Defend Dean

by Covin, Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 12:38:40 PM EST

Just do it--Chris

Update: Bumped up in light of most recent post--Chris

The Republicans are preparing for a massive personal attack against Howard Dean after he becomes chairman of the Democratic National Committee. This is obviously an attempt to discredit the Democratic party as being "out of touch," which we all know is ridiculous bullshit.

While Howard prepares for this onslaught, we must help him by writing letters to local newspapers.

Get the good word out about Dean as soon as you can.

I apologize for the link-whoring and brevity of this post, but I feel that is important to spread the word considering what the Republican Noise Machine has done to Democrats before.




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We all need to help with this (none / 0)

Even if you're not a fan of Dean as chair (although I imagine most of those around here are), this is an important effort. Republicans are undoubtedly planning an epic smear of Howard Dean the day he is elected DNC chair. We absolutely cannot let them succeed. Send a letter now; if you don't get published, send another when Dean is elected chair and don't stop sending them in until the Republicans stop smearing a good man.
by punishinglemur on Mon Feb 07, 2005 at 09:43:18 PM EST

Correct! (none / 0)

Don't let the rethuglican smear machine and the corporate media define Dean in the public eye...again.  Let Dean be Dean, but let him define himself.  Respond to attacks right away.
by donna in evanston on Mon Feb 07, 2005 at 10:58:53 PM EST

Howard Dean as Chairman (2.50 / 2)

Will be the leader of the second most powerful political party in the united states.

There will be no newspaper backed smear.  Be prepared but wait for the attack.  If you react before the GOP it makes it look like you think he is open to this.

Instead prepare your arguments and react the day after.

Start a list how could you attack Dean?

  1.  He is angry->  No he is a fighter and the GOP is trying to muddy the water because they really don't have good answers for why the economy has tanked, our freedoms are erroded and even the pentagon acknoledges that the enviornment is a more credible nuklear threat than terrorism (pentagon said global would possibly create a nuklear war in a report)

  2.  He is too liberal->  Howard Dean believes in the American worker.  He believes that the checkout clerk at wallmart who has to go on food stamps was created by the same God who made the rest of us, furthermore he takes the words of Proverbs 14:23 to mean exactly what they say.

Proverbs 14:31 "He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor".

  1.  He supports Gay marriage-> As a Christian Dean takes God at his word, Matthew 7 is very clear Christians are warned against judging others as that is the right of God alone.  Furthermore as an American Dean recognizes the need for a healthy seperation between those of faith and those who chose not to believe, it is unfair to force our beliefs on others just as it would be unfair for them to force their beliefs on us.

  2.  Christian/Family Values->  Dean recognizes that any one, who would accuse an innocent man of being a child molester, or a patriot of being insane because of being tortured for years, or a father of an orphan of being unfaithful because the child is a different nationality as some organized supporters of Bush have done in past elections, needs a strong role model with Christian/Family values.  A man with true values will not take the easy way out as George Bush has done throught his life from lying about his Vietnam era service to lying about the reasons for invading Iraq.

by donkeykong on Mon Feb 07, 2005 at 11:07:01 PM EST

Re: Howard Dean as Chairman (none / 0)

Disagree about the papers.  The Chicago Tribune conservatives are attacking and I have seen at least one unfavorable editorials.  The trib is a conservative company and ALWAYS support the GOP in the Presidential race (I damn near cancelled my subscription in 2004).  Watch for the papers they own to do a subtle campaign in the editorials and to have the syndicated columnists, Bryne, Krauthammer, Shales etc. just go to war.  
http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 10:24:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Howard Dean as Chairman (none / 0)

I get both the Trib and the Sun Times and if possible, the Sun Times is frequently worse.  I've come VERY close to cancelling both.  

After their endorsement debacle from last October, they begged people not to drop.  

I wrote Bryne a nastygram just last night after his latest 'In praise of diviseness' piece.  

by weinerdog43 on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 02:27:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Howard Dean as Chairman (none / 0)

I agree with your points about the Chicago Tribune, also they own the LA Times and obviously influence editorial policy although they keep a range of commentators across the spectrum.

