I've got to give it to Howard Dean-

[styersc]

I was amongst the first to declare Dean dead after Iowa. I have problems with his electability and think he shot himself in the foot with his stance on raising taxes and a few other policy proposals. But the grace and dignity with which he has carried himself in the last week (post-scream speech) is incredible. I do not know if he will rebound- but I do know that no one in the Deaniac camp has anything to be ashamed of, to the contrary their candidate is a whole lot to be proud of.

:toast:

My hat's off to y'all.

[HFishbine]

1. Well now

That's very kind of you. Thank you.

[kstewart33]

2. Dean has become a real longshot

But the party owes him a huge debt for generating interest in the Dem campaign, and particularly for standing up to Bush and forcing the other Dem candidates to grow a spine.

Months ago, people were shaking their heads at this field. Today, everywhere I read, this field of candidates is getting strong marks for their campaigning and credentials. Dean had alot to do with other candidates working harder, and honing their campaign skills and their message.

If/when he falls, I hope he gets the credit he deserves.

[onecitizen]

4. Amen kstewart33..........

I hope he does too but I don't think the others will EVER credit him. Mostly cause I don't think they see it or would ever admit it. Sad really.

[library_max]

6. I'm with you on the credit,

but not on "long shot." Dean has serious campaign money (still) and nationwide organization. He has staying power.

[adamrsilva]

9. Dean saved the Democratic Party

He was a sacrifice needed to beat Bush.

[worldgonekrazy]

21. No he hasn't. The Democratic party is *this close* to collapsing

The real base is fed up with the party. They have no spine and seem to be either unable to stand up to the neo-cons or, even worse, are complicit in the neo-con agenda.

Dean *could* save the party if he gets the nomination. But by merely running in the primary he has stirred up those like myself who want real change, and now that we have had a whiff of it we will not slink bank into our corner and vote for a BFEE/PNAC enabler.

Call me a traitor if you want. I don't give a damn because I think loyalty to the party is stupid. I don't want a scenario of "meet the new boss, same as the old boss." All people like the likes of Kerry will do is put a nicer face on the same damn policies.

[Padraig18]

3. Thank you!

Howard Dean is an amazing individual. :)

[WI_DEM]

5. very nice of you, Thanks!!

Dean has indeed done some incredible things this election cycle. If he doesn't do well in NH--or I should say well enough in NH--He and his supporters have much to be proud of.

[creativelcro]

8. Just heard on NPR that there are 37% of Independents in NH.

Apparently, most of them, moved from MA to NH... So, Kerry has the advantage of name recognition in this state (I know, it could work the other way around, if the name is associated with bad things).

[frustrated_lefty]

7. Thank you for saying that

I've grown to be concerned about his "electabilitiy" as well since Iowa, because that's all about perception and perception is a hard thing to shift. I remain hopeful, though. He had the wisdom to ask his wife to come out, and Judy Dean has become a bright twinkle in all our eyes....a non-materialistic person with a purpose and values. It's going to break my heart if he doesn't get the nod, but these two people have changed the face of politics in this election at the very least. And my vote, in my primary, is going unabashedly to Howard, for his policies, his values, and his defiance in the face of the most partisan president our nation has ever faced.

[MODemocrat]

10. Thanks for the kind words styersc

After hearing the entire "speech", it made me even prouder of Howard Dean. At first, as the kooks were playing the end of his pep rallying speech, I'll admit, it gave me pause for concern, but since then, I've grown even fonder of him. He's the real deal!
:hi: :thumbsup:

[demigoddess]

11. Dean is not dead

The republicans would like us to believe that because they are scared to death of him. A candidate that did NOT support the war. whereas all the others can be neutralized when they try to blast Bush on the war, all the republicans have to do is say "You supported it too" Wes Clark makes a good case for Bush's lousy conduct of the war, but all the republicans have to do is say "Nobody has a crystal ball and you could not have done better""

[dae]

12. ABD...

Anything But Dead, is what that stands for now. I have always admired Dean. He has rejuvenated the party and if my man Doesn't make it I will be more than happy to support Howard Dean.
Go Dean! Go Clark!
:toast:

[Adjoran]

13. As an uncommitted

I have to say that Dean's stock has been going up for me this past week.

