Is Dean at a disadvantage because he is not a member of congress?

[iluvchicago86]

I think that Dean has some serious potential at this point in the race for the nomination. However out of all the major contenders, he is the only one who is not a member of congress and therefore we can not really compare his "record" on the issues the same way as we can the other candidates. Plus I feel that some may view him not to be quite as qualified for the job as the other senators or congressmen are. I really do like Dean....and this worries me....what about you guys? especially other DUers who support Dean.

[KG]

1. carter, reagan, clinton, and the chimp were all governors.

[IndianaGreen]

3. And so was Franklin Delano Roosevelt

The last two Democratic Presidents were governors, let's go for the third!

[Bossy Monkey]

2. Ask Governor Carter, Governor Reagan, Governor Clinton

and Governor Bush. That's a big no; he's got a huge advantage according to recent history.

[rwenos]

6. Governors

If anything, being a governor is a big advantage.

Other Governors left out of this list so far:

Governor Wilson

and . . . ooops,


Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York.

[iluvchicago86]

10. Wow you guys

That is a great point. i was just focusing more on the fact that all the contenders were extremely qualified and stuff. this is the first election i will be eligible to vote in so i dont have the privilege of being able to look back at recent history. and theres also the fact that history class does not get that far . thanks for your input !:-)

[Jack Rabbit]

4. That is one of Dean's advantages

He doesn't have to explain why he voted to give the Frat Boy the power ot make war based on a pack of lies. He doesn't have to explain why he voted for the USA PATRIOT or Homeland Security Acts. He doesn't have to explain why congressional Democrats roll over and play dead while Bush plays with real live toy soldiers in pursuit of profit opportunities for his cronies.

[Bombtrack]

12. he supports the friggin Patriot ACT and homeland security act

although you seem to be glad that he doesn't have to explain alot of things, like how easy it is to manipulate the anti-war movement into beleiving that the whimpy pushover corrupt democratic wing of congress is against "real" democrats and that they must be stopped, wihtout saying how he could ever get the required 270 electoral votes to win the executive branch, never mind replacing half the legislative branch with "real democrats" to approve of his brave and noble actions.

[IndianaGreen]

18. Lots of hot air coming from you, pal, and nothing to back it up!

On Homeland defense:

Except for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), this administration has simply not allocated the funding needed for this urgent task. A number of key bi-partisan studies have clearly stated what needs to be done to bolster security at our borders. The Bush administration has paid only lip service to the urgency of this threat. While promoting a second deficit-generating tax cut, the Bush administration is citing the deficit it is creating as reason to deny the Coast Guard the $5 billion needed to increase security of our ports. There are no major increases of funding in the President's 2003 or 2004 budget for building our border and transportation security protections. Instead, billions are going to a regressive tax cut. We must increase protection of our borders and critical infrastructure. We must implement measures with our allies to better inspect container cargo before it enters this country and develop and implement new technology to detect threats before they cross our borders.

A Dean Administration will use the Homeland Defense Trust Fund to ensure adequate funding of the programs needed for a robust circle of protection that stops threats at our borders. New emphasis and focus will be given to research, development, and early-to-market applications of cutting edge detection and identification technologies.

The Circle of Prevention

Homeland Security starts abroad. Governor Dean would increase military, intelligence and police focus on offensive operations against terrorists operating overseas. With increased support of our allies, Governor Dean would provide a multi-layered defense to deter and defeat such attacks. Hand in hand as an integral piece of our overall national security strategy, homeland security "prevention" efforts abroad would be designed to ensure that no terrorist ever reaches the U.S. homeland and that all terrorists are denied access to any WMD capability.

The danger that weapons of mass destruction or weapons-useable material could wind up in the hands of terrorists or hostile nations and be used against our troops abroad or citizens at home is one of the most serious threats facing our nation. Governor Dean agrees with numerous recommendations that $30 billion is needed over the next 8-10 years to adequately address this threat. Current Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) and related programs with Russia and other former Soviet states have produced impressive results but more must be done. Initial attempts by the Bush administration to cut these programs failed because of alarm spread by Democrats. Now, the Bush Administration - at a time when CTR programs should be significantly increased - is not expected to propose any increases in funding.

http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/PageServer?pagename=about_issues_homeland

And who voted for the PATRIOT Act?

[iluvchicago86]

14. Thats very true....

and then Dean will also have a reasonable(preferably low to not existent) agenda to push in the war against terrorism to satisfy all Dems and even some swing voters. So coupled with the advantage of not having a shady track record in congress hes good to go! yay!

[AnnabelLee]

5. I don't think it is a disadvantage

where the, what shall I call them...uninformed public is concerned. We here at DU make it our business to be informed, but for those who get their information from glancing at CNN several times a day, they will most likely hear that Dean is from "outside the beltway". IMHO, that is considered an advantage most of the time.

For the record, I'm a Dean supporter.

[iluvchicago86]

15. Well....

I do try to get a diverse amount of info...and my question is based from a mere several years at being interested in politics. I hope i didnt come off as uninformed or anything. Since this is the first time i will be able to vote i was just wondering what the older member of DU , and dean supporters like you, had to say about it and i hope that i would learn something. thanks to you, and everyone else for the ideas they showed me.

[AnnabelLee]

16. I don't include you

in the "uninformed" group--if you're at DU, chances are you are very well informed. I was trying to point out that with voters who are not informed--a very large group, the fact that Dean is not in Congress will very likely be perceived as a good thing.

[iluvchicago86]

17. oh ok..

sorry about the mistake. yea thats right...i guess we should be happy and use that factor to the fullest extent come primary time!

[Jackpine Radical]

7. Congresscritters have a historically poor track record of

getting into the WH. LBJ went from the Senate to VP & the WH; Ford got appointed VP from the House (& lost his bid for a full term to a governor). JFK is the only one in recent memory from the Senate to the WH. As others have pointed out, governors fare much better, although they have more catching up to do about national politics once elected.

[TahitiNut]

13. It's because they have a 'track record'

... and, especially when in (so-called) leadership positions, it can be asked "why didn't you make dramatic progress in these areas in your current position?"

For example, it's argued that Lieberman "isn't as bad as he's made out to be" and then conjectural comparisons are made to a broad array of other politicians. Well, it could be equally argued that Lieberman's position on the 200 Dem ticket gave him 'leadership' influence and national recognition, a power that raises the 'bar' -- and just what did he do with it? Huh? :eyes:

Even when there's progress on issues they support, the 'credit' is typically givven to the executive. McCain-Feingold is a rare exception.

[Orangepeel]

8. actually, it is an advantage

congresspersons (especially Senators) are at a disadvantage because they have to vote on a lot of procedural things and compromise bills that can often be twisted to look worse than they are.

Also, people seem to prefer governors, based on past election results. Perhaps it is because both governor and president are executive positions with many similar duties.

[Lady President]

9. Probably an advantage

I'm not really in the Dean camp, but I think not being in Congress will be an asset for him. Not being able to compare records might be a good thing because he won't waste as much time defending votes that happened years ago or that were necessary for political reasons, unlike the other candidates. He also won't have the negative publicity about missing votes while campaigning. The biggest advantage is that he doesn't have to worry as much about every word he says~ doesn't have to go back to work with the same people he chastised while running.

Personally, I like to compare the candidates' records and I feel like I don't have as strong a command of his positions as I wish I did. I'll be curious to see if anyone thinks he's at a disadvantage.

[bearfartinthewoods]

11. huh? that's his biggest advantage

he can talk all the talk he wants without ever having to caste the votes. plus, he's unenployed so he has lots of time on his hands.

if Dean were a member of congress he would have never have goten this far.