The resurrection of Howard Dean

[kpete]

The resurrection of Howard Dean

By KENNETH P. VOGEL | 1/3/10 6:31 PM EST

After four relatively low-profile years pushing the official party line as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Dean is once again the tribune of frustrated liberals. And after he called out President Barack Obama and his congressional allies over their concessions on health care, those close to him predict he’s just getting warmed up.

Dean’s health care stand has infuriated party leaders, who have alternately tried to marginalize him and to bring him on board. Yet at the same time, his provocative approach has re-energized the political group he founded and thrilled legions of progressive activists, many of whom were drawn to politics by Dean's insurgent 2004 presidential campaign, then deflated when he didn’t land an Obama Cabinet post.

They have grown increasingly disenchanted with Obama’s presidency and are urging Dean to keep up the drumbeat as the health care debate heads to conference this month; to push Obama to stand more firmly with liberals on other issues; and, if the administration continues to disappoint, to consider challenging Obama in the 2012 Democratic primaries (a far-fetched scenario for which one liberal blogger recently posited Dean was “perfectly positioned”) or — if nothing else — to seek the party’s presidential nomination in 2016, when Obama could be finishing his second term.

“It’s almost like the circle has come all the way around again, and Howard Dean’s voice is leading the same charge that he started to lead in 2003,” said Joe Trippi, who ran Dean’s 2004 campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1209/31043.html#ixzz0bb78bzv8

[PassingFair]

1. Resurrected? I didn't know he was DEAD. Wasn't he the HEAD of the DNC that raised record dollars...

and won states that the party had WRITTEN OFF?

I may not have much money, but what extra
I have to donate goes to DFA, People for the
American Way, Al Franken, Russ Feingold and
a couple of local Democratic State Reps here
in Michigan.

[madfloridian]

9. Not according to the Democratic leadership...

they think the one who is responsible for the win is Rahm. And they are still doing things his way.

[BuelahWitch]

10. It's so sad, they choose to rewrite history

just like the Republicans.

[MisterP]

14. don't forget "the DLC saved the party in 1992 and 1994" and "just retake the party from the inside,

like you've been trying to do since 1989!"

[laughingliberal]

74. DLC message: Aren't Republicans awful? How can we be just like them? nt

[Name removed]

18. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[TrollBuster9090]

81. Dean was dead since the moment he won the election

Democrats hate success. Dean took no prisoners, and said "screw the polling and number crunching, and the targetting of campaign finances to swing areas only. We're going for all 50!" The win was so big that Democrats were EMBARRASSED! They think big election victories are tawdry, and if you won by too big a margin it looks like you cheated. So they had to get rid of Dean so that they could go back to hand-wringing over half point margins in swing ridings, and trying to find clever, byzantine ways to balance the interests of lobby groups against the interests of citizens.

Democrats are never comfortable just clubbing their political opponents to death the way their opponents would surely do. No...they insist on being like Wallace Shawn in "The Princess Bride," being all clever about which goblet the poison is really in. So, once dean had given them a victory he had to be disowned.

[depakid]

2. Dean represents the Democratic wing of the Democratic party

And there are a LOT more folks out there who support our policies- than those who approve of the repeated pandering to the right.

[Atticus]

15. Agree. Dr. Dean has the cure. It's called liberal integrity. nt

[Goldstein1984]

46. "Liberal Integrity"

Atticus, you've come up with another ideal for people of principle to embrace: "Liberal Integrity"

It's the solution to the problems being perpetuated by the pragmatists and compromisers.

Thanks,
G1984

[JNelson6563]

23. +1

:toast:

[lsewpershad]

34. +one more

Gone where?

[patrice]

3. One guy we can trust to be honest with us, Howard Dean has never been gone to me.

[Jamastiene]

4. K&R

[tnlefty]

5. Give'em hell Howard!

You speak for me much more often than not.

[dkf]

6. He is stil the most inspirational politician i have come across.

And he inspires by speaking the hard truths and confronting them not avoiding them. Obama is no Howard Dean.

[BuelahWitch]

11. That's why I supported him in 2004

He didn't talk "pretty" but he was still inspirational.

