Dean's Calif. visit reveals promises, pitfalls of his leadership

[ProudToBeLiberal]

Dean's Calif. visit reveals promises, pitfalls of his leadership

BETH FOUHY

Associated Press


LOS ANGELES - How to explain the paradox that is Howard Dean?

One part bulldog, one part philosopher king, the former presidential candidate and new Democratic Party chairman demonstrated in a speech to California Democrats Saturday that he still has the power to mesmerize party activists.

But his trip was also marked by the kind of intemperate and controversial moments that remind people why he remains such a political lightning rod.

At a sold out dinner speech at the state Democratic Party convention, Dean brought the audience to its feet with his full-throated denunciation of the Republican party. He also issued a heartfelt call for Democrats to be more open and inclusive of "red state" voters, and their economic and moral concerns.

More at(updated link with login in)...http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2005/04/17/state/n143702D32.DTL
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This is one of the most bias articles I ever read by the AP.

[Wapsie B]

1. They've gotta smear him non-stop.

Dean really scares 'em.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. same reason they distorted the Dean Scream

they wanted him out of the primary race asap because they knew how formidable a candidate he would have made.

[madfloridian]

3. They love to lecture Howard Dean...they do it periodically.

They use words like intemperate, controversial. And making fun of Arnie they say was over the line. Why next he might make fun of minorities. If our side gets feisty about their side....we are being unkind. If they do it, fine.

[XemaSab]

4. Interesting how

the third paragraph says that it was marked by intemperate and controversial moments, but then the article doesn't say what those moments were.

I didn't see anything intemperate and controversial here.

Mocking Arnold is an equal opportunity sport. Bush mocking that woman in Texas who he killed--now THAT's tacky.

[mbperrin]

5. And when Dick said

"Go fuck yourself!" on the floor of the Senate, that was keen, too.

Gee, wonder what it takes for a publican to be intemperate or controversial?

[Cha]

7. Thanks for bringing that up..I

had somehow forgotten that bit of business!

[Itsthetruth]

10. Dean Gives Ammunition To Republicans

Also from the article:

He also issued a heartfelt call for Democrats to be more open and inclusive of "red state" voters, and their economic and moral concerns. "We need to talk to those folks," Dean said. "We need not react to the differences of opinion about gay rights and things like that — it's a symptom. What is real is the fear, and we don't address it."

Dean has also raised concern among some left-leaning delegates who question why he is so intent on opening the party to voters who oppose gay rights and abortion rights. Dean, like Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and a handful of other prominent Democrats, has called for a shift in tone on the abortion issue.

"I think we need to talk about abortion differently," Dean said Saturday. "Republicans have forced us into a corner to defend abortion. I don't know anyone who's pro-abortion."

That provoked at least one delegate to walk the convention hall, publicly questioning whether Dean wanted to invite anti-civil rights and anti-environment voters into the party as well.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Howard Dean knows, or should know, the issue is defending a women's right to abortion, not advocating that women have abortions. So Dean's statement "Republicans have forced us into a corner to defend abortion" is misleading. When Howard Dean makes that statement he gives ammunition to the Republicans and actually lends credibility to the false Republican charge that Democrats advocate abortions!

Hasn't Dean figured that out? You don't need to be a rocket scientist to understand that.

Dean and other Democrats who echo that political line on abortions are painting themselves into a corner. That's real smart.

[Kagemusha]

12. If you're gonna snap at Dean then get it right.

Dean did figure it out. That's why he said Democrats need to talk about the issue differently. Of course the issue is defending a woman's right to abortion. Is that what actually gets said? No. Why? Because Republicans set the terms of the debate and Democrats get asked the hard questions about if 3rd trimester abortion is murder and if abortion in general is murder and if the Democrats take MURDER seriously. It's hard to state an intelligent position in response that doesn't sound to a lot of people like it's supporting and encouraging murder because that's how the question's framed.

So what you're saying is that Dean's provided ammunition to help Republicans do just that. Maybe, but he's also taking the heat so everyone else doesn't have to. Besides if he says nothing to activists how will he get the word out?

That said, maybe he's still wrong in saying it even though meaning it seems to square with your position.

Edited to add: This is why the Democratic Party NEEDS a bleeping lightning rod. Better than the entire party being deaf/mute.

[Itsthetruth]

22. What Dean Could But Won't Say In Support Of Abortion Rights

" Besides if he says nothing to activists how will he get the word out?"

By saying one simple thing. "The Democratic Party agrees with the Supreme Courts and supports the right of women to have an abortion. A persons life begins at birth, not before you are born. That's why we have birth certificates."

Howard Dean won't do that. That's because a growing number of Democratic politicians are backing off from supporting the right of women to choose on this matter. And as you know, that's not the only issue the Democratic Party is backing away from. The Democratic Party National Committee and Howard Dean as its leader would not even take a position against the bankruptcy bill!

[dsc]

31. Actually that isn't what the Supreme Court says

and it may well change its mind. Then what would he say.

[Cha]

6. We'll just have to prove those little

concerns WRONG!

"There's no doubt that legions of Democratic activists still thrill to Dean's candor and militant call to arms. But concern remains that the former Vermont governor may simply be too polarizing to set the fractured party back on track to majority status."

As for mimicking the gropenator..how many Democrats has arnie insulted since he's had the bully pulpit in Calif?

[bemildred]

8. Same old shit.

Lot's of name calling, zero substance.

[AlCzervik]

9. yup, i'm so tired of them doing this

[TahitiNut]

11. I've seen other smears by Beth Fouhy.

The reason I remember is because I always wind up saying "fooie." It's a hatchet job - a partisan opinion piece disguised as "journalism."

[Carolab]

13. Like Republicans like "DeLay" aren't "polarizing"?

Like Hillary Clinton isn't "polarizing"?

"But concern remains that the former Vermont governor may simply be too polarizing to set the fractured party back on track to majority status."

Sorry, WE DON'T RESPOND TO BLIND QUOTES IN THIS PARTY. WHO, exactly, is "concerned"????

Here's Ms. Fouhy with *ucker Carlson, talking (of all things on "How to cover campaigns correctly).



Anyone got an e-mail for this bitch?

[Cha]

14. beth fooey!

I remember now when Dean said that("WE DON'T RESPOND TO BLIND QUOTES IN THIS PARTY") on cnn..Excellent!

[w4rma]

15. The Associated Press is *really* grasping at straws in this article. (nt)

[Carolab]

16. I just wrote to complain about Ms. FOOEY.

For general questions and comments;or to contact a specific employee: [email protected]

[Auntie Bush]

18. I haven't heard one journalist pick any Rethugs speech

apart like that. But Dean makes one and they're like vultures waiting for some crumbs to pick over. They make me sick! :puke:

[Auntie Bush]

19. Double post ...sorry!

[stillcool]

17. Fouhey is full of poohey.......

...and if these corporations continue to give voice to LIES, I swear to...oh..nevermind.
my email...
To whoever cares;
I am disturbed by the appearance of such blather as spouted by Beth Fouhy on Howard Dean, attributed to the AP. I am generally very careful of what news I peruse, as I would rather be totally ignorant than grossly mis-informed. I have looked to the AP as an excellent source, and it's quite saddening to witness what little bit of trust I have still in media be abused so baldly and with such insignificance.

[Eloriel]

20. Ooo, GOOD line

I would rather be totally ignorant than grossly mis-informed.

[Stinky The Clown]

21. Two words: Bull FuckingShit

Okay, so I can't count.

This is all bullshit. Dean was right. That's that. Fuck "inartful phrasing". Does anyone seriously think he's selling out to the other side? Does anyone seriously thnk he wants our side to cave? Did anyone seriously not get his message?

[unkachuck]

23. Ms. Fouhy...

....finds it 'intemperate and controversial' that the chairman of the Democratic party brought his Democratic audience to it's feet with a 'full-throated denunciation of the Republican party'....

....would she have been happier with a 'full-throated denunciation of the Democratic party?....or maybe, just with a 'full-throat' and skip the 'denunciation'....

[madfloridian]

24. They will lecture him more if he keeps this up. Diary at Kos and pics.

I had heard they played the sound byte from Dean tonight without even insulting him. First they showed DeLay at the NRA with his friends protecting him. I missed it so I am glad this person posted it.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/4/17/213359/718

Picture and quote:
"It is immoral to threaten judges of the United States of America, because they made a decision that you don't agree with."

Last night at the California Democratic Convention.

[jaysunb]

25. I was there

The food was awful, but the speech was energizing, prophetic, instructional and unifying...to say the least. Our Kerry, Clark , Kucinich, Dean fights have been put to the side and we stand as unified Democrats behind Dean and his leadership.

[Erika]

26. Yes! eom.

[6000eliot]

27. Why is it that every little thing a Democrat says or does gets major play

But the fact that the leader of the Republican party can hardly string two coherent words together gets willfully ignored? Must be a mystery of the liberal media.

[BlueIris]

28. Aw, man. This article is NICE.

Been a long time since I've seen anything from AP I liked. Perhaps we are entering a political "miracle season."

[SKKY]

29. I think the Repugs have been listening to Nine Inch Nails...

"Maybe afraid of it.
Let's discredit it.
Let's pick away at it.
I want to watch it come done."

[BulletproofLandshark]

30. "March Of The Pigs" is the GOP theme song.

n/t

[SKKY]

32. It certainly appears so, doesn't it?

n/t

[Larkspur]

33. Stories like this mean that Dean is hitting "Bull's Eyes" with his

stining critiques of Repukes.

Keep giving 'em Hell, Howard!!!!