The key point is they do smear, they will post articles that are part of a smear campaign and they are a negative influence with respect to a healthy democratic opposition party and with repsect to people knowing the truth.

by leschwartz on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 03:05:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Gay Marriage Support? (none / 0)

He supports Gay marriage-> As a Christian Dean takes God at his word, Matthew 7 is very clear Christians are warned against judging others as that is the right of God alone.  Furthermore as an American Dean recognizes the need for a healthy seperation between those of faith and those who chose not to believe, it is unfair to force our beliefs on others just as it would be unfair for them to force their beliefs on us.

Can someone from Vermont or with a better knowledge of the history than me wade in here?

My understanding is that he supported civil unions, and that even at that, he let the legislature pass the bill without entering the debate himself until it was on his desk for signature (i.e. that he expended very little political capital to actually "pass" the bill).

I'm not trying to slam Dean or say that he shouldn't be defended, there are enough people who will go down that road. I just want to make sure I clearly understand his position.

"into your illusion, i make my intrusion"
by fng on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 11:10:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Gay Marriage Support? (none / 0)

Civil Unions vs Marriage??

One is trying to get the same rights.

The other is trying to change the definition of a word in the dictionary.

Take your fight to webster if that is the only difference you see.

by donkeykong on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 01:09:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Gay Marriage Support? (none / 0)

Uh, if you want to win a framing fight, telling the GOP to go look at the dictionary won't help much. Especially since the polls we (Dems) use to frame the support for marriage/unions lumps the positives for each term together to aggregate support.

You also missed the second point of the post, which was to question how 'out front' Dean was as Governor. Anecdotal stories I have heard (and I grant the anecdotal up front) lead me to believe that a good number of Vermont State Delegates and Senators went out on a limb for the bill without strong backing from the Governor's office and that Dean came in at the very end to sign the bill.

Two things here. One, I don't necessarily ding him for that strategy, as he was an elected official dealing with a seriously charged debate. Two, the general impression that I have of Dean on this issue is good.

I am not trying to bash the man, I simply asked for some clarification on his history on the issue and his 'definition' of the frame. I fully intend on going to DFA and checking out the public statements. I also want to see what MyDD folks have to say about it.

"into your illusion, i make my intrusion"
by fng on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 01:32:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Howard Dean as Chairman (none / 0)

The O.C. Register published David Brooks' wingnut screed that Chris diaried yesterday or the day before. I just blew it off, because there doesn't seem to be any point to changing minds in O.C. I've sent them maybe a dozen letters and none have been printed. Maybe I'll give it one more shot.
by Gary Boatwright on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 01:40:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The DFA link you want is... (none / 0)

... this one and then click the LTTE (letter to the editor) pdf links for bio info, positions statements, talking points, issue framing, etc.
The 10,000 Things
by Andrew C White on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 12:08:09 AM EST

The thing to do is (3.00 / 2)

go on the attack bigtime against several Repugs till they get sick of their own game.
by synthia on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 01:41:13 AM EST

Yes and no. (none / 0)

I don't believe a pre-emptive attack on the character of any random Republican would accomplish anything.

HOWEVER!

Should a leading Republican choose to throw in his two-cents on Dean (and they will), then I think we should consider a two-prong defensive and offensive campaign.

  1. Defend Dean using the narratives suggested in this post.

  2. Go after the aggressor with twice the vehemence they used against Dean.

When someone opens their mouth against our party chair, we should be prepared to hit back twice as hard. That's just my opinion.
by Green Irishboy on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 08:21:16 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Yes and no. (none / 0)

It would be prudent to watch those up for re-election in 2 years and pit bull them.  Might as well start trying to hurt them now.  
http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 10:29:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Yes and no. (none / 0)

I guess I can't disagree with statement. There are certainly times to take the offensive, and that would be a good idea.
by Green Irishboy on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 12:20:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hope you're ready for 4 year defense. (1.00 / 2)

That's the price of Dean as chair. He's one juicy target for the GOP smear machine and they've got 3 years to capitalize on his every gaffe in that time. But my bet is that he's going to realize this and have enough sense to keep his mouth shut while quietly pushing his reforms from within and through associates. After all, he's going to be under a microscope for a long time as the new face of the party.

