Some frank answers from Gov. Dean from a recent online chat.

[madfloridian]

Tells a little more about him.

When asked about the 2004 election:
"Gov. Dean: Our Democratic message was not clear. We need to be clear and unambiguous in our positions, and we need to play offense not defense. "
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To a question about progressive and moderate groups having a united front:

"Gov. Dean: Yes. You know, I always talk about the common interests among Americans, even with those who vote conservative. You’d be amazed at the common interests that progressives and moderates have. It’s usually the degree of the pace of change and the willingness to fight that divides us.

If we focus on our similarities and not our differences, we can be inclusive. We also need, however, not to compromise on core Democratic issues, particularly labor issues, environmental issues, social justice issues and women’s issues. "

**(I believe on these issues the congressional leadership would hear from him and us...if they digress on them. After all, he will have been mostly elected by the DC outsiders to speak for the people.)
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When asked to discuss O'Neill's pland and Bush's Social Security plan:
"Gov. Dean: I don’t know about his(Paul O'Neill) proposal, but the President’s proposal is a total fraud which will do nothing to reduce the Social Security shortfall, and put our kids into two trillion dollars of additional debt."
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When asked about Obama's statement that Americans had an "empathy deficit":

Gov. Dean:" I think the real problem is hate radio (Rush Limbaugh), hate television (Bill O’Reilly) and weak leadership in the White House. All three of these influences encourage our worst instincts instead of our best ones. I actually have a lot of faith in the American people--if they only had strong leadership. After all, look how they responded to the tsunami tragedy as an example of the empathy and goodness inherent in the American people. "

(Pelosi and Reid, here is how you talk about things.)

[wtmusic]

1. Bush's proposal is a 'total fraud'

Just says it like it is. Thank God for Howard.

[FreedomAngel82]

5. Nice chat

I really like how he says it like it is and doesn't dance around things. I can't wait till he's DNC chair. Then can begin the work. I agree with him about the hate radio and t.v. out there. Ugh.

[cthrumatrix]

19. he should speak out daily of this fraud --- media will nto cover him !

[Norquist Nemesis]

2. Words cannot express

it so well...expect when he speaks!

Here! Here! and three more cheers for Howard Dean!

[Guaranteed]

12. I know. It's fucking great.

Something is finally going RIGHT with out party! :)

[Clarkie1]

3. Let's hope for more of that and no more "I hate Republicans" talk n/t

[mistertrickster]

4. Amen. Isn't it great to hear a politician answer a simple question with

a straightforward answer. No fluff, no bullshit, no better tomorrows and bridges to the 21st century.

[madfloridian]

8. I don't think the leaders of the house and senate want that.

I think that will be the number one problem. He has made it clear, and said it last week, that he would pick his battles....but he would speak out.

He mildly criticized Reid for supporting Scalia, and he did it nicely on C-Span.... I think he will speak out on some issues.

I think he should. We elected our officials, they should be speaking for us, not catering to duck-hunting judges who cozy with vps.

[thefloyd]

6. Oreily and Limbaugh

I am so glad Dean mentioned those two republican clowns. I hope he vistis their show. Probably not going to happen but it would be entertaining.

[madfloridian]

7. O'Reilly goes after Dean because he refuses to go on his show.

Dean once laughed when he was asked....he said the show was just all about O'Reilly. He will not go on that show.

[DoYouEverWonder]

15. Dean should not go on those shows

why give the hatermongers any legitimacy by appearing on their hate fests?

[mhr]

9. Dean Will Be Some Needed Fresh Air For The Democratic Party!

eom

[Gloria]

10. Watching "The American President" again tonight... Shephard

takes on the conservative character by saying that pols like him use two things: making people afraid and using blame....

So true. You'd think the Democrats would understand this....I think Dean does.

[madfloridian]

22. Dreyfuss played that role so well...that Falwell type guy.

Great movie.

[RealDems]

11. This is great...

I have been a Democrat my entire life, but over the past couple years it has felt like the Party was doing everything it could to push me out. I was starting to hyphenate the word -- calling myself a "reform-Democrat" or an "outsider-Democrat." With Dean as Chair, I think I can go back to just being a Democrat and damn proud of it.

[davidwparker]

13. Dean !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[marcologico]

14. "Our Democratic message was not clear"?

Baloney. It was clear as a bell to anybody who was listening.

When is this guy going to stop echoing his hero Karl Rove, anyway?

[thedailyshow]

20. you must be smoking something

because the democratic message was fucking obscured as hell.

[marcologico]

21. It was pretty damn clear to me.

Yes, the defense position was a moving target to some, but Kerry's strategy was to emphasize his anti-terrorism, pro-defense credentials and underplay the anti-war theme until the end because Rove and Murdoch had the damn swing voters scared shitless for totally irrational reasons.

Anyway Kerry was right. It was a 9/11 election and the 9/11 hero won.

[Larkspur]

23. Yeah, it was clear alright

like when Kerry said "I'd vote for IWR again even though I know Bush sold it the first time based on lies and distortions." :crazy:

[Just Me]

16. Plain-speak!!! Imagine that!!! No wonder I admire this man!!!

Clear, concise and to the point.

How refreshing!!!

[KoKo]

24. Dean is the "MASTER" of "plain speak" and that's why so many of us

LOVE HIM!...and I wasn't a "Deaniac" (hate that name..but it's sounding better these days..almost a challenge!)

But...Dean is the BEST...we are lucky to have had him come along. We had to suffer through that "ABB" stuff for awhile...but it's DEANS TIME TO SHINE! Go Get 'Em, Howard! You were and ARE the BEST!

and this is from one of those who had to suffer through that "ABB" stuff...:-(

[JNelson6563]

17. More plain-spoken truth from Dean

I never tire of it. Sure wish we had more like him.

Julie

[fujiyama]

18. Sounds good

I'm encouraged by his message. He seems to have some good ideas. Can't wait to see him take on Melman on Sunday talk shows. He might almost make them watchable...