I heard Howard Dean's voice for the first time yesterday.

[ozymandius]

This probably deserves an explaination. I do not own a TV and my radio listening is often relegated to the afternoon public radio music/news programs. So much of what I have learned about Howard Dean has been either hearsay, transcription or campaign literature.

I will refrain from comparing his mental acuity as a carbon copy of Carter and Clinton. Each is a species of animal quite distinct from any other. Also note that disparaging one candidate in favor of another is a rediculous exercise and a waste of bandwidth and time. My point is not to proselytize. My point is to express characteristics of Howard Dean that were unknown to me before this "political portrait" assembled by NPR's Linda Wertheimer.

My first impression is that the man is quick. Nimbly eloquent and self-effacing regarding his tempestuous off-the-cuff remarks, he sounds authentic. The allure of the candidate is understandable in the way he presents himself as a disembodied voice. He sounds like a man who has nothing to lose. Not even afraid to lose. Conversely, he sounds like a man who desperately wants to win; genuine, unscripted, yet in control.

Should Dean win the nomination, I look forward to the prospect of live debates with Bush when two distinctly desperate IQs would debate without a script. The verbal acuity of the man is so refreshingly agile, as opposed to the stilted simple sound-bites of that other guy.

On a grander scale, sheer verbal ability among the field of Democratic candidates is on our side. If the rest of the candidates articulate the issues as well as Howard Dean does, I imagine a debate nightmare for the Republican candidate.

[Brucey]

1. Yes, a debate between Chimpy and Dean would be fun

for us. But after the debate it would be sheer horror to listen to the talking heads tell us how the chimp won the debate, then a group of uneducated, uninformed 'Merikans with no opinions or thoughts would tell us how much they liked what shrubby said, etc. etc. etc. Gasp, I don't think I can take it again!

[Orangepeel]

4. Well, you better get prepared...

that's going to happen no matter who * is "debating"

[ozymandius]

5. I forgot to mention the word 'pathetic'.

As this would no doubt be that case. Bush had an advantage in the 200 campaign in that he was an unknown quantity campaigning for what he proposed to do with his presidency. Now, he must be answerable to what he has done during his term. Now, let's compare what has transpired with his inability to nuance one tiny bit.

[caledesi]

24. Exactly.

The Dems have so much ammo to use against him.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

2. He's not afraid to lose

and that scares me.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

6. Don't be frightened!

He won't.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

Sorry but my fears of Dean have driven me to Kerry.

well to be honest, I've always felt safest with Kerry. Dean has so many unknowns.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

14. Fair enough.

[ozymandius]

15. Each candidate has unknowns.

I just find it so refreshing to hear a candidate who doesn't sound like a made-for-TV movie.

[Eloriel]

27. Your comments remind me of a post to his blog a while back

which I found funny and poignant all at once:

Lori, September 4, 2003
I got interested in Howard Dean one day many months ago when I was half watching a televised candidate forum, half reading the newspaper. Blah blah blah blah blah blah came from the TV. Then, all of a sudden, I heard a voice answering "no, and here's why not ...." I nearly fell off the couch! I looked up, and it was Howard Dean. I'd never heard a politician just answer the goddam question before. They all seem to just launch into their favorite spiels -- maybe somewhere in there is an answer, but by the time they get to it we're all asleep.

---

He is refreshing.

You ought to check the Official Blog and read some of the comments now and then. They're very inspirational. Sometimes funny as hell. Real people. Also very refreshing.

Eloriel

[ozymandius]

29. Thank you. I will. And a question.

I guess the first step is to spend less time here. About the bogs - how much commentary is provided by Dean?

As I am limited in my media scope (sans TV), there remains an enigmatic aura around him - as there is around so many of the candidates. I cruise by each website; peruse the FAQ; perform litmus tests in these boards. Still, there's so much I do not know in order to make a fair assessment of each candidate's pluses and minuses.