Let's hope he doesn't pull any of his campaign stunts like pandering to white trash confederates or Osama's right to due process. I hope he's learned his lesson from the primaries.

http://operationyellowelephant.blogspot.com/
by Vote Hillary 2008 on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 04:54:01 AM EST

Re: Hope you're ready for 4 year defense. (3.00 / 5)

If you suggest that pandering to the "white trash" vote is suggesting that a guy with a confederate flag on his bumper sticker needs health insurance for their kids, too (an honest paraphrase of what Governor Dean said.) Rather than allow Roger Stone, a rather notorious Republican operative,who was advising Sharpton at this point, to write our talking points, I would rather point the success of DFA which over the last year addressed the failure of our party to even bother to run in areas where both poor whites and blacks are badly served by their Republican elected officers.  And yes, we should be attempting to reach out to even "white trash" because we believe that all Americans deserve to be lifted out the prison of race and class, and this can best be done by promoting Democratic Party Principles, and fielding candidates who can speak to all levels of Americans, not just middle class white people.  

If you think it is bad politics to suggest that American values do not apply to the right of trial before we lynch people, let me remind you that even the worst of the Nazis had public, fair trials.  Dr. Dean "controversial" statement that OBL might be entitled to a fair trial, is actually a message we want to deliver to world at large, especially if we want to exercise moral leadership to all areas of the world, especially the middle east, which if see "The Control Room" is watching us.

I often wonder why Democrats assume that Dean will be eatten alive by Republicans, when actually when he takes on Hannity and real right wingers, he is very effective.  The only time I have seen him stumble was when he has been attacked by his fellow Democrats and only thing in six to one pile ons.  Something, it is noted, they fail to even try with Republicans.

The interesting thing is that Governor Dean's "stunts and gaffes" to normal Americans are exactly the reason he caught fire with so many people.  He spoke simply truths.  Interestingly enough the microscope you seem to be so concerned about could be applied to any Democrat, and basically Dean seems to be the only Democrat now who seems to have both the tools and issues to defend himself and his party.

In case you hadn't noticed, Dean rise came at time when Democrats were working with  DLC talking points, failing to understand the frustration and anger the Bush administration was engerdering within the "great unwashed" who make up the grassroots of the Democratic Party.

Our party is going to be rebuilding in the next DECADE, and this requires Democrats to pull together....not just to "pander" to a shrinking number of middle class swing voters, but to the army of Americans who have been hurt by Republican divisiveness, and continue to vote against their best interests, if they bother to vote at all.

If it takes a Howard Dean to get their attention by not putting them into a coma and saying things which people want to listen to, so much the better.  

 

by nanorich on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 08:35:20 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hope you're ready for 4 year defense. (1.00 / 4)

It's your party, not mine. As for me, I consider confederate flags a legacy of the pro-slavery South and a rallying cry for those modern day johnny rebs who still can't get over losing the civil war and their cotton pickers. So any reference to wishing to be a candidate for the guys in pickup trucks with confederate flags pretty much axes you from a vote in my book. Perhaps I just ask too much from my candidates.

Inclusiveness? Sure! Let's also think about the neo-nazis with tattooed swastika votes and the urban gangstas in their 69 caddies. They're also Americans and deserve to be listened to. There's your 2008 convention platform. Good luck, you'll need it.

http://operationyellowelephant.blogspot.com/
by Vote Hillary 2008 on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 01:11:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hope you're ready for 4 year defense. (none / 0)

Thanks for reminding me why class will be one of our winning issues in 2006.

It would seem that the good old boys are not the only victims of lazy stereotypes.

by nanorich on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 01:29:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hope you're ready for 4 year defense. (none / 0)

You raise a very important point;

"I often wonder why Democrats assume that Dean will be eatten alive by Republicans, when actually when he takes on Hannity and real right wingers, he is very effective.  The only time I have seen him stumble was when he has been attacked by his fellow Democrats and only thing in six to one pile ons.  Something, it is noted, they fail to even try with Republicans."

