DU Approval Ratings: Howard Dean

[Dave Sund]

Results of the previous poll: Harry Reid

Approve (122 votes, 87%) Disapprove (18 votes, 13%)

I'm adding a "no opinion" option this time, because a few people on the last poll said they weren't sure where they stood yet.

Do you approve or disapprove of the job Howard Dean is doing as DNC Chair, or do you have no opinion?

[madfloridian]

1. You know how this will turn out.

Some of us did not toe the line today on a certain 08 candidate. It is revenge time.

[Crunchy Frog]

5. I don't know what you mean by that.

I voted that I approved. It looks like most people are. I think you may be imagining a conflict that really isn't there.

I am sorry that you feel that way. Just because I support Clark for the Democratic nomination does not mean that I oppose Dean and the work that he's doing. I think you will find that's true for the vast majority of Clark supporters on here.

Nobody expects you to toe any line. Just because I support Wes Clark does not mean that I expect everyone else to. I consider it to be entirely normal and perfectly fine that people support or do not support a variety of candidates.

If you somehow felt today that you were under some kind of pressure to rally around a Clark candidacy, I am sorry for that. I want you to know that I absolutely don't expect it of you, and that I in no way hold it against either you or Dean.

[Writer]

13. Where in the world is this Clark conspiracy theory coming from?

This has to be the third thread in at least one or two days where some type of pro-Clark/anti-Dean conspiracy has arisen. I am befuddled. No, more bewildered. :shrug:

Or should I just say: "Oh! You outed me. Shucks, man. (shakes fist) And I woulda gotten away with it, too!"

Sigh,

Writer the Clark supporter who couldn't give a damn.

[FreedomAngel82]

14. I'm the same way but with Kerry

I'm a full out Kerry supporter but I like all of them and I was so in support of Dean getting the chair. I was worried he wouldn't but I'm really proud and happy and think he's so perfect for the job.

[tishaLA]

6. Oh I don't think supporters of

"a certain 08 candidate"--whomever that might be--are particularly vengeful. They support the Democratic party by and large and hope we regain control of the house and senate.

To cast aspersions, even implicitly, on supporters of any candidate is not particularly helpful to the party. We need to be supportive of the people in our party who are willing to speak out and offer proactive visions about how to turn around our electoral fortunes.

[madfloridian]

8. Then let's not do it to any of us then.

It is done often. Let's just stop.

[tishaLA]

10. Well, I haven't

I never suggested that one perceived monolithic group would exact revenge on another perceived monolithic group. I guess I don't think that way.

[madfloridian]

11. I don't either.

I had to learn to. I don't like it either.

[FreedomAngel82]

15. I agree

It's silly to have a feud over something of the past. :eyes:

[Adelante]

21. Then you stop, MF

"Some of us did not toe the line today on a certain 08 candidate. It is revenge time."

I absolutely resent this. Stop accusing people of what you are doing in this statement. Just stop it.

[The Traveler]

9. Relax

Dean has earned the respect of the Clark crowd. Yes, he did it the hard way with me ... he EARNED my respect. As did Wes Clark ... but I knew of him through my old life. Clark was a colonel when my mentor (a flag Navy officer) called him a Jeffersonian warrior, and compared him to McArthur (for his brilliance, not his values).

Let us not quibble. There are important differences between Clark's view and Dean's view ... but there are vast similarities. Let us continue to argue the varying ideas ... we'll come up with even better ones. Both men have the strength and humility to listen and join in the dialog. Come, let us reason together.

(edited to make a point clear. McArthur was a military genius, but his values have always disturbed me. Clark is equally brilliant but embraces a more humanistic philosophy.)

(One further comment. Those of us who struggled to secure this country did many abhorrent things, things that still keep me awake at night, in hopes the horrors inflicted upon the Soviet people would never happen here. How do you think we feel now that the Bushitas have implemented the political strategy of Lenin right here in our own homeland? Would you speculate that we would be angry, bitter, and fatally determined to oppose this new horror? Howard Dean understands this ... do you?)

