DUers if you don't want McAuliffe to represent Dems tell Dean to show up

[wndycty]

I'm a Dean fan and I think he is doing a good job as DNC chair and I also know that many DUers hate Terry McAuliffe, but it was McAuliffe that represented the Democrats in a debate with Ken Mehlman this morning on the TODAY SHOW. The reason, Dean refused to appear with Mehlman and so McAuliffe stepped in. As we get closer to November 7th all networks will be setting up the head-to-head debates and they will continue to use McAuliffe, and other surrogates many of you won't approve of, if Dean continues to refuse to appear with Mehlman. Is there some back story I don't know about? Some defensable reason for Dean not to appear?

Get ready to see a lot of Terry McAuliffe, not that I mind, but I know others do.

BTW McAuliffe did pretty well.

[maddezmom]

1. Did NBC say Dean refused?

Maybe there was a scheduling conflict. I don't know the back story hope someone else does :shrug:

[City Lights]

4. They said he "declined" an invite to appear with Mehlman.

Don't have the exact quote, but it definitely left the impression that Dean didn't want to appear at the same time as Mehlman.

[wndycty]

5. Yes. . .

. . .when introducing McAuliffe, Meredith Viera noted that he was there because Dean refused. Don't believe me? I'm sure the clip will appear either on the TODAY SHOW website, YouTube, Crooks and Liars, etc.

[maddezmom]

11. I believe you

Just wanted to know the wording that's all. I thought he may have just refused to go on NBC.

[blm]

16. I would bet it's being SPUN into Dean "refusing" as a way to clear the

path to push him out. I could just hear McAuliffe clucking how "bad" this looks, and shaking his head. Now that Dean has been firming up the party infrastructure that was neglected since 1997....the "party" boys want him pushed out to take advantage of it.

[wndycty]

17. Spin? If the man is invited and refuses to appear there is no damn spin.

Furthermore if NBC got it wrong, then I would like to hear from the chairman and expect that we would demand a retraction. Spin? Oh please.

[blm]

18. I expect we'll hear the other side - till then, I will give Dean benefit

of the doubt over NBC and their Russert run news division.

[wndycty]

19. Dude, can Dean ever make a mistake or exhibit bad judgement without. . .

. . .it either being someone elses fault or some sort of conspiracy carried out by the MSM-DLC-DCCC-DSCCC-B.CLINTON-CLARK-H.CLINTON-EMANUEL-SCHUMER-KERRY-OBAMA ect.? And can those of us who point out a mistake or bad judgement on his behalf do so without having our motives or loyalty questioned?

[blm]

20. I have been as tough on Dean as one can get when I think he's wrong -

like when he supported some electronic voting machines instead of pressing for paper ballots - and he's not the only Dem I criticize for that.

But, Dean STILL has more credibility with me than Russert's news division. So, waiting to hear what happened should be a given.

[Mass]

2. Was he asked?

[CTyankee]

6. Meredith Viara said he was asked but he refused to be on with

Mehlman. Of course, there was Mehlman grinning his crooked grin and McAuliffe with a rather pasted on smile, as if he was deeply embarrased by Dean's refusal.

I think this makes Dems look bad, I don't care what the rationalization is! It really looked like Dean was afraid to be on with Mehlman.

I don't get it. Somebody explain to me why it is better that Dean REFUSES to go on with Mehlman or anybody else. This will be used against us, folks!

[wndycty]

9. I don't think it can be used against us but I would still like to see Dean

out there. I hear all this hate directed towards McAuliffe by many Dean supporters yet he is giving McAuliffe the opportunity to get national face time on behalf of Dems. You can't hate on Terry for that, if he is getting exposure and representing us Dean has no one to blame but himself.

[CTyankee]

13. Sorry to say, I have to disagree. I wish it weren't so, but I think

a refusal to be on the same program with your opposite number makes you look bad, or can be made to look bad as Viera obviously did. My gut tells me it was a mistake.

Do you know why Dean did that? We don't know the back story of course but I think there is more to this than meets the eye here...

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

3. Personally, I like his frugality with appearances on the talking heads

shows.

I don't especially know why he doesn't appear with Mehlman, however, by limiting his availability in general to the talk news shows, he is able to have a lot of control over his message when he does appear.

MKJ

[wndycty]

7. And he limits his ability to communicate the Democrats message. . .

. . .there will be a ton of head-to-head opportunities as we get closer to 11/7.

[bklyncowgirl]

8. Dean can certainly handle himself in a debate--he trounced Ralph Nader

I do know that he's refused to go on with Mehlman before. I don't quite understand it but maybe it has to do with the format and a desire to not give the Republicans anything to use. Howard's smart and quick on his feet but sometimes his mouth outruns his brain. He's from New York after all.

