Dean delivers Sanders a boost

[ProudToBeLiberal]

Dean delivers Sanders a boost

By EVAN LEHMAN
Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON -- Breaking party lines, former Gov. Howard Dean said Monday he supports Rep. Bernard Sanders' bid for the U.S. Senate, saying the independent makes a "strong candidate."

"A victory for Bernie Sanders is a win for Democrats," Dean said in a telephone interview Monday.

Sen. James Jeffords, I-Vt., announced last month he would not seek re-election, clearing the way for what's expected to be a crowded race in Fall 2006.

But Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, added that his support is not unconditional.

more at...http://www.reformer.com/Stories/0,1413,102~8860~2861543,00.html

[blm]

1. I agree with Dean 100% on this.

.

[MaineDem]

2. I have a problem with this...

if there is a viable Democratic candidate.

[idlisambar]

5. Sanders would probably be better

Odds are that Sanders would probably be better than any other potential Democratic candidate.

[MaineDem]

7. But Dean wasn't elected Chair of an Independent Party

That's the concern I have.

[wryter2000]

19. Valid concern, MaineDem

But I think Bernie Sanders is our best chance to get a progressive into the seat.

[DrZeeLit]

35. As a VT Dem, I also would vote for Sanders before anyone else, and

The Dem Party in Vt is not putting up a candidate against him.
However, they are asking him to support Dems in other races statewide.
Quid pro quo and all that.

Bernie is beloved here in VT.
Nobody else will do.

Tonight on VPR, I heard that the same really rich Rep who always trots out to run for Senate (Leahy has beat him soundly, hardly breaking a sweat) will be running against Bernie. No contest.

Other than Howard Dean, there is no Dem in VT who could beat Bernie.

[mzmolly]

16. I did too, till I read the article.

But Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, added that his support is not unconditional.

"We've got a few things to work out with Bernie," he said, adding, "Bernie's not a Democrat."

Dean, the outspoken former presidential candidate whose aspirations for the White House abruptly ended during the primary more than a year ago, refused to describe Sanders' shortcomings in the eyes of Democrats.

"I'd rather tell him in person," Dean said.

[Toots]

33. Is there something in Sander's voting record you don't care for?

Sometimes just being a Democrat doesn't mean squat. Take Zell Miller for example. Bernie Sanders is a great man and we would be very fortunate if he could win that Senate seat.

[MaineDem]

50. Oh no, I think Sanders will be great!

My problem is with the Chair of the Democratic Party endorsing an Independent for the seat.

I understand they're most likely friends and all that but Dean's job is to elect Democrats. I completely understand that Sanders will probably vote with the Democrats in the Senate but I would have prefered Dean to remain silent.

It appears there is no Democratic candidate to challenge Sanders so it's probably a moot point.

[Mojambo]

3. Same here.

Sanders is a terrific progressive and will be vastly better than 75% of the current Democratic Senators.

[Nothing Without Hope]

4. Bernie Sanders is great. Here is his web site. The fact that he is an

independent does not bother me - it's his politics and his integrity that matter more:

http://bernie.house.gov/

[jsw_81]

6. The DNC endorsing an avowed socialist?

That will definitely help us with those red-state voters next fall. Yikes.

[Mojambo]

8. Yeah, cause we were SO close to getting their votes last time!

The DNC endorsing a true progressive is a GREAT thing.

[jsw_81]

10. It's a terrible thing

Probably the worst move Dean could have made. It just demonstrates how left-wing and out of touch the party has become in recent years.

When we get wiped out (again) next fall, don't say I didn't warn you about Dean and the lefties.

[Mojambo]

11. Moving to the corporate right is what put the D's out of touch

But thanks for the warning about us dangerous lefties!

[mitchtv]

12. time to ditch the liebermans, nelsons,

and the erastz Dems that sell us out Hello Dianne F. Daschele is gone , good riddance

[mzmolly]

18. Read the article. The R's are pissed. And, Dean has stated:

But Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, added that his support is not unconditional.

"We've got a few things to work out with Bernie," he said, adding, "Bernie's not a Democrat."

[Cha]

27. Okay...I won't say

you didn't warn us.

[Jim Sagle]

31. Chickenshit bullshit. Dean RRAWWKSS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Name removed]

34. Deleted message

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

[dionysus]

37. i know!!

we aren't republican enough for Merka!!!!

[TahitiNut]

13. Well, it's good Democrats lay awake worrying about pleasing fascists.

:sarcasm: (not)

John Kerry (whom I supported) was a candidate almost indistinguishable from an Eisenhower Republican. That's just one indication of how far right this country has slid. That the Birchers were once regarded as 'fringe' and now look moderate is another.

[wicket]

15. yeah, moving to the center has worked so well for us

:eyes:

[sonicx]

20. Um, he's in Vermont...

You should probably read the whole article too. :eyes:

[ProudToBeLiberal]

22. read the whole article nt

[rockedthevoteinMA]

52. Red state voters? I think that Vermont is the only one who votes

for Sanders as a senator... :eyes:

[David Zephyr]

9. This is just another reason why Howard Dean was best choice for Chair

In my heart of hearts, I hoped that Dean would get behind Bernie's bid for the U.S. Senate.

Governor, Doctor and Chair Dean rules!

Congratulations to Bernie Sanders!

