The Assassination of Howard Dean

[G_j]

THE ASSASSINATION OF HOWARD DEAN
Naeem Mohaiemen, AlterNet

Why did Dean's insurgent candidacy, which had energized and excited voters in every state, come to such a screeching halt? Ask the DLC.

http://www.alternet.org/members/story.html?StoryID=17881

[WilliamPitt]

1. Except Dean isn't really a Liberal

so the idea that he would bring the Dem party back to its liberal roots is pretty much a fallacy.

[G_j]

5. right

a puzzling misconception.

[edzontar]

9. No. A persistent mischaracterization.

Meant to diminish an entire movement.

But it is not working.

[WilliamPitt]

14. I'm not trying to diminish anything

Clearly, Dean captured the hearts and minds of the progressive base, or at least the part that didn't go Kucinich. This is evident in the fact that many here plan on going from Dean to Green. But Dean himself is a center-rightist on economic issues, and a states-rights guy on social issues. That's not a progressive, dude.

His own words:

PITT: You have done a good job to date of capturing the hearts and minds of the liberal base. What views or beliefs or policy ideas do you have that would surprise some of the more liberal individuals who are considering supporting you?

DEAN: I don't think much would surprise them, because I am very up-front about what I believe. When I was up in Seattle last week, there were 1,200 people who came out. In the middle of it I asked, "How many of you have not been involved in politics in the last ten or fifteen years?" Half of them – 600 people – raised their hands. I went on to talk about the balanced budget and got them all hooting and hollering. I stopped again and said, "Hey, here we are, a roomful of progressives and Democrats hooting and hollering and cheering for a balanced budget." They all laughed.

People know where I stand. They know that my position on guns is not as liberal as they'd like. We don't have gun control in Vermont. My attitude is let's enforce the Federal laws, close the gun show loophole, and then let each state make as much or as little gun control as they want. People understand that – some of them don't like it, but they know that. I've been very up-front about my views on the war. I'm not a pacifist, I'm not an anti-war person. This was bad judgment on the President's part. Iraq was not a threat to us. As frightful and dreadful as Saddam Hussein is, or was, it was not OK for the United States to attack a country that was not a threat to us.

It's not that I'm always against war. Am I willing to use the military force of the United States? Yes I am. All of this is part of my stump speech, so people will get what they see. I don't conceal my views or make a different speech in front of a moderate than I would in front of a liberal audience. I just let it all hang out there. I think what's attractive to audiences is that I am willing to say what I believe, and stand up for it. Sometimes it is not what they believe, but that's much better than being told by a lot of the other Democrats in the race, "Well, I don't support tax cuts but I voted for a $350 billion tax cut," or "Well, I think this war is a terrible thing but I did vote for the resolution." That is what drives people crazy, no matter if they are conservatives, liberals or moderates.

(snip)

PITT: It is axiomatic in politics that you run to the left in Democratic primaries, and then run to the center in the general election. Do you have a plan for how you will do this, how you will run to the center, while still maintaining the support of the liberal base?

DEAN: I don't think I've run to the left. I am who I am, and I say who I am. I'm not saying anything different than I've said in my Governor's races. I don't think you run to the left or you run to the center. You go out there and lay out your ideas, and your ideas are the same in the primaries as they are in the general election. I'm more conservative on budgets and guns, and I'm pretty liberal on civil rights and health insurance and investing in children. People are just going to have to make up their minds if they can deal with all these different positions. I'm not unwilling to change positions based on facts, but I am unwilling to change positions based on polls.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_03/052203A.shtml

[edzontar]

6. He ran as a progressive liberal with centrist economic policies.

His critique of the DLC and Dem-Lite was genuine.

He turned the whole game on its ear.

And he was "assassinated" (to use the writer's terminology) by the media, the DNC, and by coroprate interests---who acted with the willing help of many Democratic and supposedly progressive voices who should have made common cause, but joined the cannibalistic feast out of fear, or in the pursuit of short-term gain (or boht).