[Cowpunk]

7. The Democratic establishment learned nothing from the Nader and Dean populist insurgencies

...except how to pass off an establishment "centrist" as a populist insurgent.

[LibDemAlways]

41. +100...and millions were taken in.

[Vidar]

8. K&R.

[amborin]

12. KNR

[FarLeftRage]

13. K & R!

kicked and recommended!

[tomp]

16. he should seek the presidency in 2012...

...one way or the other, if you catch my drift. i prefer kucinich but i'll vote for anybody to the left of obama, and not obama.

[closeupready]

37. Amen to that.

n/t

[bertman]

43. Hear!! Hear!! What tomp said! nt

[defendandprotect]

52. ...and especially anyone who doesn't have DLC/Emmanuel/Corps tied around their necks!!

[ima_sinnic]

64. ++++1 my sentiments exactly

[CLANG]

80. I'll take Dean/Kucinich or Kucinich/Dean. It's a win win!

[tomp]

85. WOW! 5 positive responses!

believe it or not this is a red letter day for me. i've never gotten that amount of approval to any post i've ever made here, and i've been here since very near the beginning. thank you all.

for what it's worth, i would not be at all surprised if both dean and kucinich were thinking about it.

[Demeter]

17. Despite All Attempts, the Good Doctor Isn't Dead and Never Was

because Howard Dean wasn't projecting an image that could be stripped away.

Obama ran on a masterful disguise, and proceeded to strip it off as soon as the votes were counted. We was taken for fools, and still are.

[Capn Sunshine]

19. I'd participate in this thread, but

the usual suspects are here slamming the President. Believe me, no one is happier Obama was elected than Howard Dean, and if he gets a chance he will tell you.

I'm not pretending that the old schism doen't still exist, but Obama is a man of both camps despite the purity trolls present since day one.

[katkat]

25. yeah. no longer

That's why Howard said no to Obama in 2012, although then he decided to be more politic. A lot of us were happy Obama got elected, until we realized we'd bought a pig in a poke who thought torture and trampling on Constitutional rights was perfectly fine, and who had lied his head off about his policies. Complaining about people looking for "purity" is a joke, as if Obama had any remote resemblance to a Democrat.

[MissDeeds]

30. +1

Well said.

[Capn Sunshine]

58. WHERE did Howard Dean say "no to Obama in 2012"?

except in your mind? Oh, and the hysterical "Dean must be running " threads in response to an out of context remark?

You DO know her never "screamed", right?

Believe me, Howard at this time plans to support Obama. Despite that one comment which was tweaked beyond reognition.

[LiberalAndProud]

75. Misquoted is tweaked? You are too kind, Capn Sunshine.

[Capn Sunshine]

78. I know

many offer it up as a personal failing

[Cowpunk]

48. I'd respond to your comment, but

Apparently it doesn't exist.

[glitch]

57. Lol! Belated welcome to DU! nt

[Cowpunk]

60. Thanks. I've been around a while though.

I just don't post a lot.

[defendandprotect]

54. Show me the "purity" of Obama telling us he was bringing corporations coming in with him?

What a disgrace that line up is!!

[ima_sinnic]

65. "purity trolls"?

I'll take a "purity troll" any day over a compromised sell-out

[AlbertCat]

73. the purity trolls

Got RW talking points?

"Purity" is a word that should end all debate. It's a buzz word with no meaning. Those who want the Dems to embrace their ideals instead of just doing ANYTHING to win are not "purists".

[JackRiddler]

77. Oooh! "Usual Suspects"! "Slamming the PRESIDENT!"

"Old schism" (No real differences, right?)

PURITY TROLLS!!!

Got enough talking-points jargon there, pardner?

(Can we work in "conspiracy theorist," perhaps? "Idealist"? Or "extremist," that's a big one this week. Say, did you forget "the pony"?!)

Add a lame knowing appropriation (trivialization) of the target, and voila!

Another worthless pretend-dismissal - nevertheless, mysteriously Important Enough to Post Here.

Yawn!

