Dean's Controversial Quotes

[rucky]

One pattern that seems to be emerging from Dean's campaign is the controversy that arisies from some key quotes he makes. The most famous examples are his Confederate Flag line, and his answer about LIHOP (to a DU caller). The other pattern emerging is the ease with which Dean critics seem to be able to take quotes & interpret them in a way much different from how the Dean supporters read it.

Justified or not. Deliberate or not. This seems to be Dean's achilles heel... or is it a strength of his?

The Poll question relates to Dean's care that he puts in his words. Some of the arguments I've heard regarding these quotes:

Dean is deliberate with his words - his strategy being to provoke discussion that will keep him in control of the issues, and get out a message in an impactful way.

Dean he makes good points, but he uses language that - when taken on it's own as a soundbite - can be easily twisted or misunderstood. The media & his critics are making a bigger deal out of this than Dean deserves. You could do the thing same to anybody who goes on the record about virtually anything.

Dean makes fatal blunders & deserves all of the criticism he gets - which happens waaaay too often for my taste.

[KissMyAsscroft]

1. Everytime he "blunders"

He gets half a million in donatins that day.

Blunder on!

Looking at Bush I think the AMerican public likes fuck ups...(just kidding...)

[BurtWorm]

2. It's reminiscent of Gore's "exaggerations"

It would be an interesting experiment to aim this tactic against Bush and really distort his words into blatant expressions of insanity.

[helleborient]

3. Looks like flame bait to me...no voting here...

Shameful continued attempts to divide...back to real-world politics where those with powerful reputations for political honesty like Sen. Paul Simon endorse Howard Dean.

[rucky]

4. The division is already there

I'm making an attempt to get to the root of it. It's a problem we have to face.

For the record: I'm undecided between Dean, Clark, Kerry & Kucinich. On the poll, I chose option #2. This (and the merits of all the said candidates) is the only issue that keeps me from throwing my total support to Dean.

[helleborient]

5. What is the point of the poll?

The division is already there...you pinpointed comments...what else is this telling you?

[rucky]

6. I'd like to hear some general discussion...

about the PATTERN... instead of having what amounts to the same debate every time Dean opens his mouth.

[eileen_d]

7. You mean you want to have an objective discussion about Dean?

Perish the thought! <faints>

[Scott Lee]

8. "Objective" = "Let's slime Dean" in too many minds these days

at least here on DU. But hey, I'll bite....what would you ob-ject-ive-ly like to discuss about Howard Dean?

[rucky]

9. How did you vote, Scott?

If it's B or C, what should/could Dean do to fix the problem? Do you slime the slimers & stay with the message? Do you change the message to appease the slimers?

If it's A, then how well would you assess the strategy to be working? What could/should Dean do to maximize the positive effects of his statements & minimize the negative reprucussions?

This is not a trick question. You can turn this into a positive thread if you want.

[Atlant]

10. But then there'd just be the one anti-Dean thread...

> I'd like to hear some general discussion about the PATTERN... instead
> of having what amounts to the same debate every time Dean opens his mouth.

But then there'd just be the one anti-Dean thread on this topic
instead of the dozens or hundreds that are possible using the
current discussion method. :-)

Unfortunately, character assassination isn't restricted to Republicans.

Atlant

[helleborient]

11. It seems his campaign is combating this well...no one else comes close

Dean's campaign continues to be the ONLY campaign to show any serious upward movement since October.

Why should he change anything about the approach?

[Padraig18]

12. And you have identified the TRUE 'sore spot', my friend!

All of this faux outrage about Dean is little more than expressions of frustration from the other campaigns. if they were leading, instead of trailing, you'd never hear a peep out of them about Gov. Dean's 'verbal blunders'--- take it to the bank.

[rucky]

13. It doesn't seem he needs to at the moment.

I like the fact that Dean's not afraid to stir the pot. I guess I just fear that polarizing effect it has will last longer than the surges of support he gets every time there's a controversy - and his message will be lost.

Half of me wants to play it safe & fears that Dean is creating baggage for himself in the primary that he'll have to confront again in the general election - and the fact that the Repugs need only to quote Dean's Democratic critics to do their battle. (I blame the critics for this - not Dean. But the seeds have already been planted for the potential damage that has yet to be done.

Another part of me wants this fierce battle to happen. I know that if Dean gets the nomination, it will be nasty vs. *. But it's a battle that needs to be fought. And once all the Democrats get behind Dean, it is winnable. The risks are higher, but the potential reward is greater than bringing in a "bandaid" candidate who may run a safer campaign, but avoid issues that need to be discussed, like classism (confederate flag) & transparency in Government (LIHOP).