The worst sort of attack will come in the form of the smearing party quoting some Democrat who does not like or does not agree with Dean on some issue.

I have been trying these past several days to point out the need for unity on the Democratic Party side in our congressional votes (large and small) and in our message and I think this is going to be absolutely key to our ability to make the Democratic Party healthy again.

We should (I believe) be on guard against some DLC type or whomever within the Democratic Party who attacks Dean.

by leschwartz on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 03:13:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hope you're ready for 4 year defense. (none / 0)

Remember the motivation is not  outrage at Dean because of some gaffe...(these guys know exactly what Dean means, and their efforts to parse him feeds into talking points which filter down to places like here.)

These people know exactly what Dean means, and their purpose at attacking him for what he says based on a deliberate strategy to attack Dean where he is strongest, not on his weaknesses.

And the reason for these attacks isn't because they are afraid Dean will fail, but rather he will succeed.

One would respect these Dean attackers if they were half as passionate, creative or ruthless when going after republicans, as a they are in attacking Dean.

By the way, Donnie is right.

We defend Dean and our party, not by fight back...but by going on the offensive...not by playing in a permanent defensive position in a fixed game...

by nanorich on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 03:48:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hope you're ready for 4 year defense. (none / 0)

lieberman and Gore shut their mouths in 2000 and still lost. Lieberman would have been trounced by Bush if he ran instead of Kerry. Kerry's attempt to be diplomatic didn't help him win the election. FACE THE TRUTH. Any democratic leader will be smeared by the Karl Rove machine. It's just that the media and the dem establishment will highlight this fact only when Dean is in the picture and will have short term memory when it comes to their defeats.
by Pravin on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 09:56:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hope you're ready for 4 year defense. (none / 0)

I agree...there is onlyone way to come out well from a Rove attack, two words:  FIGHT BACK!!!
http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 10:35:19 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hope you're ready for 4 year defense. (3.00 / 1)

Not FIGHT BACK!  FIGHT FIRST!
Donnie Fowler San Francisco / Silicon Valley
by donnie on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 11:29:02 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hope you're ready for 4 year defense. (none / 0)

Great Point.  So fight first and if they hit us...Fight back.  That really irritated me during Kerry's campaign.  One of the things I loved about Clinton in 92.
http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 01:38:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hope you're ready for 4 year defense. (none / 0)

Can't say I was a Gore/Lieberman fan since I didn't vote for them in 2000.

As per Kerry, sorry but the grassroots monday morning QBing doesn't wash. Had he won you'd be singing a different tune. Only one president in history received more votes than Kerry's 57 million: Bush. You guys have built up this mythical godlike image of that fat miserable shit called Rove where he can practically part the Red Sea of politics with a nod of his third chin. The GOP just had a better GOTV effort on Nov 2nd and that carried the day.

And don't forget that true or not, they spun Kerry to the middle as being the most liberal senator in congress. The perception didn't exactly help his campaign against a war president. Solution? A more liberal candidate in 2008. You really think that's going to work? Are there really that many of you grassroots to compensate for alinating the moderates?

http://operationyellowelephant.blogspot.com/
by Vote Hillary 2008 on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 01:20:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hope you're ready for 4 year defense. (none / 0)

Who did you vote for?
http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 01:36:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hope you're ready for 4 year defense. (none / 0)

I didn't. I sat it out. I'm a Bill Clinton fan and his politics sit really snug with mine. Those 8 years were the good times. When Gore decided to bow to the GOP smear machine and refuse to embrace the encumbent president and use him as an asset when his approval ratings were once again moving up, he lost my vote. I didn't like the whole populist theme after 8 years of prosperity either. Not being a fan of Bush, I wasn't about to vote for him.