[coti]

88. I'm a strong Howard Dean supporter and was a very strong

Obama supporter too up until the last month. I support his Afghanistan policy and I don't even like Kucinich.

But what Obama has done with the healthcare issue, Capn, is totally unacceptable and a clear betrayal of principle and his people. The damage he is about to cause to our healthcare system is going to set us back decades.

It's difficult to find the balance of loyalty vs. policy, but I don't think the kneejerk support for Obama is any more helpful than the kneejerk bashing of him.

[DFW]

20. "Those close to him?"

Howard and Trippi did not exactly part company on good terms.

I've known Howard for a good number of years, and unless things change drastically, there is NO way
he has any intention of either challenging Obama in the 2012 primary or running in 2016. Howard
busted his ass to get Obama elected, and while he was disappointed to be shut out of the administration,
he certainly didn't make the whole effort with a specific personal reward in mind.

As for what Howard thinks about a future run for the presidency and his future plans, I'll tell you what
he told me: He feels that it is time for younger politicians to step up, and that as a guy in his late
sixties in 2016, he risks not being in touch with enough of young America to be its President. His plans
include "raising hell for causes I believe in." So far, no anonymous sources I have seen quoted have
described Howard's plans anywhere nearly as accurately as Howard has described them to me himself, and I'll
take his word over that of unnamed "those close to him," especially as he has so far done exactly what he told
me he was going to do.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

22. That's all fine and good, but

I'm nearly out of hope where Obama is concerned. I need to hold on to some hope and Dean is where I
find some. I suspect anything he told you was true at that moment in time.

[DFW]

24. It still is

At least, it was as of about 3 days ago.

Howard will always be there to say his piece and try to give a verbal push (as in shove), but
he is just not interested in going through the whole process again. There are also a whole lot
of personal considerations, none of which are anyone's business unless he wants to talk about
them publicly (and he hasn't done it yet). Suffice it to say that you may hold on to the hope
that he will actively get behind any legislative effort he believes in, and that he will support
any Democratic candidate over any Republican. But don't ask him to do a repeat performance of
2004, especially with a Democratic President in office. He still represents the Democratic Wing
of the Democratic Party, always will. But he would never ever risk doing anything that might risk
letting Mitt Romney select the next Supreme Court Justice.

[chimpymustgo]

29. How far is he willing to fight this health insurance bill - especially the Senate version that is

expected to predominate in conference? Dean had earlier said he could not support the bill, then said, let it go to conference, and push for changes. I have read of groups allying to fight the bill - to get the public option in, restore abortion rights, etc. Is Dean ready to fight?

[DFW]

31. He will do what he can for the public option

He saw the writing on the wall in the Senate. If the reconciled version that is reached in conference
with the House is too weak for his liking, he will say so, and forcefully, but probably not try to scuttle
it altogether. After all, he is not in government, just one very popular private citizen. He has DFA, which
is funded by the likes of you and me, but it's not like having the resources of the DNC at your disposal.

For one who has neither influence in the White House, nor any elected position from which to address the issue,
I find it already quite remarkable that he has managed to make his voice heard as much as he has. The talk
shows have him on constantly because he speaks clearly, concisely, and has the ability to make his point in
few words. Banal as it may seem, writing in to TV shows saying how much you agree with Howard and support
his views will keep him on there. The second the media gets the idea that he is losing support with the
masses of progressives, they'll stop asking him on. Think about it. He is on there, talking on our behalf,
but at the pleasure of the MSM.

[chimpymustgo]

89. I support Howard Dean, and will write and call the shows he appears on (and doesn't). We are truly

counting on HIM to speak for us. We are relying on his bravery in this battle. I could care less about a political win for Obama and Democrats. We MUST pass real health CARE reform.

[DFW]

91. With you 100% on Howard, less so on Obama

I keep looking at Alito and Roberts on the Supreme Court, and remember that McCain said he would appoint more like them.
Alito and Roberts have never yet seen a curtailment of civil rights they didn't like, an execution order they didn't like,
or a corporation they didn't favor over the rights of the individual. We MUST have a Democrat in the White House for as long
as is necessary to insure that the extreme right does not get a solid majority (as opposed to their current shaky majority)
that will ruel over us for decades. For that one reason alone, it is vital that no Republican be in a position to nominate
more Supreme Court Justices until we have 6 or more that will rule according to the Constitution, and not the desires of
some bloodthirsty southern governor or the wishes of major boardrooms.

