Howard Dean for President (US News & World Report blog)

[NYCGirl]

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/paulyblog/2006/11/howard_dean_for_president.htm

Come on, join the bandwagon for Howard Dean for president. OK, the crowd so far is small, but once he starts to get the credit he deserves for last week's Democratic takeover of the House and Senate and major gains in statehouses and state legislatures, the bandwagon will be off and running. Here's what we learned last week: Dean's not in over his head at the Democratic National Committee and, in fact, may turn out to be one of the best chairs ever. And his 50-state strategy, which was sneered at in Washington, worked.

"That 50-state strategy has worked to revitalize the Democratic Party," cheered New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

When I first met the guy in 2003, I thought he was just a bit too smug and know-it-all. Imagine my surprise when he surged to the top of the polls in Iowa and New Hampshire. The scream and Sen. John Kerry stopped that. Well, I've been in three interviews with Dean in the past few months, and he's not only a changed man but one smart politician and strategist.

Just consider: Instead of hiring lots of consultants for advice on how to remake the party, Dean studied winning campaigns and even the GOP for ideas, adopted the good ones, and helped win Democratic victories in red states. Along the way, he learned how to get along with party elders, even those who constantly attack him, all the while traveling the nation and building a base for the party–and himself. He says he's not running for president, but I bet that if the Democrats fail to capture the White House in two years, he'll have his supporters pushing him to make a move for 2012.


Edited to add: Personally, I want us to capture the WH in two years, even if it means no Howard as POTUS ever.

[TheFarseer]

1. I'd love that

as to how electable he is, that's highly debatable, but I love Howard. I'd vote for him no problem.

[patrice]

2. Dr. Dean for President! He's had my vote from the First!

He's really kind of an ordinary person who is also just a very good Person.

Like a lot of other people I know.

[calimary]

10. Mine, too. I couldn't help thinking, after 2004 - that I was right the first time.

I'd love to see him in the Oval Office - hey, if he can run our weirdo, disparate party and get the results we just got, he could probably run ANYTHING. But if it's fate that he stays at the helm of the DNC, then we will STILL be very well served.

The Good Doctor isn't just Good. He's GREAT!!!!

BTW - anybody calling their congressmembers or senators might do well, if those reps are Dems, to remind them that you are distressed because you have not heard them give any credit for last week's election successes to Howard Dean. Frankly, I think Dean deserves ALL the credit for his "50-State Strategy." He is the light of our party, AND its salvation.

[patrice]

12. He's very smart. When Chris Wallace asked him about Kerry's botched joke.

Dean said, "Over-stated" and didn't say another word. Wallace had to ask another question.

Smart.

[abburdlen]

3. Dean is fantastic

right where he is.

[musiclawyer]

4. I agree

I think the stars are aligned such that the good doctor will never be POTUS, but he has been charged with something equally, if not more, important

[patrice]

15. Delivering a People's Renaissance.

What shall we name the baby?

[ozone_man]

5. Gore/Dean.

that is my preference for a ticket. The last viable candidate that I saw was Russ Feingold. Viable meaning someone who wants to change to core Democratic principles, serious environmental legislation, fiscal responsibility, change from the path we're on. Gore and Dean are the only two I see that have this potential.

[ihelpu2see]

9. I voted Dean in 04 and I would again. But I think he said no!!! as far

as Dean/Lamont, I dont think so... I voted for Lamont in CT and was at the polls for 11 hours on Tuesday with a Stop War With-out Oversight sign..... It was fun having all of the 50 something year old (SUV driving) women walk by and not even look me in the eye..they just made that pthhsst noise a cat would make. the sign had the number of brave soldiers who have died on it as well.

[ozone_man]

11. He agreed not to run in 2008

when he took the DNC chairmanship. But he could always be drafted or run as VP. Dean/Lamont would be nice also, if Gore is out. I say Gore, simply because it was sort of his win in 2000, and his strengths in the climate change area, Senate, VP experience. It's OK to dream, sometimes they come true. And there's always 2012 for Dean. By then people will be at the brink or in the middle of a revolution for change.

[NYCGirl]

23. That's why the article says "in 2012." NT

[patrice]

13. Didn't he say something about wanting to Referee '08. The Dem. Bench is Deep.

Sounds like a good idea to me.

Kansas has a very popular lady governor in Kathleen Sebelius.

[survivor999]

6. YES!

Dean/Lamont! :)

[David Zephyr]

7. As a 2004 die-hard Deaniac, I think Dean will stay put as our chair.

We need him now these next two years to continue gaining ground toward a bigger share of congressional seats along with the White House.

Dean won't run because he won't surrender the chairmanship to the DLC and their ilk.

[patrice]

24. This is what he set out to do. Get the people to go to Washington.

That's what he has said from the first.

[LittleClarkie]

8. Howard Dean for DNC Chairman!

I like him where he is.

