Why a conservative supports Dean...

[loyalsister]

A Republican leaning student who is part of the Dean corps has been here through the summer. He gave his reasons for how and why he supports Dean. He was sent by the conservative paper at Dartmouth U to cover Dean's speech. Turned out, when he listened he was unexpectedly convinced. One reason was the war. He said that his idea of foriegn policy is actually conservative as opposed to that which has been put forth by this administration. He's concerned about how the rest of the world views us, and Dean's message resonated with him despite the fact that he disagrees with him on some things. He is well aware of the damage being done by this administration. Following that, he went and signed up with the Dean corps. He's not willing to call himself a Democrat, but he's working very hard within the party because he knows that's the most effective way to get Dean elected.

[silverweb]

1. Excellent!

Dean is appealing to people across boundaries because he resists being labeled as as liberal or conservative. That's because he is truly concerned with what is best for the people and the nation - in the context of our place in the world at large.

The old definitions of liberal and conservative no longer apply. The GOP has successfully warped the meaning of these and many other words. This is why Dean defies labels and will not be cornered into mouthing some political ideology. It is my firm belief that he will act in the best interests of us all.

Have your Republican leaning student check out these web sites, too, for like-minded people:

http://republicansfordean.blogspot.com
http://deanindependents.org

[DrFunkenstein]

5. Actually, This Kid Is Not Conservative

Conservative foreign policy has two shapes (which are ultimately only one shape): isolationism and unilateralism. The multilateralism this kid is talking about is a liberal position.

"What is today's unilateralism but the right's old isolationist impulse in modern guise? At its core is a familiar and beguiling illusion: that America can escape an entangling world, that we can wield our enormous power without incurring obligations to others, and that we can pursue our national interests in arrogant ways that make a mockery of our nation's ideals.

I am here today to reject the narrow vision of those who would build walls to keep the world out, or who would prefer to strike out on our own instead of forging coalitions and step by step creating a new world of law and mutual security.

I believe the Bush Administration's blustering unilateralism is wrong, and even dangerous, for our country. In practice, it has meant alienating our long-time friends and allies, alarming potential foes and spreading anti-Americanism around the world.

In a world growing more, not less interdependent, unilateralism is a formula for isolation and shrinking influence. As much as some in the White House may desire it, America can't opt out of a networked world.
We can do better than we are doing today. And those who seek to lead have a duty to offer a clear vision of how we make Americans safer and make America more trusted and respected in the world."

- John Kerry

[German-Lefty]

2. Dean Republicans - Reagan Democrats

You've got to notice a simularity here.

[loyalsister]

3. Exactly

It's a great asset! I really hope that if Dean isn't the nominee, the candidate who is will be willing to take advantage of the voter potential that resides in that camp.

[Nicholas_J]

6. This kind of politics

Got the DLC into the defensive posture it has beeen in for years. Same kind of politics that put the likes of Reagan into office and Poppy Bush and creeated 12 years of political hell, leading to the current presidency.

It is tme to banish ALL conservAtive thought and support from the Democratic Party.

If Deans claim to the nomination is based on the Reagan Democrats who betrayed the Democratic party into years of Reaganomics, the entire concept of a government based on civil rights and equality might as well be thrown out the window. Letas all just agree to become serfs of the welathy and servants of our politicians, and the willing slaves of the Enrons of the world.

[loyalsister]

8. "Banishing thoughts?"

whoa! As a person who had been concerned about our civil liberties, I find some discomfort with that kind of mentality. If you have a party line where no thought other than that which is designated by um I guess you is allowed, isn't that a rather inflexible and rigid?
Oddly enough, rigidty is what I object to most in conservativism.
What people have lost sight of is the fact that the language has been distorted and when one person uses the word "conservative" it may mean something entirely different from what you hate so much. Words have more than one meaning.

[renie408]

9. "Banish"???

Like, where? Montana?

It is comments like this that make me want to scream. We have gotten the labels so screwed up that somebody can write that the DEMOCRATIC party should exclude someone based on the fact that they are 'conservative'.

conservative: 1)Favoring traditional views and values
2)Traditional or restrained in style: a conservative dark suit.
3)Moderate; cautious: a conservative estimate.

I am conservative. I am also pro choice, pro civil unions, pro gun control and against this last round of tax 'relief' for the wealthy. I am also cautious, drive a mini-van, have two kids, I have been married for fifteen years to my first boyfriend, and I am not comfortable in loud colors.

Can we stop labeling each other and take what support we get, where we get it?

[alpizzy]

4. check this out...

opps sorry! I see that the first reply has the website I was about to post.

[theemu]

7. As a member of Dartmouth for Dean...

...I'd be interested in finding out who exactly you're referring to from the Review. As someone who reads the campus political papers, I'd probably be able to identify him from his initials...