[MODemocrat]

33. Dean never ceases to fascinate me

with his quick responses, and his intellect. I'd personally love to have him for my family doctor because he has such a positive attitude.:bounce: :bounce: :eyes:

[tsipple]

25. Safe Won't Win

Michael Dukakis was safe. As it happens, he's from Massachusetts as well, but that wasn't my point.

[clar]

7. I'm pretty sure

the reference was to the nomination process. And Dean very much believes he can win it all. I still have my doubts, but I honestly believe he'll do better against bush than Kerry. Kerry's too reflective, too subtle for the American appetite. He's also too patrician. I like all those qualities about him, but I think they make him unelectable. The trouble he's currently having connecting to the dem base doesn't bode well. If he can demonstrate- or Clark - that he has what it takes. I'll vote for him happily. And it can't just be because Clark or Dean implodes and he gets the votes by default. I want to see a vigorous hard fought (and clean as possible) primary season. May the best man (wish I could say or woman) win.

[tsipple]

17. With All Due Respect to Kerry

This campaign has also unearthed a kind of "sense of entitlement" side to him that I don't find appealing. Whether he actually feels this way or not, I have no idea. But some of his recent statements seem to indicate that he doesn't understand why voters don't automatically flock to him, the Vietnam war hero with the impeccable record of public service. (And he is all that, and I respect him immensely.)

You certainly have to have some ego to run for president, and they all do. But just because you like you doesn't mean other people will follow. He needs to get past the "How dare they consider someone else?" crap. (This is a very common and very human reaction to being #1 all your life and suddenly discovering that you ran into a situation where you may not be.)

That said, while Kerry is not my first choice, I think he's learning from this experience. Running for president isn't simply about determining the fattest or most distinguished resume. (Bob Graham would rival Kerry in that, actually.) It's much more. It's about exciting people, communicating effectively and simply, and setting a vision for where the country ought to go. I think Kerry is figuring that out, and he just might turn the corner.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

36. You are absolutely right on every point you make here

Kerry is suddenly under the gun (not a new spot for him in every sense of the word) when he least expected it. Because he has been here before, we will now see the best in him.
Remember: Clinton went through the same crucible in the weeks before NH culminating (climaxing? heh...) in the Gennifer Flowers scandal.
Clinton emerged from that as the comeback kid, finishing an unexpectedly strong 2nd to Tsongas, and then rolling on to Super Tuesday (the southern set-up) and then later to knock out Brown and Tsongas in the NY primary.

[artr2]

9. Being afraid to lose

would make him timid and afraid to talk. Think of this as a positive!

[tsipple]

16. If You're Afraid to Lose...

...That's the surest way to actually lose.

Unseating a sitting president, even a bad one, is hard. You have to take risks. You have to be willing to experiment. You have to innovate.

To pick a fairly recent example, Michael Dukakis coasted after his convention, figuring with a 17 point lead he should play it safe. Bad idea. I would argue that Bill Clinton had that fearlessness, and it served him well, obviously.

[KaraokeKarlton]

20. That lack of fear is exactly what is going to make him win

He's doing far better then the cautious ones. That's no coincidence. People love honesty, directness and a "real" person to listen to because they make things interesting.

[ozymandius]

22. Bush is afraid to lose.

That scares me. Bush is a man who is willing to say whatever anyone wants to hear in order to get elected. This brings to mind the old saying - "Life is pain. Anyone who tells you differently is selling something."

What is any candidate selling who is willing to speak honestly and openly?

On the other hand, is there a candidate who parses like Bush? I would be wary of anyone who does.

[clar]

3. Thanks for your post

I enjoyed it. I too listened to the radio program, and thought Dean was both engaging and engage. No doubt about it, he's a bright guy.
And as you said, we're fortunate to have so many intelligent, verbal candidates.

