Republicans believe Dean can win next November.

[Padraig18]

Why Dean can win next November

11/09/03

DAVID REINHARD

Let us not be fooled by misguided conventional wisdom. Dean is a threat and Republicans better not ignore him."

The latest press release from the "Dean for President" campaign? Fresh political insight from the lefties at The Nation magazine? Michael Moore or Al Franken's recent rantings?

No, this is the considered judgment of two respected Republican pollsters -- Bob Moore and Hans Kaiser -- from Portland's Moore Information. Their Oct. 6 memo should be a welcome read (www.moore-info.com) when Dean visits here Tuesday.

"Howard Dean can win because he believes in what he is saying, because he can semi-legitimately spin his record as governor into one of fiscal conservatism, and because he comes across as if he actually cares about people . . ." they wrote, continuing a bit later: "The difference between Howard Dean and the rest of the Democratic candidates is that Dean comes across as a true believer to the base but he will not appear threatening to folks in the middle."

<snip>

"Dean's appeal is closer to Ronald Reagan's than any other Democrat running today. . . . The Democratic party used to chuckle about Reagan and his gaffes, which they believed would marginalize him to the far-right dustbin of history. But when his opponents tried to attack him for some of his more outlandish statements, the folks in the middle simply ignored them. Voters . . . looked to the bigger picture, where they saw a man of conviction who cared about them and had solutions for their problems."

....

More: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/david_reinhard/index.ssf?/base/editorial/106829671744920.xml

[Rowdyboy]

1. He makes some excellent points...

While Rove etc will paint Dean as a hopeless leftist, they'll do the same thing to whoever we nominate-probably including Lieberman. Calling Dems leftists and promoting tax cuts are the twin mantras of the Republican party.

Good link...Thanks.

[Padraig18]

3. YW!

We have to get over this 'Rove will paint (fill in candidate's name) as a leftist; he's gonna do that no matter what. Our job is to pick the strongest candidate, and I believe that is either Dean or Clark, and preferably both. :)

[Feanorcurufinwe]

2. Dean's appeal is closer to Ronald Reagan's than any other Democrat running

Impossible to argue with that statement.

[Padraig18]

4. Yes.

It is-- his appeal, not his politics.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

5. LOL

yeah, it must be his folksy charm.




Or maybe it has to do with the fact that just like Reagan, Dean is a complete phony that is presenting a false image.

[Padraig18]

6. At least you used the uncropped photo

He must have some sort of appeal, or he wouldn't have been elected 5 times as governor of a NE Democratic state, now would he? :eyes:

You just don't get it, do you? You don't even understand that America is angry, and that a candidate who's also angry has wide appeal.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

8. You can see CMB laughing at Dean behind his back in this one.

I think it shows a more complete picture.

I 'get it'. My brother lives in Vermont. We just had an interesting email exchange about politics. He is someone who yes, voted for both Dean and Reagan. And Dole. And Bush I. And Bush II.

Yes Reagan and Dean have wide appeal. But we can do better.

[Padraig18]

9. In the literal sense...

... she is laughing behind his back. Ever occur to you that she might have thought it funny? Do you *know* what Dean was saying?

Your attempts to smear Dean are transparent, and no one's buying them, except a few other Kerry supporters...

[mzmolly]

18. Yea, and there are a few less Kerry supporters every day...

Heh...

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

16. More on that NE Democratic state:

Congressional contingent-

Patrick Leahy.
Jim Jeffords (this is as far right as you can go in Vermont)
And Bernie "Freaking" Sanders.


Every time you hear how Dean "worked with and compromised to the conservatives in Vermont," remember that the conservatives in Vermont are liberals/centrists in other states.

[Northwind]

17. "You just don't get it, do you?"

So I am not the only one who keeps finding myself saying the to Kerry-oids!

[Padraig18]

7. kick

:dem:

[Padraig18]

10. Kick

[helleborient]

11. Kick (n/t)

[Padraig18]

12. Evening-shift kick

:dem:

[Padraig18]

13. And another...

Guess this doesn't fit with the "Republicans secretly want Dean" meme currently in vogue... LOL!

:P

[w4rma]

14. Republican campaigner for 2 Bushes backs Dean

By ANNE SAUNDERS The Associated Press

Concord--Democrat Howard Dean's stance against the war in Iraq has brought him supporters from across party lines in New Hampshire.

Hilary Cleveland of New London, wife of the late congressman James Cleveland, and a prominent campaigner for both President Bushes, is helping organize a Republicans-for-Dean movement.

Dean announced the names of 40 Republicans who will serve on a steering committee. Cleveland says she's been a lifelong Republican, but will switch her party registration to independent so she can vote for Dean in the primary.

Cleveland was the New London co-chair for George W. Bush’s 2000 campaign and was the state finance chair Bush’s father in 1980.

"I have been disappointed in the Bush Administrations policies in Iraq, and Former Gov. Dean has best articulated why we should not have gone to war in Iraq. I like his emphasis on the importance of internationalism and his fiscal program," Cleveland said.

“I’m a moderate Republican and moderate Republicans did stress the need for international involvement in Iraq, and moderate Republicans have always spoken out for fiscal integrity,” she said.
…
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/Main.asp?SectionID=25&SubSectionID=354&ArticleID=89839

…
Republican political consultant David M. Carney, who ran Bob Dole's 1996 New Hampshire campaign and was White House political director in the presidential administration of George H.W. Bush, said Dean is a candidate “our party needs to take seriously.”

“I think Howard Dean is our biggest threat,” Carney said, adding that Senate and House members running for the Democratic nomination could be more “target rich” because they have cast hundreds of votes on controversial issues that could be used against them.

“He's a governor who for 11 years balanced budgets; there are a lot of businesses in Vermont who considered him a pro-business governor; he's got a 100 percent rating with the {National Rifle Association},” Carney said. “There's a passion there that's really scary. He could ignite people who haven't participated in the process. … He's certainly beatable on his positions, but I don't think many people think it's a slam dunk. I don't know anyone lately {who} thinks that.”
http://www.post-gazette.com/election/20030907targetdean0907p2.asp

[Padraig18]

15. Excellent links!

Thanks! :hi: