I'm kind of disappointed in Howard Dean

[ecstatic]

I really wanted him as President, but was thrilled when he became DNC Chair. I thought to myself--- finally, the Dems will have a coherent message and get tough on the Repubs.

Yet, for the casual observer, nothing appears to have changed. Voting machines are still hackable and receiptless, without much fuss being raised from our Senators. We still have Dems contradicting each other and bowing down to Bush and the right wing. I consider myself to be a casual observer, but I still pay A LOT more attention to politics than the average American. Can you imagine how this is coming across to people who don't watch political shows or read blogs?

We just react to what Republicans say and do. I don't want to read blogs picking apart what Bush said, piece by piece. I want to hear the Democratic alternative and work towards getting that message out to everyone else.

Right now we are winning by default. If things continue at this rate, we will get our victory this year, but only because we are the alternative to the MISERABLE FAILURE-REPUBLICANS currently in office.

[MADem]

1. Fifty state strategy, fundraising like mad, infrastructure improvements

Targeted assistance to competitive races.

I like Howard Dean. He's doing what a VT farmer would do to prepare for a tough winter.

Your mileage obviously varies.

[Kolesar]

2. What planet are you on?

If you don't think politics have changed in the last year, you're on another planet. Bush's approval has tanked. Climate Change discussion is mainstream. Abramov is dragging the bums down.

[ecstatic]

11. Yes, politics have changed because Bush is a f*ck up

But not because our our message.

[ClassWarrior]

3. Yes!! Why couldn't Howard click his heels together...

...and make it happen all at once!!?? What a loser!!

WAAHHHHHHHHHH... :cry:

NGU.

[xultar]

4. Thing take time. I wasn't a Dean for President fan but I like his energy.

He hasn't been Chair for long.

Let's not beat the man up yet. I try to be fair when I look at things like this. So no matter who I personally campaigned for I still root for all Democrats.

[BOSSHOG]

5. Somebody in democratic party leadership must be doing something

positive because I have given more money to the Democratic Party in the past nine months then I have in the past 30 years. And I "religiously" vote for the alternative to the miserable failure republicans every two years. Share your concerns with Dean but do it in a positive way. Hang in there teammate.

[Mabus]

6. Howard isn't the disappointment

My disappointment is with our elected officials in the House and Senate.

In my view Dean has helped the Democratic party grassroots tremendously. Our fundraising is up, we have more active members and every time I go to political functions there are people who are signing up others for advanced ballots. In fact, did you know there are several on-going Democratic events that you can sign up for thanks to Dean's leadership. Check them out http://www.democrats.org/events.html

[MrTriumph]

15. Well said!

x

[emulatorloo]

7. Howard Dean is doing great -- his talkshow appearances are excellent

His mailings are good. His 50 State Strategy stuff is great. The DNC.org website is a fantastic resource. Check it out:

http://www.dnc.org/

[Teaser]

8. Do you know anything about Dean's job?

Sure sounds like you don't.


It's not Dean's job to coordinate message, policy, or such like.

His job is to raise money and build party infrastructure.

[bullimiami]

9. Dean has been talking about the voting machines.

He has a message and constant press releases. He doesnt control the other democrats or the media so the message not being broadcast and the democratic leaders not staying on message are not his fault.

the 50 state strategy is a long term strategy.
its not by default. we are fighting an establishment that is powered by big money and power.
we are just 'the people'.

[jobycom]

10. Good summary. Sadly, that's pretty much what happens when you are out

of power. We can't do anything. Dean has no authority to change anything, his only goal is to do PR work for the Dems to get them back into power. I don't think a lot of people, even reasonably informed DUers, fully understand what that means. All legislation has to be introduced on the floor of Congress, and the Republicans decide what gets introduced and what doesn't. Most legislation comes through committees, and the Republicans control them entirely. The Republicans make the rules to control when Democrats in Congress can meet, where they can meet, etc. They control who gets to say what on the floor. The only power Dems have on the federal legislative level is the power to vote, and their votes are always going to be defeated if things are purely partisan. So the Democrats have two options--one, shout a lot, get the Republicans mad at them, which means they never have chance of getting even their minor non-partisan bills brought to the floor (don't forget Congress does a lot of local and state stuff as well as the big stuff), or two, make nice, work with the Repubs as much as they can, and get some things done for their voters. They are Congress-critters first, and party members second, after all, for most voters.

Even when Dems are very vocal, they just don't get the airtime. A Dem criticizing a Repub isn't news--that's what they do. Unless the criticism actually does anything other than criticize, the media won't care.

When Congress was divided or when government is divided, between the two parties, you have more chance of opposition. Since 2002, though, we've had no chance at anything. Dean hasn't sold anyone out, he's just run into the same problem all our other leaders have--no one has the power to do anything. That's another reason they spend so much time scheming and nuancing issues to death--it's about all they can do.

Winning in November because people are disgusted with the Republicans is our only real chance. Immediately the Dems will look braver, and acquire all those body parts some people seem to associate with courage. They have them now, just no one sees them because no one hears them speak. Look at Hillary. She's been screaming her lungs out about Halliburton, Katrina, labor, the minimum wage, yet if you ask people here, they think she's just a DINO only raising a couple of high-profile issues to draw attention to herself. That's so far from true it can only be called a lie, yet that's what many people think, because all they get to see are the high profile issues. Same with any Democrat. Even Lieberman. We'd all agree with 80% of what Lieberman says, but it's only the other 20% that makes the news, because only that 20% means anything to the media.

[rubberducky]

12. Are you possibly looking for

more of the "Dean Scream"?? Iloved it when he did that. Loved the "fire". Still respect the man,just wish we could see a little more "fire".:)

[xxqqqzme]

14. Have you seen him lately?

He was @ DemocracyFest last Saturday in San Diego. It is all still there - the list of outrageous legislation & policy f*ck-ups; the total abandonment of the middle class, students, retired persons and military; All his points wrapped up w/ 'WE can do better'. Howard is still there, still fighting; his favorite line for California...'things would have been different if California's primary came first....remains a crowd pleaser. Every time I see him, whether in person or on TV, I lament, the loss of his leadership for the country.

[rubberducky]

16. Wish I could see him

at a dem rally. I truely believe that he is one of "the good guys". His enthusiasim is contagious!!

[NYCGirl]

17. There's a link to a film clip of Howard at Democracyfest here:

http://www.democracyfest.com/

You need to get up to speed.

More here:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20060716-9999-1m16dean.html

[rubberducky]

18. Many thanks!!!!!!

:)

[madfloridian]

19. Don't see the film clip?

Is there a special place to look at the Dem Fest link? I know someone was going to put one up, but I don't see the link.

[xxqqqzme]

20. I see a video link for Maxine & Hackett

but not one for Howard. The link under the Dean article on DemocracyFest goes 2 Raw Story - no video I can see.

[Dawgs]

13. Agree with OP!!

Not so much that Dean isn't doing enough. I think he's done a fine job, not great, but good.

You are right that we are winning by default. Unfortunately, most Americans aren't paying attention or don't give a shit.

[JNelson6563]

21. He's a mere mortal

you aren't looking for a leader, you're looking for a saviour. Dean's got to work within the same limitations as the rest of us mere mortals.

You'll have to cosole yourself with the knowledge that the Dems are growing back into a 50 state party national party instead of a 17 state lame-ass, willing-to-concede-huge-swaths-of-the-country party.

:toast: Julie

[Catchawave]

22. Why not ?

It's been kick a Democrat-in-the-Ass Month on DU :cry:

Seriously, can we start bashing republicans in August? We still have time :patriot: