead drive out the people with PROGRESSIVE values?

Let it be said for the umpteen-millionth time: WHEN FACED WITH A CHOICE BETWEEN A REPUBLICAN AND A REPUBLICAN-LITE, THE REPUBLICAN WINS EVERY DAMNED TIME! Period. Show us ONE example where this has proven untrue.

It's been said already in this thread: this is OUR party. You want conservatism? Go join the Republican Party. I promise you you won't be missed. We already tried veering right; and while it got us a President for eight years (winning the battle), it also lost us power in the Congress and in the states (losing the war). Having Dr. Howard B. Dean, a self-proclaimed representative of the DEMOCRATIC wing of the Democratic Party, as our party chair will be the first step toward a return to glory and a country that actually makes sense.

Sorry, but the DLC-ers have had their chance; they have not lead; and it's time for them to go...

[Name removed]

125. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[PassingFair]

104. What "ideas" of Dean's do YOU disagree with, exactly.

Wrong headed rush to war?
Health Care for all?
Separation of Church & State?
What?

[w4rma]

112. Probably the donations from regular folks instead of donations from

big corporations. That was really the DLC's primary problem with Dean. They wanted to be the money suppliers for the Democratic Party. The DLC is a front for big corporations like GE and Microsoft. They want Democrats to be reliant on their big biz money so that Democrats would be forced to make deals with them under the table for that money.

The DLC's primary problem with Dean isn't about being "moderate" or "liberal" or any label or even an ideology. The DLC's primary problem is control. Dean is supported by regular folks and therefore Dean isn't controled by big buisness and is freed from being under their thumb.

[Southern Dem 2005]

135. Deleted duplicate

[Southern Dem 2005]

136. Dean tends to make stupid statements at the wrong time

Have you heard that scream? Frightening. His reference that all southern white men drive pickups with rebel flag decals was a GREAT way to reach out to conservative southern Dems. He's got to show he can organize and run the DNC without making the DNC look bad.

[CAcyclist]

156. Well, I suppose it's possible to be scared by a little enthusiasm,

if you're not used to it. :eyes:


I saw the Dean speech on C-Span - *without* the distortion of using a special microsphone feed. It was nothing to make a fuss over. Go check out the C-span archives.

[ScreamingMeemie]

105. Don't you mean was "absolutely taken apart"??? CNN admitted to

it. Funny the RW talking points you seem to want to share with us.

[Southern Dem 2005]

126. Show me a quote from CNN admitting to trashing Dean

He trashed himself, especially that goofy ass scream. He would have been absolutely demolished by Bush had he run. Probably why Kerry won--he was the "electable" candidate.

[ScreamingMeemie]

162. Ask and you shall receive...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=109x5110

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: February 8, 2004


Filed at 12:11 p.m. ET

NEW YORK (AP) -- It probably means little now to Howard Dean, but CNN's top executive believes his network overplayed the infamous clip of Dean's ``scream'' after the Iowa caucuses.

snip

Instead, the cable and broadcast news networks aired Dean's Iowa exclamation 633 times -- and that doesn't include local news or talk shows -- in the four days after it was made, according to the Hotline, a Washington-based newsletter.

snip

Slavin said his only regret was not airing an intriguing Diane Sawyer report on the coverage earlier. Sawyer reported that Dean was using a special microphone that night that filters out crowd noise to heighten his voice; other videotapes taken illustrate that his ``scream'' was barely audible to his live audience.

[atreides1]

61. Question

Who would you describe as a moderate Democrat? Give us some names of those that you might think can do the job of getting the Democratic message out there, but who won't the more mild mannered voters.

Personally I don't think very highly of Osama, but he like you or I should have his day in court. If he's found guilty by a jury then so be it, that's what America is supposed to be about isn't it?

As for upsetting Jewish Democrats by saying that the US should be even handed in its Middle East policy, I for one don't see how this is a problem.

The Democratic party has been treated like a used door mat, it's about time we sttod up and fought for ourselves. How do you think that the other side convinces their voters that Democrats are weak on defense? All they do is point out that the Democratic party refuses to fight back, and they're right.

If there are those that do not feel comforatable with Governor Dean, then perhaps they should either find another political party, or form one that's more to their liking, if they want to stay with the Democratic party, then get involved and put forth their ideas on how to attract more people. As long as those ideas don't require us to become Republican Lite.

[Zhade]

77. DAMN STRAIGHT.

NT!

[Zhade]

75. "Bull Moose"? Why not just quote a Republican?

He isn't quite one, but he isn't that far off in his views, either.

Let me spell it out for those DLCers that don't get it yet (this is not necessarily aimed at you): the majority of the party, with their support of Dean for chair, has basically said "Fuck the DLC and its unprincipled, Vichy Dem policies of failure."

