Dean says Bush "the most divisive president probably in our history."

[madfloridian]

Howard Dean calls for end to divisiveness, party unity

"WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Down with divisiveness was the message Wednesday delivered by Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean as he told a group of Florida business leaders that Republican policies of deceit and finger-pointing are tearing American apart.

Dean called President Bush "the most divisive president probably in our history."

"He's always talking about those people. It's always somebody else's fault. It's the gays' fault. It's the immigrants' fault. It's the liberals' fault. It's the Democrats' fault. It's Hollywood people," Dean said. "Americans are sick of that. Even if you win elections doing that, you drag down our country."

"Dean said Democrats need to start defining their own party to energize voters and to provide a real message of change.

"For too long, we have allowed the Republican Party to give the message about what the Democratic Party is about to the voters," he said to thunderous applause. "That is over with."

[aquart]

1. Yeah. If only he would rest on his laurels.

But he always manages to exceed his own personal best.

[madfloridian]

2. Talks again about our needing a farm team...local candidates running.

So they can be available for the future.

"The Democratic Party has foundered in recent years because not enough quality candidates have run for local offices that would later put them in positions to become national players, Dean said.

"The truth is one of the reasons we're in trouble in this party is we have not tended to our farm team," he said. "We need to get a good bench."

To be frank, I am having trouble with the way our Democrats are not speaking more honestly about Israel, not confronting the fact that they make mistakes as well. I don't like that he brought this up in the speech, and that is one area I disagree on with him.

[AndyA]

3. I'll believe it when I see it.

"For too long, we have allowed the Republican Party to give the message about what the Democratic Party is about to the voters," he said to thunderous applause. "That is over with."

Practice what you preach for a change, OK? Oh, and you might let the rest of the Dems know that this is the message, because they all seem to be talking about something different.

Uniformity and consistency can be good. Just ask the Republicans.

[madfloridian]

4. Who needs to practice what they preach? In what area?

He is about defining our party as a nation wide one. He is speaking about doing that.

You don't think the Republicans have been defining us? They do it all the time, all over the TV and in the papers.

Are you aware he is trying to get people on message, and they are fighting over who is to form the message? Are you aware of the DLC meeting in Denver this week?

They are setting the message. He has tried to get them to stop being so complacent about what the Republicans are doing.

[AndyA]

6. Dean needs to see this through.

I'm not saying that the Repugs aren't defining the Dems. My issue is that no one seems to be able to make the Dems understand we must have a unified message. One Dem says one thing, another Dem says something else, and a third Dem disagrees with the other two.

I understand the Democratic Party is very diverse, and that's normally a good thing, but there must be SOMETHING we can all agree on. The GOP has given us lots to work with over the last 6 years, but I'm not seeing any consistency at all, and here we are 4 months from elections. When is the unified message going to get out to the public? We don't have a lot of time left to get unified.

And that lack of unity is what allows the Repugs to define us. Will we ever learn?

I am aware of the activities, I just hope Dean sticks to his guns and makes people understand that the time to define the message is NOW. And once defined, they NEED TO STICK TO IT to keep it out in front of voters.

[madfloridian]

15. Well, they ARE on the same page with Maliki for sure.

I don't like the page they are on, but they are all there. There is no doubt where they stand on that today.

[AndyA]

17. And is that the battle we really want to fight?

Is that truly the most pressing issue facing America today? In my book, the Dems have a slew of issues they can choose from, any of which would likely make a good basis for a unified front.

I think the Dems are too easily distracted, and too slow to accept the fact that they're being out maneuvered. With election fraud, Presidential abuse of power, the lies about the economy, high oil costs, lack of health care, the war, the war, the war, and the thousands of broken promises the GOP has made, there's a lot to work with.

Personally, I'd love to see a "Broken Promises" TV campaign. And I'd put George W. Bush, front and center, as the example. The man who was going to return integrity to The White House. Right. And then show the many ways he's done just the opposite. Link Bush to the local candidates in each area, show them together. None of the candidates want that, they want to stay as far away from Bush as they possibly can, in spite of supporting his agenda all along. As I said, there's a LOT to work with. The Dems just need to get it together and do it, and quit worrying so much about upsetting someone.