It was a tragedy, and exposed the falsity of much "progressive" thinking in the media and politics, but it is not over, not by a long shot.

[liberalnurse]

7. Dean is a Constitutional Democrat......

That covers the the Party base. The DLC is comprised of self-serving with "fat-cats" with "carpet-bagger" mentality. The article was most accurate with the the assination reference.

[DenverDem]

11. Re-empowerment of The People

may not be "liberal" strictly, but it is still a priceless contribution from the Dean campaign.

I'm still for DK, but do not discount the good doctor's achievements.

[Rich Hunt]

22. right

Dean might not be a progressive, issue-wise, but the approach is essential to progressive politics. This is why he appealed to progressives.

[demnan]

13. On the issue of the Iraq war

and Bush tax cuts Dean ran very much as a liberal. He probably was one of maybe two candidates who read your book. ;)

[mzmolly]

18. "Social Liberal - Fiscal Conservative"

:hi:

[liberalnurse]

21. Kerry is not a liberal either.

His voting record since 2000 has been similiar to Liebermans.

So, where does that put the Party? I can't recognize it by the behavior of the insiders of the DLC........

[NewYorkerfromMass]

27. Kerry and Lieberman are both liberal

hence similar voting records.

[SeattleRob]

34. You're missing the point...

What scared the establishment about Dean was that he was an "unknown commodity" as far as the Washington Elite Establishment was concerned. His rhetoric about the corruption and influence of money in politics, coupled with his amassing money in small donations, worried the establishment.

The elites in Washington are one party. (For example. that's why you don't see much disagreement amongst the elites on issues like so-called "free trade.") Nothing scares them more than having an informed and angry populace. Dean helped energize the grassroots and he woke up the sleeping giant - the American people. That is why he had to be stopped.

[mhr]

2. The DLC Could Not Allow A People's Campaign

Until the DLC goes, the progressive movement is dead.

[OKNancy]

17. What did the DLC do exactly?

Did they go out and bribe voters? Do they have control over the media? money?

[onehandle]

25. DLC thugs showed up one night....

They beat me, and beat me, and beat me.
When I agreed to support Clark or Kerry, they let me go.


Or maybe the voters decided for themselves.

[OKNancy]

35. That must be it

No one else answered my question.

I think some people are trying to think up excuses for why their guy didn't win. Although I don't agree with every position of the DLC, I don't think they really have that much power.

[edzontar]

3. Thanks. This is an excellent piece.

nt.

[dorktv]

4. Thanks!

Great read and so damn true it makes me want to spit in rage.

[LuminousX]

8. A beautiful summation

[pezcore64]

10. lol

its like i read in one story...
"Atleast he didn't get shot!"


lol!

seems like everytime a good reformer comes into the Dem party they get shot. We should be happy Howards still alive to continue his work.

[DenverDem]

12. Next steps.

Had the media character assassination not worked.

[pezcore64]

24. yeah

I had forgotten that in this day and age one doesnt need an actual bullet to assasignate someone.

bastards, all of them.

[pippin]

15. the concluding line . . .

" . . .the Democratic Party is still waiting for a candidate who will help rediscover its soul."

Kerry will get the nomination, (and like everyone here I will be happy to get the neo-cons out). But once again, the democratic party has betrayed us, especially the younger generation who were heavily represented amongst the Dean supporters.

Kerry is a Washington insider and his record is not one that many Democrats would consider impressive. As president I anticipate more perks for big business, the mess in Iraq will drag on and for seniors, don't count on Kerry to fix medicare. Like the true politician he is, he abstained from the recent vote on the latter.

As the French say, "le plus que change . . .etc., etc.,"

[demnan]

16. If it was this easy to politically kill Dean

imagine how easy it will be for Rove to assasinate Kerry in the Fall. :cry:

[LuminousX]

20. I'd like to point out it wasn't easy at all to stop Dean

It took a triumvirant in Iowa to do it. Gephardt had to fall on the grenade like a good pawn to take Dean down with him.

