Howard Dean has "The Right Stuff" to be President

[Larkspur]

Howard Dean started his campaign last year with $150,000, a small office, a small support staff, and even by his own standards, with a very little chance of succeeding to win the Democratic nomination. By 2nd QTR 2003, he led the fundraising battle, and this quarter he became the front runner in polls in 3 states -- Iowa, New Hampshire, and California. Considering that there are 7 other guys, 3 of whom had more name recognition and ability to raise more cash than Dean, one has to admit, that Dean didn't succeed via the good ol' boys network. He earned it the good old fashioned way -- hard work, innovative thinking, good judgment, wit, and luck, which is when opportunity meets hard word and smart thinking.

Bill Clinton proved that he was a very capable politician when he retook the Arkansas governorship after losing it to a Republican. That's how he got the nickname "Comeback Kid."

Howard Dean proved that he is a very capable politician when he won 5 re-election bids as governor, including his last, which was the most difficult and dangerous for him. Due to tempers flaring over the Civil Unions bill, he had to wear a bulletproof vest when campaigning. Dean proved to me over the Civil Unions bill battle that he had the political courage to do the right thing, even if it meant losing power. He also proved to me that he could take a losing situation and still win. That's a skill that the other 8 candidates have yet to show me. (Dean is to me the political version of my football hero, "Comeback Kid" Joe Montana.)

Winning is important in politics because without it you can't hold office and wield power to do good.

[Vis Numar]

1. Thanks Larkspur

You are right on.

[StopTheMorans]

2. one of the reasons I like Dean

but wait for the tinfoilers to weigh in with the usual "Dean's been getting all the press, of course he's leading", "he's Rove's handpicked candidate, that's why he's leading, leading us right over a cliff" and the usual. Give it up people! Dean gets a lot of people excited, and he's made it this far b/c he's worked for it.

[meegbear]

3. Does this mean he'll use the New Kids On The Block song

as his theme?

[CentristDemocrat]

5. That would be AWESOME

:)

[Demobrat]

4. Wow. Didn't know about the bulletproof vest.

I sure hope he still has it. I saw him get mobbed by supporters the other day and it scared me.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

6. Dean's a winner

for sure.

Not to say that I'm sure he will win the nomination, but his campaign has been nothing but surprising. Have to laugh when I recall the many posts on this forum -- not to mention press coverage -- that tried to marginalize Gov. Dean as "too liberal" or without any real traction to raise money.

[onehandle]

7. The Civil Unions Bill...

Sodomy laws overturned. Gay marriage: Current Number One target of the Right. Big money maker for the GOP.

Coincidence?

I hope to God he starts wearing that vest again.

[Sean Reynolds]

8. Or doesn't get on any planes.......

:tinfoilhat:

[CMT]

9. thank you for posting

with some of the attacks on Dean I read it is good to read something positive!!

[Wetzelbill]

10. Governors do well in Presidential

races. Dean's success should be no surprise. He's got a mouth on him, but I like that.