Your position on Dean and who you supported in the 2004 primary.

[MoonRiver]

There seems to be a growing assumption that only people who supported Dean in the primary are upset about the attacks on him now. I disagree because I supported Clark but am mad as hell about what's going on now. I can tell you that if the Democratic leaders run off this man I will not consider myself a Democrat any more. His nomination as party chair brought me back from the brink of that decision after the latest election fiasco in November. Anyway, I'd be interested in learning how the rest of you line up on this issue.

p.s. I know many of you will object to the word "attacks". Well, that's what I think is going on, but if you want to post something else, choose "other" and elaborate.

[Old and In the Way]

1. Kerry Supporter, but support Gov. Dean 110%

Give 'em hell Howard!

[blm]

20. Same here. Dean is being targeted with lies and spin just as Kerry was and

WE have to do what we can to expose the media's reliance on GOP operation talking points.

They'll do it to every Dem who sticks their neck out, and there are no exceptions to the rule, no matter what anyone wants to believe about THEIR candidate of choice.

[Lexingtonian]

49. count me that way too. n/t

[LittleClarkie]

2. I'm more upset that we are letting the media divide us again

through their faulty reporting of these incidences. Cherry picking at it's worst.

I'm not upset about criticisms of Dean. That's their opinion. He's not being attacked, shived, bashed or the like. He's being criticized. There is a difference.

[mahina]

13. Exactly, me too, we need another category.

I've written letters complaining about the hostile interviews and selective insignificant quotes repeated over and over, but I am not upset, I know he can handle it, and it's our responsibility to move the MSM.

I did work for Dean, and I do love the guy.

[LittleClarkie]

33. I was a nominal Clarkie, ended up loving Kerry

but I fully support my DNC Chairman.

[janx]

16. Dean knew what the media would do with it.

He knows what he's doing. Wait and watch.

[SCDem]

3. I have been and always will be a Dean Democrat

but I don't see what is going on as attacks. The word 'attack' to me implies that Dean has been harmed in all of this.

I think he is doing a great job of staying on message. Do I think he means to make these "inflammatory" comments? I don't know but the MSM is not attacking him.... they're trying to bait it as an attack maybe and gotcha.

But Dean is the man and handling all of this wonderfully.

[hippiechick]

4. Dean supporter then, Dean supporter now.

Bring it. The good Dr will hand 'em all their asses, and that's just what Washington DC needs, IMO.

[William769]

5. I supported Wesley Clark

But I support Dean 100% in his new post.

[cajones_II]

31. So did I

and this spin job they are trying on Dean just reeks to high heaven

[howmad1]

52. Right on,

could not have said it better.

[jsw_81]

6. Kerry supporter, very upset with Dean's rampant stupidity

Dean has got to be one of the worst politicians I've ever seen. First he blows huge leads in Iowa/New Hampshire, squanders $50 million, loses every single primary and caucus save Vermont, humiliates himself on television and now this, a seemingly unending parade of gaffes and bizarre statements when he's supposed to be leading a national party.

Please governor, go back to Vermont already!

[Cha]

9. Someone's not doing their

homework..and listening to the reichwing media too damn much.

[bbgrunt]

29. kerry and the rest of the tutu's don't seem to be very effective

Dean is just telling the truth. How did you feel about Galloway?

The MSM and establishment corporate Dems have always feared Dean because he stands up to them. Seems you might be better direct your anger at the DLC and how they have become the "stand for nothing" party.

[AntiCoup2K4]

34. Thanks for your predicitable DLC bootlicking response!

...as always :hi:

[jsw_81]

53. Thanks for your loony left-wing nutcase response

As always. :eyes:

[AntiCoup2K4]

54. If supporting the only LEADER this party has had in recent years......

.....makes me "loony" then bring on the straitjacket. At least my cell will be comfortable and padded. Unlike the one you'll end up in if the DLC gets away with throwing 2006 and 2008.

[second edition]

7. I supported someone else and I'm not thrilled !

I am not thrilled with Dean's recent comments. Sure, criticize the Repubs, but attack what they stand for (corporate over people) and how they hurt the average person.I supported Dean as chairman and I like his enthusiasm. I'm just not happy with his current choice of one liners.

[PassingFair]

36. The media creates the "one liners"

by taking him out of context. So be it. As long as he gets airtime to put said "one liners" back into context, viva le "gaffes"!

[WLKjr]

8. Is this the "let's get kicked in the bawls and like it" thread?

not to start a flame war but I am going to say it again.

I am glad Howard is speaking his mind, he seems to be the only DNC chair we have had in a while that is not a wimp.

I personally am sick of getting kicked around all the damn time like a dog and trying to learn to live with it. I am not saying everyone has to like his comments, but don't try to shut him up.

Enough is enough and I am not going to play fair with liars anymore!
DSM was the last straw.



