the more I see the tape of Dean, the more I like it

[maggrwaggr]

I almost never come to this forum, but I did last night to get the latest on the Iowa caucuses.

Anyway, they keep showing the Dean tape over and over and I have to say that I found it disconcereting at first -- mainly because the tone of it seemed so completely unexpected for a guy who'd suffered a stunning setback -- the more i see it, the more I like it.

The guy looks like a real human being up there. He looks like he's enjoying himself. He looks like he doesn't really care if people don't like his enthusiasm, he's just going for it.

To me, it's quintessential Dean, and that is he tells it like it is, and if you don't like it, well don't vote for him.

Just my opinion. Wondering if anyone else felt the same way. Anyone else like his performance the more they see it?

[cthrumatrix]

1. it is growing on people....NH will be the test ...how has the media

affected them or not....the polls are too tight.

We don't need "bush lite" or another "middle of the road candidate"...it might work out just fine.

He's human...he was pupmed...and yes he was "out there".

[MercutioATC]

2. Agreed. The voice is hoarse, but the energy is pure Dean.

The odd scream can be a little strange until you realize the hoarse energy behind it. As far as I'm concerned, I laughed about it (good-naturedly) last night and he laughed about it today. I like the fact that he's a person, not some groomed talking head.

Of course the 3rd place finish was a disappointment, but we have 49 states to go (and we DID finish #1 in D.C.). After the initial funk, I'm happy with the overall outcome.

It's sometimes difficult to keep a reasonable perspective...this contest didn't go as we'd hoped, but there are plenty more opportinities...

[maggrwaggr]

3. Gephardt won Iowa in 88

I'll say no more

[progressivebydesign]

28. Agree.. the voice was hoarse.

I noticed that. Unfortunately it gave him a Jack Nicholson thing.. that was actually funny. I didn't cringe seeing it. We do have 49 states to go. This is not an end, it's a beginning. The media is so wrapped up in trying to prove that their mean stories about Dean being angry and gaffe-prone are right, that they bit into this with all their might.. with help from Rove & Co. talking points.

With all respect to Edwards (cuz he's my second choice right now), I think his win was a bit of a fluke. The movement in those wacky caucuses between Kucinich and even Gephardt people gave him second place. Funny.. I like some of his message, but I prefer Dean's high energy and passion!! I'm not worried.

Anyone but Bush.. that's my mindset.

[Cleita]

4. Me, I sent him money this morning and

a thumbsup. For all the whiners about their declawed pussy Democratic leaders, I say Dean is going to stand up to the whole country, and if they have any sense they aren't going to be giving out any more talking points to the Repuke media. Tucker Carlson went on a diatribe of adjectives this afternoon on Crossfire, which he had picked off of this site criticizing Dean's speech almost word for word. So good work Democrats. Just because he isn't your candidate, do you really want four more years of the Bushler?

[creativelcro]

17. me too.... Sent Dean money because I felt bad...

[earthside]

5. Sorry

Dean is done ... the more I have watched the tape of Dean gutterally yelling out those states ... the queasier I get.

It is fine to look like a real "human being" --- but we are electing a president. That Dean up there was not acting like a president. Temperament is important ... and Dean blew it on Modgay night.

[Cleita]

6. I guess incoherent mumblings about evel, er evil

Aarabs is more your cup of tea? Welcome to DU.

[HuckleB]

9. Surprises are in store.

The more I see it, the more I don't get anyone feeling queasy, but nonetheless. Most people are seeing it after they hear it's so bad, and they're going "What's the big deal?" This is going to help Dean, if anything.

[progressivebydesign]

26. You may be right..

I noticed that his website recorded a MASSIVE jump in new Dean signups... like over 6 thousand since yesterday afternoon.

[KaraokeKarlton]

18. Modgay night? Is that when all the gay moderators log in at once?

n/t

[Guaranteed]

7. He's a real leader.

I'm proud to be a Dean supporter.

[LuminousX]

11. I wholeheartedly agree

and I give you a Dean yell of approval!

YEEAAGH!!

[Guaranteed]

20. YEAAAAGHHHH!!!

:toast:

[Lisa0825]

8. I was there, about 10 feet from him

and you are SO right! he was having the time of his life! and I feel certain that the energy of the crowd was a big part of it. We walked in with mixed feelings due to the early results, but as we talked amongst ourselves, we weiged the positives and negatives, planned for future action, analyzed strategies, and hugged friends.

Quickly, we were chanting and stomping for his presence, and Harkin (as usual) totally FIRED UP the crowd. we were going NUTS when he came out! we worked our butts off for him and for OUR campagin, and we were ecstatic about seeing our candidate.

It was apparent from halfway through his speech that he was losing his voice a bit, and since our crowd was SOOOO loud and enthusiastic, he had to really yell to hear himself on the monitors.

It was really a moving way to end the week. We all vowed to keep up the good work, and keep in touch with the friends we saw, new and old.

It was a very hig hintensity, emotional, motivating experience.

[Lugnut]

12. Oh, man!

I would've loved to have been there to witness that energy and passion in person!