That's the danger of alienating the middle. My vote is a FL Volusia county vote. One of the infamous disputed counties in 2000. If Gore hadn't lost people like me, he'd have won.

http://operationyellowelephant.blogspot.com/
by Vote Hillary 2008 on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 04:27:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hope you're ready for 4 year defense. (none / 0)

You claim to be in the middle. Yet Gore in 2000 who used someone like a "safe" candidate such as Lieberman was way too lefty for you? And yet you find Hillary Clinton just right? Gore has been more outspoken on issues than Hillary. Being outspoken doesn't correlate to lack of moderate stands. One reason Gore lost in 2000 was because he played it too safe. I voted third party because I thought democrats would learn a lesson in case they win by a tiny margin or lose to Bush.
by Pravin on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 04:32:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hope you're ready for 4 year defense. (none / 0)

And you think Hillary will win in 2008 with that signature line of yours? While the right wing hate machine will try their best to ridicule Dean , just watch the inspired right wing masses that turn out to vote in 2008 just because of their spite for Hillary. I don't like Hillary, but even I will admit she inspires hatred far more than she deserves. She got shafted as this cold bitch by the right wing talking pundits while Laura Bush gets away with her Stepford creepy demeanor.

Nevertheless,  Hillary has done NOTHING in the last 10 years that would be considered noteworthy. She couldn't handle the republican pressure when she tried to come out with her health care plan. She supported the Iraqi war without giving a concrete rationale as to why she was doing so. And later on , she never expressed even the tiniest regret over the decision to go to war, but just mentioned she would execute it better when she was on Meet the Press. She never put any pressure on the President to explain himself.
The only noteworthy thing Hillary has done is raise Chelsea to be a more worldly citizen compared to the spoiled Bushie twins.

What did Hillary to do help democrats in 2004? She did more than Lieberman. But did she work as hard as Dean to help Kerry win? She is only concerned about her position.

And let's not forget her terrible speaking style. Just watch the right wing hate machine tear apart her shrill public speaking style the same way they ridiculed the scream.

Sure Hillary has moved to the center as a senator, but she doesn't reach me on the issues that I consider sensible but not leftist- such as charter schools and those stupid teacher unions(I have no respect for our public school system). What is hillary's stance on tort reform? I dont think she is moderate enough for me on that issue. I hope it is not as disengenuous as Edwards out of the blue statement on tort reform during the debates. I think the only areas I trust Hillary over  a republican are the environment and the supreme court balance.

by Pravin on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 04:20:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hope you're ready for 4 year defense. (none / 0)

Well, your caveats are just something you'll have to live with. Though I disagree on just about everything you said, she's still the most formiddable contender for 2008 according to media polling in theoretical match-ups.

Somehow I believe I'll be here saying I told you so when she wins the nomination.

http://operationyellowelephant.blogspot.com/
by Vote Hillary 2008 on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 04:29:29 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hope you're ready for 4 year defense. (none / 0)

Um, you do realize Hillary Clinton will be the juiciest target of the GOP smear machine...Whether they are afraid of her is immaterial...They will do it just because of their fanatical hatred of all things Clinton.  Being an early supporter, you should probably prepare yourself for attacks from the right and the left.  The name Clinton is as big a rallying cry for the Neo-Cons as W is for the Dems.
http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 10:32:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hope you're ready for 4 year defense. (none / 0)

Ah, but the wonderful thing about a general election is that it matters little how much your opponent's base hates your candidate. You saw that in 2004 with severe Bush hatred and democratic unity to defeat the incumbent. The grassroots came out...Kerry netted the 2nd highest vote count in presidential election history. But he still lost.

What's important is drawing the middle to your side, and that's where Hillary's centrism comes in, and if you've noticed since 2000 she's been positioning herself for this since the beginning. That's why she consistently polls higher than any other democrat in theoretical matchups with potential GOP candidates in 2008. Only McCain is a threat to her moderate appeal, and the fundies won't let him be nominated. Sure the GOP hates her...the more the better. And it'll be doubly sweet when Bubba moves back into the White House. Oh, they seethe at the thought of Hillary as president. And it won't help them a whit in 2008 just like Bush hate didn't help Kerry in the end.

http://operationyellowelephant.blogspot.com/
by Vote Hillary 2008 on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 01:29:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hope you're ready for 4 year defense. (none / 0)

Well i would say the GOP base was more motivated but that is up for interpretation.

Um Guilliani and McCain...Both thump her in current polls.  But she does better than the rest I will give you.  

I don't dislike Hillary and I will vote for her in the general election if she wins the nomination (I support others in the primaries)...But you are naive if you don't think the GOP is going to start hitting her soon.  All I am saying is to prepare for the same types of abuse.  

http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 01:35:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hope you're ready for 4 year defense. (none / 0)

Last I saw, only McCain nudged her out by a single percentage point. I feel she is plenty smart and talented to take the heat that the GOP can bear. She's seen their worst over the Monica mess.

But like you I'll vote for the eventual candidate against the GOP in the end.

http://operationyellowelephant.blogspot.com/
by Vote Hillary 2008 on Wed Feb 09, 2005 at 04:32:57 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hope you're ready for 4 year defense. (none / 0)

Bush didn't win he stole.

The vote was stolen in Ohio and in Florida and with the help of the media the theft was covered up.

All of your reasoning fails based on those thruths and your really disgusting hatred or anger towards the Democratic Party and what it stands for is obvious.

by leschwartz on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 03:17:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hope you're ready for 4 year defense. (none / 0)

I agree that the amount of hate for a candidate is immaterial as long as the candidate can inspire offsetting amounts of devotion. I just don't see that with Hillary. If McCain runs against Hillary, I am voting McCain. I am personally against family dynasties in politics unless you got a person who can outperform clearly the alternatives. Bobby Kennedy - I would have supported, Ted - no. Not that Ted is the worst, but he is simply not good enough for me to take part in the propping up of a family dynasty.
With the Clintons, I liked Bill's presidency even if he disappointed me(BTW, Monicagate was the least of my disappointments). Hillary is not nearly as bad as the right wingers claim, but she has done nothing that has inspired me to vote for her, let alone feel guiltless about being part of an electorate that can potentially hand over the country to two families over a 28 year period.
by Pravin on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 04:35:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

There is NO SUCH THING as neutralizing (3.00 / 1)

This is what establishment Dems never understand -- there is NO ONE who we can put in any kind of public role who will not be nuked by the Republicans.

Liberal? Look what they do to Kennedy.

Moderate? Look what they did to Daschle and are doing to Reid.

National security credentials? Look what they did to John Kerry's military record.

Easily-spooked Democrats spend so much breath wondering who we can choose to put out in public -- as if there's someone about whom they'll say, "Well, we disagree with him, but he's a fine fellow."

That's not how they work, and we're not going to win until we stop chasing shadows.

The reason we will NOT be playing 4 years of defense is that Howard Dean is the only Democrat who plays offense. That's why he's the best man for the job.

by prouddem on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 05:16:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: There is NO SUCH THING as neutralizing (none / 0)

"The reason we will NOT be playing 4 years of defense is that Howard Dean is the only Democrat who plays offense. That's why he's the best man for the job."

Exactly.  Well said.

by chicflick on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 09:39:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Not surprising (none / 0)

The RNC has already come out with a 13-page mass mail attack on Harry Reid that's being sent out:

After GOP Attack, Reid Comes to White House Dinner With a Bitter Taste in His Mouth

The RNC document, first reported by Roll Call, is headlined "Reid All About It," and contains a list of complaints about Reid's voting record and statements about judges, Social Security, taxes and other topics. It says Reid is "out of touch with mainstream America," has an "extreme environmental record" and is a "Scrooge in senator's clothing." The language echoes GOP attacks on Reid's predecessor, Thomas A. Daschle (S.D.), who lost a bitter race last fall to John Thune (R).

So attacking Howard Dean is just par for the course.  Keep those talking points at hand.

by KimPossible on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 09:31:20 AM EST

GOP attacks all Dem Leaders (none / 0)

Exactly. The attack on Reid just points out that Democrats could make George Bush chair of the DNC and the Republicans would attack him. Dems need to stop worrying about what the Republicans are going to say and instead just make sure they pick the best leaders for the party.

