Critique Dean's performance on Larry King.

[Cascadian]

So what did everybody think of Howard Dean's appearance on Larry King's Show? I will be looking out for it at 9 after Mike Malloy.

John

[Ellen Forradalom]

1. A bit wooden.

He came across as tense. He seems to be new to this national-exposure thing. Let's see how he evolves over time. Hope he gets some good coaching on telegenicity.l

[bocadem]

3. I agree n/t

.

[TomNickell]

46. Could've been the camera angle...

I agree, he looked a bit stiff. Sitting up too straight, or something.

Otherwise, very interesting.

[Kira]

2. I thought he was great.

He answered all of the questions. I like when he says "here's what I think"... and he answers the question directly. I liked that he said that the Democratic party has moved very far right. I liked that he said that the Supreme Court stopped the counting. I liked what he said about medical marijuana. He is a little stiff, but it has grown on me. Especially because he is so animated when he is at a rally. All and all great job in my opinion. Oh, and I love that he mentioned winning the Moveon.com primary! He said he didn't get any delegates from it, but he still won.

[CMT]

4. I thought he did very well

He got his points across effectively on the war, on the Bush economic record, on his stand on guns, abortion (100% pro-choice), gay unions--didn't back down at all (though I wish he would have endorsed gay marriage--though he did state that if Ma passed such a law and if same sex marriages are done in Canada that they should be respected). He even gave his criteria for a running mate: Washington experience, maybe a southerner or westerner, ready on day one to be president, and women, african-americans, and latinos will be considered.

He also was gracious about Gephardt's endorsement by several unions and wished Gep well. He also said under no circumstances would he run as an Independent in '04--"any of our candidates would be a better president than we have now."

Overall a self assured preformance. Yes, in the first few minutes I thought he seemed a bit nervous but he did come alive after the first commercial break.

[DavidNY]

16. So based on those running-mate criteria...

it sounds like Clark is probably ruled out: no Washington experience, unless Dean's defining that in an odd way, and maybe not "ready on day one to be president" (though I realize many here would disagree on that latter point). Based on those criteria I'd assume he'll be thinking about Graham (Washington experience, southerner, ready on day one), Dianne Feinstein (Washington experience, westerner, ready on day one, woman), Bill Richardson (Washington experience as SecEnergy and a diplomat, westerner, Hispanic), perhaps Mary Landrieu (Washington experience, southerner, a woman). Though this says something unfortunate about the state of American politics today, I'm not sure I can think offhand of a black candidate with Washington experience who would be "ready on day one to be president"-- maybe Harold Ford or John Lewis, who also have the advantage of being southern?

If I had to guess, he'll pick Graham based on those criteria given the political advantage in Florida, with Richardson and probably Feinstein or Landrieu making the "short list" and maybe Ford or Lewis as well. Anyone have other ideas that match Dean's "checklist"?

[ferg]

22. California is not Western

weird, but true. The Pacific states don't count as Western in politics.

Besides, there's no way that I'd want Feinstein on the ticket. Ick.

Richardson would rock.

[dansolo]

29. Graham trumps them all

He fits all of the criteria that Dean laid out. Mary Landreau does not have a lot of experience, and she is the only other southerner you mention. She also has no foreign policy experience. Feinstein supported the war, and California is not a good geographical balance. Graham has the regional strength, Washington experience, Executive experience, a history of bipartisan support, and has also been willing to challenge Bush lately. He also has a lot of credibility on foreign policy matters.

One other person I'd like to see him consider is Gary Hart.

[CMT]

5. I thought he did very well

He got his points across effectively on the war, on the Bush economic record, on his stand on guns, abortion (100% pro-choice), gay unions--didn't back down at all (though I wish he would have endorsed gay marriage--though he did state that if Ma passed such a law and if same sex marriages are done in Canada that they should be respected). He even gave his criteria for a running mate: Washington experience, maybe a southerner or westerner, ready on day one to be president, and women, african-americans, and latinos will be considered.

He also was gracious about Gephardt's endorsement by several unions and wished Gep well. He also said under no circumstances would he run as an Independent in '04--"any of our candidates would be a better president than we have now."

Overall a self assured preformance. Yes, in the first few minutes I thought he seemed a bit nervous but he did come alive after the first commercial break.

[Individualist]

10. So did I

but I was really pissed at the way Asshole King was frowning when Dean was taking calls. I also enjoyed Graham's mention of Osama bin forgotten! Call-in questions were very good as well; I wondered if some of the callers were DUers. :-)

[BeatleBoot]

6. The Content Was Fine...

Only negatives I saw were...