[Lisa0825]

15. It was a really beautiful thing...

Being at one of his rallies is always inspirational... and I give half the credit to him, and the rest to US, because he just seems to thrive on what we give him. The more we respond, the more he gives back. But last night was really, really special. It was total optimism, gratitude, and determination.

[robsul82]

10. I LOVE that Goddamned speech, I honestly do.

I'm sorry, but I think it rocks and speaks to ALL of us as people - not just Democratic stalwarts, but people who voted Bush and are thinking, "What the HELL have I gotten into?"

Later.

RJS

[David Zephyr]

30. And I Love That GD Speech, Too!

:thumbsup:

[clarknyc]

13. That speech was fine with me

I finally saw the whole thing this morning. It was just a rally cry for the campaigners to keep up the energy and not lose hope. All I can say is there was a lot of manufactured outrage over it.

[LuminousX]

16. They had to talk about something

Kerry wasn't generating much excitement (In Kerry's defense, he had just recovered his voice... he couldn't have YEEEAAGH! even if he wanted to.)

Let's face it, he did what a leader had to do. His supporters busted their asses in Iowa and they were feeling a bit dejected, feeling out of sorts as the reality of the moment set in. Dean needed to re-energize them.

[KaraokeKarlton]

21. Oh the media is just pissed Dean didn't cry in his teacup

They are used to the kind of candidates that let this silly shit affect them. Dean doesn't play by "their" rules. Since he didn't act all sad and forlorn and let them talk about that they are just trying to twist his optimism into something else. It's ignorant and just plain dumb. Poor pitiful media doesn't have a demoralized Dean to talk about so they make shit up. Typical.

[bermudat]

14. I don't see why the whoremedia is making such a big deal

about Dean's speech when he came in third. He is a leader and he has to keep his troops pumped up. The Democratic presidential campaign isn't won on one state. Everyone settle down and take a big breath, and stop letting the media manipulate you.

[The Traveler]

19. A Clark guy sez ... you guys are right

Glad to hear at least some people aren't buying into it. OK ... I don't think it was great for his image but for the press to present this as a show stopper is making a tempest in a teacup. Like, what's the big deal? My first reaction, to be honest, was "that was almost manic" ... but on reflection I think it says something positive about the guy that he can summon up that much energy and enthusiasm in the face of disappointment and lend that to his supporters. Was it excessive? Well, yeah, probably ... but no harm no foul. The press coverage of it, on the other hand, is way, way over the top. If it was Bush instead of Dean in that situation, they'd have been complimenting his character and forcefulness.


Respects,

robg

[copithorne]

23. Two sides

In terms of Howard Dean as a person, there's no problem with it at all. I don't have any judgments about it.

In 1972 Ed Muskie 'cried' in New Hampshire. Maybe he didn't even cry. Maybe he just got some snow in his eye. And so what if he did cry? I don't have any problem with a man crying. Do you?

Still, it ended his chance to win the presidency.

[progressivebydesign]

24. Robg, you're awesome!!

Thanks for your post from the perspective of a Clark supporter. Dean has been much-maligned, even here.. in Democrat-land. So great to see rationality!! I agree.. it was way over hyped by the media, as if it was their way of saying, "see, we were right! He's angry! We're freakin' geniuses to have told you that before!!".

He smiled at the end, because he was not angry. He was letting off steam from a year of campaigning as a front-runner, seeing his lead disappear after being ridiculed in the press repeatedly, and reacting to the fact that he mobilized thousands to caucus, and they chose someone else when the moment came to choose.

You're totally right. If it was Bush, they'd be falling all over themselves at his fiery, independent, Texan ways.

[drfemoe]

35. Hey, yeah ..

I didn't get to see the first *crazy* part until today.. saw the last part 2x last night. The cspan version had a much better sound quality than the one I heard today. CNN seemed to have the sound mixed in a way that brought out more shrill... but no matter.

What it made me think of today, the *really wild scary* part that I read so much about last night, was the B*** aircraft carrier STRUT.
Not because that's what Dean did, but because that's what B*** did for himself to promote his neverland, to misrepresent his credentials and to mislead the American public, and hopefully the world stage, if possible.

That WAS NOT was Dean did. He was Pumped because he came in THIRD PLACE IN IA. (I read a DK supporter say, he wished DK had come in third.. perspective on ya.) He was shouting for the People who want to live in a free democracy. He was cheering US on. He wasn't parading himself around like a Chief Executive Officer of the World .. NO WAY. He is just the embodiment for we, the People who want to throw gw out of town. WOOOHOOO .. If we can't get excited about that prospect, I have to ask, why the hell not? Dancing in the streets!!

I'm glad I read all the horrified posts, some were kinda funny, last night. It made him sound like he was having convulsions and stuttering gibberish. Someone even said, he is 'speaking in tongues'. Hey, if he is filled with the holy ghost of Democracy and ALL that it represents, WE MIGHT just have the Fire we need to cleanse the evil presence that conspires to deny us our birthrights as Americans. Shout and roll, baby ;)

[progressivebydesign]

22. An interesting take on the speech..

Now.. My stepdaughter, in junior high school, likes Dean.. as do we. She had heard none of the overreaction by some media people to Dean's speech last night. I saw it, though it was sort of funny, and rousing, and I knew he had no voice left. If another candidate had done the same exact thing.. no one would have said a word against it. They would have said he was "plucky!".