[madfloridian]

18. Well, first step...stop blaming the one who is trying to change it.

And as to the Maliki issue, I don't like it but there is a reason. This letter, written in 2003 worked wonders at keeping the Democrats in line with Israel. Dean spoke out, and he paid dearly.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

September 10, 2003

The Honorable Howard Dean
P.O. Box 1228
Burlington, VT 05402

Dear Governor Dean:

We are writing to respond to your comments on the Middle East at a recent
campaign event and in Tuesday's candidate debate and explain why we believe
it is wrong to say the U.S. should "not take sides" in the
Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

American foreign policy has been - and must continue to be - based on
unequivocal support for Israel's right to exist and to be free from terror.
The Palestinians have at best been ambivalent about their willingness to
accept Israel's existence and from Yasir Arafat on down they have promoted
or acquiesced in the use of terrorism as a tactic in their struggle. It is
unacceptable for the U.S. to be "evenhanded" on these fundamental issues.

All of us want a genuine peace process to succeed, and all of us accept the
legitimacy of a Palestinian state once the Palestinian leadership and people
recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and not only renounce
the use of violence but at last take action to dismantle the terrorist
infrastructure inside the Palestinian Authority. Time and time again, the
Israeli people have shown their willingness to take risks for peace. But
they will only do so with the knowledge that U.S. support for Israel will
not waver.

It is important for America to help facilitate a peaceful resolution of the
conflict, but in playing this role we must be true to our values and make
sure that all parties clearly understand our policies. This is not a time to
be sending mixed messages; on the contrary, in these difficult times we must
reaffirm our unyielding commitment to Israel's survival and raise our voices
against all forms of terrorism and incitement.

Sincerely,

Howard L. Berman
Nancy Pelosi
Robert Matsui
Steny Hoyer
Martin Frost
Nita Lowey
Tom Lantos
Edward Markey
Chet Edwards
Ben Cardin
Steve Rothman
Steve Israel
Gary Ackerman
Barney Frank
Rahn Emanuel
Adam Smith
Anthony Weiner
Chris Bell
Adam Schiff
Hilda Solis
Robert Menendez
Shelley Berkley
Robert Andrews
Joseph Crowley
Jose Serrano
John Larson
Ellen Tauscher
Dennis Cardoza
Patrick Kennedy
Linda Sanchez
Harold Ford Jr.
Brad Sherman
C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger
Alcee Hastings


http://www.house.gov/berman/letter_new.html

[AndyA]

22. Sorry, but I do blame the Democrats for a large part of this mess.

They allowed themselves to be labeled flip floppers.

They didn't deal in a proactive manner with the Swift Boating of Kerry in 2004.

They can't find a consistent message to stick with.

They aren't doing enough to protect the Constitution. (Yes, I realize they are the minority, but they can still keep the issues out in front instead of not talking about them much, which is what they're doing.)

They allow the Republicans to manipulate them. (Like when Specter didn't put Gonzales under oath. They should have just denounced that for the propaganda it was, and walked out.)

Election fraud needs to be a topic on everybody's lips, especially given the recent developments that have come to light. (Check out BradBlog).

I hope they get it together and win some seats in November, but I fear if they do it will be in spite of their efforts, instead of because of their efforts.

I want the Democrats to succeed, but I want them to learn from their past mistakes as well, and that doesn't seem to be happening. We don't have time to keep fooling around, our country is slipping further and further away from what it's supposed to be every single day that the Republicans are in charge. I will stop blaming the Dems when they do something about the mistakes that have been made in the past. I can't really see that that is happening right now. And if it is, what's taken them so long, and why aren't they bumping it up a few more notches? We don't have much time until the November elections roll around.

GET THE LEAD OUT, DEMS, AND GET THE SHOW ON THE ROAD!

[Totallybushed]

5. I've been saying this for some time now.

The Democrats have got to stop letting the Republicans define them. They need to state loudly, clearly, and constantly who they are, what they are about, what they intend to do if they are granted power by the American public.

Weaseling towards the middle is a sure fire way to lose. Why vote for Republican-Lite when you can get the real thing is probably how most middle of the road voters think about it?

[Solo_in_MD]

7. More Dean hyperbole

Abe Lincoln has that title hands down. Him being so over the top just reinforces the stereotype of liberals as wildly exaggerating, making reasoned discourse that much harder.

[DYouth]

8. He's not over the top; he has balls

The reason Dems can't win anything is because they don't provide alternatives to people who vote Republican and don't like the Republicans but feel safer staying with them than entering the unknown.

[Solo_in_MD]

9. He certainly is a testosterone junkie, but he is not helping

Bring up Dean at the break room. If anyone recalls who he is, its the scream episode. Bring up this current comment, and anyone with any background in US history knows its nonsense (Abe really was reviled much more so than Bush). That kind of hyperbole lessens our credibility. There is more than enough material to discuss with those who are open to a more progressive movement without resorting to gandiose and false statements. Alternatives become reality when they are credible

[cali]

10. Don't underestimate Dean's abilities.

He was my Gov for 11 years, and he's incredibly canny. There's a method to his (what seems like but isn't) madness.

[DYouth]

11. He energized the Democrats like Kerry couldn't

Heck, his joke at the DNC was only half a joke. People really did clap much harder for him than anyone else.

[madfloridian]

12. How sad you don't see past the break room.

We had some friends visiting last week. They said they liked Dean but worried about the scream. We discussed it, how the media did it, how it was a rally not a speech...with nearly 4000 there.

It did not take much talking to win them over and have them see what the media had done.

They are talking to their friends who also loved him and worried about it. These are not people on the internet, so they don't really realize what happened.

I am just sad that you are letting the break room influence your thought.

[Solo_in_MD]

13. Just using it as a metaphor

There are lots of people who are looking for alternatives to what is out there now. Dean comtinues to be characterized by his hyperbole and such, mostly out of his own mouth. It obscures his otherwise excellent message.

In this case claiming Bush is the most devisive president is clearly nonsense, which mean when he is talking straight, he gets ignored, which is bad for all of us.

Dean should keep the passion but not let the moment run away with his words to the point where the national chair of the party is viewed as a lunatic by potnetial members. And that is the message I get in the break room.

[madfloridian]

14. You don't think Bush is divisive and uses wedge issues?

You lost the argument when you said that. You must be coming from the part of the party that doesn't like to take chances and speak out to change course.

If you are a leader, you take your chances. Dean is willing to do that, and I am thankful he is.

Everyone else is doing careful speak...and that is not going to work anymore.

[Solo_in_MD]

19. Of course he is, but he is not the most divisive in history, Lincoln was

To return to Dean, maybe its just that I work with geeks, digit heads etc, but they (and I)respond best to cool reasoned dialog. Dean's style (not message) turns them off. One can speak out and lead very effectively without going overboard. One can be aggressive without the hyperbole. Dean's style is interfering with the message and he should consider moderating it some. That is not the same as "careful speak"

[madfloridian]

20. That is what he has been doing.

The other Democrats today have said far more than he has. You are using right wing words and DLC terms to describe him.

There is not enough hyperbole to describe this administration. Nothing is too much, there are not enough words.

[madfloridian]

16. More from FL...Dean at a rally for Tampa candidate, and fundraiser.

He is going to be at a house party for Charlie Justice, and fundraiser for Democrats.

http://publicbroadcasting.net/wusf/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=946803§ionID=1

"TAMPA (2006-07-26) It's not every day you get the head of the National Democratic Party come to a local "house party." But Howard Dean will be among the faces at a party for State Rep. Charlie Justice tonight in Tampa.

Justice's campaign manager, Mitch Kates, says the seat that Justice is running for, Senate District 17, is one of the best chances Democrats have to add a "D" to the balance of power in Tallahassee. It's now occupied by Jim Sebesta, who cannot run again because of term limits.

KATES: It kind of goes back to the Governor's message of "Every race counts." And it shows how much impact at a local level can have, all the way up to a national level. Charlie's win will resonate throughout the state of Florida... and what happens in Florida doesn't stay in Florida.

Before the house party, Dean will be at a fundraising rally for local Democrats at Mise En Place Restaurant in Tampa. It starts at 7 p.m"

[Yupster]

21. More divisive than Lincoln?

That's hard to fathom.