1) He looked like he didn't have a neck.

2) His smile was awesome when he showed his teeth, but really weird when he did this "thin lip" smile that he did (without the dents showing).

We need more teeth with that smile Dr. Dean.

But I nit-pick, no?

Loved the comment about the fact that we don't need to be living under the thumb of Limbaugh and Delay. Hitting those Demo-chords nicely.

Still leaning Kerry...but stay tuned...

[ibegurpard]

9. He does have a great smile.

It lights up his face.

[BeatleBoot]

12. Yes he does

I was extremely impressed.

I hope my last post wasn't too negative about stuff that doesn't matter.

He did very well and I like the guy.

[Ellen Forradalom]

17. the stuff that doesn't matter DOES matter

since a handful of TV appearances is the only time the mass of Americans get to really see a candidate. Style is like a window--the cleaner the style, the more clearly the message can shine through.

[Composed Thinker]

27. But since Dean is clearly one of the major candidates,

he'll be making more and more appearences; this will be a drop in the bucket. And luckily, Dean seems to be getting better.

[Composed Thinker]

7. I thought he did well

He wasn't perfect, but he's getting better.

[Snellius]

8. Even as a non-Dean supporter, I liked him

He was remarkably candid and unscripted. I liked the fact that all the cable news pundits seemed to disdainfully look down their noses at him, including Larry King. When asked about how he would choose a V.P., for example, I was surprised to hear him spell out quite explicitly the kind of political calculations about geographic balance and core constituency considerations that go into the process and not the usual "I will pick the very best qualified man or woman for the job" blah blah.

[Wonk]

11. The doctor is in MP3 format :-)

5 M

[Gin]

13. He did look stiff....then he made the joke about balancing the budget..

and smiled a wide smile...I like him..he does need to loosen up...have some fun.

[Pastiche423]

23. As always, thank you Wonk!

I miss so much not having cable, (will not contribute $50/month to a corp.) you make it possible for me and others to keep up!

From stictly an audible take, Dean sounded great. He did not hesitate while answering King's questions. The one answer I did not agree w/was to medical marijuana. The United States and our future president need to understand how many benefits to so many more than HIV and cancer patients, this plant could bring.

The one answer that put a broad smile on my face, was his response to a VP needing to be from Washington. Yea! No Clark!

He just keeps getting beter and better!

:-)

[dansolo]

34. He said that the FDA should consider it like any other drug

He specifically mentioned its use for cancer and AIDS. What did you object to? I agree 100% with his position, and I am in favor of its use where warranted.

[Pastiche423]

39. Use where warrented

means more than just to AIDS and cancer patients. Dean stated just those two.

Laws should be passed immediately for the legal use of medical marijuana. A year long study, after he becomes president is not needed and it would/does prevent those in dire need of pain killing NOW.

Fuck the FDA, they've had decades to do studies.

[Robin Hood]

49. They've done studies for decades

And each study says the same thing. John edwards gave the same evasive BS answer.

[dajabr]

48. He did not understand the benefit of needle exchange...

but saw the facts and came to support it as Governor. Why not trust him to do the same with med marijuanna (just, without the politics as he said...)?

[jab105]

24. WONK!!

Just gotta say, you are the BEST!! Thank you so much for doing this for us, I always watch your NOW links also!!

PS-Are you ever able to get the Daily Show on there?

[Wonk]

26. Welcome. TDSWJS does their own online archives, btw. Link here.

http://www.comedycentral.com/tv_shows/thedailyshowwithjonstewart/

[annagull]

14. I didn't see him as stiff, just a little nervous at first

but he hit all the points and it came across as totally natural. You can see his passion, and that is what came across to me. I thought it was a great job!

[ryharrin]

15. I thought he was especially great when he

got that caller that said they were a Dean supporter. He smiled and seemed genuinely surprised and happy about it. He seems to really appreciate his supporters, even if they are just regular people. That's what we need, regular people, not corporate donors.

[Adjoran]

18. nervous is to be expected

in his first live national sit-down as the Democratic Man of the Hour. He could use a little bit of polish in presentation, or making just some deep breathing exercises beforehand to relax more, but the sincerity came through. And he didn't use the typical political weaselspeak to dodge answering questions.

A good B+ performance. Dean definitely helped himself tonight.

[ShaneGR]

19. 1000 times better than Meet the Press

He's getting better with age, like fine wine.

[Cascadian]

20. He'll get better....

the more he appears on these shows and particularly in future debates, he will get better. When he becomes the nominee, I look forward to seeing Dean clean Bush's clock in the presidential debates.

John

[AmyStrange]

35. When I ran for school board...

and I know it's not the same thing in any way like running for president, but my first interview with the local paper (The Seattle PI) I was so nervous I threw up before and after the interview and I rambled on and didn't say a thing coherent during the whole thing. I was so bad all they put in the paper was that I was running for school board and nothing else.

The next interview (with KUOW the local NPR station) went really well and it just got better with every interview after.

So yes, it will definitely only get better,






Dave (AmyStrange.com)
http://www.SeattleActivist.org/MyLifeStory.html
DU (slang/ folklore) Glossary (Dictionary): http://DUG.SeattleActivist.org/
Index of WMD Articles: http://WMD.SeattleActivist.org/

Here are some excellent resources and timelines of quotes and interviews and newspaper article quotes documenting the different things Bush and Co did and said for the last two plus years concerning the war in Iraq and WMDs (and other fun things) from the Howard Dean Website---even if you're not a Dean Fan, these are still excellent resources:

The Bush Administration And WMDs: Then And Now:
http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/PageServer?pagename=bush_wmd_summary

Niger-Uranium Timeline:
http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/PageServer?pagename=niger_timeline

Bush and WMD: Assumptions vs. Reality:
http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/DocServer/TikTok_-_Bush_-_Iraq_-_Side_by_Side.pdf?docID=781

The Bush Administration and WMD: What did they know and when did they know it?:
http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/DocServer/TikTok_-_Administration_-_Iraq_Deception.pdf?docID=762

[Cha]

40. So you can relate, big time?

I wouldn't even do it. So I admire People who can! An poster up further said Dean should do some "deep breathing exercises"...I agree! Those are the best! Joe Trippi! Get Dean on Some!

[AmyStrange]

54. long deeeeeeep breath....

and let it our real slow. It does do wonders.

Once you get over the bout of nervousness the first time around, it does get a little easier. Especially when you get a few good talking points in the bank. You're still nervous (you never get over the nervous part), but it actually becomes easier to get over the nervousness and talk or debate.

Actually, I find it easier to get up on a stage in front of thousands of people than talk one on one with someone, but that's me.

Breathe in... breathe out,





Dave (AmyStrange.com)
http://www.SeattleActivist.org/MyLifeStory.html
DU (slang/ folklore) Glossary (Dictionary): http://DUG.SeattleActivist.org/
Index of WMD Articles: http://WMD.SeattleActivist.org/

Here are some excellent resources and timelines of quotes and interviews and newspaper article quotes documenting the different things Bush and Co did and said for the last two plus years concerning the war in Iraq and WMDs (and other fun things) from the Howard Dean Website---even if you're not a Dean Fan, these are still excellent resources:

The Bush Administration And WMDs: Then And Now:
http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/PageServer?pagename=bush_wmd_summary

Niger-Uranium Timeline:
http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/PageServer?pagename=niger_timeline

Bush and WMD: Assumptions vs. Reality:
http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/DocServer/TikTok_-_Bush_-_Iraq_-_Side_by_Side.pdf?docID=781

The Bush Administration and WMD: What did they know and when did they know it?:
http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/DocServer/TikTok_-_Administration_-_Iraq_Deception.pdf?docID=762

[FubarFly]

21. He did great!

It was refreshing to hear a politician give thought out and honest answers, instead of just mechanically blathering out the same damn talking points again and again. Dean helped himself with this performance- people who were curious before are going to want to find out more. Admittedly this wasn't as effective as one of his campaign speeches, but I think his comfort level will improve with experience. Dean is a quick study. He has already markedly improved his performance since his MTP appearance. He definitely looked more presidential tonight. Overall I was very impressed.

[usregimechange]

25. Great!

And what is more several new meetup members joined my local Dean 2004 group! http://www.meetup.com

[Kanola]

28. I agree that he needs some polish on his presentation

but that is so minor when taken into account.. that he actually is a candidate who directly answers questions! Most of the Dem candidates (even Kucininich) will ramble around the question and maybe answer a question somewhat, which is frustrating to most voters because they like their questions to be ANSWERED directly.

I am so tired of a followup question to be answered with "let me tell you about my background and how I will support this, blah, blah, blah".

