Why Howard Dean is good for the Democratic Party

[Larkspur]

by David Sirota
http://www.workingforchange.com/blog/index.cfm?mode=entry&entry=4E3C8013-075E-2160-AF80AE6E8E674995

I've been closely observing Howard Dean for a lot longer than most national political watchers. I first ran into him when I worked for Vermont's Independent Congressman Bernie Sanders. There, I got a close-up look at his governing style. Then, like everyone else, I watched his run for President and DNC Chairman. I'll be really honest - for a long time, I had mixed feelings about him. For many reasons, I never really got on the Dean 2004 bandwagon, even though I was impressed with him in a lot of ways (I think it was mainly because I had trouble pinning him down ideologically). But in recent months, I really have been impressed with him. And after spending some time with him yesterday at the DNC's Western Caucus meetings here in Helena, I've decided my recent inklings about him really are valid. Dean, even with his minor imperfections, is very good for the national Democratic Party.
Dean governed Vermont as a moderate, but ran for President as a populist progressive - which tended to confuse me. But when his progressive message caused controversy and when the media pressure was on for him to abandon that message, he essentially stuck to his guns in trying to give voice to the progressive fight.

In doing so, of course, Democratic "centrists" viciously attacked him during the Presidential campaign (I put "centrists" in quotes because I think the term is a misnomer). And now, former GOP/Christian Coalition operatives like Marshall Wittman - who hilariously call themselves Democratic "centrists" and pretend to speak for Democrats - continue to underhandedly attack Dean even today. These "centrists" think they do themselves a favor with such disloyalty. But what they have actually done is unify a strong contingent of the Democratic base around Dean. For his part, Dean understands that these centrist elites will never be his base of support within the party (nor should a chairman want them to be). So he has a political incentive to stay on the populist progressive message as DNC Chairman. In other words, the grassroots and the progressive wing of the party have become crucial to his political career/survival - and that's who he is going to fight for. Say what you will about his transformation from governor to DNC Chairman, I'm glad he's on progressives' side.

Certainly, that is scary to the insulated Washington, D.C. Democratic establishment. For years, these insiders have been able to handpick chairmen to make sure the party doesn't move back to its grassroots, middle-class roots. That explains their anger at him, and their subsequent attacks.
<SNIP>

First and foremost, Dean's candor is a quality the Democrats need more of - how many polls do we have to see showing the public thinks Democrats stand for nothing? Secondly, the party is supposed to be a team. When top officials go to the media and attack their chairman, they do nothing but weaken the party as a whole. Can you imagine the Republicans ever doing such a thing? No, because they wouldn't. Finally, Democrats criticizing Dean for being too tough on the Republicans seem to forget that, in some ways, that's a DNC Chairman's role. Sure, some of his comments weren't perfect. But one of the chairman's key jobs is to put the wood to the GOP in a way that elected officials can't.

Again, Dean's not a perfect person (is anyone?) - and he's got a long path ahead of him in his new job. But all in all, he was a damn good choice for DNC Chairman. He seems to understand his limits and understand regional sensitivities both to his own image, and that of the national Democratic Party. Most importantly, he - more than anyone else - can re-open the party to its own grassroots, and help project a new image of conviction that Democrats desperately need. That can be nothing but good in the long run for a Democratic Party that has become all too dominated by insulated elites.

[pocket]

1. Dean needs to run again in 08

he has my vote (again)

[FreedomAngel82]

3. Me too but he said he wasn't

since he's chairman. So that kinda sucks. I think he's the perfect person for the chairmanship. He doesn't take any bs from the press. Sure, he has some imperfections (like his republican comment should be a bit more clear he means the leadership and not general people) but he's good at what he does. I have heard a lot of success with DFA and I like how he's going around all over the country and not just a couple states during campaign season. It's always campaign season now. :) I like his passion with what he's doing (no matter what it is) and I like how he gets people fired up and wanting to get involved. That's what we need. People caring and doing something about everything.

[UrbScotty]

5. You know, George H.W. was RNC Chair before becoming President

It can happen with Dean. If not in 2008, then later.

[candy331]

10. Either Dean or some one very close to his stance. I think by the time

08 comes around it will be a new day. Former Dem apologists need not apply for the position because frankly I don't see them gaining traction. Mind you some serious things will be taking place very soon as people awake to find that they have been sold a bill of goods.I believe the people will be in the streets before 08 demanding heads.

[Maat]

2. Thanks for posting this. I think that David expressed it well.

I want my daughter to know why I fought for Howard Dean to be Chairman. This lays it out well.

[Proud_Lefty]

7. Hi Maat

:hi: I miss you.

[Maat]

8. Hey, Proud_Lefty! I'll have to write you an e-mail.

I'm in the middle of intense bar study (Cal-Bar-Exam).

I'm going to e-mail you, because we have to talk about how my participation in DFA is probably going to drop off intensely for the next 1-1/2 months.

Sorry I have not been as communicative as I should be.

I get the e-mails, and enjoy them.

I'm sorry if I've been a bad friend. I'll be a good one in 1-1/2 months, exactly.

Take care!

[Pacifist Patriot]

9. I agree.

I'm going to be saving this one.

[byronius]

4. I absolutely agree. I had abandoned all hope for the DNC

because of their immobility on the Election Fraud issue. But Howard Dean makes me think someone's awake at the wheel.

[Warpy]

6. People out west are impressed with pols who say what they mean

and mean what they say, which is why so many have been suckers for the incredibly wrong headed Fuckwit. Wimps who walk around with their fingers in the air to see which way the wind is blowing won't get anywhere west of the Mississippi. Neither will people who think this country is composed of yuppies.

Even though the eastern establishment (which I know well as an ex Bostonian) cringes every time Dean opens his mouth, it's playing very well out west.

Give 'em hell, Howard! It's WAY overdue.

[stickdog]

11. Dean says SOMETHING almost every time he opens his mouth.

What a refreshing change from most of our Democratic "leaders".

[quaker bill]

12. I like it:

"Dean's candor is a quality the Democrats need more of - how many polls do we have to see showing the public thinks Democrats stand for nothing?"

Well said.