The "Last Angry Man" thing may be backfiring on Dr. Dean.

[Tyler Durden]

Well, something odd happened in Iowa, didn't it?

I'm used to odd in politics. I live in Michigan, and it has always been odd in its politics. We tend to support the Democratic Party on a national basis (Ex-Senator Spencer Abraham is sort of an anomaly. Sorry.) We do tend to have a Republican state legislature, and they end up being a rubber stamp for whoever is the governor (Republican or Democratic), but on the Federal level, we tend to side Left of Center.

So why did we elect that fat slob John Engler as Governor not once, not twice, but three times?

The first time was pure stupidity. Engler rode in on last tails of the Reagan/Bush brouhaha, Sue us. But after the first year or so when we found out how he was gutting the state government, destroying schools and public services with tax cuts for the rich long before George Bush, we woke up. "A.B.E." was born: Anybody But Engler.

All of a sudden you saw "A.B.E. for Governor" bumper stickers in a lot of places. Everyone was really ticked off. You know who it got us for an opponent to Engler?

Jeffrey Fieger. That's right, the loud, angry attorney for Dr. Jack Kevorkian. You know what else happened? He got beat like a redheaded stepchild.

Why did that happen? Nobody really liked Engler. We voted out his clone Spencer Abraham, so why didn't vote for Fieger?

Because he was loud, argumentative, angry, and couldn't stay on issue or topic.

I told you that to tell you this:

Enter Howard Dean, the Last Angry Man. "…and then we're going to Washington DC!!!!!!! YeeeeeHaaaa!!!!!"

He didn't pull third because he was being picked on by Gephardt. He was third because he was up against two "Nice Guys." Politics is the only place where "Nice Guys" can finish first, as long as they are up against noisy, angry people. What's one of the big reasons people who like Bush are fond of him? They like his personality. They think he is folksy, charming, and "nice."

I realize this is not exactly the best way to select a president, but I'm not "Joe Bag-o-donuts" either, and he sees it differently than I do. I think it works this way:

1. People want to see enthusiasm, but not nutso. A presidential candidate yelling "YeeeeHaaa!!!" is nutso: it sure shocked the Hell out of me, and I don't shock easily.
2. People do not want to be yelled at, even by people they agree with. Angry people yell a lot. Dean is angry, ergo, he'll yell at me. Don't yell at me, you are not my mother.
3. "Yeah, and so's your old man," never won anybody any friends. People are starting to realize Bush is not their friend. They want a New Friend. Dean does not look like anyone's buddy.
4. My 100 year old Grandmother and my 75 year old Mother can't stay on topic or remember what they said last month. It is a Good Thing to stay on topic and remember what you said. Hello?

I realize this is major horse hockey, but the proof is in the puddin' kids, and the Big Mo' is moving. Dean was supposed to Kill in Iowa. This is supposedly his kind of base: common folks, that sort of thing. If he wasn't Supposed to win there, as Clinton and Bush 1 were not, then it would not look so bad. I also realize nobody is going to change their minds based on Iowa alone, but New Hampshire looks a Hell of lot more interesting now, and the Carolinas aren't exactly Dean Country.

Anyone else sense a change in the weather?

[liberalhistorian]

1. I know I certainly do.

My parents were very open to Dean until they saw him and his speech last night. They couldn't believe it, and said no one who saw the speech would be likely to vote for him. I think you can only take the "politics of anger" so far before you start to need more depth and substance.

[Tyler Durden]

2. He may be as deep as an ocean and as solid as a brick...

But the only man who ever got away with a public "YeeeeHaaaw!!!" was Lyndon Johnson.

[Gman]

5. LBJ was also the only president to get away with

showing the press his appendectomy scar and pulling the ears up on his dog. That was considered "colorful".

[diamondsoul]

6. Did he seriously DO that????

ROTFL I didn't catch his concession speech because I was paying attention to Kucinich goings on. That's hysterical, and now I REALLY wish I had seen it!

[MuseRider]

8. Audio link

http://www.drudgereport.com/dean.mp3

[Blitz]

13. Video Link

http://www.c-span.org/VideoArchives.asp?CatCodePairs=,&Page=2

[diamondsoul]

3. Isn't it funny?

Kucinich supporters were saying this last week and got blasted for it. Anger doesn't keep people following you if there's nothing to back it up with.

