Dean and DNC busy defining McCain to voters. Giving them truth they did not know...

[madfloridian]

because the media is so protective of him, just like they are protective of Bush.

Seems that voters are quite surprised to find out some of his stances, and they are turn-offs. I believe their press conference today with the DNC pollsters said that they concentrated on 17 states for now.

I like this blog post I found...short and to the point about Dean's comments.

Howard Dean and ethical bars

“We didn’t bring it up, but they volunteered it”
– DNC Chairman Howard Dean talks about John McCain’s age.

“One was a health concern, the other was, and this is really interesting . . . that his views are old-fashioned”
– DNC Chairman Howard Dean talks about John McCain’s age.

“the women in that group were shocked that believed health insurance shouldn’t cover birth control pills and they were shocked about his belief in abstinence only education”
– DNC Chairman Howard Dean talks about John McCain’s age.

“I doubt we will bring it up in the election, there is somewhat of a higher ethical bar on what we do”
– DNC Chairman Howard Dean talks about John McCain’s age

I had to chuckle at that.

I am sure it was in reference to Dean's comments at MSNBC today.

One other thing from the DNC briefing... Dean was asked whether the poll brought up McCain's age, and the chairman replied that it didn't. However, he said that McCain's age came up voluntarily in focus groups -- either in the context of McCain's health or that some of his ideas are "old-fashioned." Asked why the poll didn't have questions about McCain's age, Dean responded, "We don't have any Lee Atwaters on our side," referring to late GOP strategist, who was known to practice the dark arts of politics.

Here is more detail on the press conference from Hotline Blog today.

Dean: McCain "weak and wishy washy"

Presenting data from a new poll and focus groups, Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean today delivered a blistering assessment of presumptive GOP nominee John McCain, calling him "weak" and "wishy-washy."

"John McCain is a weak candidate," Dean told reporters, repeating a line he used the day before. "He is very far out of step with the American people" on issues like the economy, the war in Iraq, and health care.

Backing up that claim, Democratic pollster Allan Rivlin presented data from the poll -- conducted of swing voters from 17 battleground states -- showing that 54% of these voters had doubts about McCain on the economy, and 52% had doubts about his position on health care. Moreover, 76% of these swing voters said the nation is on the wrong track, and Rivlin argued that's proof November's election will be a change election. Rivlin said data undercut what is seen as perhaps McCain chief strength: that he's a strong and decisive leader. Dean later said one of his biggest surprises was that some voters in the focus groups labeled McCain "wishy-washy."

"It is one of the biggest weaknesses he's got. It shocked me... It is a Mitt Romney problem." Dean then added that he always considered Romney the Republicans' more formidable candidate -- given his money and appearance.

Needless to say, the Republicans have been furious today about this. They were not happy at all.

[rwenos]

1. Good for Dr. Dean

This is his job. I'm glad he's doing it. And McCain is not a strong candidate. We'll really have to TRY, to lose to this stiff in November.

And the most interesting thing about the Pubbie discourse so far is THEY KNOW IT.

[madfloridian]

5. I don't think any of this is getting traction in the media.

The DNC blog is overflowing with McCain info, yet the media sort of protects him.

http://www.dnc.org/blog.html

[Hekate]

2. About time. Our 2 Dems have GOT to start running against McCain. nt

[madfloridian]

3. Till they can....

Dean has to do it, and the DNC will need money to do the campaign against him and pay for the party infrastructure he has built.

[madfloridian]

4. More on the DNC polling about McCain...voters confused about changes in him.

Democrats plan of attack on McCain

Democrats on Thursday highlighted what they see as Sen. John McCain’s weaknesses based on the results of swing state polling conducted by the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

DNC Chairman Howard Dean and Democratic pollsters said the presumptive GOP presidential nominee is vulnerable to charges he is not the independent voice he claims to be, criticized the Arizona senator for changing his position on key issues and claimed he is ignorant of the economy.

Dean and the pollsters said McCain has been “wishy-washy” on both immigration and the Bush tax cuts. Their polls showed people do not think McCain is an independent voice when they are told of his relationships with lobbyists affiliated with his campaign.

Dean argued McCain would have been a threat to compete for independent swing voters had he won the GOP nomination in 2000. Since then, he has changed on too many positions and tacked too far to the right to win their votes now.