Howard Dean speaks in Detroit: reformism without reform

[Karmadillo]

Not that everyone here will agree with the sentiments expresed in the article (yes, it comes from a website that adocates--gasp--socialism), but it does present a perspective somewhat different from the usual CNN analysis of the Democratic candidates. Given our lack of success in combatting the United States' continued drift to the right, we might want to at least consider whether the party needs to be more forceful in presenting an alternative to a government of the corporations, by the corporations, for the corporations.

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/jan2004/dean-j12.shtml

Howard Dean, the leading contender for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, made a campaign stop in Detroit December 29 to outline his proposals to address the social crisis in America’s cities. The event, billed by the Dean campaign as a major policy initiative, received considerable local and national media attention, including coverage by the Washington Post.

Politically telling was the presence of certain people at the event and the absence of others. The bitter divisions within the Democratic Party over Dean’s candidacy—and in particular his criticism of Bush’s launching of the war in Iraq—were reflected in the virtual boycott of the event by the local Democratic establishment. Noticeably absent were Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, members of the city council and other local Democratic insiders and powerbrokers, including officials from the Detroit-based United Auto Workers union.

The only prominent Democrat present was Congressman John Conyers, a longtime leader of the Congressional Black Caucus, who officially endorsed Dean’s bid for the nomination at the end of the meeting. In an oblique reference to the venomous attacks against Dean launched by Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry and his other rivals, Conyers appealed for a “fair exchange of views” among the candidates who, he said, represented “every viewpoint in the Democratic compass.”

The meeting was primarily a stage-managed media event. Little was done to attract ordinary working people from Detroit—one of the poorest urban centers in America—or even college students, despite the widespread antiwar sentiment on the campuses. No questions were permitted from the audience and once Dean’s speech was finished he posed for a series of photographs with Conyers and other supporters and then was whisked away by his campaign handlers.

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Edit: Tried to save face by deleting grammar flubs left by last minute pre-posting revisions.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

1. Massive photo op

:puke:

[ThirdWheelLegend]

2. Working people smerking people... who needs em!

This isn't about the people! This is about politics! Stop trying to care about real issues.

TWL