Why Dean should take charge

[BigBearJohn]

Why Dean should take charge
With his passion and populist appeal, Howard Dean is exactly the leader the Democratic Party needs right now.

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By Mark Hertsgaard (Salon)



Jan. 24, 2005 | Florida Democrats' decision to unanimously back Howard Dean as the new chairman of the DNC (Democratic National Committee) shows two things: first, there are still some Democrats out there -- including in the supposedly hopeless South -- who have brains and guts and aren't afraid to think for themselves; and second, Dean now has a real shot at winning the DNC job and launching a much-needed makeover of the Democratic Party.

Political and media elites in Washington are at once horrified and dismissive of Dean's quest. They insist that Democrats would be crazy to pick a raving liberal like Dean as their next party chairman. But as is so often the case, this inside-the-Beltway conventional wisdom is based on dubious "facts" and assumptions about how ordinary Americans relate to politics. Dean is exactly the leader Democrats need to become relevant again.

The Florida Democratic chairman's statement to the New York Times reveals just how out of touch the Washington establishment is: "I'm a gun-owning pickup-truck driver and I have a bulldog named Lockjaw," said Scott Maddox. "I am a Southern chairman of a Southern state, and I am perfectly comfortable with Howard Dean as DNC chair."

And the reason Florida Democrats like Dean?

"What our party needs right now is energy, enthusiasm and a willingness to do things differently," Maddox added. "I think Howard Dean brings all three of those things to the party."

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2005/01/24/dean/index_np.html

[Wapsie B]

1. Excellent post!

I agree that Dean needs to be at the head of the DNC. We need to get back to being a true opposition party.

[Amaryllis]

5. See this for action steps to make this happen! We have till Feb.12 when

the delegates from all the states meet to vote on the new chair. Scroll down to see info on how to contact delegates from your state and tell them who you want them to vote for! They all meet to vote on the new chair on Feb.12.Please go here and kick:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss//duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x300675

Conyers has endorsed Dean. Here is his letter of endorsement. Note particularly the second paragraph where he says election reform is our foremost issue:

January 11, 2005

Dear Governor Dean:

I write to offer you my enthusiastic endorsement for your candidacy for Chair of the Democratic National Committee. While I believe many qualified candidates have indicated an interest in this position, I have decided to endorse you because I am convinced you are the best choice for the Democratic Party.

The foremost issue for the party and the nation, in my view, is the issue of electoral justice and reform. In the past three election cycles, there have been far too many eligible voters disenfranchised by official misconduct, negligence, faulty machines and discriminatory practices. As a party, I strongly believe that we cannot continue to ask for volunteers and voters to make extraordinary efforts to get out the Democratic vote if we do not undertake an equally extraordinary effort to make those votes count. Regardless of the outcome, the Democratic Party should, in the most aggressive and proactive way possible, combat any disenfranchisement of any voter. I appreciate your extraordinary commitment to this principle.

Second, despite disappointing results in the 2004 elections, I believe there were promising developments for the party and opportunities that must be seized. Our party saw a new influx of funding, effort and enthusiasm from ordinary Americans. In many respects, your campaign was the template for the newfound Democratic resurgence and you were a pioneer in this regard. I look forward to your seizing these opportunities for the entire Democratic Party.

Third, retaking the Congress should become even more central to the mission of the DNC. As you know, a reelected President's party traditionally loses seats in Congress in the midterm elections. Today, despite his reelection, the President's popularity is below fifty percent, his economic stewardship is seen as lacking, and his international leadership, particularly in Iraq, has been nothing short of a disaster. In this political climate, I see no reason that Democrats cannot take back the House of Representatives in 2006. To do this, we must compete in every Congressional race in every area of the country. I appreciate your devotion to this goal.

Finally, and most importantly, it is time for our Party to realize that a strong commitment to core Democratic principles is not only good policy and good for Americans, but is also good politics. Our vision for America is one where we protect all Americans, and do not turn our backs on any American. The most critical part of protecting Americans is ensuring our safety from the threat of terrorism, but our commitment should not end there; it must include health care security, retirement security, and economic security. You have spoken eloquently about those values and would be an ideal messenger for our party in this regard.

The outgoing Chairman of the Party, Terry McAuliffe, is leaving the party in the best shape it has ever been financially and with its infrastructure, and the entire party should be grateful for his tireless service. It is time for the party to choose a new Chairman, and I believe you are the best candidate to pick up the torch and take the Party to a new level of success.

Sincerely,

John Conyers, Jr.

[electropop]

2. I think we should go unabashedly liberal

and use the word proudly, as in the 60's. I'm not sure Dean is actually liberal enough to be consistent and galvanize the electorate. We want to be very careful not to be Bush-lite again. People who want right wing will vote for the real thing. People who should be our base, need to have a very clear image in their heads of what the Dems offer, including universal health care. We need to be bold and clear and consistent, and many issues like that fit together into a whole picture. Skimp on one or two issues, and you start to sound waffly again.

[purduejake]

21. I don't think you will have to worry about Dean being...

republican-lite. I supported him in the primaries and have been to DFA events and the man seems to be very passionate about change.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

24. Baby steps…the country is not ready for…

"unabashedly liberal," just as it wasn't ready for gay marriage. The "moderates" I spoke to felt they were beat over the head with the gay marriage issue, although they wholeheartedly endorsed civil unions. (Example: I support gay marriage, but like many others, was so freakin' sick of Mary Cheney by the time Debate #3 (or was it #2?) rolled around that I cringed when Kerry mentioned her by name-that little strategy backfired on him big time.) My guess is that those same moderates will react the same way re the liberal label. (Quite frankly, I think we need to drop the labels, but that won't happen.) At least we could be smarter and more "stealth-like" about making "liberal" acceptable again, which won't be an easy task. Thanks to the extreme rants of Rush, Newt, Ann, et al. for well over a decade, I've actually seen vehicles sportin' "God Hates Liberals" bumper stickers. As Dean has said, ""You've got your nuts on the left, your nuts on the right, and you've got me." Some make think that is harsh, but I agree with him. The Corporate Media has done a stellar job of portraying him as a nasty 'ol East coast liberal, but given his positions on fiscal responsibility, pro-military action in Afghanistan (but not Iraq), and states' rights on gun control, is he really a "true" liberal? Maybe "Populist" or "Progressive" is the way to go. Both Dean and Obama grasp that we need to get past this Blue v. Red mentality and think in shades of Purple (although I'll be the first to admit I rather enjoy the Blue v. Red confrontation!).

