How many DUers feel personally rewarded or vindicated by Dr. Dean's

[kentuck]

election to be head of the DNC? As we know, no group of people - that I am aware of - were more supportive of Dr. Dean than his supporters here at DU. Do you personally feel that your efforts have been rewarded with his election to be the new chair of the Democratic National Committee? Do you feel empowered that you may have made the difference? Would Dr. Dean have made it as Chair of the Party without your steadfast and consistent support - both in money and message? Congratulations to all. :)

[WI_DEM]

1. I feel good

I feel his campaign in a sense has been vindicated. It was no lost cause and that it really did change the democratic party.

[HuckleB]

2. I am happy.

IMHO, the party needs his energy, his devotion, his desire to find "best practices," if you will, and, most importantly, it needs his willingness to go to bat, to battle in the public sphere.

Do I feel empowered by Dean's election? Yes, slightly. Do I feel that I have made a difference? Yes, very slightly. (Though my pocketbook feels it quite distinctly.)

Cheers to Dean, and Salud to hope for a brighter future!

:toast:

[LuminousX]

3. I feel that at the very least

something good has come out of the turmoil of 2004. I also feel vindicated that while I had to come to terms with the fact that Dean probably wouldn't have been able to withstand the slings and arrows of the Presidential campaign against Bush, he was able to withstand the slings and arrows of his fellow Democrats (and no, before people jump all over me, I am not saying he himself didn't attack fellow Democrats, he did, I admit it, it is called politics).

My number one concern now is will his own party attempt to spite him because he circumvented their normal smoke filled backrooms?

[Cocoa]

4. as someone who always thought the Dean/DNC rift was overblown

I feel vindicated. :toast:

[blm]

21. as someone who agrees with your point that the rift was overblown,

I, too, feel vindicated.

They all CAN work together, because they ALL are not that far apart as some prefer to pretend.

[mzmolly]

5. I feel the party has come to it's senses and yes I feel rewarded!

:toast:

[Hugin]

6. Happy days are here again..

The skies are blue and clear again

HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN!

Anyone else know that song?

Hint: Last time Social Security was an issue.

[K-W]

7. I think its encouraging.

And I feel like it vindicates me because I have constantly argued that the Democratic party is lost right now and is very willing to entertain giving us a big role, but we have to come through and deliver at elections. This means we have a prime opportunity reorient the party and Im excited.

[fishwax]

8. I certainly find it encouraging

and invigorating. More than his election, the manner in which he was elected ... what seemed to be a groundswell of public/grass roots support for his candidacy to a position that had never really been headline-fodder before--that was very gratifying.

[Greybnk48]

9. I'm a convert

I supported Kerry for electability reasons, although I have to say I really like, admire and respect Kerry, so that was not my sole motivation.

Why am I a convert? I cannot even express how pissed I was and still am at how he was flayed by the media regarding that scream. Why didn't they broadcast over and over one of the several instances of Bush flipping the bird, or picking his nose in public (good grief!). The media killed Dean as all of you know.

I was also taken by Dean's straight talking. I love to listen to him. But most of all I admired his class; his performance after he dropped out of the race.

[tokenlib]

10. The grassroots of the party are vindicated..

The DNC has been controlled by DC insiders, consultants, and DLC types with little backbone and loyalty to the traditional progressive values of our party. The election of Dean is a vindication that we can still be true to ourselves and hopefully means that we can fight for what we believe. We have a lot of work to do--but Howard Dean as chairperson--and the many people who he has inspired to get involved anew--fills me with hope.

[Just Me]

11. I feel validated and far more optimistic about Democrats' future.

I believe we really needed an articulate, passionate fighter like Dean.

We simply can NOT rid ourselves of the neoCONspirators without a willingness and readiness to fight and fight as viciously as necessary to overcome that scum which has firmly planted their claws into the nation.

[Stirk]

12. I'm happy that I don't have to completely write off the party.

If they'd chosen Roemer, I would've given up on them for good. With Dean's appointment, I have a glimmer of hope that they may finally sideline these DLC Republicrats and become relevant.