[liberalnurse]

10. I have seen him 4 times in person.

since May. Each time was empowering. I new then that he was going to take the lead and I would not get the opportunity to access him so easily by fall.

I was right...:)

[opstachuck]

8. what about interviews and speeches on the internet?

that's where i've learned the most about him. in particular, these two interviews got my blood pumping, both an hour long...

http://www.onpointradio.org/shows/2002/07/20020703_a_main.asp

http://archive.webactive.com/radionation/rn20030312.html

[ozymandius]

19. Unfortunately

I am dealing with a little ol' dialup connection. I can read the transcripts in less time than it would take to download.

[liberalmuse]

11. I don't own a tv, either

The first time I saw/heard Dean speak was on a video at a meet-up. I was very impressed at his sharpness, sincerity, and passion--it really comes across in his speaking. I didn't notice the 'stiffness' that others so often point out, because that was overshadowed by the way he was trying to get his point across succinctly. I'm so impressed with this guy, even after reading countless derogatory articles, some dating back to the 90's, because even in those, I see his honesty and desire to do what's right, even though sometimes it may be the wrong thing, but unlike Bush, this man has humility and is willing to change when/if proven wrong.

[Eloriel]

28. He has been a little (or even a lot) stiff in

some debates and also some interviews. Those just aren't his best venue. Put him in front of a crowd and he's WOW. However, he was much better in the last debate (CBC I think), and I'm sure he'll get even better as time goes on.

You know, even so there are worse things than being a little stiff.

Eloriel

[FlaGranny]

12. I would also enjoy that debate,

or a debate with any of our candidates and the resident, but I doubt * would participate if he didn't know the questions ahead of time, so he could get weeks to practice his answers. Of course, no matter how much he practices, he still comes across as a dope.

I'd really like to see a real debate, where the candidates just get together and actually debate issues. * would be so lost, we'd have to send out the National Guard to find him.

[JNelson6563]

13. Nice assessment Ozy

I see your clear vision goes far beyond the markets. No surprise here, my fellow marketeer. Hope you're having a good weekend dear! :hi:

Julie

[ozymandius]

18. Thank you.

Have a great weekend Julie!

[bitchkitty]

21. Dean vs. Chimpie -

that will sell a lot of tickets, haha.

[ozymandius]

23. I would wait in line for hours to see that contest.

I have never seen Bush express any thought concerning anything benevolent that was not haltingly and stutteringly spoken. He appears to thrive on condemning people, threatening them with fire from the skies if they invoke his wrath. Then he will speak with absolute clarity.

In a presidential debate, Bush will be called upon to offer a plan to ameliorate the troubles afflicting the American people. With regards to rampant unemployment: I only picture him smiling as he proposes that they enlist with the armed forces so that they can get their ass shot off in some oil-drenched war.

[LWolf]

26. After watching/listening to them all a few times,

I think I can say that 9 of the current 10 would shred bush like toilet paper.

I know that the bush day care corp will have him ready. They'll have picked their spin. But they can't actually do the speaking for him yet, and 9/10 of our candidates can take him.

[ozymandius]

30. Odd one out?

Who is the weakest?

[MODemocrat]

31. I believe that Bush will be given loaded questions in a debate

His handlers know that he cannot answer a question without a prompt.
However, if they did have a fair debate, there isn't one Democrat who couldn't whip his "royal _ss".

[Dr Fate]

32. Rove will only let Chimpy do one debate...

...and it will be extremely conditional...

the media will cover for him being "too busy"...dont expect a lot of comentary on Bush's refusal to debate either...as a result, most Murkans will not even notice...

Bush will do one and only one debate, I'd put money on it...

[zeemike]

34. I would bet that you are right

[Evanstondem]

35. I don't think W can get away with one debate

unless he was way ahead in the polls. A lot of voters -- I hope -- would consider ducking multiple debates to be a sign of weakness. I think it's hurting Arnold in California and his opposition is much weaker than our Presidential candidate will be.