Democrats: Are you happy with H. Dean being chosen to lead your party?

[Andros_X]

@DoctorJ

I’m very happy with it. I elaborated on my reasons in the GD thread, but basically:

–Dean was an outsider as recently as a year ago, and now he’s the party chairman. If nothing else, this means they recognize that what they’re doing isn’t working and they’re willing to try something new.

–The two things that the Democrats need to do, IMO, is to further distinguish themselves from the Republicans and to organize themselves more effectively at the grassroots level and on up. These are exactly the two things that Dean did in the election.

The idea that Dean is an ultraliberal has no basis in fact, and is a testament to the power of the right-wing media machine (as was the big deal made of the “scream”).

And if he is an ultraliberal, what of it? I’m sick of the elections ultimately boiling down to a choice between two Republicans.

I’m not a Democrat. But I think Dean will help them grow some spines. Reid’s already gotten started in that regard, but that alone won’t convince the ones that are faltering. Here’s hoping Dean breathes some life back into the Democratic Party.

[AskNott]

Dean redefined the way political parties raise money and grassroots support. Even the movers on the right say they had to scramble to catch up with Dean’s internet methods. Sadly, though, his whole career will forever be defined by a 3-second sound bite. I think he’ll be a fine chairman, if he can have somebody else be the party spokesman. Every time he speaks in public, snarky commentators will play the scream sound bite. I’m comfortable with Dean’s political positions, but the chairman doesn’t really call the tune on policy.

[mhendo]

@AskNott

Dean redefined the way political parties raise money and grassroots support.

Maybe you mean “the way the two mainstream political parties.” Ralph Nader and other small party and independent candidates were doing this sort of grassroots mobilization and fundraising well before Dean took up the idea.