Tomorrow, no matter what, it will be a Dean victory

[Jersey Devil]

I've been saying this all along. No matter who gets the nomination we Democrats owe a heap of thanks to Dr Dean for waking up our party. But for Howard Dean I shudder to think they would still be dancing in their tutus for Bush and kissing his ring at every opportunity. The only one who doesn't seem to get it is Sloe Lieberman.



Dean message catches on with other candidates
By THOMAS FITZGERALD
Knight Ridder Newspapers

DURHAM, N.H. - Regardless of who wins the New Hampshire primary Tuesday, in one sense Howard Dean already has won a very important battle - the one for the rhetorical soul of the Democratic Party.

Listen to North Carolina Sen. John Edwards at a rally the other night: "You have the power" - a direct steal of Dean's rally-ending tagline. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts said at another New Hampshire event that he wanted to "break the grip of the powerful interests in this country and put the people in charge." Both men bash insiders, Washington politicians and the establishment - even if they themselves are some or all of the above.

Those themes, sometimes the exact words, echo what Dean has been saying for months. Whoever wins the Democratic presidential nomination, to an important degree he will sound like the former Vermont governor. A little plagiarism among friends is par for the course in presidential politics, where the rule is if a message works, use it.

Tension between insiders and outsiders has animated New Hampshire primaries at least since 1968, when insurgent Sen. Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota spooked President Lyndon B. Johnson with his antiwar message and strong second-place finish, eventually driving the incumbent from the race.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

(Knight Ridder correspondents Dana Hull in New Hampshire
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/politics/7802190.htm

[JohnnyFianna1]

1. No Subject

Yup, that Dean really has breathed new life into the party. Too bad he probably won't win the nomination.

[Jersey Devil]

6. It's a long way to Tipperary

Nothing will be over for any of the major candidates tomorrow. Despite his self-admitted "warts" I still think Dean can pull it off.

But whether it is Dean or Kerry or Clark or Edwards I think we have a great group of candidates and any of them will have my full support.

[fshrink]

2. The guy who has a better chance

of beating Bush is the guy who wins tomorrow. On the other hand, we'll also see what's the nation's actual and current level of consciousness. If NH goes for courage and honesty ( at least a measure thereof...) rather than for tricks and spectacle, America will be back on tracks. Otherwise, no matter who wins, it won't.

[lancdem]

3. I love that Republican guy saying Dean moved everyone

to the left. If standing up to Bush means moving to the left, then I guess so. I'm sorry, but that liberal canard is not going to work in 2004 like it used to.

[Mass_Liberal]

4. you're damn right

of course, I think it is crucial to the maintenence of the Democratic Party's soul that Dean is elected Nominee and then President.

[JohnKleeb]

5. Kucinich is a tutu dem?

You learn something new every day. :shrug:
No offense to Dean but Dennis Kucinich is just as outspoken, people decry the other congressional candiates for voting for the patriot act, not only did this man vote against it, this fall he introduced legislation to repeal it. He also led the fight with Nancy Pelosi in the house against IWR. When Kucinich brought up the 87 billion Bush wanted, Senators Kerry and Edwards voted against it, same with diebold, DK spoke out on that, and they followed. DK he may not get much of the vote but hes an unsung hero IMO.

[Melinda]

7. John can you point Dennis out in Jersey Devil's pic for me?

Cause I just don't see him there. Help a girl out?

[Jersey Devil]

9. 1,000 apologies, but then I wasn't thinking of DK

nor did the photo include him. I like DK very much, a man of conviction and courage, but be realistic. Outside of his own district, who ever heard of him before amongst the general voting populace?

[JohnKleeb]

10. apology accepted

Thats not the point, to be honest until he ran for president, I didnt know who Dean was as did many others. We're talking about standing up for whats right, and I personally think Kucinich has been much there, and isnt getting the credit. Sorry for complaining, its just seeming more and more to me that IWR and the patriot act are people's litmus test, and I think, hell they should be supporting Kucinich if they think that way. I am glad I support Kerry now equally but it was tough as hell to change, I support the nominee but I just wish we could follow our hearts. All will be good in the end though, but I really think we could have a great America if DK was the one. Maybe someday ya know.

[WiseMen]

8. Congratulations in Advance.