Dean tells reporters at the CS Monitor breakfast that he is "dialing back rhetoric."

[madfloridian]

He was actually sort of joking with them, but serious as well. I first chuckled, as it is typical of him to be blunt like that....but a few hours later hearing the Republicans' truly ignorant rhetoric and a whole lot of hearing about the tasteless reference to "Obama's baby mama"....

My reaction? The Republicans can spout anything they want out of their you know whats, and an honest man who has bluntly spoken truth since 2003 has to "dial back rhetoric."

The absurdity of that is truly beyond belief. To make it worse I saw McCain stammering and stuttering, and I thought that man is truly running for president. He is almost as bad as Bush in his lack of ability to put together a coherent thought.

But never fear, that outspoken Howard Dean will save the day by dialing back his rhetoric.

From the WSJ's Washington Wire:

Howard Dean Says He’s “Dialing Back Rhetoric”

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean has been cultivating his softer side.

The one-time presidential candidate with a proclivity for partisan jabs said this morning that he’s made a concentrated effort to tone down his language. “I’ve been dialing back my rhetoric in the last couple of years,” Dean told reporters at a breakfast hosted by the Christian Science Monitor, joking that even his teenage children have told him he’s “too controversial.”

Dean said he realized that the tone of the political conversation was perhaps turning away certain groups from the Democratic Party, and “I think we do need to open doors.” Dean pointed out that the Democratic Party has made greater overtures and, as a result, had greater successes, with the evangelical community in recent years.

Dean deferred when asked if was likely to engage in public tête-à-têtes with his counterpart, Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan. “We’ll take the right challenges at the right time.”

But Dean hasn’t totally shied away from his trademark bluntness. Discussing his opinion of the status of the conservative movement, Dean criticized Republicans for an ideological rigidness that he argued shut the door to anyone who didn’t agree with the most conservative wing of the party. “That is a very stupid thing to do,” he said.

As for his own party, Dean reiterated that he believes unity won’t be a problem for Democrats, but conceded it may take time. He said it “took me about three weeks to get my head together” after his defeat in the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination fight. “And then it took me about three months to get my followers back in with Sen. Kerry,” because “obviously it’s always harder for the supporter.”

It is safe to come out now, you see.

[Cha]

1. The Democratics are exciting..always

evolving. I'm so glad Dean is still helping us on a National level..I think he knows what he's doing.

I know what you're saying, mad, but if Dean "dails back rhetoric" then the fascists will stand out even more like a sore thumb and we are the party of facts, solutions, and intelligence with humor:D

[madfloridian]

2. Yeh, I know.

The Republicans can be outrageous and say anything, but we can't. It's a double standard.

[Cha]

10. We have to get rid of our fascist media..

and then there wouldn't be a double standard.

[democrattotheend]

3. I told him he's mellowed too much

I got to talk to Dean last year at a labor breakfast, and I told him I thought he'd mellowed too much. He seemed surprised to hear that.

[madfloridian]

4. Glad you did that. He has mellowed too much. I guess he had to do it.

I am glad he has remained and worked to bring the party along, but he had to give up being outspoken to do it.

[democrattotheend]

5. Don't get me wrong, I think he's done a terrific job as DNC chair

And actually, at that breakfast, my concern that he had mellowed too much was partially mitigated when he used the word "bullshit".

[madfloridian]

6. That's funny.

:evilgrin:

[madfloridian]

11. Love the pic of your doggie in the Obama shirt.

So cute.

[democrattotheend]

12. It's actually not my dog, but thanks

I found that picture on Picassa...it's part of my collection of http://www.zazzle.com/democrattotheend*/products/cg-196439518081828108">dogs for Obama stuff on Zazzle. I am trying to find an Obama bandana or a place that makes custom bandanas so I can take a picture of my dog wearing Obama gear. He won't wear a shirt.

[ShaneGR]

7. I think the real question is, will we continue the tit-for-tat hatred left to right forever?

Or will the Democratic Party become a big tent unifying force against the Bush doctrine? Simple as that. If the Democratic party is to succeed, it has to siphon off a huge portion of the middle. In order to do that, we can't be calling them stupid while asking for their vote.

[madfloridian]

9. I realize that is what our party is trying to stop.

But I still miss the blunt and pointed rhetoric.

I can't complain really as long as they fight back, though.

It's just all so doggone pathetic when we are seeing such outrageousness on TV.

[jaysunb]

8. I was one of the "followers"

and he's right, it took about 3 months of brooding before I half heartly worked for Kerry. That's one of the reason I didn't get into Hillary followers debate.
In the end, Democrats are pretty smart people and they don't vote against their own interest. That's why I'm not too worried about what's ahead. The people have awakened and they're pretty pissed off.