Revisiting Dean: Dean supporters, why did you support him?

[Guaranteed]

One thing, in particular, stands out in my mind when thinking of Dean and who he was: He stood up to Bush, and he was there to lead us when it mattered most. He gave us a real voice.

[KaraokeKarlton]

1. He always delivered what he promised voters

In Vermont, he delivered everything he promised voters he would deliver. He delivered a lot of great things that made my life a lot better. I wanted the rest of the country to get the chance for him to make their lives better, too.

[NNadir]

2. Confronted Bush

First and foremost, the war, the war, the war. When we who opposed it were alone and abandoned by almost all in the Government, Howard stood up to them. (I know, I know. Kucinich opposed the war too, but I'd had enough of religious government already and could not then and still can't stand Kucinich in almost every other area.)

Other Dean positives: Balanced budget, gay rights, internet based campaign, a capacity for hard work, history of balance in reviewing issues, and, well to be honest, a certain mystique.

I am going to support John Kerry with all my heart, but I think the party could have done better. In this house, we miss Howard Dean and regret what happened to his campaign.

[AndyP]

3. He gave it to me straight

I still watch Kerry and the way he beats around the bush when questioned. For example: when he was asked if he was liberal, he had to go off on some BS explanation, he could have just said yes or no. Dean didn't seem like a politician, I liked that. But I'll back Kerry all the way to the white house.

[LittleDannySlowhorse]

4. I agreed with him on almost every issue

and he didn't talk down to me.

[w4rma]

5. I felt he was running to do the job, not for the title.

I trust his judgement on the Constitution. I think that he understands why that our government needs checks and balances and how to go about keeping them in place or strengthening them.

I like his tendancy towards pro-localism, rather than trying to move all the decisions from localities and states to the federal government. (This does *not* include federal regulations and taxing of corporations which often exploit localsim to settle in the place that will give them the most resources. However, since Dean is pro-reregulation at the federal level, I am in agreement with him again on this.)

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

6. An audio descriptor:

When Dean Speaks

[liberalnurse]

7. We are not going to beat *bush without

confronting his failures head on. Dean always leads and follows thru. He gives complete detail on his positions with rationale. No one else did that with clarity.

[AntiCoup2K4]

8. Dean wasn't afraid to tell it like it is

With the possible exception of Robert Byrd, none of the Washington politicians would speak a word against the Fraudministration. Far too many of them even voted for his bullshit. And that includes many of the candidates who were in this campaign.

The 2002 midterm election, the absolute failure of Democrats to oppose Bush in anyway, and the resulting fiasco pissed me off to the point of leaving the Democratic party.

I was not looking forward to a 2004 campaign at all because none of the choices looked any different than the pink tutus in Congress. Lieberman. Kerry. Gephardt. yeah, right.....

First time somebody mentioned the name Howard Dean, I said "who?". Then I looked into this new candidate. And this is what caught my attention:

What I want to know is what in the world so many Democrats are doing supporting the President's unilateral intervention in Iraq?

What I want to know is what in the world so many Democrats are doing supporting tax cuts, which have bankrupted this country and given us the largest deficit in the history of the United States?

What I want to know is why the Congress is fighting over the Patient's Bill of Rights? The Patient's Bill of Rights is a good bill, but not one more person gets health insurance and it's not 5 cents cheaper.

What I want to know is why the Democrats in Congress aren't standing up for us, joining every other industrialized country on the face of the Earth in providing health insurance for every man, woman and child in America.

What I want to know is why so many folks in Congress are voting for the President's Education Bill-"The No School Board Left Standing Bill"-the largest unfunded mandate in the history of our educational system!

As Paul Wellstone said-as Sheila Kuehl said when she endorsed me? I am Howard Dean, and I'm here to represent the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party.

Here was a guy asking the same questions I was asking, instead of wearing the pink tutu like so many in Washington and most of his opponents. That caught my attention.

I was convinced - and still am - that this was the man to throw the unelected fraud out of the White House.

