Dean: A Milestone, Not a Millstone

[CatWoman]

Thank you, Gov. Dean for your contributions to the Democratic Party.

It almost defies common sense to suggest that Howard Dean will leave a lasting and positive legacy for the Democratic Party. Nonetheless, that is my strong hunch.

Dean is easy to dismiss. After all, the former governor of Vermont is a man who led all the polls for months before the start of this campaign year, yet blew his advantage so quickly and so thoroughly that he did not win a single binding primary or caucus. His constituency consistently was tilted toward the young, the very liberal, the highly educated and the angriest of anti-Bush voters.

That does not describe a large or vital bloc even within the Democratic coalition, so it is doubtful that Dean supporters will play a crucial role in deciding whether John Kerry or John Edwards becomes the party's nominee. Now that Dean has ended his active campaign, his endorsement probably is of minimal value to the surviving contenders.

Even acknowledging all of that, it will not surprise me a bit if the Dean campaign turns out to be a significant milestone in Democratic history. Losing efforts often produce long-term gains for the party of the failed candidate, if the campaign becomes a cause for those who supported it. And so it is likely to be with Dean. His run for the White House, which ended last week, may mean little in the politics of 2004 but a great deal more in years to come.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A60957-2004Feb21.html

[EXE619K]

1. I hope Kerry becomes president this year.

We'll beat his ass back to Bean-Town in 2008!

HAHAHAHAH!

}( :evilgrin: }( :evilgrin: }(

[coloradodem2005]

2. Amen to Dean.

Howard, aint no coward.