[Rowdyboy]

24. Just as Dean is making a superb chair for the DNC, so shall Sanders

make an incredible progressive Democrat/Socialist senator. Best of all worlds.

[wicket]

14. Give 'em hell Bernie!!!!

:kick:

[Rainscents]

17. Dean is doing the right thing! Bernie Sanders is true liberal... and Dean

knows his records and his records is liberal!!! I LOVE Bernie, I listen to him on Tom Hartmann every Friday morning.

[Strawman]

21. No problem here

Off the top of my head I can't think of a single Democrat that I would be more inclined to vote for than Bernie Sanders. I like it that Bernie isn't beholden to corporate influences like some of our Democratic Senators are. If that makes me a bad Democrat just because I don't insist on someone having a "D" after their name to vote for them, so be it.

[MN ChimpH8R]

23. Exactly!

Sanders is so "far out" that he's been repeatedly and comfortably elected (I believe statewide) for several terms. Bernie is one of the good guys and would make a fine addition to the Senate, though I hate to damn him with such faint praise.:evilgrin:

One more liberal/progressive is one more for the cause, regardless of whether he's an independent or a Dem.

[Cha]

28. I plead that Bernie stays

out of small aircraft!

[wicket]

25. kick

:kick:

[woosh]

26. Good strategy

Bring the good candidates back into the party.

[salib]

29. No, this is wrong.

Dean is OUR chair. He needs to NOT endorse candidates until after the primaries, and then support the Democrat. His position is ENTIRELY supported by Dems. I truly respect his choice and would vote for Sanders if I were there to do so (depending upon the Democrat). However, I am not paid by the party to support whatever is DEMOCRATICALLY determined to be the party's choice.

Sorry, but I see no way around this one.

[dionysus]

36. party above country eh?

n/t

[salib]

38. No.

He is not a Government rep. He is a party rep. That is where his loyalty needs to be. If he really wanted the position, he needs to live up to it. Dems work VERY HARD for this party, he should live up to that promise and obligation.

[dionysus]

39. this isn't a damn football game

it's about the future of the USA. If we put up a better candidate, which doesn't seem likely, than fine. But if Bernie is the best man to run for the job, we need to support him.

[salib]

40. Give it up.

Waste of time. You have not responed to what I said.

[Name removed]

41. Deleted message

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

[salib]

45. Yes, let everyone support Sanders

I like him. However, that was not the point of my comment. It is also not the point of Dean's abuse of his position.

Let me give you an example: In Texas we have a chair of the Dem party who cherry picks his candidates. If he does not like who is running INT THE PRIMARY, he simply picks someone to run also and puts all of the party's clout and money (that he can get away with) into HIS choice. The people be damned!

That is not the behavior we can condone from any party leader. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. But, could it be that such corruption is more likely if we do not remind the powerful, through disagreement, that they are forgetting their role?

[dionysus]

42. so what you're saying is

since Dean's 'on the Dem payroll', he can't back a better candidate? ha. we're better than that.

[salib]

43. It is an integrity thing

It comes back to the issue of democracy, representation, and obligation. He signed up to lead the party, not a particular viewpoint. I agree with his choice. I just do not agree with his actions. Steadfastness is not something to simply be brushed aside.

There is a perfectly good way around all of this. Dean could have simply offered opened arms to Sanders to join the Dems. He could have pointed out how incredibly supported he and the organization would be. There were many options. However, this was not one of them.

BTW, stop the name-calling.

[dionysus]

44. ok, i can dig that.

doesn't mean i agree w/you, but sorry for the name calling ;) (it does releive unrelated stress though!)

[salib]

46. No prob.

I have been a part of a battle to remove a party leader who is a total dictator. Will not hold a meeting of the precinct chairs, because he knows that he will be removed.

[dionysus]

47. that

sounds rather crappy :(

[salib]

49. Hey, it is politics.

We will call a meeting. Just need a majority of the precinct chairs. Of course, many of the offical chairs are actually dead. But "Dead Souls" are of account, right?

[w4rma]

48. Bernie wouldn't join the Democratic Party. Bernie does caucus with Dems.

He's loyal to a progressive agenda and has a good mind for tactics, which means he will, in general, help Dems get elected however he can.

[MaineDem]

51. I agree with you but it seems we're alone in this

I wonder how the DNC members who elected Dean feel?

[bklyncowgirl]

54. What is the alternative?

The Democrats mount a weak candidate against the most popular politician in the state simply because some people feel that the party should run a candidate. They put energy and money behind the guy who then goes on to get his ass kicked or worse, splits the liberal vote and puts the repuke into office.

Wouldn't it be better to put that money and energy where it would count?

Supporting Sanders makes sense. Third parties endorse major party candidates all the time. Why shouldn't a major party support a third party candidate provided there's some political compatability and clearly there is compatability with Sanders.

Personally I'd like to see more of this.

[schultzee]

30. I love Barney Sanders and will donate to him

I live in another state, but he is "America's" Congressman and I hope we all help him become America's Senator!

[whirlygigspin]

32. Sanders is untouchable

Dean maybe liked in Vermont, but Bernie is King.

Kick ass, Go Bernie!

[Robworld]

53. Sanders was on Bill Maher Last week.

He seemed like a refreshing voice compared to the usual Bill Frist clones.

http://www.dumdumgoestothecircus.com