Poll on Dean's Comments

[Nederland]

"George Bush made a huge mistake by representing half of America, while treating the rest of us with contempt," Dean said. "We need to reach out to everybody whether they agree with us or not." --Howard Dean 12/02/2006

[Guaranteed]

1. This is complicated. On the one hand, we can not allow the right-wingers

to put their policies in place. They are simply wrong on just about everything, and they are so radical that there really isn't a way to compromise.

On the other hand, one has to think about one's approach to these people. I don't think that being overly aggressive in combating them, on some issues, at least, will help the situation. You have to be firm with them, but you can't attack them personally. You have to give them an opportunity to learn and grow into a different point of view.

They're very angry people. They have to be given a path to find a way out of that anger. It's almost as if they're mentally ill. You can't beat on them because of who they are. You just have to show them what is right, and hope for the best. We can't fall into the same trap as they did, with this continual anger.

[billbuckhead]

4. Let's just become republi............er bluedogs........"independent Democrats"

Let's concentrate more on getting votes counted and less on reaching out to the confederate flag crowd.

[Guaranteed]

6. That's not the idea at all.

I said it was a complicated issue. Read what I wrote more carefully.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

2. This country is not even close

to being as polarized as Chimp and KKKarl would have you believe. If this country is to have any future, it must envision that future with many shared goals and ideals. It is the ruling elite that want our division.

[Dr.Phool]

3. Invite them to join us in doing the right thing.

If they decline, leave them in the dust.

If they want to play games, marginalize them.

[Kagemusha]

5. I think you put it briefly and well. The effort must be made

but those determined to resist it can enjoy the joys of minority-hood because it's their turn. For now.

Not much is permanent in politics.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

7. Ding Ding Ding

We have a winner! Very succinct! :toast:

[Guaranteed]

8. I'm not sure it's correct, though.

That point of view seems to be a "You're either with us, or you're against us" kind of mentality. Give them one chance, and one chance only.

I don't think it works like that. Learning takes time. We have to be tolerant and patient- while being firm.

It's not in our best interest to write people off. That's what Dean's 50-state strategy is all about. You have to be there to take advantage- you have to be there for those people who want to change- when the time comes around.

[madfloridian]

9. This is the quote from NYT...

I taped it and will double check...

"“If George Bush made any single huge mistake,” Mr. Dean said, “it’s that he
thought he could be president by being president for half of America and by
treating the rest of us with contempt. That is not a mistake I ever want
Democrats to make.”

Just looking for the last half ofthe quote you gave....though he had the intent of reaching out.

Since GWB should have reached out to us, I tend to agree.

[Warpy]

10. We offer true bipartisanship because of who WE are

not because of who THEY are.

If they continue being acrimonious and mean spirited, to hell with them. They're the minority now and can nurse their hatred impotently.

[Orsino]

11. We need to GOVERN, not rule.

But, yes, we need to play to all working or impoverished Americans. Good Democratic policies will benefit everyone who's not a millionaire--and that's good government.

[CONewRevolution]

14. "Mega-Dittoes"...

I don't desire to be "RULED" by anyone, of any political persuasion.

I chose, along with a buncha-million of my closest friends, to be GOVERNED by representatives allying themselves with the Democratic party.

[porphyrian]

12. I agree and disagree.

We do need to reach out to everybody. We do not need to let them dictate our agenda, or how we do the things we do.

[elocs]

13. I didn't know that Dean had made comments that merited a poll. n/t