The DLC is DONE. Sorry for those who like collaboration with traitors like PNAC, but your gravy train is fucking OVER. Deal with it. Either stand for liberal values, or join your friends in the Republican party.

[Debi]

79. Zhade

I think I love you :loveya:

[Zhade]

81. Oh dear, I love you too!

:toast:

[Guaranteed]

95. That is the losing philosophy. That's why we threw it out. nt

[fishwax]

117. the last three cycles have been such rousing successes

[Bouncy Ball]

124. Ah it's you Southern "Dem" again

always popping up with nothing good to say.

Hmmmm.

[Southern Dem 2005]

128. I have lots of good things to say

about Dems in particular, and John Edwards, and Evan Bayh, and John Kennedy, and Bill Clinton. I have very little good to say about Howard Dean as a leader of the Dem party or the unbelievable ignorance of Dems who think the party can somehow exclude anyone who isn't a liberal progressive and still be a national party.

[Southern Dem 2005]

129. Oh, and people like you "Bouncy Ball"

who question someone's Dem credentials when you disagree with their views.

If you tell me how I need to think and act to be a Dem I'll see if I can change my behavior so that you will let me stay in the Democratic Party.

[Debi]

142. Bouncy...

:hi:

I had to put Southern Dem on ignore b/c I didn't want to read the canned 'here are the anti-Dean talking points' - If a person refutes #1 with facts just go on to #2...and if #2 gets knocked down then go back to #1 but change the first three words.

There will always be detractors and those that don't believe.

But I have a case of TB (and no tuberculosis) and Dean is the man


:kick:

[Southern Dem 2005]

154. You put me on ignore because I don't like Dean?

"Ok, I solemnly pledge to ignore those whose views I disagree with. From now on I will only pay attention to people who reflect the way I think the world should be."

[Debi]

45. With Dean as our leader

I feel like we can do ANYTHING!!!:kick:

[tom_paine]

51. Go, Howard, GO!

Unfortunately, my feelings are that Imperial Amerika is too far gone to even dream of the return of Free America if anyone can help do that HOWARD can!

Go Howard GO!

[Massachusetts]

53. He Will Do It!!!! Go Dr. HD!

:kick:

[prabtahoe2005]

57. You Go Howard!

I wasn't a strong Dean supporter during the primaries, but I think Howard will have the spark our party needs to get people fired up and ready to work hard for the Democratic Party. I like his statement "The Republicans are the party of the past". Soooo true...

[mod mom]

58. You rock Gov Dean. Lead us on! nt

[JPace]

62. The only good news in over four years.....

hope lives! :toast:

[Lloyd Christmas]

66. Howard Dean ROCKS!

me loves ya Howie!

[pelagius]

69. I have no idea if Dean is going to be successful...

...but I'm absolutely certain that "business as usual" would not been. Go, Dean, go!

[EST]

80. With a mighty roar-

Go get 'm doctor Dean!!!!

This is the greatest thing to happen to Amerikkka in years!

[98geoduck]

85. Hopefully the 60's WILL Return!!!

Because livin in the 50's SUCKS!

[Logansquare]

92. No, hopefully the 21st century will return

because living in 1890's sucks.

[FreakySally]

89. Does this mean.........

he won't run for prez again? Will he only serve as chair for 4 years? Will this keep him from running in '08? Does it remove him from being a serious contender again in any way?

[Kolesar]

144. Dr. Dean said he will not run in 2008 if he gets the DNC chair

I think that is a good plan, overall. I think Howard Dean is going to demonize Bush pretty well and soften up the republicans.
Welcome to DU! :hi:

[BlueManDude]

94. I am 100% behind Howard Dean. n/t

[ArchTeryx]

96. Thread can be summed up thusly...

A more polite version of alot of the feedback: Don't rain on our parade right now. This is the first good news we've gotten in many months, and it is good news. No matter how much the conservative DLC may howl (and they ARE conservative, in the sense of not wanting to upset the status quo) it's high time to try something different.

There's a chance Dean can go down in flames. There's also a chance, IMHO a good one, that his shakeup may be just what the party needs to quit being $#)$(ing steamrollered in nearly every mainstream forum.

There's a saying that a sure sign of insanity is insisting on trying the same failed strategy over and over again in the hopes that will work THIS time. The Repubs are guilty as hell of it in their supply side economic mantra. And the Dems are guilty of it in trying, and failing so many times, to repeat the centrist Clinton campaign with non-Clinton candidates. At the federal, state, *AND* local level. While forgetting that Clinton himself started out as an economic populist in his campaign, and destroyed Bush 41 with it.

Right now, change is good. And you don't have to be a Deaniac to see that.