There were three ways his campaign could have gone after Iowa, and the wide ridicule of his speech:

1. Crash and burn. It often happens that a jolt sends a campaign reeling, and it never regains balance.

2. Overcompensation. It also often happens that a candidate will spend too much time explaining or trying to make up for a mistake, leading his campaign off track.

3. Get up, dust yourself off, join the joking, but get back in there fighting hard right away.


Dean has gone the third way, and it is working for him. He is earning more respect for that day by day. He may not win NH, but he can go on, and I expect he will.

Also, I want to echo the mention above of Dean's bringing excitement and attention to the race. He has already guaranteed a good turnout for primaries down the road we don't even talk about yet.

[sonias]

14. Thank you styersc!

And right back at ya. Civility in discourse is what we should all shoot for. I knew Howard was not out of it by a long shot. The game is just in the second inning, let's let the game play out. I still stand proudly and strongly behind my candidate Howard Dean. And I know both Dean and all of his supporters will get behind the party nominee, whomever that is. Let's not lose sight of our goal to get our country back from bu$h and his power crazed administration.

Good luck to all the candidates in NH! :toast:

Sonia

[mzmolly]

15. Thank YOU. I fear our country is passing on the best president we would

have had in a long time.

[Darth_Ole]

16. Dean also deserves credit for getting people back in the party!

Young people especially who were captiviated by Bush.

Dean may not win, but I'll always love him.

And you're right about this crop of candidates being taken more seriously. After all, the Daily Show even changed the name of their segment from "Race From the White House" to "Indecision 2004."

Having this many candidates made our party stronger, imo. Otherwise, everyone would just be agreeing with Bush.

[calimary]

17. THANK YOU!! This Dean supporter appreciates this immensely!

I had the wind knocked out of me for awhile, too. But I think he's played it correctly and thus explains his rebounding numbers.

His up-n-down week last week did have me thinking about the other guys, but I still keep coming back to him.

I am glad more people are recognizing that Dean has reenergized our party and brought lots of new blood into it. I think there are many republi-CONS who fear Dean because they see the money streaming in from lots of the "little guys" out there who can only afford to average 77 dollars per contribution, instead of a couple of thousand. If he's not able to help us take our country back, he HAS helped us take our PARTY back. He's made it a good thing to stand up to bush. He's made those who haven't much more painfully aware of it, plus they all know WE are aware that they didn't stand up to bush. And even if they're in denial about that, they can't overlook his numbers and the ardor of his supporters. He gave us a voice that the establishment Democrats were afraid to use, no less pay attention to. He showed us you don't have to buy into the fear and intimidation. He showed us how you confront and beat a bully. And I think he provided some calcium supplements to the backbones of many establishment Democrats. Notice how they're much more eager to come out swinging now. He's shown that NOBODY GETS A FREE PASS! Certainly not a bush. And we have sorely needed this.

I will probably always be a Dean fan. Plus, somebody who can go on Letterman and "show some skin," and do a fair Arnold impression can't be all bad. Besides being able to laugh at himself. It helps us all laugh at those who said Dean was just too angry. It's forced people like that to look at the MANY of us who are also just too angry. They're all starting to harness that anger, as they should have, several years ago.

Thank you again for this post. And thank you for the encouragement!

[David Zephyr]

18. Thank You.

[bigtree]

19. Kudos to Gov. Dean and his tenacious supporters!

You've made this a real race!

Best of luck and best wishes for a successful election! :toast:

[progressivebydesign]

20. Dean's response to last week speaks volumes..

I think, regardless of whom you support, it would be hard to ignore Dean's resiliance this week. I'm happy that he is suprising people with his tenacity and heart.