2016 Postmortem

Drunken Irishman

(34,857 posts)

53. I like Howard Dean. I supported Howard Dean in '04. Even have my Howard Dean buttons and t-shirts.

Thu Jan 31, 2013, 05:19 PM

Jan 2013

But he's not a viable candidate. He was barely a viable candidate in 2004 and that was before he had been tagged with the dreaded loser label. Worse, he's been out of government long enough that he's basically been relegated to cable TV. I just don't think he'd be a viable candidate anymore and he certainly wouldn't against Hillary.

I know people like to compare any _____ candidate to Obama and his upsetting Hillary. But I think that just further proves the difficulty it will be defeating her. Most candidates are not Barack Obama. When Obama gave his speech at the 2004 convention, everyone in the world started talking about this guy and suggesting he may be the next POTUS. I don't see that from any Democrat right now. Obama was a once in a lifetime politician who was able to captivate a nation like we hadn't seen since, arguably, the Kennedy days. It's possible there is some unknown person out there who can do it - but it's not Howard Dean.

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Is Howard Dean the only viable challenger to Hillary in 2016? [View all] One of the 99 Jan 2013 OP

There's Joe Biden. no_hypocrisy Jan 2013 #1

And probably many others Sherman A1 Jan 2013 #3

The most obvious. Howard Dean sure isn't. Problem is if Hillary decides to run, she has the money still_one Jan 2013 #52

Obama Has just started his 2nd term this thread can wait a few years can't it? awake Jan 2013 #2

For Christ sakes! longship Jan 2013 #4

The USA is the only country which is in perpetual presidential campaign DJ13 Jan 2013 #7

Sorry to disappoint you... brooklynite Jan 2013 #15

You said it. This 24/7 speculation just after Obama has been sworn in Jennicut Jan 2013 #36

that really isn't true dsc Jan 2013 #45

Howard Dean is not viable Renew Deal Jan 2013 #5

Much as I admire him, I reluctantly agree Generic Brad Jan 2013 #9

Howard is a personal friend. A few comments on your post: DFW Jan 2013 #18

Thanks for that info... Evergreen Emerald Jan 2013 #27

but he is very capable Rosa Luxemburg Jan 2013 #14

Nobody is viable if she wants it customerserviceguy Jan 2013 #6

actually, today she said she was running, if you parse it correctly. graham4anything Jan 2013 #11

The way I parsed it was... whistler162 Jan 2013 #20

but Hillary45 will still be Hillary45, January 20, 2017 either way. graham4anything Jan 2013 #21

I seem to recall hearing this kind of talk before the '08 primaries. n/t winter is coming Jan 2013 #50

Who knew customerserviceguy Feb 2013 #59

beyond the obvious point that Obama was a unique talent at a unique time there is grantcart Feb 2013 #63

There seems to be a conclusion by people such as Tweety that doc03 Jan 2013 #8

Hillary won in 2008, if not for President Obama. With President Obama, she will win in 2016. graham4anything Jan 2013 #22

Ted Kennedy is on record??? Did you hear him endorse HRC in your dreams? karynnj Jan 2013 #25

John Kerry is going to back Hillary45/and her vp choice. Like he did (belatedly) in 2008. graham4anything Jan 2013 #33

you said that karynnj Jan 2013 #37

What if the economy falls apart again? What if Obamacare turns out to be the doc03 Jan 2013 #34

It's been 9 days since Obama was sworn in again as President. LiberalFighter Jan 2013 #10

Is there another Howard Dean I don't know about? * DrToast Jan 2013 #12

Elizabeth Warren Rosa Luxemburg Jan 2013 #13

That is the VP candidate in '16.... Moostache Jan 2013 #16

as opposed to all the PHONEY changes he's done so far? Whisp Jan 2013 #47

Please no. Can't we keep her for a few years? Arkana Jan 2013 #32

Didn't Hillary already say that she won't run in 2016? Jamaal510 Jan 2013 #17

Yes, she has said that HappyMe Jan 2013 #38

Howard has no intention of running DFW Jan 2013 #19

Our new Secretary of State? Sancho Jan 2013 #23

I'm for no one davidpdx Jan 2013 #24

lots of possibilities mgcgulfcoast Jan 2013 #26

The nomination is Clinton's to lose NewJeffCT Jan 2013 #28

I hope mainstreetonce Jan 2013 #29

It would be nice NewJeffCT Jan 2013 #30

No. Howard Dean will be a 12-year-gone has-been by then. Arkana Jan 2013 #31

If Dean is viable, so are a lot of other possible candidates. nt onenote Jan 2013 #35

Howard Dean??? Really? yellowcanine Jan 2013 #39

If Hillary runs my belief is she will only face token opposition. WI_DEM Jan 2013 #40

The Corporate Media destroyed Howard Dean, and cowardly Democrats betrayed him. Liberal_Stalwart71 Jan 2013 #41

Love Howard Dean, but he's a better behind the scenes guy than geek tragedy Jan 2013 #42

Don't forget about Martin O'Malley. nt madinmaryland Jan 2013 #43

Elizabeth Warren TeamPooka Jan 2013 #44

Howard Dean?????? Beacool Jan 2013 #46

Dean is the past...Hillary is the present and if she's not the future, the Bush dynasty will likely libdem4life Jan 2013 #48

Dean has no viability. Sorry. MjolnirTime Jan 2013 #49

I saw Joaquín Castro on tv the other day and I thought - hedgehog Jan 2013 #51

I like Howard Dean. I supported Howard Dean in '04. Even have my Howard Dean buttons and t-shirts. Drunken Irishman Jan 2013 #53

I can't see Howard Dean blocking the path of history. nt MADem Jan 2013 #54

Chris Van Hollen november3rd Jan 2013 #55

Although I think it's a touch early to worry about it...... wandy Jan 2013 #56

Ditto this^^^^and Grayson. 2014 will determine much about 2016. n/t libdem4life Jan 2013 #58

Dean is way way WAY less liberal than his supporters think Recursion Jan 2013 #57

No. ellisonz Feb 2013 #60

No Ian Iam Feb 2013 #61

Dean is a Hillary 2016 ally cvsgracht Feb 2013 #62

Don't forget - back in 2007, Hillary had a dead lock on the nomination! hedgehog Feb 2013 #64

and don't forget that a lot of Dems of power just did not want her to win. Whisp Feb 2013 #66

Howard Dean is known only with the very active left, and online community, so no. He does not have cecilfirefox Feb 2013 #65

Dean? Dean is probably not viable at all TroyD Feb 2013 #67

Howard Dean? You're kidding, right? SmittynMo Feb 2013 #68