The weather is definitely changing. I don't know who is going too win NH, but I'm not expecting to see Kucinich in dead last either. BTW, he came in ahead of Sharpton for those who insist on claiming Sharpton polls higher.

[Gman]

4. The GOP knows all about the "nice guy"

that's how they sold Bush in 2000 and simultaneously demonized Gore. That's how they'll sell Bush this year when all is said and done (Godly man, etc...)

This is also why you hear so much about the "hate Bush" bunch. They want to portray Dems as angry and hating Bush because of what you stated.

Good observations.

[diamondsoul]

9. Good point-

mind if I admit that's one of my worries about Clark getting the nomination? They'll club him over the head with Kosovo or something, and it won't matter if it's true or not.:-(

I like him but I worry about how badly he could be twisted up by the Rove machine. FTR, there are only two things that disturb me from Clark, one the depleted uranium statements because I have lots of doubts about its safety, and two the defense of the SOA. Neither is enough to make me say Clark isn't a good candidate but they're enough to make me back someone else for the Primary.

[Doctor_J]

16. Lots of luck

How can they beat Clark over the head with Kosovo? They're trying to paint Bush as the man who "won the war" in Iraq. There s few problems with this:

1. Bush STARTED the war in Iraq.
2. The war hasn't been won, in Iraq or in Afghanistan.
3. Bush didn't fight it - he sent others to die.

If Rove wants to debate how each man's war went, he'll lose - BIG TIME.

[Tyler Durden]

10. I have heard 3 people mention "Angry Dean" today.

2 Democrats (who sounded down) and one Republican (who sounded up).

[MuseRider]

7. I'm used to YeeeHaaaaaa!

I am from a YeeHaa kind of state! I'm a YeeHaa kind of gal. However, YeeHaa is usually heard with a certain joy attached to it. Last night was just nuts. I can understand the deep supporters reacting to it with a positive feeling but for a lot of people (A LOT) this could have been the deal breaker, it really freaked me out.

[cryofan]

11. Dean is so... "2003"....

Dean is over. Done. Kaput. "YeeeeHawww" sealed his fate. It will forever haunt him. And a good thing, as he has made some comments in the past that showed him to be none to friendly to the social safety net (see www.mylinuxisp.com/~cryofan/dean.html )

[joefree1]

14. Yeah, like Clinton was in 1992

When he lost both Iowa and New Hampshire. See the following article:

Ominous Polls:
A look at the Gallup polls over the past few months show why Democrats are becoming increasingly nervous about putting Clinton at the head of their ticket.
In a head-to-head match up on March 20, Bush led by only 52-43 percent and Clinton was indeed within striking range. But as the weekly disclosures took their toll during the ensuing primaries, Clinton's margin fell to 54-38 percent on March 29 and then fell further to 54-34 by the beginning of April.
Edit ...
"The negatives are forming on Bill Clinton like a political stalactite, drop by drop," said veteran Democratic consultant David Sawyer. "Each drip leaves a residue that builds on his negative image."
Edit ...
Quayle campaign committee, "We're following the Napoleonic maxim: Never interfere with the enemy when they are in the process of destroying themselves."
http://www.worldandi.com/public/1992/june/cr6.cfm

"If you have no enemies, it is a sign fortune has forgot you."
- Thomas Fuller (1608 - 1661)

[Tyler Durden]

17. Clinton was SUPPOSED to lose in Iowa.

Dean was supposed to win big, according to his press.

[joefree1]

19. Wow, Dean blew it by trying to win?

Kerry was the front runner at one point long ago too. And last week he had the press frothing at the mouth as his poll numbers went up. So I don't get your nonsensical argument.

The race is still very competitive. But go ahead and push the negativity. We Deaniacs get to watch Clark and Kerry go at it.

And right now Kerry has got my vote over Clark as a life long Democrat. No doubts there.

[Tyler Durden]

20. Dean has been saying how he'd wow em in the hinterlands.

It's only in the last couple of weeks when he was "taking off the gloves" where he started to tank.

