Why I like Howard Dean

[WiseMen]

I like Howard Dean. I like him because he carries on a noble tradition of populist rhetoric and he was able to get really mad.

First, it is one of those perverse features of American politics that great rhetoric is held suspect. But great leaders need to use great speeches to lead. Franklin D. Roosevelt, John Kennedy, Nelson Mandela, Moammar Quadafi, Fidel Castro (and check out Tony Blair) were all great speakers; and it matters. I think that to the extent that Dean can rally a crowd to passion is good for the Party. Better the eloquence of Jesse Jackson than the precision of Dukakis.

Second, I love it that Dean gets mad. The democratic rank and file feel hoodwinked, abused and betrayed by their government. Their country and their honor have been taken away. They are angry.

To lead the Democratic charge against this Republican government, it makes good sense to get into the trenches with some folks who are mad as hell. Dean may have arrived a bit late in his career, but it does seem that he spent enough time in the trenches. I get the feeling that disdain and venom against Bush and his minions just oozes out. I love it.

Can Dean lead the Party to victory? Can he overcome his poor credibility as Commander In Chief. Most on this board know my opinion. But I do like Howard Dean, and cheer his gallant supporters.

[FubarFly]

1. Thanks.

I like him, too.

:hi:

[slinkerwink]

2. thanks, but Dean has credibility to be Commander in Chief

like Kennedy and Clinton who did not have foreign policy experience before they became President.

[WiseMen]

6. Polite Reminder: JFK was a War Hero and Campaigned South as such

[JohnKleeb]

10. He was a senator so he had some foreign policy experience

but having none wont make Dean lose.

[Padraig18]

3. Thank you.

:)

[liberalnurse]

4. Dean will do all the above.....

And my little tush is going to help him as much as I can. I want to take this country back. I got kids!

[WillyT]

5. Right On Wise, I Agree !!!

That's why I support the Gov. He said exactly what I was feeling, not just about the Commander-In-Chimp, but about the Dem Party's inability to put some fire in the 'opposition wing, of the opposition party'.

We tried the 'lets play nice and patriotic after 9\11' game for the 2002 elections, and all that gave us was a complete takeover of the levers of power by the right.

And I can't believe I'm about to say this, but thank god for Sandra Day!!! I'm thinkin that this lady is regretting her vote\decision in Gore v. Bush. I certainly hope so!

:shrug:

[10376173]

7. Another reason to feel good about Dean (Clark too!)

Here's a really cool algorithm (i used this to teach my 9 year old about math)

If history repeats itself we've got reasons to be optimistic

[10376173]

9. sorry here's the link from the above message

http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze3fs8i/air/Elections.htm

[WiseMen]

20. From: "Annals of Improbable Research Online" (October 20, 2003)

Very funny.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

8. he makes Kerry look more Presidential

the comparison is not favorable.

[RetroLounge]

11. Glad he looks it

But it seems he sure isn't polling or campaigning like it...

But who knows. We could all be in for a surprise on the actual voting day.

[WiseMen]

15. s this why you like Dean?

[Raya]

22. So what's the Deal. Will it be Dean or Clark?

[EXE619K]

12. Dean's the man!

I support Howard because he seems to be the "straight shooter" of them all. I understand how his detractors label him a "flip flopper" or a "shoot from the hip, motor mouth", but I believe he's a damn fine man with a wonderful character. Dean's record as Governor of VT is unmatched and his attraction from the new voters is a BIG plus.

Regarding the political preferances, I'm probably not as "liberal" as alot of others that frequent this board(in 2000: supported McCain and voted Gore because there was NO DAMN WAY I could vote for the idiot!)

I, too, had my doubts about this guy for the past couple of months. But his positives magnanimously out-weigh the negatives.
Honestly, I think the best way to give Bush the boot in November is to polarize the base and attract new voters because, the "reds" will remain RED and the "blues" likewise. Dean is the perfect candidate to accomplish this mission!

General Clark is also a fine man, however, I just don't like the idea of career military "Commander in Chief" Like the good General said "If you like automatic weapons, we have a place for you in the military!"(or something like that...)The good General has almost no domestic policy experience and for me at least, that is the most important issue...not national security.
Because, good defence starts at home first!
I've read recently that Clark is more seasoned in domestic policy than Dean because the population of VT is a lot smaller than the military families living in CONUS or other theatres. Well, guess what folks? The Chief of SACEUR does not make critical housing and community decisions for military bases!
Although, I would have more respect for Clark is he was a OCS or ROTC rooted officer but, He's a West Pointer and for all you vets out there...you know what newbie West Point LT's are like!;)

Howard Dean is the Man!

VETERANS FOR DEAN!


DEAN LEADS THE WAY!

[cthrumatrix]

18. well said

[JNelson6563]

13. Why thank you Wisemen

I like Howard Dean too. I appreciate your honesty here. :toast:

Julie

[kerrygoddess]

14. Anger does not solve problems

Anger can be a catalyst change but it can not solve problems. Anger makes problems worse if not properly channeled and to date Dean has not channeled his anger.

There is certainly a lot to give Dean credit for. I will give you that. However I don't see him leading the abused and betrayed down
the path of hope and honor. He's a button pusher. He's taped into the abused and betrayed because he knows how to push people's buttons. But that in it self is a form of abuse and I worry about the future of our country.

There are major credibility issues at hand as well. I don't see Dean supporters caring so much about the issues as they do about being part of the movement.

We need a strong leader who can take on Bush and lead our country with pride and dignity to place of hope of honor. There is only one candidate who has that sort of experience and temperment.

[batman]

16. dean has channeled his anger all the way to front runner status

id say thats a positive way to channel anger

[Sensitivity]

17. Hey Wisemen. About time you put one out for the Guv. Thanks.

[kerrygoddess]

23. Was this about the Guv?

Not exactly flattering in some regards.

[Printer70]

19. "poor credibility as Commander In Chief"

The Commander in Chief needs to take a decisive stance on whether to put troops in harm's way. Dean has always said he wouldn't put troops in harm's way for oil or other neocon objectives. Every other serious candidate has waffled, particularly Clark who one day supported the Iraq war and then changed his mind, without citing any particular reason...leaving the deduction of political convenience. That doesn't inspire a lot of trust in a Commander In Chief.

[Raya]

21. Hey Printer. Bad print feed. Check your source file.

[lurk_no_more]

24. Speaking of waffles

nice avitar.


And then there were none!
” JAFO”