John Nichols: The Doctor Who Cured the Democratic Party

[marmar]

from The Nation:




The Doctor Who Cured the Democratic Party
posted by John Nichols on 11/10/2008 @ 10:34pm



When Howard Dean, fresh off a bid for the Democratic presidential nomination that ended with a scream, announced that he would seek the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee, the right-wing echo chamber exploded with delight.

Asserting that Dean would forever consign Democrats to also-ran status, radio ranter Rush Limbaugh shouted: "Please, make him chairman. Please! Please! Please!"

Political strategist turned Fox News blowhard Dick Morris was pithier, declaring that: "In choosing their new national leader, the Democratic Party is publishing a... succinct suicide note. It reads 'Chairman Howard Dean.'"

That was in early 2005, when Republicans controlled the presidency, enjoyed solid majorities in both chambers of the Congress and were on the march at the local and state government levels. Democrats seemed directionless and dysfunctional, and White House political czar Karl Rove was talking about how America was realigning as a permanently conservative nation.

While other Democratic leaders talked tactics and considered compromises, Dean promised to "show up and fight." .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/382643/the_doctor_who_cured_the_democrat_party?rel=hpbox

[Justitia]

1. ha, ha, ha - who's laughing now, suckers? -eom

[texpatriot2004]

2. Thank you Dr. Dean. Howard Dean spoke for me. nm

[crickets]

3. Thank you, Howard Dean, -nt