[Stephanie]

13. I'm very happy about it

I think they just could not ignore us any more. And I think they are beginning to realize that triangulation and the DLC Republican lite policies do not work and are not worth it.

[Southsideirish]

14. I'm thrilled but scared. I know the long knives will be out for his hide.

Rove already started today saying he has another "Dean scream" on tape he is just dying to use.

[DinahMoeHum]

17. I'm more worried about the Joe Liebermans than the Karl Roves

as far as "long knives" are concerned.

Here's hoping we can target Joe the Sellout in 2006.

Meanwhile, 3 donkey-kicks for Dean!!!

:kick::kick::kick:

[txaslftist]

28. Let him...

...I think every democratic candidate ought to get in one good scream. The Dean Scream ought to be our calling card.

It shows the world our enthusiasm and willingness to fight. The Pukes just WISH they had a scream, instead of Bush giving the finger.

[salin]

50. Don't you think that ANYONE would be a target of Rove?

If it wasn't the scream it would be something else. Remember these are the folks who painted a Vietnam vet who lost limbs in that war as anti-patriotic in favor of a draft dodger.

Personally, I think we have to stop being afraid of the attacks - or believing that figure a or b would be "immune" from attacks. We would do better to anticipate the attacks and be prepared to strategically respond.

For the most part, Kerry's folks became very adept at responding and turning many of the Rovian attacks around on the GOP making them much less effective than they appeared to initially be. We should learn from that campaign (which was a heck of a lot more adept at turning back frontal assualts than the Gore campaign had been) - especially from where they were successful - as well as where the response was less effective... and work from there - both on a candidate and on a party-wide level.

[mandyky]

15. I think Howard Dean vindicated himself

I am happy he'll be Party Chair, so I can remain a Democrat. All this renigging on reproductive rights and "faith-based" move to the right is the kabuki dance some Dems are doing. With Dean at the helm we know not the whole party will join that dance.

Personally, I'd have liked to see him run for Prez in 08, but since he wanted DNC Chair, I'm glad he got it. Unfortunately, some of the power brokers in our party tried to undermine him (AGAIN). (See TNR's article by Ryan Lizza)

I guess if we have to have the mad cowboy as president, Dean is the man to stand up to him, and just think - the next four years will be a non-stop "Sleepless Summer Tour". I think Dean will help win in the South and the West, because he's a straight shooter!

[denverbill]

16. No, not really.

I was a big Dean supporter. I still believe Dean would have beaten Bush. Rewarded or vindicated? No.

It's more like getting a Big Mac when you were hoping for a steak dinner.

I hope he succeeds in his job, and I hope that from this position he can change the party. If so, then I'll feel vindicated and rewarded. If not, then the whole Dean phenomena will have been a waste of time and money.

[Catamount]

18. I feel rewarded and hopeful....

much like I did when B.Boxer stood up as the lone Senator.
But it's due to our collective effort, not any one person's.
Thank you all Duers!
I suppose I'll have to turn my TV on again soon, just to see Dean.

[txaslftist]

29. I nearly cried when Boxer stood up, alone and unsupported

and spoke truth to power.

She rocks!

[dean_dem]

19. I almost feel like I could call myself a Democrat again...

I don't want to paint him as the Messiah of the Democrats or anything, but I feel a lot more optimistic about the future of the party with him at the Head.

[Kolesar]

20. I get fleeting moments of euphoria over it

An antiwar Democrat has taken over the party that had heretofore been led by war supporters: Gephardt, H. Clinton, and a candidate and a Senate majority leader who had voted for the IWR. What about the previous generation? Carville and Begala were pro-Iraq War.

