DEAN: The most important person is the person who doesn't win the nomination

[TragedyandHope]

Howard Dean on Meet the Press

...the truth is we need to figure this out before the convention. We need time to heal. And actually, I'm not the most important person in terms of bringing the party together. The most important person is the, is the person who doesn't win the nomination. Because I can remember when, I can remember when I lost to John Kerry, I had to go out and convince my supporters--it took me about three months--that they needed to support Senator Kerry. I endorsed him, I campaigned for him, I went all--to all the college campuses. And that's what the person who doesn't win this, with 49 percent of the delegates, is going to have to do in order to keep the party together.

This line just struck me as something all DUers should keep in mind. The candidate who is not the nominee AND THEIR SUPPORTERS will be the most important people heading towards November. Both sides must be prepared to drastically shift their point of view and come together with the other side. The winning side must be ready to accept the newcomers without gloating or holding grudges for past disagreements.

There will be a rough period of pain and transition, but we must all prepare ourselves for that inevitable moment and be ready to work through it. Once we have a nominee, we really must start over with a clean slate and focus all our attention forward towards the General Election.

[EFerrari]

1. How great is Howard Dean?

K&R

[Levgreee]

2. "Both sides must be prepared to drastically shift their point of view..."i think that's sorta wrong,

it's a compromise. They don't need to change their point of view of who the right person was/is, they just need to look ahead to the election and realize that the president is only part of the Democratic party as a whole, which we are fighting for.

[TragedyandHope]

5. That was meant in the sense of being able to accept

that your candidate will not be sitting in the White House next year. That will be a big change for many of us who are deeply invested our candidates and this campaign.

[Breeze54]

3. 3 months? I remember that!

:P

"Because I can remember when, I can remember when I lost to John Kerry,
I had to go out and convince my supporters--it took me about three months-..."

[newmajority]

4. As much as I agree with the principle of what the good doctor is saying

Anyone who has read the posts of *ahem* certain individuals from the DLC boilerrooms, or heard their maniacal rants on calls into progressive radio shows, is going to be skeptical of the chances that Team Clinton will show any interest in reconciliation, once they finally admit to defeat.

At least in 2004 there was time for healing after Dean was crucified by the DLC and the whore media. Team Hillary is eliminating that time all by themselves, the longer they drag this out.

[TragedyandHope]

6. Well, I hope this discussion will at least plant the seeds

of the possibility of reconciliation and re-unification of the party in a few minds. That goes for everyone on both ends of the spectrum, even those who are dismissed by certain individuals on one side or the other.

[EFerrari]

8. I don't think Howard was talking to the Unreachable.

He was talking to most people and he did a good job. :)

[madfloridian]

7. Kick and recommend

:kick:

[cali]

9. I love howard. he's just such a good egg.

k&r

[pinto]

10. Kick.

from the same interview:

DR. DEAN: The reason Democrats are so interested in this is they want change. Look at the number of people who've voted. They're going to be at 35 million people who've voted in the primaries. There'll be more people who voted in Texas for Senator Clinton and Senator Obama combined than voted for--in the general election for the Democrat in 2004. People want change in this country. You can't get change without a, a different party controlling the White House. John McCain is four more years of George Bush. He supports George Bush right down the line on all these issues. They want change. That's why this is such an intense election. Not because there's a fight over the superdelegates or the popular vote or--people want fundamental change in this country and they can't get it unless Senator Clinton or Senator Obama is elected.

:kick:

[azmouse]

11. kick

[RiverStone]

12. That line stuck with me too...

And it was a wise line at that.

My other thought is Howard Dean has a greater sense of how this will go down then he was willing to express on MTP.

Of course, considering his position - he remains officially neutral.

All things considered, I appreciate the stands Howard has taken; he is dedicated to keeping it fair.

[AngryOldDem]

13. As usual, common sense from Dean.

He's right -- if we go into November bloodied and bruised, nobody wins but McCain.

[blm]

14. The difference is that Dean wanted Kerry to win, and Kerry trusted him as a Democrat.

Hillary has been fully operational as Hillary2012 since Super Tuesday and needs McCain to win.

[suffragette]

15. Howard Dean is spot on

K&R

[HopeforChange]

16. I will campaign against the nominee if it is Clinton

There you have it. I will never support Clinton