[realFedUp]

3. yyeeeeeaaaaaarrrrgggghhhhhh!

[David Dunham]

4. Newsweek: Bill and Hill will stop Dean

[righteous1]

6. They are most certainly going to try.....but I believe to no avail n/t

[MadisonProgressive]

7. Fuck Bill and Hill

What have they done for us lately?

Dean all the way!!

[mistertrickster]

22. Agreed, the party's bigger than two people.

I didn't see much concern for dems and the future of our party when Clinton had a sleazy affair. I don't think we need to concern ourselves too much about him now . . .

[Zan_of_Texas]

8. Hey, check your forums!

Big Bear, next time you post a DNC Chair thread, how about putting it in the new Dem Party forum?

[BigBearJohn]

10. Well, there are other posts about Dean & the DNC in this forum

So, I thought people who were following those posts would want
to read this.

[Corey_Baker08]

16. Why R people bitchin about what goes in this forum?

God people some people will you please get a life? Everything posted in this forum in one way connects to another. I think thats why the title isn't just Elction Reform, its Election Reform Advocacy and Action. What action are we do to speed up Election Reform, electing a new DNC Chariman that will focus on the issue. See like I said it all connects so everyone lets not start this new forum out bitchin about what goes into.

This goes to anyone
and BigBearJohn Thanks for posting that I did want o read it just likealo of oher ppl do.

[Catamount]

9. I'm all for Dean...

But I also like Dennis Kucinic for this job, but he's not running is he?
Anyone who's not ashamed to be a "Liberal", but proud of it.
It should be the new slogan of the "New DNC"

[BigBearJohn]

11. My new liberal song

I'm proud to be a Liberal
and have been so from the start
I won't deny my heritage
'cause at least I have a heart

And I'd gladly standup
next to you
Proudly, not in fear
Cause there ain't doubt
in anyone's mind
We're gonna be back in 2 years

[Catamount]

12. Yeeee-haaaaaaawwww!

[Moderator]

13. BigBearJohn

Per DU copyright rules
please post only four
paragraphs from the
copyrighted news source.


Thank you.


DU Moderator

[BigBearJohn]

15. ok

[Beth in VT]

14. He needs our help - he's winning in the straw poll but

some powerful, entrenched people are making things difficult.

[corbett]

17. Please Remember Rule About 4 Paragraphs

Great post! I really appreciate it.

Now, so that the moderators won't harp on you, please adhere to the rule about only posting a maximum of 4 paragraphs of copyrighted works and linking.

Go, Dr. Dean!

[BigBearJohn]

18. Thanks, I've already been warned by the Moderator - I will comply

[sunnystarr]

25. Since you have to subscribe for Salon I was grateful for a little

more than what appeared on the page. So thanks for breaking the rules this one time.

ps: to mod - not that I advocate breaking rules lol

[KurtNYC]

19. The fact that Boosh/Rove stole Dean's words and tactics

speaks volumes about how much more effective Dean is politically than the other Presidential candidates from our side. Bush borrowing Dean's: 'You may not always agree with me, but you'll always know where I stand' proves how effectively Dean speaks.

The GOP borrowing 'meet-ups' validates that tactic also.

[NationalEnquirer]

20. MSM destroyed Dean!

With that phony "YAAARGH!" tape, it was disgusting.
At the time, I was not a big fan of ANYBODY's, but I thought the mainstream media really went out and "assassinated" Dean.
At the time, I thought it was because they thought he was unelectable, and the media always wants a close election.
Anyways, I think Dean would do FINE.

[understandinglife]

23. So, what is the most effective way to support Dean? (nt)

BE THE BUSH OPPOSITION;24/7 (aka TBO;24/7)

[John H. St.John]

26. Why Howard Dean should leave the Democratic Party

Ted Kennedy said that while the Republican Party gets 95% of its financing from the corporations--the Democratic Party only gets 75%. Howard Dean provided the American People with an alternative to corporation domination of our political system and our government. He proved that the bloggers could raise enough money to confront them.
If he becomes chairman of the Democratic Party it will be a miracle. and even then he will be forced to concede to the corporation hacks who really run it.

I call upon all bloggers to get Nader, Jim Hightower, Mollie Irvins, Barbara Boxer, Jesse Jackson, Dennis Kucinich, and all the other lone-rangers to get together in a congress to start a new People's Party.
There are a lot of Democrats and Independents in Congress who are sick of losing and would join in if they recognized how truly sick of the two party charade the American people are. There are hundreds of zines like Counterpunch, Mother Jones, The Progressive, and even the Sierra Club that are fed up with the phoney wrestling match that the two parties have provided over the years.

The Democratic Party is nothing but a fall-back position for the corporations. Let's give them something to think about!

[lookinforward]

27. Much easier and quicker to take over the Democratic party from the inside

The far right took over the more moderate Republcan party. (from Goldwater forward. The far right actually was conscious about this choice of taking over the Republicans rather than start their own new party.)
The pro-business DLC took over the populist Democratic Party. (a few years)