Reply #47: Howard Dean is certainly focused on defeating bush*

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and he is running against the others. Let's face it, they all have different ideas as to how they will win the nomination and the Presidency.

Frankly I find the criticism of Dean's supporters a bit puzzling. I would think that we in this party would be ecstatic at the fact that a candidate has energized a very large group of voters. Especially from the ranks who have felt left out, ignored, or who just never cared before this. I meet people all the time who are enthused not only for the candidate but for the fact that they are feeling empowered again, and want to participate in the process...people who truly want to change the direction of our country.

Perhaps the discussions here do get a bit over the top. I have pretty much stayed out of them until lately, when the Dean bashing just got to be too much.

Dean has been criticizing * from day one. He was/is usually the first out with statements, and the others follow. He has aggressively said the things that need to be said against the * Iraq policies. If that is a bad thing, and Dean's just too "mean", and he's not nice to the other candidates, then we might as well all stay home in 2004.

We will NOT beat Rove by being nice guys. Those days are over. We need toughness, courage, determination, clarity, and the ability to motivate voters. Howard Dean has what it takes, and he is very right about one thing....WE have the power.

WE damn well better use it.