Congressional Democrats Ponder Dean

[newsguyatl]

<snip>
In recent days lawmakers have been buzzing as they try to figure out the surge of another little-known governor, Howard Dean of Vermont. Who is he? How does he get those crowds? And, one of the crucial questions for lawmakers who must run next year, would Dr. Dean, who was governor for 12 years, help or hurt them at the top of the ticket? Even some of the most senior lawmakers say they do not know the man.

A colleague of Representative Jim McDermott, the liberal Washington Democrat, summed up the bewilderment among lawmakers recently when he asked Mr. McDermott: "What do you think, Jim? Is this guy McGovern or Carter?" Mr. McDermott, who said he was "definitely attracted" to Dr. Dean, said he thought he was a Carter.

<snip>

Many Democratic lawmakers are clearly impressed by Dr. Dean's surge in August — his fund-raising, his use of the Internet, his crowds. Mr. Murtha, who supports Mr. Gephardt, said, "I'll tell you what: this guy's doing something right to get those kinds of crowds." Representative Charles W. Stenholm of Texas, a leader of the conservative Blue Dog Democrats who met with Dr. Dean this summer, said, "You have to give Howard credit for running, thus far, one heck of a campaign."

They are also drawing broader political lessons from his rise. Representative Rahm Emanuel, Democrat of Illinois, said Dr. Dean was highlighting what he and other Democrats had long believed. "There's a Democratic electorate out there that is hungry," Mr. Emanuel said.

<snip>
In the end, a Democratic strategist said, House members adjust to reality. "They look at these things clinically and objectively," the strategist said. "If someone's doing well in money, doing well in crowds, doing well in polls, they're not going to go out there and explain why that's bad for them."


http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/14/national/14MEMO.html?ex=1064116800&en=1aeeba07a2481519&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

[Cha]

1. I respect Jim McDermott so much...and I like what he said...

"A colleague of Representative Jim McDermott, the liberal Washington Democrat, summed up the bewilderment among lawmakers recently when he asked Mr. McDermott: "What do you think, Jim? Is this guy McGovern or Carter?" Mr. McDermott, who said he was "definitely attracted" to Dr. Dean, said he thought he was a Carter."

But I think Dean is Dean and will be a two term President! :kick:

[diplomats]

2. The Carter comparison is better because Carter won the WH

I think the analogy has to do with Carter's campaign being populist in nature, like Dean's. He, too, came out of nowhere.

[Cha]

5. I know...I was just adding my 2cents!

:-)

[madison]

3. Harry Truman is the one Dean reminds me of

I think Howard Dean is a present-day Harry Truman, and Dean is going to surprise all the pundits just as Harry Truman did when he beat Dewey.

"Give 'em hell, Howard!"

[tsipple]

4. Analogies Only Go So Far

Yes, I agree that Dean is Dean, because all the analogies are imperfect. We haven't ever had a physician become President, for example. (That's an odd historical omission and deserving of prompt correction.)

I certainly do like this campaign for its ability to shake up the beltway Democrats, something we DUers have been anxious to see. You cannot fight the GOP with pablum. The Democratic Party organization was constantly trying to get two more votes among people who still bothered to vote, when the real problem is expanding the pool. Get even 1% of non-voters to have a reason to participate, and you've got a landslide.

Whoever the nominee is, let's hope he or she gets it and makes politics fun and surprising. Let's make sure people fully understand the stark differences between the parties. Let's show some humanity, emotion, and not try to BS people who have their BS detectors turned to maximum. In short, let's try fighting for the American people again.

[Cha]

6. You're so right and I love it!

:bounce:

[tedoll78]

8. That's Dean's strategy.

"Get even 1% of non-voters to have a reason to participate, and you've got a landslide."

He wants 3 or 4% more turnout in our favor. That'd basically be another 4 or 5 million voters, and from how things look, he's very capable. Tons of new rally participants, tons of first-time donors to political campaigns, in January will come tons of new caucusers/voters, and then victory with coattails.

[babzilla]

7. hilarious

Congressional democrats ponder how they can get some Howard mojo for themself.

They are just dying to know, how does Howard do it?

Go ahead and jump on that bandwagon, I guarantee it won't hurt ya.

[Larkspur]

9. Dean's campaign is a hybrid between Andrew Jackson's, Huey Long's,

Harry Truman's, and of course, Jimmy Carter's campaigns.

Jackson organized a political army of feisty and loyal followers throughout the country and they helped undermine John Quincy Adams' popularity and presidency. Remember this quote of Jackson's
A President elected by a minority cannot enjoy the confidence necessary to the successful discharge of his duties. Dean is wisely channeling the anger and frustration of his followers into an effective political army via his blogs, Meetups, petition drives, "Cheney Challenge" fundraiser drives, and community service activities. Dean's loyal followers will defend him against unfair attacks by his rivals, who fear to spurn us because it will increase Dean's fundraising and popularity.

Huey Long, the populist governor of Louisiana, was the first LA gubernatorial candidate to use the modern technology of his day -- direct mail and the automobile -- to spread his message to the poor and working classes in LA. He lost his first bid for the governor's seat, but won it on the 2nd try. Huey Long was an extremely popular populist candiate in LA and Long never betrayed the people who voted him into power. Hopefully, Dean will win the Presidency on his first try, and like Long, Dean will not betray us.

Harry Truman, of course, is remembered for pulling the greatest upset in American Presidential politics in 1948. He did it by fighting against the Republican media machine of his day and by going directly to the people via his Whistle Stop Tour. Dean's Sleepless Summer Tour is a modern version of Truman's exploit.

Jimmy Carter's campaign was a shoestring campaign, like Dean's. Carter tapped into the anti-Washington frustration and won the White House with it. Today, people are angry and frustrated at both Bush and the Beltway Dem leadership, more so today than in the mid-1970's. Dean has tapped that vein with success and his political skill in channeling that anger into hope for change shows a wisdom wedded to skill that this country needs in its next President.