Dean Urges Dems to Stick to Convictions

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON - Howard Dean (news - web sites), with an eye on leading the Democratic Party in the wake of widespread election losses, said Wednesday that Democrats must campaign on their convictions and not give into the temptation to behave like Republicans.

"We cannot win by being Republican light," Dean said, repeating a line that helped make him a darling of the left in the early presidential race. "We've tried it, and it does not work."

Speaking to still-enthusiastic supporters at a George Washington University auditorium, the defeated presidential candidate ticked off a list of issues that he said Democrats should tout as moral values — health care, education, election reforms.
.......
But Dean said he rejects the philosophy that "if you don't beat them, then join them."

"When some people say that we should change direction, in essence they are arguing that our basic or guiding principles can be altered or modified," Dean said. "They cannot. On issue after issue, we are where majority of the American people are."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&ncid=696&e=3&u=/ap/20041208/ap_on_el_pr/democrats_dean

[madfloridian]

1. And to go with the story:

Former Vermont governor Howard Dean (news - web sites) smiles as he is introduced to a student audience at George Washington University, in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004. Once a frontrunner in the 2004 Democratic presidential primaries, Dean reflected on the Bush victory and the future of his party. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

[DFLforever]

11. Great picture of Dean

You should post a crushie alert.;)

[madfloridian]

19. LOL Do they lurk here?

:o

[Pirate Smile]

2. He says if he gets DNC chair he wouldn't run for Prez in 2008.

[madfloridian]

3. Well, he has to say that, they are making it prerequisite.

Frankly, I would rather he stay with DFA, work for the candidates, and build it as a base for 2008. But, who asked me?

[Eloriel]

14. Me too, but

he certainly made a persuasive case for himself today, didn't he? They'd be crazy (or self-defeating) not to take him, which gives me hope because they ARE crazy AND self-defeating. :evilgrin:

I rather like what some poster said on the Dean speech thread, basically (not these words) him continuing to build a shadow DNC via DFA.

[madfloridian]

18. That is my dream.

But nobody asked me. :evilgrin:

[itzamirakul]

4. I can't help but wonder why

Dean chose today, the day of the Congressional Hearing, to hold his press conference, instead of at least making an appearance at the Hearing. I have been very supportive of Dean over every other contender for the DNC Chair but I must admit that I find this very insulting.

[madfloridian]

6. This has been planned....he is booked at colleges for months

into next year.

Sorry to burst your bubble.

[itzamirakul]

13. I'm afraid I don't understand...

what bubble are you bursting?

Whether or not Dean was booked at a college, today was not exactly the day for this announcement. Did you read William Pitts report on the Congressional Hearings? It seems that not only didn't any Republicans find it important enought to attend, neither did any Democratic politicians of note. Kerry did not make an appearance, nor did Hillary.

This is just another way of the party showing the same complete disdain for the disenfranchisement of black voters that they did in 2000. It seems that the Party is far more interested in gaining the votes of some Republicans than showing at least a little respect to their base.

I have taken the time to encourage everyone to rally behind Dean for DNC Chair. But now I am beginning to ask myself why. He, nor Kerry, nor Hillary seems in the least concerned about a large segment of the Party's base.

[madfloridian]

17. This is just BS.

I don't care who the heck you rally around. It is not Dean's job. He is not in congress. He did his share on the elections much more than the others did.

He was at a college, where he was scheduled to speak. He is scheduled months ahead.

It is not his place to pick up the pieces of the election. He did his share, and he would be out of line doing it now. Where are the congressional Democrats?

[itzamirakul]

21. Well, the Democratic Party has all kinds of people

and you are one of them, I guess. My opinion is just as valid as yours is and I chose to state it. You think it is bs and that is your right. Too bad we have such a divergence of opinion, but there it is.

And you didn't burst any bubble of mine...you don't have the power to do that.

[DFLforever]

22. I hear what you're saying

but I think we should realize that when Kerry conceded the race he signaled to all other prominent Democrats and the DNC what he thought the appropriate response to the election results should be.

I wish the two events hadn't occurred simultaneously but I didn't expect him to cancel the speech to do what instead? attend the hearings which the ex-candidate himself didn't deign to attend?

[Seabiscuit]

5. GREAT Speech! Link to the full transcript:

http://www.blogforamerica.com/archives/005637.html#more

[mhr]

7. Is There A Video Of The Event Yet?

eom

[madfloridian]

8. C-Span 2 at 10:25 tonight.

They moved it from 10:05...so time is estimated.

[mhr]

9. Thanks!

eom

[mhr]

23. Looks Like C-SPAN Slipped The Schedule Again

eom

[roguevalley]

10. GO DEAN! GO! GO! GO!

RV, who just got her not me bracelet and plans to wear it to the grave. Hopefully in about fifty years. :+

[Voltaire99]

12. Good for Dean. But Dems need to discover convictions...

...before having any to stick to.

It's not enough to run a pro-war candidate who wants to cut corporate taxes and vows he'll even appoint anti-choice judges, like the wan and ineffectual Kerry.

We need a progressive future. Can the Democratic Party be saved in time to provide one?

[whalerider55]

24. lol

i'd like to discover some convictions...
rove, W, rumsfield; plame-gate, israeli-spy-gate, iraq-yellowcakegate, etc,

whalerider55

[DFLforever]

15. He sounds, or at least the article makes him sound, as if he feels he's

getting the support he need to get and do the job at the DNC.

Actually, how many options does the party have? it's the vision thing.He's got it and they need one if they're not to continue down their slippery slope.

I'm with you though, madfl. I hope Dean puts his energy where it can do the most good which in my opinion is DFA. Then if he choses to run for president again, he can do so without qualms.

[Rose Siding]

20. That is just the way I look at it

Now's not the time to be burning any bridges. In the DNC, even though he'd do lots of good, the constant power struggle would interfere with the kind of reform that DFA affords us.

[UTUSN]

16. Waal---------???? *I'm* a Dem, Have Been One for a LONG Time

what am I supposed to DO?????

[Seabiscuit]

25. Join Dean for America and put your principles to work.

[Piperay]

26. HURRAY for Dean

You tell em! :thumbsup:

[Vidar]

27. Give 'em hell, Howard!