[Robb]

9. I felt a sincerity coming out of him

...He really sent the message that he was out for real change. Plus, even before the scream, I got the picture that he was angry. So am I. :shrug:

[coloradodem2005]

10. Confronted Bush.

Empowered Democratic voters and other independent, even some Republicans that were fed up with Bush and the system. He was a straight talker. He opposed the war and excited the base.

[HFishbine]

11. Had a spine,

was direct and was in line with my views on the issues.

[Duder]

12. He's the best...

Presidential candidate Howard Dean asked what many Democrats were asking here on DU and elsewhere, before candidate idolatry became fashionable, in wanting to know why Democrats in Washington were going along with the Bush agenda. That, as much as his opposition to the IWR boosted his popularity. Except for Kucinich, the rest of the D.C. establishment seemed clueless that being spineless was unpopular with Democrats. Dean became the Anti-Bush and it's no coincidence that Bush's poll numbers then began to drop.

Dr. Dean had a desire and a healthcare plan that was doable and reminded people that Democrats should not be ashamed of putting forth what Harry S. Truman proposed back in 1948. Even Costa Ricans have a healthcare plan for its citizens. If you've researched you'll find that children have always been a high priority of Dr. Dean's administrations.

Governor Dean was a strong advocate of balanced budgets as a necessity to protect social programs. Governors are more electable and his fiscal sensibilities appeal to taxpayers of all partisanships, as well as younger generations looking forward to their future. My guess is that Graham might have been his vp which would have, combined, provided the most executive experience of any of the candidates, which would be necessary to clean up Bush's mess.

A couple of his quotes from a meetup last night sums it up well:

“Remind the democratic party the force of saying what you believe.”
“I didn’t change the debate, it’s the people like you that changed the debate.”

I still support Howard Dean and I hope other supporters continue to until all of the delegates have been accounted for, because we're still going to Boston.

[Indiana Democrat]

13. Because they were brainwashed by the media into supporting him...

...

Oh wait.

No...That's what they say about people who DIDN'T support him.

I'm sorry...I got confused there for a minute.

14. yep, that C-Span interview

I saw with him 2 years ago where he was talking completely straight common sense, that's when they brainwashed me.

:evilgrin:

[Duder]

15. LOL, same here...

Dean wasn't even a blip on the media's radar. :)

[jansu]

49. This is one reason why Kerry did not get our support!

Not only because we don't like his positions or trust Kerry, but because of so many of his supporters who are like you. Just can't keep your foul fingers away from threads started by and replied to, by people who wish to communicate with each other, about what they care about and why. The least we ask of you, if you post, you stick to the thread, which you obviously did not in this thread!

Thank goodness, most other supporters of other candidates had the good graces and sense to allow us to "talk" with each other, without their butting in! I don't go onto any other candidates supporters sites and bad mouth their candidate or the supporters of that candidate!

Just this last week, I sent Kerry's campaign money. After seeing yours and others comments in the last few days, that is the last I will send to him. I will send my money to Dean's new campaign, to moveon, to peopleforchange, to truthandhope, and if they want to support Kerry with my money, that's OK. I will support Congress and Senate seats around the country.

Did any of you notice, that in the last days, Kerry all of a sudden was raising big money? This had not happened before! Where was all the money from all his supporters before? There was not much! It would be interesting, if Kerry's money came from those "Deaniacs" who do put their money where their mouths are!

Better clean up your act or more may follow me and fund other organizations! Don't scoff! I have $2,000.00 set aside to spend on the Democratic Nominee, plus more to spend on these other groups, (as does each of the members of my family. No, we are not rich, just have not gone on vacation for three years and put off buying other things, so that we could put this money to the most important thing in my whole (old) lifetime). Kerry just lost that, because of his supporters. Don't need us, fine! Don't need our money....right! :nuke:

[sugarcookie]

16. Rough around the edges, but unafraid

When Bush was trying to sell his war with Iraq…I wasn’t buying. Masses of people were not buying. We sent a message (loud and clear) to our Dem leaders and only a few were listening. I actually cried when I saw our Dem leaders in the Rose Garden standing shoulder to shoulder with Bush.

Yes, a few tried to speak out but they quickly caved at the first sign of criticism. I ask you, how can you stand up to your RW neighbor if your own leadership won’t do it. I truly believe that if each and every one had shown the courage exhibited by a few…this whole mess just may have been resolved in another manner. We will never know now...will we?.

I don’t mind telling you I felt dismissed and disregarded by people I had trusted to represent me.

Enter Howard Dean.

Rough around the edges, but unfraid. A refeshing alternative to all the smarmy pandering.

I will cast my vote for Kerry but,...Howard Dean has my undying support in all his future endeavors.


edit: spelling, puncuation,spelling

[BL_Zebub]

17. Funny story actually....

I was summonned up from Hell because there was a website called "Satanists for Dean". The site turned out to be a Freeper gag, of course, but I figured if someone went to all the trouble of implying that the Devil endorsed a candidate, the least I could do was check him out. So I did. And he got my "two horns up" seal of Unholy Approval :evilgrin:

[dorktv]

18. He gives hope.

He was willing to stand up when no one else would. He also had a really good record of doing the best with what is availible.

[LuminousX]

19. Did? Still do.

He is a pragmatist who sees how things should be and plots a deliberate path to achieve that goal, whether or not it is politically in his best interest to do so. He doesn't promise rose gardens and he has a way of getting people to realize that we all have to work together to accomplish these things that we want.

[deutsey]

26. Same here. Well said.

I also still support him for the same reasons you mention here.

[Shadoobie]

20. He made me proud to be an American again

Right after 9/11, I was deeply touch by the spirit of cooperation across America. Even if you did not personally know someone who was killed on that fateful day, you still felt the pain at what had happened. At the time, I fully supported the war in Afghanistan to stop Al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. Over time, though, I became deeply disturbed at this mis-administration use of this tragedy to push an agenda that was inherently against the values I thought America stood for (freedom and equality for all, help for those in need). The blame could not entirely be placed on the Republicans.

Over the past year, I decidedly to follow my head and objectively consider all the candidate. I tried avoiding the biased opinions on the DU boards. I realized that all the candidates had excellent credentials and ideas. I listened to my head and my head said 'listen to your heart.'

Dean became a no-brainer for me. His honesty was refreshing to see in politics. His ideals were closest to my own. His anger at what was happening to this country resonated deep within me. He stirred memories within me about what it truly means to be an American.

That is why I support (and still do support) Howard Dean.

~Greg

[WI_DEM]

21. he spoke for me when few in the party were

on the war and a variety of issues. He would have been a great president.

[mzmolly]

22. hmmm, a thinly veiled insult to my previous inquiry perhaps?

Oh well, I'll play... Im used to inspiring people to start threads these days.

Dean is a "fighting centrist". I still feel he was the BEST person to go up against and beat Bush. He didn't pull any punches and he had one hell of a record in Vermont. He's a man of great integrity in is personal and professional life. He is full of common sense and compassion. He is also a very passionate man who listens to the people he represents. He gave me a practical voice regarding the War, when I was desperate for one. I could go on all day about WHY Dean had my full support and passion...

However, now that he's not an option, I am "Revisiting Kerry" and so is Howard Dean. :hi:

In fact their meeting next week. I am hoping Dean can inspire me to feel good about casting my vote for Kerry in November. I consider Dean a very motivational man. I am also confident that Dean will motivate Kerry to take up some important issues. I feel Kerry will benefit greatly from meeting with Dean. And, I look forward to hearing more about their conversation.

[Guaranteed]

32. No, mz.

I'm a Dean supporter.

[slinkerwink]

23. Because he didn't take any shit from others, and because he was honest

I had the sense that he really meant what he said and believed in his message. That's what drew me to him.

[deutsey]

24. He stood up to Bush early on, criticized the invasion of Iraq,

energized people who felt alienated from the political process or never were involved before.

I also felt (and still do) that we need a large coalition (not just Democratic Party faithfuls) energized and participating in the process in order to beat Bush at the polls and to make certain Bush didn't steal the election again.

Dean was the only candidate that, for me, had the potential. I hope Kerry can do it, but I'm not seeing it right now. It's early though and maybe the convention will show Kerry as a true leader and uniter.

