HOWARD DEAN SPEAKS FOR ME

[UDenver20]

Just wanted to throw out an unsolicited show of support for my boy Howard Dean and his 50-State Strategy. Bout frigging time that we brought the fight to them.

That is all.

As you were.

[yurbud]

1. I thought you were talking about his unqualified support for Israel

but I do support his 50 state strategy.

[On the Road]

2. Sigh -- I Know, Dean Doesn't Speak for Me on That Particular Issue

although it's hard to find a lot of politicians who do.

[Warpy]

3. I think he misspoke, too

but yes, he speaks for me. And yes, Maliki is a Jew hater, it is foolish to expect any Arab in the region to be anything else, especially now.

His strategy is brilliant. Give people a stake in their party and they'll be tireless workers. The DLC strategy of telling people to write a check and run along did nothing but reduce support for the party.

Now if he can only manage to back non DLC candidates who will give working people some hope for a better future, the party will be unstoppable.

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

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[bigtree]

5. I don't think it's smart to be so strident about the Malaki thing*

there are those who hold positions opposite to his who are stalwart supporters in the party. I don't see the point in risking a split off in this type of election where the base is everything. Risking turning off voters from the polls seems foolhardy. I think he could have been more tactful in his response to Maliki.

I think it remains to be seen how wise it was to come out this strong in favor of Israel's assault on Lebanon. Developments could turn public opinion around in an instant.

edit to reflect the op

[UDenver20]

6. Granted...

But I'll take Howard Dean over Terry McAuliffe any day. Or any of the other ya-hoos we had as chairmen in the last three decades.

I'll take his fundraising. www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/11/14/125530/33 and www.democrats.org/democracybonds.html
I'll take his grass-roots organizing. www.democrats.org/a/party/a_50_state_strategy/
I'll also take his vision for the party. www.democrats.org/agenda.html

I highly doubt there is anyone out there who could meet all of our criteria for perfection. But Dean comes pretty darn close to mine.

He's doing exactly what Democrats haven't done in years.

1. Fought at the local level.
2. Fundraised outside the beltway.
3. Established a consistent message.

He also manages to take stands on issues, something that I thought went out of style in our party (along with Vertebrae) long ago (with, perhaps, a few exceptions).

Leading means taking those stands, which results pissing people off from time to time (and as Dean has proven, sticking his foot in his mouth occasionally as well). For example, I wasn't very keen on his 700-club statement about the DNC's position on marriage.
But playing to win means going with your best possible bet to get the most you possibly can.

People love to complain about the Democrats. From the inside and from the outside. I figure that all that complaining makes it harder to lead a party, and that showing support makes it easier. I make it a point to make sure my negative feedback is (privately) heard by picking up the phone or sending an email and that my positive feedback is (publicly) heard as loudly as possible. I'm crazy like that.

Do I agree with 100% of what he says/does - probably not. But am I damn glad that there's someone at least trying to LEAD a FIGHT on EVERY LEVEL? You better believe it.

[Upfront]

7. No one

will agree with anyone all the time if they have a brain. I do agree with Dean most times. He is doing a great job.