-- ArchTeryx

[V Lee]

97. Time to KSA!!! (Kick Some Ass) eom

[callous taoboy]

98. You've got the POWER! Go Howard!

[Fla4kerry]

101. Dean DNC Chair

This will be great for our party. But get ready for a blast of smear to wards him and what direction Dean will take us... It will get nasty.Get your Armour back out of your closet and stand strong.

Organize Now !!

[maseman]

108. Dean a great choice

Howard Dean would much likely be the kind a guy we want behind the scenes running the ship than in the limelight running for President. Karl Rove would not be a good choice to put in the spotlught, but is a master of running the administration.

GO DEAN!

[Placebo]

106. Well I wish him luck.

He's going to need it.

[ScreamingMeemie]

107. I doubt he needs your concern.

n/t

[Placebo]

109. What does that mean?

n/t

[ScreamingMeemie]

110. It means he really doesn't need any wishes of good luck. He'll do

fine. :hi:

[AuntiBush]

111. This is why I like Dr. Howard Dean!

"The Democrats "are a party of the future, while Republicans are the party of the past," Dean said"

Need one say any more!

:kick:

[fishwax]

118. We're behind you, Doc

:yourock:

[d_b]

119. Go Deano!

[The Blue Knight]

120. I didn't support Dean in the primaries.

I regret it, as my initial thoughts on him were wrong. Throughout the primaries, and election, Dean has proved me wrong on many occasions. Over the course of time, I've become quite fond of the Doctor.

Lets hope the Doc has the remedy for the ailing Democrats.

[Oreegone]

121. Even Clinton knows the truth....

"I'd also like to say that whatever it is that Howard Dean knows -- or whatever it is that he eats for breakfast every morning -- if I could give it to every other Democratic office holder and would-be office holder, we would immediately become the majority in the Congress and we would have about 35 governors. I have to tell you, I think a big part of it is just producing for people, actually doing what you say you're going to do at election time."
- President Bill Clinton addressing the Democratic Governor’s Association, 12 November 1997

[Debi]

143. And to think how hard Clinton worked to

keep Dean from gettng the nomination....

[nodehopper]

145. yeah, with the new Democrats Are Pro Life party

sorry just a tad bitter as someone who spent a lot of time campaigning for him back in the day

[Southern Dem 2005]

155. Dean has to appeal to all Dems--liberals, moderates, and conservatives

These statements reflect some of the concerns a lot of Dems have about Dean.

"But for a party grappling with the question of how it can become more competitive in the red states of the South, Midwest and Mountain West, the decision to elect as its chairman a confrontational New Englander with a liberal identity and a penchant for making controversial statements sends a message in the view of some Democrats that little has been learned from the losses in 2004."

and this

"I think Howard Dean would be viewed as synonymous with being upper-East Coast liberal, and that just makes the burden on southern Democrats that much more difficult," said James F. "Jim" Kyle Jr. (D), the minority leader of the Tennessee Senate. "Hopefully he will try to be chairman of the entire party and not the chairman of a niche of the party members."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A15401-20 ...

This article sums up the concerns that I have (and which are apparently shared by the leading Dem in the TN senate). If you think the party is going to win by "energizing the base" you are WRONG. All we heard about this last election was how energized the base was, and how the Dem turnout was going to be huge, and Kerry still got his ass handed to him. Unless the Dems can broaden the appeal to the moderate/conservative Dems and independents they will never be a national party again.

I'm not saying we need to try and attract the wacko dems like Zell Miller, but we can't surrender on issues like national security or "family values" (whatever those may be). Regardless of what some people on this board think, most Americans view religion as an important subject, and the perception that Dems are the anti-religion party damages chances of winning. Again, we don't need to embrace wackos like Roy Moore, but the perception that the Dems hate religion must change.

We need to stick to the core Democratic values while broadening the appeal to moderate voters. The Dems as a party need to focus on the connection with the "average working man" and helping the less fortunate. We can't be seen as a party that only wants to force gay marriage on people, or pull the bible and ten commandments out of schools. The party needs to work on these issues but they can't be preceived as the only thing the party cares about.

[eridani]

164. Dean is the guy insisting on 50-state campaigning, remember?

What national candidates visited southern states?

[Nightwing]

158. I like Dean but,

I'll believe it when I see it. I wish him well and he has my complete support but until he has brought changes in the midterm races, Howard hasn't done a thing.

[ScreamingMeemie]

163. Done a ton. My husband campaigned for the very first time in his life.

As did many other people across the country. I consider that doing a lot. It's not about the insiders...it's about us. Sorry. :hi:

[Rainscents]

167. I agree...

I've never participated in election process, donated money, phone bank, etc... until Dean. Dr. Dean had given me hope of drmocratic party!