True colors of some show when Dean goes to MO and Ohio to speak.

[madfloridian]

First a little background on this.

Dean spoke in Kansas City at a MLK event.
http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/01/more_governor_d.php

"Then Dean began his frank talk, pointing out state Auditor Claire McCaskill, now a candidate for U.S. Senate, sitting in the audience.
"If Claire McCaskill were in the Senate, there would be one less vote for Judge (Samuel) Alito," Dean said. "There would be one less vote for cutting children off school lunch programs. There would be one less vote for taking health care away from older people."

But then out comes McCaskill's spokesman to say in effect that Dean did not speak for her.

http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/13674705.htm

"As recently as Thursday night, McCaskill spokesman Tony Wyche disavowed Dean's comments, saying Dean was not speaking on the candidate's behalf."

But then out comes McCaskill saying she WOULD oppose Alito in this case.

"- Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Claire McCaskill came out against Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on Friday, saying he is not a moderate like Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, whose seat he would fill.
"His comments during his confirmation hearing and his record indicate that he is not someone who would defend civil rights and that he would side in favor of big business over the consumer and presidential power over individual rights," McCaskill said in a written statement."

Then Governor Dean went to Ohio, and he called the state the center of Republican corruption scandals. One of the Democratic candidates for governor did not like that.

Here is what Dean said on the Ohio capitol steps:
http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/01/honesty_in_gove.php


Here is what Fingerhut said to distance himself, so I guess he must be in denial.
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=264523&Category=13

COLUMBUS -National Democrats promoted their ethics reform package Wednesday in battleground Ohio, which Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean called the center of Republican corruption scandals.

Dean outlined a package of measures to bar members of Congress from accepting gifts from lobbyists, pointing to a federal investigation of U.S. Rep. Bob Ney, R-Heath, who is accused of taking bribes from former Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Dean’s appearance didn’t resonate with all Democrats. State Sen. Eric Fingerhut of Cleveland, also running for governor, said he was insulted by a Washington politician coming to Ohio to talk about corruption.

“People know what’s happening in the Statehouse. They don’t need Howard Dean to come and tell them that,” Fingerhut said.

Fortunately Ted Strickland agreed it was a state that had lost its way, and Senator Marc Dann agreed it was a culture of corruption. Good for those and a cowardly award to Fingerhut.

[depakid]

1. And the Dems wonder why they lose....

Not looking too good for 2006.

McCaskill's only got a shot if the Dems manage to nationalize the elections- so what does she do? Undermine it. What a loser.

Fingerhut. LOL Dean's not a Washington politician and your state is the most corrupt and inept in the entire union. Another Loser.

Where does the party find these people....

[madfloridian]

2. It was her spokesman who did that...she would oppose Alito.

Fingerhut, no excuse that I can see.

[jimshoes]

4. Fingerhut can probably forget

widespead support if he cant even figure out which way the political wind is blowing. I believe is a non factor.

[chaumont58]

10. You are so right!

I am a long time Dem. I am a very senior citizen, and a Governor Dean fan. I swear I don't know the reason that professional politicians would kick their own elected party head. I don't have any hope that the Dems will win any seats in the 2006 election, let alone take back either house. They thrown shit at each other. A person might think they were shoe ins, rather than shoe outs. Biden, Harold Ford, just the way they shit on Governor Dean. Do they think no one ever notices? I've been voting Dem for many, many years and contributing to Dem candidates, but fuck it. Its a waste of time. These brain deads never learn. I can't stomach the DLC any more.

[NoFederales]

3. The (D)isintegration Party? The Dems are becoming such good haters.

How is there is supposed to be an opposition to the Republicans?

NoFederales

[madfloridian]

5. There were fewer this time, most stood with him on those steps.

I am pointing out the ones who didn't. There are not as many now saying Dean doesn't speak for them...in fact Begala and Carville have apparently taking to speaking Dean speak about taking our party back.

[NoFederales]

8. Not giving up hope, but damn..............the wasted opportunities!

NoFederales

[sandnsea]

6. This isn't new you know

I call it the locals running away from the national party. It's a serious problem and has been going on for a long long time. My own DeFazio does it himself. Howard certainly didn't cause it. First, you've got people who are angry at the "centrist" votes. Then, you've got people in "red states" who are afraid of more liberal views, but are also frustrated with not winning. Then, you've got Howard trying to build up those red states in order to get some wins, but getting bashed by those same red staters who can't figure out that they aren't going to win if they keep disavowing the party. Then, of course, you've got the same basic scenario, except coming from the left. So both the anti-centrists and the centrists are pissed off and a handful of people are trying to walk that line, which is worse than a tight rope walk. And the really stupid part, is that the difference between the two wouldn't fill a thimble.