Dean's directness is a big plus. Plus my husband who stated he would vote for all the Dem candidates stated that if Dean won the nomination he would WORK for him. That is what Dean's candidacy is inspiring.

[Composed Thinker]

31. I think he's getting better

[jiacinto]

30. He is not handling the gay marriage question well

nt

[dansolo]

38. I agree a little

He did look like he was avoiding the question Larry King was asking, though you do have to admit that Larry King was really trying to pin him down to make some sort of absolute statement about it. He kept asking him the same question over and over whether Dean personally supported it. I'm glad that Dean didn't fall for the bait. Dean has framed this as a state's rights issue, and focusing on his personal view distracts from the issue. It is the same thing that is done on the abortion debate, where people can't understand how someone could be personally against abortion and yet be pro-choice because they don't believe in forcing their own personal views onto other people.

[FubarFly]

42. Larry really pressed Dean on this issue.

Notice how King derisively referred to civil unions as gay unions.

He wasn't going to let Dean's initial answer stand - he wanted to know Dean's personal opinion on gay marriage.

Dean made a mistake when he said he never really thought about the issue before, because it never became an issue. He recovered somewhat when he suggested that gay marriages should be respected if a state or Canada approved them.

Dean can't afford to go on the defensive with this issue. He has stay aggressive. He has learn to control the debate. For example, he could've said: "If a state decided to change a standard in order to protect all of its citizens equally, why would I be opposed to it? It is my opinion that I will support the will of the American people. I can say that an an ammendment banning gay marriages is a complete waste of time. Why are we afraid to let the American people decide for themselves?" Or words to that effect.

If he doesn't learn how to keep himself from being boxed-in on an issue, he will be find himself in trouble more often than not.

[Kanola]

43. I agree.

The hub unit and I both thought that was his only side step. If he is direct as he says (although gay marriage is controversial) he should have a stronger opinion of it and not relegate it to the states.

[janx]

63. Suggesting that something would be handled better on a

state-by-state basis doesn't necessarily reduce its importance. Some things are handled better that way.

Also, he was right-on to point out that marriage is a religious institution and therefore government should not get involved in marriage, while civil unions (civil rights) are an appropriate realm of government. Separation of church and state.

[w4rma]

45. I agree, jiacinto

He *must* come up with a more concise and direct answer to that question. He had to wear a bulletproof vest in Vermont because of the death threats he received for signing the state's civil union law that was mandated by the State Supreme Court. I don't want him to become another RFK.

[corarose]

32. Kerry & Dean are our team and he did GREAT!

:kick:

[Stuckinthebush]

33. He did well, but he needs some coaching

Sadly, we have too many people who vote for a person based on TV style. In that arena, Dr. Dean has some work to do. He seemed stiff, and very nervous. He blinked way, way too much.

As for me, I don't care. I like him and am going to vote for him, however, it is important for him to work on his presentation.

All he needs is a good TV coach.

By the way, the clip of Joe pissed me off. Where does Lieberman get off on saying that we can't be too "left"? What does that mean? Abandon what we hold dear? I dislike that man more every time I hear him speak.

[seventhson]

36. He is doing GREAT!!! Watching it now

He is pretty cool.

I just wish the guy would smile more and better.

I like him as a Gore VP

[Robin Hood]

37. His medical marijuana answer sucked ass.

Well have to get together an exploratory committe, blah, blah, blah..

[w4rma]

41. IMHO, it was perfect. It was honest and workable. (n/t)

[Pastiche423]

44. I disagree

See my post #39 above.

[w4rma]

47. Dean's plan is doable, what you are asking isn't

The U.S. government isn't going to go farther than that with the current Congress.

You would be asking him to advocate something that everyone knows that he won't be able to get done as President. He doesn't do that.

[FubarFly]

51. Exactly

Dean is approaching a sensitive subject in a reasonable manner. The last thing he needs to do is to open himself up for attack needlessly. I thought he handled the question with a fine balance of honesty and diplomacy. At least he is seriously addressing the subject.

[Pastiche423]

56. Please know

that I am a Dean supporter. BIG TIME.

This thread is a critique. My post, on a topic that is near and dear to my health, is the only critique I have for Governor Dean.

My state has a medical marijuana law, but is under the threat of asscroft, sticking his ass where it doesn't belong, again, like he has done in California.

So saying it won't get done is not true.