[InvisibleTouch]

22. "Brave New World"

These lyrics pretty much sum it up for me. Slightly edited to my own preferences:

********
Out on the blue horizon, the clouds were rolling in
The ground below was shaking, with the rising wind
I looked over my shoulder, said goodbye to my home
Everyone had taken sides, the battle lines were drawn
We stared into the face of war, and waited for the dawn.
Everything that we worked for, they took from our hands
We were left with no choice but to stand up and fight for this land.
Don't worry darlin', this will all be over soon
Just remember I will always be your girl,
Somehow you will find the strength
To stand up on your own
And live in this brave new world.
How it all came down to this, no one can really say
Every time we cried out for help, they looked the other way
Now there's no turning back, we have got to be strong
We will travel the hard road to freedom, no matter how long.
Don't worry darlin', this will all be over soon
Just remember I will always be your girl,
Somehow you will find the strength
To stand up on your own
And live in this brave new world.
********

In translation: yes, I feel personally rewarded and hopeful.

[wryter2000]

23. I'm just glad

I don't know if I had anything to do with it, but I'm so happy that Dean will head the DNC.

[Padraig18]

24. To borrow a phrase, "It is well with my soul".

I couldn't have foreseen this a year ago, but I am well pleased.

:D

[FreedomAngel82]

25. I'm so glad he's going to be chairman

I at first didn't really know who Dr. Dean was until I saw Nancy Pelosi's DNC primary documentary and she showed Dean and Kerry a lot. The first part of the docmentary was a lot of Dean and the second part a lot of Kerry. I also saw him on Bill Maher's show talking about his book around the election and the more I've gotten to know Mr. Dean and I've heard a lot of great success stories from his DFA organization and I'm very excited about 2006!

[Coexist]

26. I finally feel counted

[txaslftist]

27. ME

[dsc]

30. To an extent

I remain convinced his adament support of gay rights to some extent cost him the nomination. While I don't feel it did it alone, I do feel it was a nail in the coffin. I am extremely glad he won the chairmanship, though it is bittersweet in that he won't run in 08. If he had lost the chair for reasons similar to those for which he lost the nomination, I honestly don't know what I would have done. I wish that things had turned out differently, I really do, though this has the potential to be much more than a concession prize. If in 2020, it is unthinkable for a candidate to run for our party's nomination with a mediocere record on LGBT issues, then I will feel vindicated. If in 2020, it is unthinkable, that a candidate for the Democratic nomination, would support an unjustified war, then I will feel vindicated. If in 2020, it is unthinkable, that a candidate for the Democratic nomination, support unfunded tax cuts, then I will feel vindicated. For now, I feel we got a very nice consolation prize.

[mzmolly]

36. The interesting thing is they used that same "sharpened" nail to finish

off Kerry. Even more ironic is the fact that Bush is in favor of Civil Unions and he and Kerry shared the same stated position on the issue.

Pathetic, eneducated population. :(

[dsc]

38. Bush actually took both sides of the issue

His amendment would have banned them but then he said he favored them. So who got tagged as flip flopping? Why, Kerry of course.

[mzmolly]

42. Exactly right DSC.

:toast:

[Gyre]

31. Does make me feel better,

but it's like a single ray of sunshine poking thru a very thick overcast. It might stay or not. I suppose I should be running naked chasing it over the lawn ecstatically, but I've little energy or optimism left. I guess that makes me a "yes but-ter". Sorry.

Gyre

[Corgigal]

32. I'm another one

I can finally start working and giving money to the DNC. Haven't done that in awhile.

[Blue-Jay]

33. Vindicated? Not really.

But I believe that he was the best choice and I was glad to see him take over the DNC instead of idiot-Terry.

I'd have felt vindicated if he was the CIC right now.

[Kurovski]

34. I'm very happy for the future of our country.

I gave more money to the Dean campaign than to any political cause in my life.

He's a good man. he's honest and he strives to stay honest. Even the whore media at full volume couldn't spin that.

[TheOriginalAmerican]

35. I'm so glad that Dean has been elected.

We've got the power!

[mzmolly]

37. Welcome!

:hi:

[Bouncy Ball]

39. Eh

I don't really feel anything as far as *I* am concerned, personally.

I am happy for him, but I am far happier for the Democratic party, and quite honestly, for this country. After all, as Gov. Dean likes to say, it isn't about him, anyway.

[tommcintyre]

40. Hopeful - Maybe it's a sign the Dems will stop trying to be Repub lite?

I can only hope at this point.