[madfloridian]

7. But the good thing is that a lot more agreed this time.

And did not run away. I remember the first time he used "culture of corruption", he was really blasted...and now most Democrats are using it.

So maybe we are making progress.

[janx]

15. Yes! We are making progress.

These are growing pains.

[rodeodance]

9. People still distance themselves from Dean-

[clarknyc]

11. But why?

I still don't get it.

[sendero]

13. They are cowards..

.... afraid of the Republican noise machine, and we should run them from the party.

[thebigidea]

12. could you imagine any living Republican saying that about Mehlman?

stupid, counterproductive trash.

[wiley]

14. Hey, Same Crap at DU!

Unfortunately, there will always be those who feel that a good cop, bad cop type of mentality when dealing with "outsiders" like the big bad national politician from the sewers of Washington, Howard Dean, is the way to establish regional dominance and relevance. Pity that type of politics hasn't worked for Democrats in a long time. Just like those who spin crap to get attention,divert attention from the truth in the media - pointing out or completely making up something outrageous that Howard Dean did or said - or for ratings or to advance their boss man's political agenda, it happened at a purportedly Democrats only event. No such thing anymore,either.

These same people - whoever they are - do the same crap at DU. Probably because they would never be allowed to trash "their own" on their boards.

[thebigidea]

16. yeah, and how many of us here are running for office?

how many of us hear have Howard Dean speaking out to get us elected?

Its a slap in the face to Dean, if they had issues they should've hashed them out in private. Now the republicans get to run around babbling about how everyone is trying to distance themselves from a "radioactive Dean" based on a few lines from this person.

[madfloridian]

20. But one good thing, there are fewer doing it.

I think Tom Vilsack may have had a little influence on the DLC in that way. If he could just stick Big Al From in the closet and not let him out....things would be better. And I heard Bull Moose doesn't like our criticism here, but he's reading. :evilgrin:

[madfloridian]

19. You just hit the nail on the head. They want to keep their forums clean.

So they do their trash stuff here. Very good observation. :banghead:

[sludge man]

17. Fingerhut is a loser

This guy got 30% of the vote for senate in 2004. Why would anyone listen to any advise he gives. He won't win for governor because he is perceived by democrats as a has-been and a loser

[mzmolly]

18. "a Washington politician coming to Ohio to talk about corruption"

When did Dean become a Washington politician? Did he win an election of which I'm unfamiliar? :eyes:

Good goddess WTF is wrong with some Dems?

[Andromeda]

21. What the heck is going on?

Why are some of these people afraid of Dean? They should appreciate the help that Howard is willing to give. It's not like they are doing so well on their own.

Some Democratic candidates just don't know how to act. Is it an ego thing, or what?

It's a little like a drowning person refusing a life boat.

[Toots]

22. Next thing you hear is Fingerhut crying for DNC funding....

He would accept that Washington money but not their talk about corruption. Talking about corruption is a little too close to home I would guess.

[CarolNYC]

23. I don't get....

all of this distancing and “he doesn’t speak for me” shit. Why are these people so timid?

It reminds me of when Gen Clark, introducing John Kerry at a Tacoma rally before the election, defended Kerry against the Swift Boaters’ attacks with harsh words against Bush and his service record. Before you could blink an eye, the Senator’s spokesman was out there saying that Clark “doesn’t speak for us”. Ugh!

Who are these people afraid of offending? Don’t they understand that timidity doesn’t cut it?

We need more people who aren’t afraid to tell it like it is and call out the true villains in this country.

Don’t know how much difference it makes to anybody, but I support Chairman Dean. :) Go Howard!

[loudsue]

24. Kerry's campaign was fraught with DLCers -- they bring losses everywhere

they go. DLCers are republican infiltrators into the Democratic party that want to shift the entire country toward the fascist, corporatist state envisioned by the neocons. We need to get rid of that arm of our party, and make our politicians CEASE & DESIST in hiring them as consultants on their campaigns.

:kick::kick::kick: