Re: Dean becoming DNC chair

[Guaranteed]

It's looking more and more promising that Dean is going to become the chairman of our party.

However, I'd just like to say that if it happens, please don't expect instantaneous results. We're already seeing a slow evolution in our party, evident in the 13 senators who actually voted against Condi (what I believe to be a rather large number in the face of the "the President gets to pick his cabinet" tradition), likely as a result of the pressure not just from Dean, but from the party's base- US. DU'ers, even. But, still, things are going to take a lot of time, and it could be painful. We're still going to take a lot of hits, and there will be more embarassing moments. And we might still take losses in 2006 or even 2008. So many things have to happen for our party to get back into a good position. The media has to change, and the party itself has to regain the public's trust. The public has to believe that we speak with integrity once again. That's going to take quite awhile.

But, the thing is, if he gets the position, we're going to be back on the right track. We're going to change this party, and the United States, from the bottom up.

Again, it's going to take time, and hard work, so please don't become disheartened if everything doesn't go our way, or if you don't see change overnight. Like Rummy said, "It's going to be a long, hard slog."

But it will happen with our faith and determination.

[Old and In the Way]

1. Just the fact that there's so much interest in who is running for DNC

chair, is, in itself, encouraging. The fact that the grass roots wants Howard Dean is a signal that "business as usual" has to end. Howard is precisely what we need in the run up to 2006. He'll tell it lke it is and he'll have a grassroots organization already on the same page.

[WindRavenX]

2. agreed

If anything, the change in attitute will be a very refreshing breeze in the Democratic party- we need someone with a bad-ass attitude who isn't going to back down. And it doesn't hurt that Dean can raise mad $$

[anitar1]

4. Hope It Happens

but will believe it when I see it. My cynicism grows by the day.

[last1standing]

3. Good post.

And you're right, nothing in politics happens overnight. We are in the process of trying to revive a derelict party that has lost it's soul. If anyone can do it, it's Dean, but it will take years, not weeks.

[xxqqqzme]

5. considering that the DFA morphed N2

DFA 2.0 after Howard stopped campaiging 4 the nomination during the primaries says tons. Our DFA group here Bhind the orange curtin has grown. We regularly have Btween 50 & 60 people in attendence. Our largest meetup was after the Iowa primary! We have nearly outgrown our meetup spot. What Dean says and how he says it touches the people who feel the DNC/DLC has abandoned them. Howard speaks 4 all of us who felt that way. As DNC chair he hits the ground running because he has a politically wiser organization in place ready 2 pounce. NO OTHER candidate has that or can do that.

[Andromeda]

10. I heard Dean say that DFA has

750,000 members, if I heard right. Is that true?

[marcologico]

6. Ain't gonna happen but thanks for the pre-emptive spin. n/.t

[Guaranteed]

7. And it just wouldn't be a Dean thread without marcologico.

You should be our mascot! :)

[marcologico]

8. So many threads, so little time! :D

[lojasmo]

11. It's okay, your sheer quantity is well ballanced with a lack of content.

[marcologico]

12. Thanks for sharing. n/t

[Andromeda]

9. You know, I got the impression that

the other DNC candidates are *expecting* Howard Dean to win. When I watched the panel on CSpan, Tim Roemer said he didn't think he'd beat Dean or words to that effect. Another candidate (can't remember who it is) said somewhat the same thing.

I'm going to wait and see because I don't want to get my hopes up and then be disappointed. Too much has happened to be overly confident.

[CWebster]

13. It is the boost to morale

that can restore some faith again.

[OneTwentyoNine]

14. Go Howard! nt

[moggie12]

15. Last night, Fox said "it's a lock" according to Dem sources n/t

[seaglass]

16. Is it possible to set the bar any lower? Is this a preemptive

strike just in case Dean isn't the savior of democracy that many of his supporters seem to believe?

I don't care if Dean gets the chair or not but after all the glorifying of Dean over the last two years he damn well better accomplish something by 2008. And that accomplishment better be a big win.

[MaineDem]

17. He better accomplish something by 2006!

I'm not willing to lose a mid-term election again. We have Governors, Senators, and Members of Congress to elect.

[seaglass]

18. I was being generous. n/t

[Guaranteed]

19. You know, it took the Republicans decades to rebuild their party

from the point they were in during the 1960's...

This is going to take time. It would also be nice if Dean had some help from other Democrats.

[seaglass]

22. Did the Republicans have any presidents between 1960 and

2000?

Party rebuilding is great but the need, right now, is to get a Dem in the WH (and of course change our share of the House and Senate).

Why was it so easy to take credit for the "Dean Dozen" but now all of a sudden there's hedging on his ability?

He will get support from me but I will be expecting results and I'm not very patient.

[Guaranteed]

23. He's not the President, and he's not a senator.

It's not like he gets to make speeches on C-SPAN and actually vote on things.

And I'm not hedging his ability at all. IMO, there's only one man who can do this, and it's him.

My point is that people shouldn't freak out because we don't suddenly take the Presidency, House, Senate and media back all in one night. There's a lot of hope going around- and that's great, because we're going to tap into that to make the needed changes. But people just shouldn't get the wrong idea. Like people are so fond of saying around here, Dean isn't God.

[KittyWampus]

20. The Soft Bigotry Of Low Expectations. Sorry,,,, HAD To Do That

:+

[Guaranteed]

21. I actually have very high expectations.

Dean's going to bring this party back to life.

It's just going to take time. That's all. :)

[ClarkUSA]

25. I am expecting real results by 2006, as well election reform agenda

We don't have the luxury of time.

[Guaranteed]

27. What, specifically, are you expecting by 2006? nt

[blm]

24. Tackle 2 most important issues. GOP control of media and voting machines.

The platform, itself, is a darn good one that encompasses the wide range of Democratic opinions.

[Guaranteed]

26. Social Security, too. That's our juggernaut, and we can win it.

Gain some momentum.