[RetroLounge]

25. He had a spine already

didn't need it transplanted for a primary.

[ibegurpard]

27. Here's my biggest one

He showed that it was possible to run a campaign by setting up networks for and appealing to everyday people instead of having to whore himself to lobbyists, K-Street politicos and corporate contributors.

[pacifictiger]

29. he intelligently

and succinctly explained why he took the positions he did. Was the only one to speak on the folly of unwise republican foreign policy from the iraq mess to central and south america starting in the 80s. Finally a politician with common sense. Reflects my values - fiscally wise, socially tolerant of others while at the same time insisting on accountability for actions.

[mzmolly]

30. I fully agree.

Very well said.

[unfrigginreal]

28. I still support him and it's all a matter of trust

After watching the Dems in congress over the last 3 years, he had the same awakening that I did. What the hell are we doing as Democrats? Why aren't we putting up anything except tepid opposition?

That's where the split still lies with some of us. The status quo group really does trust that Kerry will do the right things if elected. Some folks, like me feel that his recent history tells a different story.

[littlejoe]

48. Are you implying that Kerry is the same as Bush?

[NoPasaran]

31. Three things for me

1. He stood up and he fought. He was against the war in Iraq before that was popular. He was against Bush* before that was popular. If the other Democrats have stolen his ideas since then, I think that's great. People rarely steal bad ideas.

2. His goals actually seemed achievable. I part company with those who think that DK is really the ideal progressive voice because a lot of what he proposes seems like pie-in-the-sky malarky to me. Dean had plans behind his proposals and a record of actually accomplishing things as a governor.

3. He spoke to voters like they were adults. Sometimes that means telling people things they don't like. You want services? Then you have to pay taxes to fund them. And you southern rednecks---just what are you gaining by voting republican and perpetuating the cycle of pollution, bad health and bad schools that make each generation grow up as stupid and backward as the last?

When Howard Dean spoke, my lips moved. He was giving voice to my thoughts.

(edited for spelling)

[madfloridian]

33. Present tense....still do.

I said in a previous post that since everyone here was demanding loyalty or else, that my husband and I would vote for the nominee in November. However we will be working with various groups and for various candidates. Some of these will be part of the new Dean group being formed, and some will be part of others already formed.
We will support the DFA groups and these candidates and other groups with our activism and with our finances. We are running a candidate locally, and we will support him financially and actively. Financial support is a personal decision, and a private one.

We supported Dean from the beginning because he is wonderfully imperfect candidate. Sound silly? It shouldn't.

He caught our attention very early on with statements that no one else dared to make. He was adamant about Iraq being the result of Bush's wrongheadedness, and he had the guts to jump on the other Democrats who supported it.

All of this was at the same time that those of us at DU were discussing *the very same thing*..... that Bush was lying about the war. We were talking about and posting pictures of the anti-war protests that were being ignored basically by the media. I had the offices of two candidates tell me they monitored boards like DU.

We urged each other to call our congressmen and ask them to vote against the war. They voted for it mostly. Many here were furious, but they aren't anymore.

Then he started talking about other things, like breaking up the media congomerates. He spoke about the Medicare very clearly on TV, bringing out the horrible shortcomings which others never mentioned.

We support/supported him because he was not afraid to show his anger.

[Guaranteed]

34. Me too. nt

[earthsea wizard]

35. Biggest Reason - I Trusted Him To Speak Truthfully

even if it was unpleasant, unpopular, impolitic, or even damaging to his campaign.

With Dean, the truth came first, and I have never seen that in a politician before, at least never to that degree.

[Oreegone]

36. I don't care

Call me all your rude names....a Deanite,,,a Deaniac....what the fuck ever.....
I listened to CSPAN today and guess what? They said everything Dean said about how to fix NAFTA and WTO...if you don't get it......sorry......Dean is a real human being not an automoton.....bought and paid for. Everything he has said has suddenly become the mantra of the other candidates and now Kerry....KEEP HIM ON THE DEAN MESSAGE.....God Bless Dr. Dean....

[Zynx]

37. A spine of steel.

[pezcore64]

38. lol

I've never stopped supporting him!

