Dean is a leader, not a leftist (articulate,integrity, humor bring voters)

[papau]

http://www.zogby.com/Soundbites/ReadClips.dbm?ID=6266

Dean is a leader, not a leftist

A number of American conservatives seem to have gotten it into their heads that the Democratic Party's presidential candidates are too left-wing to win in 2004. <snip>

Americans don't like fiscal irresponsibility, government waste or aggressive interventionism. They do like tax cuts, federal health care programs and spreading democracy. Notice that these are the same issues, phrased differently.

The current president does not share the values of most Americans. But they don't care. They like his personality, they like what he says. And most importantly, he comes across as a leader.And that is what is going to make or break the Democratic presidential candidate. The candidate has to project a strong persona and a sense of vision — in short, he has to be a leader.
<snip>

"Since when did it become extreme and elitist to balance the budget, extend health care coverage, offer equal educational opportunity and protect our environment?" Jeffords remarked. "I have heard such charges coming from Republicans most of my political life, but I find it incredible to hear such charges coming from Democrats." Or, as the other Vermont senator, Patrick Leahy, put it: "He inherited a deficit, balanced the budget, pinched pennies, provided health care to all Vermont's children, protected the environment and created jobs. That is a record of accomplishment, achieved with the broad support of Republicans and Democrats in Vermont." <snip>

(11/13/2003)
- By Craig Stern, The Daily Trojan