Dean: One year ago vs. Today

[Ketcham]

Just watched the candidate speeches on CNN. I think no matter what else happens with Dean, his speech tonight was right on the mark. He listed off the ways that his campaign had changed the debate and party attitudes already within just one year. Minutes later, John Kerry came on and listed off the same issues that Dean had mentioned. In fact, none of Kerry's positions tonight were substantially different from Dean's of a year ago. He said that the U.S. needs to join "every other industrialized nation" with national health care. He said our foreign policy should reflect our values and ideals and not just military might. He said NCLB was a disaster. He even came out for fair trade standards in all of our trade treaties. It was actually a little bizarre because it seemed so much like the speech I saw Dean give last May here in the Twin Cities.

I've supported Dean for a long time, and I eagerly await the next phase of his campaign. I no longer expect him to be able to win because he's been too badly stigmatized, but he's right that the party has adopted his message. As long as the whole party doesn't call for media reregulation, I think we have a good shot at winning the general. (I'd say that's what did Dean in with the media.)

Other thoughts: Dean always stumbles more when he's reading from notes or a prepared speech. He should wing it more, like Edwards did tonight. Edwards seemed very energetic and was certainly engaging tonight. That is, until he was cut off by Kerry. I think that must have been planned by the Kerry campaign to limit Edwards's prime-time coverage. I still can't get excited about Kerry. Even when he's saying the right things, he doesn't leave the impression that he's sincere. Honestly, he sounds sort of like a high-school debate or speech student who's going through the motions and using grand-sounding language without being able to convey the right emotions.

In any case, Dean's message has gotten through, so it's not all doom and gloom tonight for me. I'm still hoping Edwards (or Dean!) can pull it out. The longer we keep debating these issues and getting coverage, the better for the party in the long run.

[EXE619K]

1. As a long time Deaner..you should know....

That our campaign has come full circle.

Remember when DFA used to have that "large face" Dean banner and the registered E-mail support list was at little over 900?

That just seemed like yesterday!

We started out as no-one giving us a chance at winning...

Then, the incredible up-surge!

Now, a steady decline.

I'm glad that I supported and still support him even to this day.

Sure, It's probably the most Irratic campaign ride that I've ever been on...but, It was the best campaign that I ever worked for.