[wndycty]

10. He can be a great debater but if he is not getting out there . . .

. . .IT DOES NOT MATTER!

[bklyncowgirl]

12. You're right, of course.

I think that Howard Dean in full outrage mode would slam Ken Mehlman right in the talking points. Dean however is easily demonized. Perhaps avoiding high profile appearances might be a smart strategy right now.

[wndycty]

15. But it makes it look like he is afraid to debate Mehlman. . .

. . .let's be honest, if Dean consistently showed up and the Mehlman ducked we would pounce and rightfully so.

[Pharaoh]

14. Dean probably wanted to avoid Killing Mehlman

on the air..........all the bullshit he was spewing with that shit eating grin on his face, I wanted to throttle him!

[madfloridian]

21. Because Mehlman is in serious trouble? Embarrassing to debate a fool?

Because Dean was in Minnesota yesterday at several events?

Because he is in CT I think this Friday..not sure..with Lamont? If not this Friday..then next.

Because they are going to put all the Clinton folks on air as a final push to the election day....they are going to make it sound like no one else is speaking out...just Bill Clinton.

Bill Clinton is campaigning for Hillary, and they will do what they need to do.

Why do you think Carville and Begala do what they can to marginalize Dean? Because they are Clinton people.

Why is Kerry being attacked here so much lately? Think about it.

[wndycty]

22. If Dean refuses to debate Mehlman he marginalizes himself. . .

. . .typical Dean supporter, DEAN AINT RESPONSIBLE FOR SHIT! Definately what I would expect from ya. Thanks for not disappointing. Excuses, excuses, excuses, no responsibility for anything.

[madfloridian]

23. Mehlman is being investigated.. He should step down.

Anyone who pretends debating him is an honor is foolish.

McAuliffe will be getting lots and lots and lots of air time from now ton.

Trust me.

So will "picking noses" Begala and "tattle on Kerry" Carville.

Won't that be fun?

[madfloridian]

24. Missions

take gratuitous swipes at Dean. This is one of the best I have seen...that was so clever of McAuliffe to call Dean a coward. Very courageous of him.

[Dr Fate]

25. Refusing to debate a Republican is something I've never done in my life.

Why any DEM would refuse to debate a Republican-especially when they are in such a weak position- is beyond me.

[blm]

30. I wouldn't be so hasty to define this as refusing to debate. I think it's

being made to sound that way.

Dean has been appearing regularly on TV news shows, even while working on the party infrastructure problems. I think it's of interest that McAuliffe was tapped by TODAY show to represent the party.

[Dr Fate]

32. Dean people are telling us he has always refused to debate Melman.

I support much of what Dean does- he is pretty terrific and much better than McCulliffe- but not perfect.

As a general principle, I dont like the idea of running away from a debate. My father never did it and he taught me the same.

[blm]

33. NBC could have scheduled them at different times. They do it for GOPs

like Giuliani, Rove, and McCain who won't allow themselves to be interrupted or debated as a standard condition of appearing.

I actually think the MORE exposure and time Mehlman gets on his own, the sleazier he comes off in these appearances. I wonder if others have noticed, as well.

[Dr Fate]

34. Good enough. There is always an excuse for not having confrontations

n/t

[blm]

35. Not an excuse. I just don't know the exact circumstance, and Russert's NBC

doesn't get the benefit of the doubt on this. That's all.

[Dr Fate]

36. Maybe not, but it would be the first time it was not a mere excuse.

I'll shut up now- I hope they all know what they are doing- which would also be the first time.

[bemildred]

26. McAuliffe and Mehlman is a perfect match. Why interfere? nt

[paulk]

27. Dean didn't show up because he understands that he can

be a divisive figure. The Republicans would use him as a focus to get out their base, and he doesn't want to become the focus this close to an election. IMHO.

McCauliffe, whatever his faults as DNC chair, has always done well in these kind of one on ones, so I don't have a problem with that.

[madfloridian]

28. Dean did not want to give Mehlman credibility he doesn't deserve.

Terry just did that, my friend. Just like the Clintons are giving the Bush empire credibility by having private visits to their home and appearing in public with them.

Same with Rupert Murdoch. Hillary is accepting money from him and apparently meeting with him.

Dean has never appeared with Mehlman.

[madfloridian]

31. Dean was in transit from MN to CT today for Lamont.

But he never debates Mehlman. He has never appeared with him at the same time. He made that clear from the beginning there would not be dueling chairs.

[WI_DEM]

29. Oh well, Dean will have something that McAuliffe never had

a winning election cycle. Knock on wood.

[blm]

37. He's doing what McAuliffe NEVER DID - build the party INFRASTRUCTURE

that was left to collapse in most states since 1997.

Because THAT is where the votes are counted, purged, suppressed or stolen.