Trust me, Evil, Dean isn’t even on the left flank of the Democratic Party. That would be represented by, say, Dennis Kucinich. Dean might be anti-war and pro-civil-unions, but in economic terms – which is what really counts here – he’s not far from the Democratic Leadership Council. Have you ever heard Dean call for more progressive/redistributive taxation, pro-labor-union legislation, or any other form of economic populism?
As has been pointed out earlier in the thread, Republicans have a lead in first time contributors over the Democrats of about 3.5 to 1. This is especailly important due to the change in campaign finance rules.
Dean’s presence had a positive effect on you and no doubt on others. What cannot be measured is the negative effect his behavior is having.
No, BG, I have not. I concede your point. Compared to Dennis “Department of Peace” Kucinich", Dean is indeed closer to the middle. Which, to me, makes his behavior even more puzzling.
Why?
YMMV, but I think economic policy, not social or cultural attitude, is what really distinguishes a “leftist” from a “liberal.” See this old thread on the question: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=262432&highlight=leftist
But Dean is much more likely to get publicity for his statments, being the former media darling that he was. I’m a news junkie, and I couldn’t even tell you who the RNC chairman is. Of course, this can help the Dems as much as it hurts them, and that’s up to Dean himself.
What evidence do you have of this?
Really? It seems like they are stamping their feet, crying and endlessly repeating “I’m warning you! I’m warning you! You’re going to lose every election if he keeps this up.”
Seems to me if they really liked it they would sit back and let it happen. Then again, I don’t have the keen political guile that they do.
Go back to the earlier cites in this thread which reference the reluctance of big Democratic donors to give up their money to Dean.
Depends how fast the party can rain in his mouth. He has to reinvent himself quickly and that’s certainly within his abilities. His most recent remarks to the press show that he is forced to address the issue of this debate.
snip: WASHINGTON (AFP) - Former presidential contender Howard Dean insisted he is focused on advancing his Democratic Party’s political agenda, despite a firestorm over his recent incendiary, anti-Republican comments.
If he is incapable of keeping his mouth shut then I agree he is looking at a new career next year. Time will tell.
That would be “reign” not “rain”. Stupid mental spell check.
This isn’t particularly relevant to anything in this thread, but I found it funny:
Howard Dean and Queen do “Flash Gordon”
As for relevant comments, if I were a Democrat I’d be getting rid of Dean right this very second. I say that because as a fencesitter who loathes the Republican Party as it exists right now, if Howard Dean is at all representative of the Democrats (and I have to assume he is, as chairman of the DNC) I’m having a real hard time trying to find a reason to vote Democrat. He plays to the base, great. But the base always goes Democrat, so he’s creating a big political sausage fest, and that doesn’t help the Democrats. They need someone who can bring some of those people that haven’t worked an honest job in their lives into the fold or they’ll be sucking hind tit for years to come.
No, that would be “rein,” not “reign.”
And we see in the response to rjung’s post above the very essence of IOKIARDI.
Statements like Gillespie’s are practically cliche among the GOP–Democrats hate America, Democrats support terrorists, Democrats hate families, Democrats are immoral. Think about it–it is big news, and cause for outrage, when a prominent Democrat takes on a harsh tone while suggesting that Republicans are mostly concerned about straight white Christian males. Similar invective (and far worse) by prominent Republicans is so common that it fades into the background.
The Republicans have gone to incredible lengths to appeal to their base, not least of all their reprehensible behavior in the Schiavo case. (The Dems aren’t blameless, but let’s not kid ourselves about who was at the helm.) But when Dean uses some fiery speeches to try to fire up the Democrat base, he is “out of control”.
If I live for a thousand years, I’ll never understand any of this.
Here’s an interesting piec from Media Matters which echos something I heard in a news report on the radio today. It seems Howard Dean’s fundraising “failures” have been greatly exaggerated and spun by the Bush-controlled, right wing media.
So the truth is that Dean is actually outraising McCauliff. Get used to him. He rocks.
That would be “right”, not “write”. Gotta laugh at yourself after a crappy day in the mines.
This is one big circular debate. Dean’s mouth has put him in the spotlight (by his own admission) but it’s OK with his supporters to insult people as long as he brings in money.
There is no debate that both sides want to keep him in his current position. If we could all agree to run him again for President in 2008 then all will be happy.
Let’s face it guys, Dems havent a prayer. What with GeeDubya’s approval soaring into the low forties, his stunning triumph in Iraq, the utter brilliance of his privatization campaign, and the way every week brings but another example of his faultless command of the situation.
What was it this week…in just one week!.. oh, yeah, oil lobbyists rewriting scientific reports, a multi-billion dollar smooch for Boeing, buy property from rich Florida donors that we may even already fucking own!.. in one fucking week!
Yeah, we’re in big trouble. Lord help us if we get tossed into that briar patch!
Oh my heavens! Did the mean old Democrat insult somebody? GASP. Swoon.
We just better lie down and rest for a while. We’ll be back to ourselves in no time.
Evil One, yes, assertions are all well and good. What are the numbers that prove that any donors are reluctant? Show me, dammit. Otherwise, we are back to square one, with you merely making claims that fly in the face of any measure.
Of course, that pretty much is par for the course for Republicans.
Did I just say that? Oh, that Mean Howard Dean - he’s catching! I better stop before I make someone here my bi-yeeaarrrrrrr-ch.
You laugh and you kid, but only seven months ago the Republicans consolidated their power. Nothing has changed to improve the Democrat positioning for the next election. The Republicans will likely get to nominate a Supreme Court justice this summer, and maybe one or two more after that.
I’m sorry, dude, but right now the Democrats are owned lock, stock and barrel. All they can do is obstruct, and that plays to the Republicans. Now your national voice insults over half the country on a regular basis? No matter how bad the Republicans may seem to you, Howard Dean is making them look rational by comparison.