[w4rma]

62. I understand, but I still think that his position is the best one

The FDA is in charge of medicine and Dean wants to treat this as a medicine. It would be bad for him to make an exception in this case for one drug over all others. Not allowing the FDA to approve it would also make it easier for future presidents to change the policy.

[Robin Hood]

50. Nothing honest about it.

It was a canned answer that I heard John Edwards and countless others before them give. How many studies does a nation have to do? The results are always the same.

[dajabr]

52. The studies are always filtered through a political lens...

Take the politics out of it as Dean advocates, and the facts will drive the policy (for once).

[Joe the Revelator]

53. So you'd rather him say "yes

legalize marijuana" and for all intents and purposes hand four more years back to bush?

We need to pick our battles here and work on getting a dem back in the whitehouse.

[Robin Hood]

59. I want him to say States rights.

He does for every other issue.

[w4rma]

55. No, Liberal_Guerilla. It was extremely honest and straight.

medical marijuana
Anyway since there seems to be some confusion over Deans stance on medicinal marijuana I thought you folks might to see a post made by the Doc himself in answer to an 18 year olds query on the subject.

"Jeremy(from previous thread). I'm impressed that an 18 year old would spend time on a political blog site. Here is a short summary of my drug policy. 1) drug abuse ought to be treated as a public health problem not a judicial problem. I do not favor legalization because we already have enough problems with the two drugs that are legal, alcohol and tobacco. I also believe that if people are dealing heroin to kids or shooting people that jail is more than appropriate. But if your "crime", is being a substance abuser you belong in rehab, not jail. 2)I will order the FDA to study marijuana to see what medicinal effects it may have. I do not think marijuana should have a process different than every other drug to evaluate whether or not it has medical value. Based on the studies I have read, my guess is that the FDA may find that is useful in patients with HIV/Aids, and various forms of cancer, but not for such things as treating glaucoma, where there are other drugs available, and where the risks outway the benefits. I';m on the way back from New York, so i got to read alot of the blogging that went on today. You folks are terrific!! Thank you for an incredible day, and an incredible quarter. Howard Dean

Posted by howard dean at July 1, 2003 12:42 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1784&mesg_id=1784&page=

[Robin Hood]

58. So what about his States rights stance.

The above speech is the same canned answer that he gave tonight on Larry King. There does not need to be a study done on Marijuana, Every president has done one, and none have liked the results, it did not suit them politically.

He appears to be for States rights on every issue except for pot. If you want to own a gun a fly the confederate flag than go right ahead. but if you need Marijuana for medical reasons than he wants a study done. It's bullshit.

[w4rma]

60. I haven't heard of Bush* doing a study on this. What is your source?

Well, you can disagree with him, but you can't call him dishonest on this position. And, his position is the one he thinks he can get done. From what I have seen, Dean doesn't advocate *anything* he doesn't think he could get done as President.

IMHO, what he is asking (and he said within 12 months of taking office) is the quickest way anyone can get these sick folks some relief.

[FubarFly]

61. He answered a question about legalizing medical marijuana

His answer was essentially be patient, let me commision a study so I can have my ass covered, and then we'll talk.
If the question was about criminalizing medical marijuana in states where it was already legal, I suspect he would have answered states rights.

[ryharrin]

64. Well isn't the FDA a federal administration?

Why should the states be able to overturn that?

on edit: I do think that it would be nice if states could make marijuana totally legal, but it seems like the way things are set up, its a federal matter.

[jagguy]

57. its surprizing to me

I don't watch much TV and have seen little of Dean but what I have seen he doea not appear very much at ease. Apparantly many of you argee.

Considering how significant it is to be able to project on the boob tube I can't believe that he hasn't gotten coaching to get him past this.

If you juxtapose him to Edwards who is very fluid and natural, its fairly jarring (at least in my limited exposure to either one.

Guess we'll see if it matters...

[Shanty Oilish]

65. He did fine

The only painful moment was when I heard him say he hadn't thought much about gay marriage. Civil unions in VT, and he hasn't given it much thought?
I'm sure he's steaming over Lieberman's comments, and his responses regarding criticism were all very high-ground.
Larry King is easy on almost everyone, although I almost felt sorry for Marlon Brando the other night---clearly two different wavelengths---but if Dean can sail through other interviews as well as he did tonight, he will endure.
I still fear he can't beat Bush.

[imax2268]

66. Great...a bit nervous...

at least I think so, but I think he did very well!
for some reason though he didn't look comfortable.I would like to go somewhere and see him speak, anyone out there made a trip to see him speak...?