Why I Support Howard Dean

[NashVegas]

It's not because he's anti-Iraq war, it's because he's bringing intelligent anti-Iraq war arguments into the mainstream, something our whoring media won't do. And something that the comedians the whores will put on the air can say, but be easily dismissed.

It's not because I think he wants nationalized health care, but because I think he wants the government to discuss the subject openly and honestly with Americans, and he wants us to be a part of the conversation.

It's not because he signed a Civil Unions bill, but because he went around his state into town meetings, calmly explained why and let people rail at him after he did.

It's not because he's raking in millions in campaign support, but because he's encouraging those financial supporters to be actively involved and get a first-hand look at how our system works.

It's not because he's angry, but because he's allowing people to use his campaign to focus their anger and channel it into a positive outlet.

It's not because he's plain-speaking, it's — wait. Yes, it is.

The summation of it all is that Howard Dean, more than any other candidate for president, is encouraging a two-way dialog, and a dialog that does not call for shouting at and dismissing people you disagree with, but instead, listening to them.


In another thread on the board, someone pointed to a Freeper thread about Dean's attitude towards religion. I found this very interesting post in that thread:

Bush might be able to pound Dean like a drum. But it will still be a tragedy to have 6 months of hard core liberalisim promoted by the Democratic media and swallowed whole by the 30-40% hard core Democratic voters.

This campaign, even if Dean looses, could set the stage for a hard left turn in general public.

I don't think his predictions are dead on, especially the part about the Democratic media, and a hard left turn. But I do believe that if Dean is the nominee and he's not too bogged down in defending himself and stays on the offensive, instead, that there can be - there will be - a fundamental change in the way we hold dialog, and a possible reversal of the sad effects of the last two decades of polarism.

Not as a Democrat, but as an American, that's something I'm dearly hoping for.

[ACPS65]

1. Did Howard apologize yet

for implying that if he doesn't get the nomination, don't vote?

Wait.

He's too angry to do that!

[Cheswick2.0]

2. that didn't happen

kick

[Hep]

5. Sources

welcome.

[Lobo_13]

6. It's a . . .

NON-ISSUE!!

I encourage all Dean supporters to reply to ridiculous accusations like this with the above.

We shouldn't even need to explain it, they are just being deliberately obtuse.

[mandyky]

7. Dean never remotely implied that

What he said was, the new people (swing, not necessarily Dem voters) that he is bringing into the process will not be transferrable to other Dem candidates who have shown by their actions they can't or won't fight shrub "to the death". While they might vote for Kucinich or CMB or Sharpton as a second choice, none of the Washington insiders know how to talk and listen to them.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

23. Did he say that he would encourage those people to vote for the Dem

candidate - whoever it is. That should straighten that question out. This is something that he really needs to say...

He needs to show he supports the Dem Party - he makes it sound as if he is anti-Dem. The fact that he puts Clinton down (a 2-term President) would make it look that way.

[caledesi]

12. "Anger" - repugspeak....heard it before, we'll hear it again and again.

And don't forget the "flip-flopping" while your'e at it.
Course we all remember when the then Gov Bush* was against "Nation Building" and talked about humility and not invading nations.
Howard Dean will beat him like a drum.


And oh, don't forgot the "draft-dodger" image the repugs are trying to put on HD.
Course we all do wish Bush* would answer where he was from 1971-1972. He was AWOL. You don't want to go there. Howard Dean will ask he straight away...where we you? Cheney had "other priorities"

The red-ink repugs have stood their last stand.

[Scott Lee]

29. So you've seen the telltale marks of the Beast too!

I'm glad others have. I thought I left this stuff after swearing off of IRC and chatrooms dominated by rethugs and warpigs.

[NashVegas]

19. Where

Did you see it said or implied that Mr. Dean would want me to stay home, should he not receive the nomination?

[kerry-is-my-prez]

24. He need to say that he hope they supports the Dem candidate - whoever

it ends up being.

[NashVegas]

27. There Are Several Articles

Linked to, from the front or second page of this section of DU where Dean's own words specifically state exactly what it is you're looking for.

You should go read those articles.

[Upfront]

26. Bull Shit

Dr. Dean told it the way it is, and if you would care to engage your brain instead your mouth you would know it.

[formactv]

3. Plain speaking

Refreshing, isn't it? He used to go on the radio often to field calls from Vermonters when he was governor. He answered questions. With answers! What an original guy.