Republicans are going to attack every powerful Dem so there is no point in Democrats shying away from otherwise good leaders based on the perceived ease with which Republicans can attack. If they don't have real issues or gaffes to attack with then they will just create them.

It's a losing strategy to let Republicans pick our leaders.

by Curt Matlock on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 09:41:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Not surprising (none / 0)

What smears (barring the "gay marriage-lover" and madman smears) are the planning?

Something in his past?

(Was he on that Swiftboat, too?)

by chicflick on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 09:33:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Contact other dem politicians too (none / 0)

What's killing Dean's reputation more is the pettiness or plain cluelessness by many democratic talking heads who show up on tv. Frequently, they have shown either an unwillingness or cluelessness in defending Dean against smears in guise as legit questions on these talk shows.

And who the hell is Mary Ann Marsh? She is not as bad as Susan Estrich, but she is an awful rep for the dem party when she shows up on these FOX shows such as O Reilly and Hannity & __.

by Pravin on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 10:01:15 AM EST

Re: Contact other dem politicians too (none / 0)

From 2000, a bio of Mary Ann Marsh.
by KimPossible on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 10:51:12 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Contact other dem politicians too (none / 0)

Wow that bio is impressive. I guess she got lucky in life because none of that intelligence is on display when she is frequently overmatched by O Reilly and Hannity when she is on those shows. She frequently has no comebacks and just nods her head in agreement only because she can't come up with anything better.
by Pravin on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 04:27:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Contact other dem politicians too (none / 0)

That's why they book her!
by chicflick on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 09:34:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The political Cartoons Already Firing (none / 0)

The cartoonists are firing.  I saw one yesterday where we are hanging ourselves and today there the road is turn right and dean is holding a detour sign to the left and over a cliff.  

The main battle is going to be abotu the CW of being more right but to the left of Bush.  We have painted ourselves in a corner and we need to get out of it.  I think Dean will figure it out, but the road will be bloody.

http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!
by yitbos96bb on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 10:21:44 AM EST

"There will be no newspaper smear" (none / 0)

What utter nonsense.
Rapid response will be the key.
SLAM them as soon as they open the
gates.

The newspapers were complicit in the last
smear campaign, they'll do the same
for this one. Allow me to highlight
for you some of the good points.

1. He did a deal with Enron to set up an
insurance haven in Vermont when he was govnah!

  1. He's got an unbridled temper.

  2. He's a liberal.

  3. He's gay. (again, this is not my idea, its theirs)

  4. He opposed the Iraqi war, and by opposing it,
he opposes Freedom.

6. He flip flopped on the palestinian issue,
he said Israels wings should be clipped. Then he corrected himself and said that palestinian two state system should be the one.

  1. He doesn't want the iowa primary (thats a good one - know where they got it - public TV!!)

  2. What else? Lets think - oh yeah. He's angry, bellicose.

  3. The killer story: He's supposed to be a fiscally disciplined guy but he couldn't
control the disappearance of a 40 million
dollar chunk of cash in three months, in
his own campaign.

10. Lastly he just doesn't get the internet or the blogs, it was all Trippi's Idea - he thought he
was losing security when he was sending email addresses and mailing addresses to his supporters for letter writing campaigns.... he's computer illiterate (Judy Woodruff wanted that question, but since it came from the audience at random,
they might just run a story that says "he likes MACINTOSH COMPUTERS!!")

ALL BROUGHT TO YOU BY OUR NEWEST FOX NEWS COMMENTATOR...... MR....  ZELL MILLER!!!

Folks , this is an Epic moment in history. I love myDD because its really more objective than any of the other blogs. Dean, and how he deals with this,
will define or destroy the Democratic
party. Its that simple folks.

I for one think he's a good bet, things
will get more exciting. He's the kind of
guy I admire. I love him, but I hate
his friends. Just like he hates my friends...

NEWT 2008!!

