Dean is probably not the McGovern of Democratic establishment fears

[reprehensor]

http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/1203/p11s01-coop.html

It's an open secret that most establishment Democrats and liberals in the news media are waiting for someone - anyone - to dethrone former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean as the party's presidential frontrunner.
Dr. Dean may or may not be the answer to the party's prayers. But well-connected and well-heeled Democrats should take another look at him, at least for long enough to see what his candidacy says about the electorate and the coming election.

Establishment phobia of Dean originates in the post-9/11 Democratic realization that to unseat President Bush, the party must win back public trust on national security issues. Hence the powerful appeal of candidates like Sen. John Kerry and Gen. Wesley Clark, with their military backgrounds and foreign-policy accomplishments. Dean, by contrast, with his staunch opposition to the Iraq war and shaky medical deferment during the Vietnam War, is portrayed as another George McGovern - a darling of the elite left who'll never appeal to all-important middle-of-the-road voters. Further, the insiders worry about Dean's "anger," concerned that what plays well with party diehards turns off ordinary voters.

But this view misreads both Dean and the electorate. It is precisely because of Dean's combative temperament that, despite opposing the war, he isn't seen as soft on Saddam Hussein, or on much of anything. Democrats are right that the 2001 attacks put a premium on leaders who will stand up to threats. But, rightly or wrongly, policy prescriptions and past military service may ultimately matter less to voters than intangible perceptions of who seems tough.

[Racenut20]

1. Is this a "paid political announcement" from the Dean headquarters?

[helleborient]

2. It's Christian Science Monitor...here's info on the author...

She recently received an award from Harvard Radcliffe as an outstanding young alum (graduated '91 I believe) and is a lawyer.

Here's more info:

Suzanne Nossel served as Deputy to the Ambassador for UN Management and Reform at the U.S. mission to the United Nations 1999-2001 under Bill Clinton. She was part of the negotiations that resulted in the U.S. paying its back fees in exchange for a reduction in future fees.

[Jerseycoa]

3. No paying

The Christian Science Monitor -- it's a highly regarded publication. This is good piece for Dean.