[Lisabtrucking]

41. I think it's fabulous, just fabulous. Me and my Mom are sooooo happy.

My mom wanted Dean for president and I wanted Kerry to be president, but we both agree he will make a great DNC Chair.

[WLKjr]

43. I feel really good, and plan to send a little bit of cash his way

in just a day or two.

[eridani]

44. I do--I did a lot of writing and emailing

I think that his grassroots, take no shit approach is what the party needs right now.

[timtom]

45. I have to admit

in the weeks following the inauguration, I have been strangely non-vocal about much of anything. (I think I'm in a mild depression.)

So, let me say now, that I truly hoped Dean would be the one. Let us hope and pray that he will make a difference.

I will do what I can.

[farmboxer]

46. I Think Dean Will Really Be Good For Democratic Party

The Republican right wing corporate owned mainstream news media went after Dean because they were afraid of him, they were afraid he would win! We need a more aggressive Dem. Party.

[Eloriel]

47. Absolutely not -- not in any way

First, I think this is inaccurate (for starters):

no group of people - that I am aware of - were more supportive of Dr. Dean than his supporters here at DU.

He's got plenty of ardent supporters all around the country who've never heard of DU. Hundreds of thousands, actually.

I don't think his success in winning this was due to what WE did, but rather mostly to his own hard work, lobbying "the 447" and being who he is from the get go. Yes, his supporters also lobbied DNC members for him, and that no doubt helped a bit, but it was Dean himself who did the most work -- and as I said that extends back to the beginning of the presidential campaign.

I do feel more empowered with him as chair, but it's because of what and who he is, and that the Democratic Party has been saved from certain disaster. I think he'll rebuild the party from the ground up -- in fact, he and DFA have already made a very good start on that.

[lonestarnot]

48. Be happy... Don't Worry! Howard a real THORN in their ASSES! n/t

[Joanne98]

49. I'm really happy! He deserves it!

[LWolf]

51. I don't, but

then this DUer was never a Dean supporter, so I have nothing to feel vindicated about.

I don't have any strong feelings about Dean, or the DNC, one way or the other at this point. I'll wait and see how the reality plays out.

I congratulate Dr. Dean on his new position, and hope that the Democratic Party will make some significant changes while I'm still a member.

[benny05]

52. Agree with You n/t

[DemonFighterLives]

53. Dean Rocks

I am so glad to have him in there swinging away. I sure wish he would have been our nominee after seeing Kerry bow out and pray for 08.
Let the rovian attack bots laugh at the scream, they don't have a clue anyway.
Scream on Dean!
:kick:

[realFedUp]

54. I always felt good about Howard and feel more hopeful for Dem party's

future. He's a good man and he understands
that from the bottom up, we all want to take
our country back.

[Pharaoh]

55. I was a Deaniac before I was a DU'er

So he has a very large support base outside DU, But DU is becoming a powerful force in itself, but I'd say we are still peons next to moveon.org

:hippie:

[Straight Shooter]

56. I'm a drop of water in the bucket of cold water Dean will throw at the GOP

I hope he puts out the "wild fires of freedom" nonsense, which is a masquerade for empire-building and domestic destruction.

[Ms. Clio]

57. Maybe we have a fighting chance after all

I hope this is a turning point.

[patricia92243]

58. Dean was the one that got me seriously interested in politics. Now I'm

excited again.

[Starlight]

59. It's about time we achieved *something* positive!

And, no, I don't think the corporate-loving Democratic leadership has the balls or foresight to choose someone like Dean without intense pressure from the ground. :)

[La Femme]

60. Transcript wanted

I missed the big event today. Is there a transcript of Dean's talk?

[Kolesar]

61. Cspan is going to repeat the DNC event on Sunday at 6:30 EST

If you find the speech, let me know!

[La Femme]

62. I found Dean's speech given 2/12/05

http://www.democrats.org/news//200502120001.html

[Kolesar]

63. He used the speech to attack bush*s SS privatization plan

You have to take earned media where you can get it.
Thanks for the link.