>:)

by turnerbroadcasting on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 11:05:39 AM EST

Re: "There will be no newspaper smear" (none / 0)

Is Zell really on Faux News? Is he a part time shill like Ann Coulter or is he a regular Faux Analyst like Kristol or Barnes?
by Gary Boatwright on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 01:43:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Kick-Off Celebration with Howard Dean, this Wed. (3.00 / 2)

For those of you in, or around DC:

DC for Democracy is proud to announce a Grassroots Kick-Off Celebration with Governor Howard Dean this Wednesday, February 9th, 7:00 - 9:00 pm at the Capitol City Brewery, 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.

Before the Democratic National Committee starts its Winter Meeting this week to elect the new Chair of the party, join hundreds of grassroots supporters to hear Governor Dean lay out the vision and message to carry Democrats forward.

What: Grassroots Kick-Off Celebration: Meet Howard Dean
When: Wednesday, February 9th, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Where: Capitol City Brewery, 2 Massachusetts Ave, NE (Union Station)
Cost: FREE - RSVP Today: www.democracyforamerica.com/feb9

Welcome Howard Dean to DC, and help DC for Democracy kick off the DNC Winter Meeting where he will be elected the Democratic Party's next Chair! Show the strength, unity and power of Democrats moving forward and join us for this FREE event.

by CAat14K on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 11:22:21 AM EST

Dean lightening rod (none / 0)

I might be mistaken, but in a way it could be helpful for Dean to draw the biggest fire from the GOP. If the GOP spends its money and effort on one guy (who is not running for office) that is money and effort not being spent to destroy candidates, though Reid might be in trouble. Most voters probably don't give a flying @#$! who the party leaders are.

I'm not sure, but perhaps it is good that the GOP is blowing its collective wad so early because Dean is going to have years to fight back. If he's any good, he will be successful at it. It depends on how many times the SCLM is willing to recycle the same talking points ie we'll hear that Dean is an ultra-liberal now, but will the media cover the same story again two years from now? Four?

Or will Dean be able to successfully turn the narrative to his advantage the way the GOP does it? As soon as something negative comes out they are generally able to reframe it into a positive.

by quoi on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 02:26:35 PM EST

Gun-owning pickup-truck driver, Lockjaw Bulldog... (none / 0)

"The only knock against Howard Dean is that he's seen as too liberal," Mr. Maddox said. "I'm a gun-owning pickup-truck driver and I have a bulldog named Lockjaw. I am a Southern chairman of a Southern state (Florida), and I am perfectly comfortable with Howard Dean as D.N.C. chair."

Boy do I wish that that quote could be all over the news.

Dean is going to do so much good for this party. When he is officially the Chair I am becoming a monthly paying member of the DNC and I will be getting my friends to join me.
by lookinforward on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 04:11:36 PM EST

screamer (none / 0)

DEAN'S gonna draw fire no matter what he does. honestly, i hope he stays as feisty as he did in the primaries. rarely do you see such excitement in a politician. plus, that party as a whole needs a good shake down, and i don't think there's anyone better than Screamin' Dean.

PS: when i saw Joe Lieberman lean in and kiss GWB after the State of the Union I just wanted to climb through my TV and smash his face in. the reason i bring it up is because we should all be on the same message....Joe looks like he's ready to switch party's.

by ypsilanti on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 04:17:36 PM EST

2004 GOTV (none / 0)

"The GOP just had a better GOTV effort on Nov 2nd and that carried the day."

And let's not forget for one minute exactly how they did it.  They made sure that gay marriage was on the ballot in many states. (Ohio was one of them, I believe.)

The fundie church preachers rant and rave about how gays threaten to debase and destroy the institution of marriage Sunday after Sunday.  As a result, in 2004, their loyal flock, flocked to the polls to make sure that goddless fags could never ever destroy god's most precious institution.

This is a powerful issue that gets the fundies all lathered up and they literally RUSH to the polls. This is also why Bush will NEVER put any real effort into banning gay marriage. Dangling the horrifying prospects of gay marriage before the frightened fundies gets those useful idiots to the polls every time.

When it comes to GOTV, this issue is pure gold, and Rove will keep using it over and over and over again.  Unfortunately, the fundies are way too dumb to realized they are getting rolled...BIG TIME!

by susan1 on Tue Feb 08, 2005 at 04:50:35 PM EST


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