Now to go and dawn my flame retardent underwear :D

[Cha]

10. Let me be the first to

congratulate you on a fine post! :toast:

[MoonRiver]

12. No flames from me!

I want to try and set the record straight, if that can ever be done lol, about there being a lot more people than just "Dean supporters" who don't like the gang up on him that's happening.

[mdelaguna2000]

11. oops

Sorry, I voted for the wrong one, I supported someone else and AM upset with the attacks. Oops voted for the opposite, I thought you were asking if we were upset or not upset with Dean's critiques of the GOP, so I voted as if to say I am not upset with what Dean said.

Lo siento. DUH. Duct tape applied.

[MoonRiver]

18. Oh well. We'll just adjust the totals in our minds.

I edited the poll to hopefully clarify the categories. I was worried that they might be confusing.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

14. Clark supporter, love Dean as DNC chair.

Dean kicks ass, and I hope he keeps telling it like it is. I'm totally steamed at the pink-tutu "Democrats" who have been criticizing him.

[BattyDem]

15. Dean supporter from day one!

And yes, I'm well aware that he's more of a moderate than a liberal. I don't agree with him on everything, but I love the fact that he stands up for what he believes in and he's not afraid to speak his mind. Also, he's not afraid to change his mind if the facts change or if more information becomes available. He thinks with his brain not his ideology.

[pocket]

17. Deaniac here

Dean is the future of the party!

[TahitiNut]

19. I'm not upset with the attacks ...

... since every time Dean's remarks are brought up, the people again hear "Bush is a LIAR!" and "the Republican Party is fucking America."

Over and over and over again. As far as I'm concerned, Dean should say "Bring 'em on!" and keep repeating the truth: "The Bush Adminstration are war criminals."

I couldn't give a rat's ass about attacks on Dean as long as the message is repeated in the media.

[MoonRiver]

21. It would be nice though, if we didn't have to listen to our Dem leaders

contradicting his messages on national television!

[Tom Rinaldo]

22. Dean has my full support

I voted for Clark in 2004 and would like to again in 2008. Dean is my Chair and I'm glad of it.

I will say that I am willing to for now forgive a few poorly chosen comments from a few National Democrats regarding things that Dean has said, if they clean up their act in the future. We haven't had a Party Chair like Dean before, in my memory anyway. He may take a little getting used to for some elected officials who are used to having the spotlight almost exclusively on themselves. OK, so start getting used to it. They don't have to fall all over themselves approving of each and every thing Dean says, we are Democrats not Republicans afterall, but they don't have to undermine Dean either. And I am sure Dean is sensible enough to know that he needs to stay in touch with other party leaders and work out some potential problems behind the scenes also.

[HullBoss]

23. I like Howard Dean

and appreciate that he speaks his mind. I didn't support anyone in particular in the primaries. I was prepared to back whichever candidate the party put up -- ABB.

Blue_In_AK

[bullimiami]

24. other. i was a dean supporter but am not surprised or upset over the

attacks.

it is a given. expected.

[MoonRiver]

27. I don't understand why it was a given that Dem leaders would try

to undermine our own chairman? I was actually expecting cooperation! Am I crazy or is this Wonderland? :crazy:

[theboss]

25. Edwards supporter...not enjoying our march to permanent minority

I don't know what Dean is trying to do.

This Ann Coutleresque, never-ending stream of red meat for the radicals is not going to get us anywhere.

I'd like Dean's plan to rebuild the party in the South and Plains.

But he can send all the money and strategists he wants to West Virginia and it won't do a damn bit of good if the voters think he is attacking white Christians.

[Awsi Dooger]

45. I'll just echo every word

I supported Edwards and I wish he had been harsher on Dean. Again, perception equals reality and I guarantee more Southerners are hearing snippets than the full dialogue. We're probably 1% worse off in the South than before Dean opened his scattergun mouth.

[LoZoccolo]

26. Other.

I was a Dean supporter and am not so sensitive that I would call them "attacks".

[FrenchieCat]

28. well....

I supported another and find all at fault in this episode....including our f*cked media.

Dean is great, and will not be cowed; but he must choose his words very carefully. The media is waiting to pounce on him at any and every opportunity.

Our Democrats must choose their words very carefully as well....otherwise, they are playing into the media's trap.

As the minority party, all we have is unity. Take that away from us, and we are truly nothing.

In standing together we provide each other strength; divided we will fail!

We can only show backbone by praticing Reagan's 11th commandment--Democrats must defend Democrats or just plain "zip it"!

[smartvoter]

30. Was for Kerry. But in complete support of Dean here. nt

[GreenArrow]

32. Loose lips

sink ships.

[Dinger]

35. I Supported Wesley Clark, and This Dean Attack By The "MSM" Pisses Me Off

way off. They did it to Dean first, and then to Clark. It makes me sick.