[madfloridian]

39. His "What I want to Know" speech hooked us in last March.

What I Want to Know

SNIP...."What I want to know is what in the world so many Democrats are doing supporting the President's unilateral intervention in Iraq?

What I want to know is what in the world so many Democrats are doing supporting tax cuts, which have bankrupted this country and given us the largest deficit in the history of the United States?

What I want to know is why the Congress is fighting over the Patient's Bill of Rights? The Patient's Bill of Rights is a good bill, but not one more person gets health insurance and it's not 5 cents cheaper.

What I want to know is why the Democrats in Congress aren't standing up for us, joining every other industrialized country on the face of the Earth in providing health insurance for every man, woman and child in America.

What I want to know is why so many folks in Congress are voting for the President's Education Bill-"The No School Board Left Standing Bill"-the largest unfunded mandate in the history of our educational system!

As Paul Wellstone said-as Sheila Kuehl said when she endorsed me? I am Howard Dean, and I'm here to represent the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party...."

He totally caught the convention off guard, but there was a huge standing ovation anyway.

[tedoll78]

40. This might sound wierd: electability.

For one, his NRA grade would help in WV/MI/PA/MN, etc.

Two, his focus on balanced budgets..

And three (and my big reason for the electability argument): his claim that he was going to inundate the voting booths and caucuses with tons of people who are new to the process, and that if a mere 3 or 4 million show-up in 2004 who didn't in 2000, he'd win easily.

Well.. he miserably failed the "new voter theory" when Iowa and New Hampshire came around. Too bad.. I still think he would've been great.

But now, it's Kerry or bust! Losing is not an option.

[madfloridian]

41. Iowa voters later said in big numbers that they preferred Dean.....

but they had been led to believe he was unelectable. So they went with Kerry. How ironic. The power of ads and the media.

[Guaranteed]

42. Look, goddamnit. I AM a Dean supporter.

And, YES, I still am. I just used the past tense because he's out of the race now, for Christ's sake. Fuckin' A.

[madfloridian]

46. We know that you are.

:hi:

[Guaranteed]

53. Sorry...thanks...

Felt like I was being picked on.

I did post this as a response to mzmolly's thread...but I wanted to show that we have real reasons.

[REP]

43. I Admire Courage

He was brave enough to speak against the war when that wasn't a safe or popular thing to do.

He signed the Civil Unions legislation - not my big issue (I'm anti-all-marriage), but it took real guts (and was the right thing to do).

He had the stones to say that abortion is between a woman and her doctor and that government should stay the hell out, without any false handwringing. It's a medical issue, and he treated it as such.

I also really liked that his web pages dealing with women's issues dealt with women in their own right, and not just as mothers and wives. I think he has a true and sincere belief in women's rights as human rights. Not using his wife as a prop. but respecting her career and obligations is especially what made me believe that he gets it.

I think he's a smart, decent man and I hope he's around for a good, long time. I'll do what I can for the noiminee, and look forward to the next time I can be a Deaniac.

[Orangepeel]

44. primarily, because I thought he'd be an excellent president

He was an excellent governor with his priorities in the right place -- health care, balanced budgets, education, civil rights, etc.

As a candidate, he was on what I believed to be the right side of almost every issue, even when it wasn't the most popular position.

He was straightforward and spoke his mind, which I thought would play well with the electorate.

He excited new and disenfranchised voters, who I believe we will need to win.

[mandyky]

45. I still support Dean but what drew me to him was

his speech at the DNC Winter meeting and the feeling that I could trust him to do what he said he'd do. I am looking forward to March 18th when we find out the new goal for DFA.

[jansu]

47. Every post here has stated why I supported him except #13. Thread was

about Dead Supporters, why did you support him! Stay away if you are not answering the original thread!

[littlejoe]

50. A firebrand will probably never become elected to the

Presidency. Dean had some good messages, but given his demeanor, he was the wrong messenger for the country to get behind.

He had an extremely polarizing personality.

[w4rma]

51. President Harry Truman (n/t)

[madfloridian]

52. Like the resident of the WH?

Polarizing?