Howard Dean has started the party change already...regardless of outcome.

[madfloridian]

No matter how the race for the chair of the party turns out, the change has already occurred. If he does not get it, he can still use DFA as a voice of opposition and unofficial party watchdog.

There is a new attention to the process of choosing the chair, a new attention to the policies, processes, and ideology of the party.

There is a huge attention to the "people", the grassroots, at least temporarily.

There is an examination of what each candidate stands for, a spotlight is being put on their past voting records and political stances.

I rather doubt there would be this much attention if such a controversial figure were not running. So again, thank you Howard Dean for being a catalyst.

[buddysmellgood]

1. I agree. I didn't vote for Dean in the primary. But I am behind him now.

The idea that his support didn't dry up and go away is impressive. He took his grassroots movement and is growing and reforming. Democracy for American is a real force. If it keeps growing and forcing change, it may have to be renamed...perhaps the Democracy National Committee.

[ooglymoogly]

6. i'm for that

if they put some good ol boy in there im for a new dnc with dean in charge

[MAlibdem]

35. ditto...

I never thought of him as a Presidential candidate. He's a fighter though, and a damned good one. We need him as such, a field marshall, unifying us and pointing us in the same direction.

[janx]

2. He's not so controversial now, apparently--

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0116-01.htm

''Well, he is talking to me aggressively, and I am listening," Kennedy said by telephone from Washington of the only spark plug in last year's Democratic presidential primaries. He is not ready to embrace a candidate to be chosen next month by the 447 voting members of the Democratic National Committee, but ''I won't be part of any 'Stop Dean' movement," Kennedy said.

[madfloridian]

3. Very nice.

:hi:

[Missy Vixen]

7. Awwww!

Flowers and a kiss from a little girl!

Julie

[janx]

10. Elshiva posted it in the DFA group.

I just copied it. (I don't know where Elshiva found it!)

[madfloridian]

9. Baby kisses politician. LOL

Love that pic.

[Cheswick2.0]

15. Good article and great picture

That pic is so cute.

[Cha]

27. I Jealous of that

Baby! :hug:

[NYCGirl]

4. True. Few would be paying attention if he wasn't in the race. NT

[Pam-Moby]

5. Dean rocks n/t

[laugle]

24. Gore Rocks

[Cheswick2.0]

25. They both rock and happily they are friends

[JaneQPublic]

26. Yep. After all, Gore backed Dean in the Dem primaries

[Southsideirish]

8. His integrity and honesty just shine right through the usual political b.s

[Obviousman]

11. He's our answer to Barry Goldwater

It may take a while, but he put it in action.

[s-cubed]

12. There's another change which I give Dean credit for:

some dems have gotten some spine! Barbars Boxer, Rep. Conyers and the 32 others, the dems in the senate who at least spoke in favor of election reform, and Ted Kennedy's recent speech. Maybe some of them are learning that appeasement gets you nowhere.

[madfloridian]

21. I agree.

I think he just kept on talking out, and others joined in.

[madfloridian]

13. He posted a nice tribute to MLK at the blog today.

http://www.blogforamerica.com/archives/005814.html

Monday, January 17, 2005
The Legacy of Dr. King
On Monday, January 17th, we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Facing obstacles that would have deterred most of us, Dr. King fought tirelessly for what he believed in.

On the eve of the second inauguration of an Administration that has promoted the interests of the privileged few at the expense of most Americans, it is more critical than ever that we follow Dr. King's example.

Like Martin Luther King, Jr., we must also have the courage of our convictions. We must stand up and vigorously defend our beliefs. We must start framing the debate and setting the agenda. And we should not hesitate to call for reform—reform that will benefit all Americans, not just a privileged few.

Posted by Howard Dean at 11:57 AM
He links to King's speech.
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/Ihaveadream.htm

[Cha]

28. Beautiful tribute to Martin Luther King!

"Like Martin Luther King, Jr., we must also have the courage of our convictions. We must stand up and vigorously defend our beliefs. We must start framing the debate and setting the agenda. And we should not hesitate to call for reform—reform that will benefit all Americans, not just a privileged few."

[lojasmo]

14. Kick so I can find this later

I agree with the last poster. Much of the speaking out that is now going on in the party hasn't been evident for years. I credit Doctor Dean, in part, for healing the party of the illness it has contracted.

Great picture...that's going on my HD when I get home.

[madfloridian]

16. Nice graphic at blog for DNC chair.

[ClarkUSA]

17. Nice thread, madfloridian

Sweet picture.

[Cronus Protagonist]

18. True dat

And he needs to be in charge, not just as a catalyst.




http://brainbuttons.com/home.asp?stashid=13
Buttons for brainy people - educate your local freepers today!

[KittyWampus]

19. Now Here's A Perfectly Nice Pro-Dean Thread I Can Agree With

:)

[moggie12]

20. I agree. I was once dead-set against Dean for DNC Chair,

but I have seen the light. Nothing but good can come out of a grassroots movement to bring the Democratic Party back to its populist economic roots.

Edited to fix typo.

[Cha]

29. Welcome abroad the

LightShip! :toast:

[GreenPartyVoter]

22. Agreed

-------------------------------------
Would Jesus love a liberal? You bet!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/

[graywarrior]

23. I'm doe with the democrats if Dean doesn't get in.

[Cha]

30. I look at it this way..

If Dean doesn't get The Chair.. then better were meant to happen for him and us.

[buddysmellgood]

31. Oh come on. Look at it this way. If he doesn't get the chair, we can put

him in the Whitehouse in 08.

[DFLforever]

32. Exactly!

I won't weep if he doesn't get DNC chair. It'll be the Democratic party's loss not Dean's. There will be all the more energy and commitment at DFA.

[buddysmellgood]

33. You know, this is exactly what people are missing when they wonder

whether Howard is the right person for the DNC. It's not about Howard, it's about what he has accomplished. Howard alone would be just fine, but he's started a movement and has people energized and involved. This is the key. Howard makes people feel like they have a seat at the table.

[janx]

34. That's what democracy and Howard Dean were all about

in the first place,

and that's why he said that he was from the democratic wing

of the Democratic party.