[nightperson]

19. Good to see Dean finally admit

in this article that the whole thing was just a perusal;) .

[Endangered Specie]

23. As a former Dean supporter... GET OVER IT!!! MOVE ON!

[edzontar]

26. GET OVER IT!!! The mantra of those who disregard history

And seek to silence the voices of memory.

I don't think so.

[G_j]

28. it's not just about the presidency or

just about Dean. Do you remember the dismal results of the 2002 elections?
The unhealthy influence of the DLC will not just go away because Dean dropped out of the running. We also have Congress to think of.

[Crunchy Frog]

29. As a former Clark supporter I say...

Take as much time as you need to get over it and move on. Actually, you don't have to move on at all, you can take a great deal of pride in your accomplishments, and in all the good things that your candidate did for the Democratic party.

If he hadn't have been in the race, I don't think the Democrats would even have a chance at winning this year. He may just have carried out the worlds first successful spinal collumn transplant.

Maybe he wasn't meant to be president, but that doesn't mean that he and his supporters don't have a tremendous amount to offer the party, and a lot of things that you can still do to help effect meaningful change.

Although I did not support him for president, I think that he was absolutely right in his critiques of the Democratic party, and I hope that all of you will continue to fight the good fight and to work on furthering his vision for real change.

[progressivebydesign]

31. Thanks crunchyfrog! That was sweet! N/T

[RetroLounge]

32. Same thing I heard after the 2000 election

hmmmmmmm

[madfloridian]

36. Never say the words "Get over it" to a Florida Democrat!

All it does is make us even angrier.

And even Kerry said to quit crying in our tea leaves?

[progressivebydesign]

30. Perfectly written.

Dean was a threat to the money machine. He threatened the very existence of the Democratic machinery... and he had to be stopped. Sometimes even bullies will team up to attack one person.. and that is how I see what happened to Dean. I will never forgive the Democratic "Leadership" Council, nor the Party. I will never register to vote as a Democrat again, unless I'm convinced they here for ME, not the pharmaceutical industry, the insurance industry, etc. those that donate to them. I will register as a Green or as an Independent.. I will still vote Democratic, if it means beating someone like Bush... but they've lost me. I will hold my nose and vote for Kerry, the heir apparent, if it means getting Bush out of office. I will never forgive him or Gephardt for the garbage they pulled on Dean.

[KittyWampus]

33. Assasination? Dean Had The Media Kissing His Ass

Month after month, the media gave Dean's campaign glowing and unquestioning coverage.

Hell, they even let Dean have a "do-over" on his Osama statement.

Then, inevitably they had to mention his wife's absence.

Sorry, but the American people expected to see Judith even it was in a staged, highly choreographed appearance or two.

But Dean got really negative along with Gep in Iowa and the people didn't like his ads.

And don't forget Dean decided the American people would just have to change their concept of a Candidates Wife.

And of course, when the media brought up her complete absence on the trail he had to respond by bringing her out to Iowa.

Then Dean decides to talk religion... and made a gaffe in the same sentence he touted his own knowledge of the bible.

Then came the Iowa Concession speech which was totally outside the norm of what the American people expected.

Disregarding what mike was or was not used... Dean appeared to be doing a freaking rally when the American people were expecting a Concession speech.

Just like Weddings, Funerals and other events have norms of behavior... so do campaign appearances after a vote.

Then, after the media had its way with Dean's inappropriate Speech... they then did their best to resurrect him. Giving him complimentary interviews with his wife and even an APOLOGY of sorts.

Ultimately, Dean sunk his own candidacy... even with the Media pushing it for months on end.

And the DLC? Didn't one of its founders endorse him? Can't remember her name.

No, Dean had all the advantages and blew it on his own...