And by the way, this is an observation, not a pan. And the use of "Deaniacs" is still verboten is it not?

[GreenPartyVoter]

12. I think Dean lacked support not so much due to the anger

as to the lack of experience.

"Of those caucus-goers surveyed who said experience was the most important quality for a Democratic presidential candidate, 71 percent chose Kerry, while only 5 percent chose former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean and only 2 percent thought Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina had enough experience.

More facts and figures here: http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/01/19/elec04.prez.iowa.polls/index.html

[Tyler Durden]

18. Then why did Edwards poll #2?

Dean beat him in the "experience" poll, but not the caucus.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

27. Because the temperment you project can compensate greatly

look no further than the current occupant of 1600 Penn. Bush never lost his cool in the debates with Gore- he won votes due to that "cool".
Of course I want Kerry Cool.

[Benhurst]

15. Yes, Dean's performance last night bothered me considerably.

I'm one of those who hasn't decided yet, and I am generally so pleased with our front-runners as to feel any of them have the potential to beat Bush* and become a great president. We have an embarrassment of riches this year.

But I, too, felt Dean was over the top last night.

And I found it disturbing that his anger seemed based more on his losing in Iowa than Bush's treasonous presidency.

It was not a pretty picture.

Dean would still have my support if he gets the nomination; but I'm afraid Bush* will be able to beat him if he continues to behave the way he did last night. And given the corporate media's support of the current administration, I'm sure we'll be seeing Dean make that horrible speech more times than we saw Willie Horton making his way through the revolving door.

[waterman]

21. I agree with you. That was a little weird.

He had my total respect until that moment last night. It made me cringe. I expect a certain bit of composure from any person seeking this office and representing us to the world. He lost it at a bad time.

[Adjoran]

22. I have a theory on Dean's speech

I suspect he was told before he went out there that most of his volunteers were from out of state, and were shell-shocked that their hard work and sacrifice had gone for nought in Iowa.

"Howard, you've got to go out there and pump these folks up. No matter how bad you feel, remember for many of them it is their first political experience and defeat is hard to take. Be excited and upbeat so we can rekindle their enthusiasm - there are a lot of states to go where we need them."

I think he just went overboard.

That wasn't my first impression last night, of course. And for many Americans, it was the first time they've seen that much of a Dean speech. That could hurt him, but probably not as much as letting idealistic supporters get down on politics and their chances.

[jmaier]

24. I tend to agree with you

The speech sounded very much like a high school pep rally thing without taking into account that there was a wider audience in the wings than just the strong supporters. It was fine for an in-house performance but it, sadly, could easily be misinterpreted by casual views not already solidly behind Gov Dean.

It's prime time people. The candidates are on stage at all moments and they have to pay attention to broader messages beyond the stump speech audience.

In reality, it wasn't the speech itself but the timing. With all media eyes on Iowa and scrutinizing Dean's response to the lower than expected finish, it was time for an upbeat, positive yet gracious message followed by a short call to continue the fight.

[Seldona]

23. Dean lost supporter here last night.

And it had ALOT to do with his supporters, not his speech.

Whatever, no insight offered here. I sincerely hope he loses now.

And if he wins, I will be sitting this one out.

Going there now to take my name off the mailing list.

I am one poed FORMER Dean supporter here.

[waterman]

29. What did his supporters do? I didn't catch that part

[emulatorloo]

25. Judgement is a big issue here - how do you use your time in the spotlight?

Kerry and Edwards recognized that they were speaking to the nation in their post-caucus speeches, to people who were maybe paying attention to the race for the first time. They used the time to get their message out and to reach out to voters.

Dean did not seem to realize this. He wasted an opportunity, instead issuing a warning to Edwards and Kerry about how he is coming after them.

ON edit: spelling and clarification

[GalleryGod]

28. Did He Miss All the Tv Cameras? Or Just didn't Give a Shiite!?

J.A.R.K.:nopity:

[emulatorloo]

31. I can only speculate. . .

so I won't!

[GainesT1958]

26. I'll have to admit that it made me wonder...

If he ever pulled that on any of his patients!:eyes:

B-)

[NNN0LHI]

30. The results really threw me too. I thought Edwards would win n/t