Reply #20: Howard Dean. And I'm a Clarkie

[Tom Rinaldo]

I would put Clark second and Moore third. Dean first because he woke up a punch drunk Party, stood firm against Bush when those around him wouldn't, mobilized a new generation of activists for the Party, showed that it is possible for the Democrats to match the Republicans fund raising without having to depend on fat cat Corporate money, and has shown a continuing commitment to revitalize the Party from the grass roots up.

Clark second because he threw the weight of his powerful military credentials full force behind the Democrats at a time when it was critical that someone do so, and because Clark relentlessly attacked Bush as "Commander in Chief" even when other Democrats were soft peddling it (he held Bush accountable for not being on the job prior to 9/11, openly warned about PNAC's plans, repeatedly stressed that the Buck (and blame) stopped with GWB, not lesser evil flunkies like Rumsfeld and Ashcroft, he never shut up about Iraq being a massive "strategic blunder" etc.) Also because Clark devastatingly went on offense against Republicans trying to dominate traditional American themes like flag god patriotism and values, while remaining faithfully progressive on the issues. A winning combination for our future.

Moore third because he dared to say openly what many only whisper about. Because he continually fights for working class Americans, because, as an ex Nader voter, he directly took on Nader this time and rallied the disaffected to the Democratic Party, and because he worked tirelessly to defeat Bush though he knew full well that the Democratic Party would never "reward him" in any way.