Is The Dean Campaign About The Dean Campaign (Versus Substance)?

[DrFunkenstein]

Joe Klein: It was a bit unsettling to see the Democratic front runner use the hallowed stage at Cooper Union as the forum for an address on...fund raising.

Dean tricked out his speech—a prepared text, delivered indifferently—with references to the power of the special interests and the need to clean house in Washington. But no amount of populist cant could disguise the fact that the speech was about process, not ideas. Indeed, Dean's whoosh of a campaign hasn't featured very much creative policy thinking.

Think about it: Apart from his early stand against the war in Iraq, what has distinguished Dean's candidacy from that of the other Democrats? The propellant for the Dean surge has been almost all style and process—the Internet successes; the monthly Meetups; his stirring, plainspoken pugnacity; the joyful abandon of his campaign—and the sense of community he has aroused in his supporters.

http://www.time.com/time/election2004/columnist/klein/article/0,18471,538907,00.html

This is something I have thought about for some time. Think about when Dean people speak about the campaign - or even when they talk about Kerry and Clark. How often do they talk in terms of the strength of Dean's policies?

Almost invariably, I hear Dean people come to three points: Dean's persona/appeal, his grassroots efforts, and the fact that he didn't vote for the IWR.

With the possible exception of his persona, I don't find any of those points the basis for which to elect someone to 4 years of office.

I was particularly struck by Dean's closing speech for the Detroit debate. He didn't end by speaking of his overall vision, or even about a particular issue. He talked about how wonderful his grassroots were. It seemed a strange choice for someone who has established themselves as the front-runner and is trying to look Presidential.

To what extent is the Dean campaign about itself?

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[dfong63]

1. "Dean, Dean, Dean, Dean, Dean"

[SahaleArm]

2. Good to see that the Trippi...

brain implant is working:evilgrin:.

[La_Serpiente]

3. *DUCK*

Hmmm....I was expecting pruner to be here by now.

[onebigbadwulf]

4. Oh?

I don't find any of those points the basis for which to elect someone to 4 years of office.

Yeah you're right, peace and prosperity are WAY worse than war and poverty!

[KissMyAsscroft]

5. They try and they try...

to pigeonhole his campaign...

[Andromeda]

6. Congratulations Mr. Klein...

You have been nominated for Whore of the Week.

Let me see if I have this right: Dean was talking about his campaign and fundraising and that is BAD?

Maybe somebody should tell McChimpy that he'd better stop going to all those fundraisers so he can raise millions of dollars to beat our candidate.

[TSIAS]

7. Dupe-Locking

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=689679&mesg_id=689679