[MoonRiver]

38. I'm really impressed with how so many Clark supporters are with Dean

on this. Jmo, of course, but I bet the General is outraged too. :grouphug:

edit: Clarkies aren't the only ones supporting Dean here. I just relate a little more closely to them.

[CarolNYC]

40. I voted 3

I supported someone else and am thoroughly distressed by all of this, including a lot of what's gone on here since Sunday. Really, we need to settle diffrences behind closed doors. Everyone doesn't have to agree with everyone else on everything. This isn't about walking in lockstep. It's about supporting each other in public. I wish these people would quit thinking so much about themselves and start worrying about us, the party, the country.

And I think, yes, from hearing the General speak passionately about the need for Democrats to support each other, I can't imagine this whole thing thrills him much either. :(

Oh, and I think Dean's doing a fine job as Chair.

[AntiCoup2K4]

44. I'm not surprised at all, really.

Clarkies & Deaniacs have certainly had differences around here. But one thing I think we have in common is being sick of the way the party "establishment" does things (or doesn't, as is often the case)

As far as the General goes, I'm curious as to what he would have to say on this. Has he made any comment at all?

[MoonRiver]

48. I agree about us wanting to change the corrupt status quo.

And I'd like to hear from the General also. I think he'll say something if this thing gets really out of control. He and Dean have always gotten along and been friendly, to the best of my knowledge.

[prvet]

37. I'm a Clark Supporter, totally support Dean as DNC Chair

I think Dean is the right man at the right time to be DNC chair.
Fratricide will get us nowhere.

[benevolent dictator]

39. I voted Kucinich in the primaries but love Dean. nt

[ArtVandaley]

41. Dean's current job is a perfect fit.

These stories are not a big deal at all. I doubt anybody other than political junkies has even heard of them, or for that matter most probably don't even know that Dean is the DNC chair.
We need to stop focussing on them, because we're just giving unimportant stories some sort of importance.

In the primaries, I liked Dean a lot but didn't think he was presidential material. I actually said once that I thought he'd be better has the head of DNC. I say we keep him there and just ignore the right on this one

[chieftain]

42. I don't like it when Rush and his ilk talk in general and

disparaging terms about Liberals and Democrats. I feel the same way when our folks attack the rank and file of the Republican Party with overly broad slurs. I know a lot of hard working people who voted for W but couuld side with us next time. It does not help to have our Chairman sounding as if he thinks he is on talk radio and then spending the next few days explaining what he meant.

[eridani]

43. Kucinich supporter, though I always liked "You have the power"

It was Kucinich who said more specifically what we might want to do with our power.

That said, I think that Dean was far and away the best choice for chair. His presidential platform may not have been all that progressive, but his ideas on how the party should operate certainly are.

I don't mind at all when he attacks Repubs. Criticising Dean? I do it myself when I think its warranted, but never, ever the kind of criticism that essentially translates as STFU. To me, what Dems are supposed to be about is promoting a vigorous public sphere were everything is fair game for dispute. The Repubs think that the public sphere should be privatized.

[Tommymac]

46. ABBD Supporter then...But Now, Don't mess with Dean!!!!

I liked Clark, Edwards, then Kerry in that order...worked my butt off for Kerry from April on. I was never really hot for Dean...my wife was...I will be the first to admit we made a mistake in not supporting him in the primaries. Better to go down with some spine and a bit of brimstone than with a whimper like the Party did in December.

Above all I want the party to have a spine...we need to fight fire with fire just to take the middle ground back from the Clownitty's, O'Foullies and Slimbaughs of this country.

Joe and Jane Sixpack won't pay attention any other way.

Go Howard...you finally are getting them to pay attention...as was said in another thread, in two weeks the average slob won't remember who said this, but they will remember the Repugs=White Christians remark...because it is true and they just needed reminding in a way they can relate too. (Maybe we should make a video of the 04 Repug convention with Gov Deans remarks being voiced over it again and again...)

[liberaliraqvet26]

47. I WAS FOR THE GOOD GENERAL CLARK

And still am. I wouldn't mind seeing Dean lay low for a few weeks till all this blows over.

[Robeson]

50. Dean supporter then. Dean supporter now.

[election_2004]

51. I was ABL (Anybody But Lieberman)

Throughout the primaries, I was torn between Kerry and Dean.

When my primary finally arrived, I ended up voting for Dean, largely because he signed the Vermont civil unions bill.

[demwing]

55. Dean Supporter, Not Upset

I thinkit's planned.

Dean lobs the bombs, camera turns towards him, he speaks some truth.

Meanwhile, other Dems get to refute the bombs.

I mean really, isn't it a great opportunity for a Dem to talk about how hard working Republicans are, and how they get screwed by the party they vote for?

That's a sweet setup.

Its a plan. A pretty good plan, too.