Howard Dean on Democratic Strategy (NPR/Morning Addition)

[Up2Late]

(Warning: Interviewer is Steve Inskeep, my least favorite NPR interviewer, who grew up in Carmel, Indiana, a wealthy northern suburb of Indianapolis.)

Howard Dean on Democratic Strategy

Listen to this story...(at link above)

Morning Edition, January 31, 2006 · Steve Inskeep speaks to
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean
about his party's strategy to win back Congress in
fall elections. Dean says his party has learned from
the Republicans to maintain a unified message and an
aggressive defense.

<http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5180068>

[sui generis]

1. really?

"Dean says his party has learned from
the Republicans to maintain a unified message and an
aggressive defense."



Fool me once, er, twice, er, all the time. What was I saying?

I love Dean but I have this to say: we may "win Congress back" but that doesn't mean our ugly stepchildren dinos still won't be voting like republicans. So what's the point Howard?

[Danieljay]

2. You got THAT right....Dems need a unified message.... n/t

[ginnyinWI]

4. so you agree that we need a unified message--

but you come on here and bash the DNC chairman, at the same time offering no constructive advice???

[sui generis]

6. take up reading as a hobby

it will help you avoid accusing me of bashing Dean.

really.

because I didn't. try again. (sound of foot tapping impatiently)

Edited to magnanimously, and with deepest humility graciously accept your breathtakingly modest apology, however silently uttered. :hi:

I love Dean! It's all good.

[ginnyinWI]

13. okay--

I just wanted to put in a good word for Dem unity. We need more of it. :)

[thebigidea]

21. or condescension as a career.

[sui generis]

22. here's a big idea

When somebody posts something, say, a personal opinion, without attacking anyone, then if you feel compelled to reply, address the issue instead of issuing a judgement.

That was patronizing, actually, for your information, as well as a statement of my value system.

I never snark unless snarked at first. That was just information, neither patronizing nor condescending.

[Teaser]

5. Matters less

Because the ugly step children dinos will get their free votes, but the agenda will be controlled by the core Democrats (Durbin, Pelosi, etc).

More Democrats = DINOS matter less.

[sui generis]

7. so the message is, vote for Core democrats

I'll agree to that completely, just as soon as people stop saying that Lierberman is a core democrat.

Seriously, I get what Dean is saying. I'm just still steamed from coming to the realization that on every single issue in the past six years that has mattered to me, I have seen enough Democrats cross party lines and vote to support the president and his party. With the exception of temporarily preventing the permanence of the Patriot Act – I can’t think of one single thing that would have been decided any differently in the House or the Senate over the past six years than it would have been if there had been a 100% majority of Republicans.

[GemMom]

19. Lieberman

Something I really don't understand is..... why Lieberman made it onto the ticket in the 2004 election? He had known moderate voting tendencies all along, yet the Dems supported him like crazy.

[SharonAnn]

25. Trying to overcome the "morals" issue after Clinton impeachment

[Danieljay]

3. He's right, my message to the Democratic Party --> "It takes a spine"

The Republicans don't go around bashing each other's approach to politics and come together as a united front against democrats, liberals, and progressives who show little or NO cohesiveness, are divided amongst themselves, and attack each other as much as they do the opponant.

Until the Democratic party can grow a unifed spine, stop dividing themselves among their pet issues, and confront the right wing machine head on there is little hope to turn this thing around.

Yes, I've said this before on other posts for those that remember.

[Wordie]

12. Better: --> It takes unity.

You mentioned that in your post, but really, the spine part that you're looking for may be only possible if there is unity.

The Alito cloture vote, although unsuccessful in achieving it's aims, may be the first glimmer of hope for the unity that we need. Oh, I know that there were DINOS who voted "Yes," but look at it the other way around, and you see a courageous group of Dem leaders, joining together to do the right thing. It may be the turning point we have been longing for.

[wordpix]

14. you are right and our unified message should be: Throw the rascals OUT!

Don't you think that's one thing we can agree on?

Also:

Energy independence and jobs through biofuels, renewable resources (NOT nuke power)

Health care, education and the environment

[Not_So_Right_Wing]

28. EXACTLY!!!

When we stand up we win, when we lay down we lose. We can't be republican-lite

Given the choice between a republican and a republican, the voters will always pick the republican...

[londondem]

8. Howard is correct, but

rank-and-file Dems need to do their part for HIM - DNC has only $5.5 million in bank vs. $35 million for ReThugs - much more cash needed to capitalize on current US discontent in mid-term elections

[Kolesar]

10. Hi

Welcome to our forum. We have a cycling group here, too.

[PVK]

15. Yes. People need to give to the DNC to grow the power of the base.

Howard is and always has been a proponent of grassroots democracy and candidates funded by same.

[VegasWolf]

9. Isn't "Democratic Strategy" or "Democratic leaders" an oxymoron?

:sarcasm:

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

11. "Democratic" and "Strategy" aren't going together too well

these days.

I would prefer to have the words "kowtow" and "surrender without a fight" used when referring to the DNC.

[Silver_Baron]

16. If he is really serious he needs to tone down two areas

He has to tone down the super PRO support of gay rights and anti-gun rights.

It makes the middle road American extremely nervous talking about these issues. It costs in VOTES and VOTES Dean cannot afford to lose.

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[janx]

23. When has Dean ever promoted anti-gun rights?

?

As for PRO support of gays, the Dem party (and Dean in particular) looks at the matter as a simple civil rights case.

[arikara]

26. In other words

become more like a republican, right?

[leesa]

17. Funny. Might want to let the anti-democratic Party, the DLC, in on that.

[Voltaire99]

20. Unfied...as in the Alito filibuster?

Or unified...as in the votes for war and thePatriot Act?

Unity's overrated. Direction is what the party needs: as in 180 degrees in reverse of its present appeasement.

[The Stranger]

24. NPR (Neocon Public Relations)'s Inskeep interrupted Dean REPEATEDLY,

and he never interrupts ANYONE in his interviews.

Incredible.

[zann725]

27. Much as I like Dean, this is far more than a "day short" & "dollar short"

n/t