[JetCityLiberal]

14. Look what he brought us last Tuesday

works for me.

[patrice]

16. He's also very good at educating as he goes about the work of the Chair.

He gives information frequently, like he did with Chris Wallace this evening.

http://www.foxnews.com/fns/

[JetCityLiberal]

17. He is the best chair

in my nearly 50 years Dem. He would be an even better Democratic President.

[patrice]

19. He talks to People for real; that's why the media was something he had to

learn about. But he hasn't let it get in the way of who he is.

His energy drives the way he uses complex information. I love the way he purposefully educates himself and others as he goes, actively working on key facts and he was also very quick on his feet in the Chris Wallace interview.

[JetCityLiberal]

20. Thank you very much for that link patrice

while I find it hard to go to faux for anything, for this Chairman it is worth it.

:thumbsup:

great interview!

[patrice]

25. He really shines, doesn't he? Great smile!

And it happens also that I agree almost completely with everything he said; that's unusual for me.

[patrice]

22. He's not a slave; at some point he could run for president. I think he's REALLY in

Love with his Job right now and he knows what kind of commitment it really requires especially considering what just happened.

The People are Back.

The doctor isn't going to leave them without a good start, at least.

[JetCityLiberal]

26. "The People are Back"

I am stealing that one patrice! Excellent! And very true!
(but I will always give you credit for it! :hi:).

Your comments about Dean as chair are spot on.

Paul

[patrice]

27. I'm trying not to get my hopes toooooo high, but I believe in people.

That's why I taught high school.

I have seen what happens when a person understands something beautiful. Think of that multiplied by a whole lot.

Pardon my hyperbole, but this war has been so horrible. It's exciting to see again that we can do good things.

[JetCityLiberal]

28. Thank you for your service patrice

to children as a Teacher. Teachers are a group that is near and dear to me, many in my extended family are in education to help make a change in lives for the better through education.

The war is untenable in our house. My wife is a military brat, her Dad did three wars like millions of others. Saw the reality of 'war' up close their entire lives and then some. She knows what is coming home for so many forever and what is left behind for so many forever.

My home page is set to icasualties. It is hard but I have to see, to know them all, every day, and remember that they gave their lives for lies, horrific lies.

We did a lot of door knocking for local Democrats and people want the change, so much more than when we knocked two years ago.

Keeping the faith here too patrice. Posts like yours make it easier.

[patrice]

36. Thank you for your generous words. Happy Holidays!

Thanks also for being a member of our DU community.

[FraDon]

35. Haiku: From the postings of 'patrice'

“The people are back.
War has been so horrible.
We can do good things.”

<...works for me!>

[patrice]

37. Thank you Haiku too!

How nice your numbered words,
To future's sweet tasks . . . .
Look on.

Happy Holidays!

[SouthernBelle82]

18. Just to remind you

that Dean promised when he ran for DNC Chairman that he wouldn't run for president. I personally like him as chairman and I think that is his niche and what I think he's best at. I do agree however that his fifty state strategy is working and he did a really good job this last time around. :)

[NYCGirl]

21. Please read the last sentence of the piece. The writer says "IN 2012." NT

[AtomicKitten]

29. Dean was not my primary choice in 2004

but I have since come to really admire and appreciate him. I think he has done a great job as DNC chair, and since at least some of us know that job is temporary , I could definitely see him giving it a go again.

[cali]

34. Actually, Dean is very effective at governing.

As a Vermonter who watched him for 11 years, I can state that unequivocally, even though I'm far more liberal than he is. But you're right, he did give his word, and he will keep it, unless he's forced out of the DNC. In that case, all bets are off.

[eridani]

30. He isn't anywhere near finished with remaking the party

This is a highly critical task, and I think he's exactly the right person for the job. Not to mention which, I'm more than a little frightened of who the Emmanuel types will try to slot in as a replacement.

[ihelpu2see]

31. your exactly right. I would hate to see our success here in '06 some how

derail the 50 state effort.... we need to keep building.... we need to keep the progressive ideas out there.... we can not allow the republican (especially the republican right) to control/shape the debate. If we are not there we can not participated in the debate.

with all that being said... it sickened me to see Joe Lieberman on MTP on Sunday. I would almost hope GWB appoints him to the US Supreme court so we can petition for a special election. The man duped the Dem. establishment and then stole all the republican votes and money. He is only interested in himself!!

[patrice]

38. I'm glad of that. He can do it. We're very lucky.

[WaterDog]

32. I love Dean!

He's one of the few politicians who have real integrity. Besides, he's very smart.

I was a 2004 Deaniac and would be again if and whenever he ran again.

I'm sure he'll make the right decisions at the right times and he'll have my support when he does.

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[On the Road]

33. At This Point, I Would Prefer Dean to Anyone Else, Even Al Gore

Howard said he wouldn't run, and I take him at his word. But I wish he hadn't made the commitment.