[Crunchy Frog]

18. Well, it looks like 11 people out of a total of 74

ended up taking revenge on you. Not much of a showing I'd say. Or maybe there is no revenge going on. I wish you would show some willingness to entertain that possibility.

[jen4clark]

25. I'm sorry you feel that way

I'm a Clarkie who LOVES Dr. Dean. Please don't "lump" all Clark supporters into one batch.

I was a Dean supporter until I heard Michael Moore speak Fall '03 in support of General Clark. After doing my own reading, research and joining the local Clark group I've been a solid, active Clarkie ever since. Never made me think any less of Dean and I was thrilled when he won DNC Chair!

[iconoclastNYC]

2. no voters -- please say way

and cite something he has done or said wrong since being elected.

[Willinois]

3. He has given some speeches.

I don't know what basis to judge him on since he hasn't done much yet. I would like to see the DNC do more to support the state parties instead of hiring DNC staff to work in the states.

[ReadTomPaine]

4. I think putting links to the previous poll is a great idea.

Too bad graphing isn't available in the software for multiple polls over a long period of time.

RTP

Edit - "No opinion" is a welcome addition as well.

[The Traveler]

7. As a Clarkista

I place a high premium on wit and balls. Howard Dean possesses both aplenty. I completely approve. And, I must add, so also Barbara Boxer ... a beautiful and incredible woman, in my opinion ... and one with bigger balls than the average Democratic party aparatchic these days. (Could someone please, please, please install a backbone in each of the DLC boys?) We need more folk like these.

I would vote for Howard Dean or Barbara Boxer in a heart beat. I tell ya this, between Boxer, Dean and Clark I think the neocons are in for an interesting and uncomfortable couple of years.

[ReadTomPaine]

12. Clark-Boxer-Dean...

Democratic trifecta? ;)

RTP

[The Traveler]

16. Possibly, RTP

In the collision of their ideas, something of value may be created.

At least they all are willing to stand before the storm.

I really gotta get off this board and get some sleep, man. If we ever meet IRL, I am definitely buying the first round.

[Clark Bar]

20. Traveler,

be careful with that expression of "bigger balls" as you may arouse the ire of some members of the opposite sex. There was a post about that subject a month or two ago,eh. No offense taken by me. I agree with your observation of Clark's wit and his resolve.

[The Traveler]

28. Thanks for the caution

But I am what I am. Language is of necessity limited in its capacity to transmit ideas and feelings, and we must all find our own style. If it offends some that I suggest Boxer has bigger stones than most men in Congress, I can only suggest they cultivate a thicker skin. If people cannot extract the obvious meaning from the message without dragging their own issues into it, that is not my problem.

[Swamp Rat]

17. 100% Approve!

:)

[Rowdyboy]

19. One more "Clarkista" who loves Dr Dean.....

I admire his candor and his guts, much the same way I admire Wes Clark's candor and guts. Shockingly, some people can respect BOTH men.

[Tom Rinaldo]

22. I voted Yes. Strongly with no hesitation. n/t

[Larkspur]

23. Dean has an uphill battle with reforming the Dem Party from the grassroots

up, but he's got a plan and sticking to it, despite what the DLC clowns and Media say.

[seaglass]

24. Neither approve or disapprove. Though I didn't like him

telegraphing strategy re: Terri Schiavo and the wording he used (if that was an exact quote), I'm not giving up on him so easily.

I don't think he's been in the job long enough for me to approve or disapprove. I'd prefer to base my conclusion on the results in 2006 and his part in it.

[Dave Sund]

26. I've liked Dean

Even though I was a Kerry supporter through the primaries, I admired Dean a great deal, and I think he's doing a great job so far in the chairmanship. I don't know if it's wise that he discuss strategy with reporters, but I like what he's doing to try and organize parties on the state level.

[Dave Sund]

27. kick

:kick:

[Name removed]

29. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bigwillq]

30. 100% approve!

Dean kicks ass.

[bobthedrummer]

31. Approve.

:thumbsup:

[kevsand]

32. Good lord, yes!

I think Dean is probably the first DNC chair in a generation or more who actually gets it in regards to what we really need to do.