So.. My stepdaughter had heard nothing of the speech, nor anyone's reaction to it. At school, on Channel One, they watched the speech. She said how much a lot of the kids liked it, and the Dean kids were like "YAY!!!" They loved the energy and the fact that he was smiling and having fun with it. Without the media to tell them what to think about it.. they GOT IT!!! They made up their own mind. Dean is once again being marginalized and beat up by the media.. and others who bought into the unfair characterization of him by the media. It's much like Al Gore during the last election.. the media portrayed him as a liar. He wasn't. It was proven over and over. Yet.. because that was put into people's minds, any time he said anything that was questionable.. then he was seen as "lying" again. I mourn for the days of real journalism.

[Anwen]

27. That is so cool...

I also thought the speech was funny and rousing... and was honestly SHOCKED by the horrible negative reactions by the media. I'm about ready to never turn on CNN again. We should all mourn for the days of REAL journalism...

[Anwen]

25. I love it!

It gave me a good chuckle last night. And it had me laughing again today. And tonight I'm damn proud he gave that speech.

Frankly, I am shocked at how people are reacting to that speech...saying he was full of "rage" and out of control. I didn't see it that way at all. I'm sure he was relieved that the Iowa Caucus was behind him and was getting his supporters pumped up for the New Hampshire primaries... it shows that he is human. Passionate.

Quintessential Dean :-)

[fabius]

29. If you saw the whole thing, he's laughing

and having a good time.

Usual press baloney. Let's see how everybody else holds up under all the attacks that are soon to come.

Well, if the press is determined to torpedo Dean, we have some other strong contenders. Another reason why I think it's good to have a long, contested primary. Keeping your options open and keep the press and the Rove machine guessing as long as possible.

[Tactical Progressive]

31. I'm solidly Clark from way back

Last night's Iowa closeout speech is the first time I fully got the Dean appeal. He has two sides, but mostly he shows the really smart, analytical side. I think he's as intelligent as Wes. The other side came through in that speech, and I found it to be passion and drive, not anger and rage as the media whores are working overtime to tag him with. Charlie Rose was getting a woody asking his guests if Dean was as bizarre and insane and frightening as he said the entire Washington community was buzzing about today. Once the corpo-slut journalists start cackling in unison I know instinctively now that a Dem is being slimed just because they can.

And that's the message to other Dems: it won't be 'rage' but the media will aggressively propagate whatever the right wing gives them to throw at your candidate. I can think of nasty and debilitating caricatures for any of the candidates or their issues, and the media will push them hard. And don't think you can do anything like that in reverse. The media won't let you throw anything at Bush. He can steal an election, he can leave America unprotected against attack, he can trip the economy on its face with discredited economics and he can blatantly lie us into a war, and they will ridicule you just for trying to talk about any of it. They will protect Bush.

While on the other hand they do to your candidate what they did to Gore. They took Gore's Boy Scout reality and turned that around into him being an insidious, pathalogical liar. They're taking Dean's passion and turning it into rage. No Dem should help them do this just because it puts your guy up a bit.

The best thing Democrats can do is to turn this back around into the media's face where it belongs, by ridiculing the corporate pundits who attack anybody that questions Bush or Republicans. Mock them for the right-wing flaks that they have become. Dean himself should say something like "Washington reporters like to label people who criticize Bush as angry. Well sorry, but we're not going to stop criticizing this president just because the media doesn't like it." Right back at them. Make a point about the media to all Dems and to the broader electorate too.

All Democratic supporters should do this for all Democratic candidates. Like a team. Like a unit. What a Clark supporter does for Dean today, a Dean supporter can do for Kerry tomorrow and later a Kerry for Clark. When it comes from another candidate's supporter it has the added weight of a degree of objectivity. Knocking the media down is of more use to all Democrats than Dems attacking each other will ever be. It should be a part of every single dialog. That's what the right wing did for twenty years. Protecting Democrats and Democratic issues from the media's purposeful distortion, like they are doing to Dean now, should be all of our responsibility.

[Cheswick2.0]

32. As usual the outrage about Dean is mostly manufactured

It is an effective tactic used by the right all the time.

[Cascadian]

33. I actually like it too!

I am more amused by it then anything. He showing he has energy instead of being a robot. He is charging up the crowd like this. I want to see more of this in candidates. I love it!


This should be the Dean battle cry! YEEEAAAGH!!!



John

[REP]

34. So That Was The Speech!

I finally saw it, and didn't realize at first that was thespeech. I kept waiting to see an unhinged Dean, but didn't catch it. If anything, there was the frazzled emotions of weeks of tension, but that came across as positive and undeterred. Maybe I'm just hopelessly lost to the Dean campaign. No wait - I think he should have answered Colbert's question of "What does the cow say?" with "Moo" instead of a thoughtful answer on feedlots, but he did smile and laugh!