[Lobo_13]

4. Bravo

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[caledesi]

13. And how many times was Howard Dean elected Governor of Vermont?

3-4? Seems like the people liked his leadership unlike our present moran.

[MercutioATC]

18. 5, actually...

.

[QC]

30. Strom Thurmond was elected to the Senate 8 times.

And Reagan would probably have won a third and possibly a fourth term.

So getting re-elected a lot, in and of itself, means little.

[MercutioATC]

33. It generally tends to indicate support from your constituents...

I'd say Vermont was slightly more liberal than South Carolina.

You are correct, however, that it's not always a definitive indicator of competence.

[batman]

8. great post.

:toast:

[MercutioATC]

9. Great post! I think it's important for us to keep saying these things.

The ultra-left spins Dean as being too conservative. The ultra-right spins him as being too liberal. The fact is that he's a centrist and has the right skills to get things done.

I support Howard Dean, first, for his ideas. I don't agree 100% with every one of them, but I do agree with the majority of them and I understand how he reached the positions he takes.

Secondly, I support him because I think he is the candidate that has the best chance of affecting real change. Like him or not, most people will agree that he's not the typical "politician".

Thirdly, I support him because I had become disenchanted with politics in general. I felt that the line between Democratic and Republican ideologies had been blurred by weak politicians pandering to the broadest possible base of voters. I really didn't see the difference any more. Within a week of beginning to research this cycle's candidates, I saw Dean as something different...somebody who could give Democrats what they lacked (or, at least, what I lacked) a message of change in language that spoke to everybody, not just Democrats.

Is he perfect? No. Do we agree on every issue? No.

Dean does, however, represent for me what is best about our political process...a candidate that speaks plainly but intelligently...a candidate that states issues in the terms we need to hear them...a candidate that isn't afraid to be controversial when the situation warrants.

I don't think we've seen a candidate like Dean in a long while and I value what he represents to the process.

[Lisa0825]

10. well said, Crisco, thank you. (nm)

[caledesi]

11. Well said Crisco. That's why I like HD too. nt

[dajabr]

14. Well said, crisco...

:yourock:

[not systems]

15. I agree...

Howard might turn people around.

Go Dean!!!

It is nice to see something positive after hundreds of
nasty anti-Dean rants by the usual suspects.

[dkf]

16. Dean supporters write the most inspiring threads

In the past few days I have read some really wonderful stuff on this site, Dailykos and on the O-Blog that move me immensely.

I don't understand why supporters of other candidates don't spend more of their time writing these.

[askew]

17. Bravo!

Great post. These are some of the same reasons I am supporting Dean. It's nice to see a positive thread around here for a change.

[JNelson6563]

20. Well said!

*applause* :toast:

Julie

[slinkerwink]

21. great post!

;-)

[kerry-is-my-prez]

22. It would actually make the Dems and the country move toward the center

<<<even if Dean looses, could set the stage for a hard left turn in general public.>>>

If Dean loses - I'm afraid that will just reinforce the idea that the Dems need to move further to the center. In addition, when Dean moves towards the center and starts talking about his conservative record in Vermont - he (and the Dems) will lose a lot of these very, very idealistic young people to the Green Party. I think a good chunk of them will be quite disillusioned.

Some of the people who have been around politics will understand but I think the first timers will be angry.

He has some very conservative views....

[quaker bill]

25. nice post

on target. Changing of the political dialog in this country is one of the more appealing aspects of his campaign.

[stickdog]

28. Nice post. Dean's simply the class of the field

as a Presidential campaigner and candidate.

He will beat Bush like a drum while we work with him to take America back from the radical right imperialist neocons.

[mvd]

31. He's the next best thing to Gore

Kucinich is lagging far behind in the polls (I won't stop supporting him until the end,) so I have to have a more probable candidate to support. I have seen things here that made me worry about Dean's chances, but Gore picked Dean, and Gore should be the current President. Dean has a nice mix of anger and vision IMO as I don't think he comes across as gruff as he used to. And I can see him getting that grassroots support on a larger scale.

[mvd]

32. And yes,

Thanks for your post, Crisco. :toast:

[Polemonium]

34. Nice one

Dean has inspired hope, and he is listening to us.

Imagine a Democrat elected by small donations, and the grass-roots. Then help make it happen.