As long as anyone will listen, I promise you, Howard WILL continue to speak for us.

[Capn Sunshine]

59. Plus, Trippi is a Fox New head now

Howard has told me exactly the same thing. I've made no secret over the years about my opinion of Joe trippi.

[DFW]

90. Yeah, that surprised me about Trippi

Maybe the market for failed managers of presidential campaigns is a bit thin, and, well a man has to eat, so any port in a storm...

[democrank]

21. Howard Dean

says what he means and means what he says. Rahm and the DLC hate him because he can`t be bought.

[Yuugal]

26. K&R nt

[freddie mertz]

27. Rahm and his ilk may have wished Howard would fade away...

But as usual, they underestimated the Doctor and the scope of his support.

Will they ever learn?

[Captain Hilts]

53. That "ilk," includes the president. nt

[freddie mertz]

61. The president seems to have underestimated him, for sure.

[Captain Hilts]

71. The prez likes Emanuel more than Dean. nt

[freddie mertz]

72. Obviously.

Your point?

[tblue]

84. Why say that?

Not arguing, just wondering what you mean. I think Obama knew exactly who Rahm was all along. Obama is nobody's victim/puppet; he's calling the shots and Rahm is advisor and henchman/goon. As far as I can tell.

[Captain Hilts]

86. Exactly. nt

[tblue]

83. That "ilk" includes me, too. nt

[freddie mertz]

92. Then welcome to the DLC club I guess (?)...

[tblue]

93. Actually I read it wrong. I am who the "ilk" wishes away!

[midnight]

28. Dean is a wise man. Thanks for this post.

[swilton]

32. I'm Waiting to See What Dean Has to Say About Foreign Policy

As I recall he was too much in the camp of the DLC in 2004 - I hope we hear him speak out more on that. Even if he doesn't change the foreign policy, it is welcoming for him to attack the status quo insurance industry.

[shireen]

63. i have a feeling that he won't say much ....

if he goes around criticizing foreign policy, the war and other things he disagrees with, he could alienate some of the people who are supporting his health care stand. He could come across looking as an opportunistic rabble-rouser.

I think, and I hope that Dr. Dean will be wise enough to handle one hot topic at a time. Right now, health care is a very very big deal and Dr. Dean, with his qualifications as a doctor and a governor, is well-placed to be our advocate about it.

[RubyDuby in GA]

33. I'll be happy to get out my old Grassroots Leader for Dean buttons

and get to work.

Dean speaks for me - has since 2003 and its looking like he always will.

[alberg]

35. It's never too late to do the right thing.

[closeupready]

36. I so hope he runs. I'd be with him the whole way.

:) K&R

[kentuck]

38. His message and his ideas put the Democrats into the majority..

and then they threw him overboard and continued the same old stuff.

[Dinger]

39. Kick & Rec # 108

Just to keep track.

[nevergiveup]

40. Strangely enough I love both Dean and Obama

I believe that Obama has the temperament, wisdom and diplomatic skills to get things done and I believe Dean is the perfect well respected liberal spokesman to effectively keep pushing Obama a little to the left. I have never heard either of these guys speak ill of the other. Obama is not a fool and he understands how successful Dean was as DNC chair and Dean is no fool when it comes to the organizational and leadership skills Obama had in securing the nomination and presidency and he also understands how incredibly difficult it is for Obama to get anything accomplished with the entrenched bureaucracy that is Washington. If you want you can use Dean to push for a schism between liberals and Obama but you are not likely to succeed because I don't think either one of these men would want to be a part of it. At present we all win with both of these men being exactly where they are. IMHO

[janx]

42. There's nothing strange about that--

for the reasons you mention and those that Capn Sunshine and DFW mention upthread. The media love to sensationalize with divisive articles like this one.

[davidwparker]

44. K&R

I could get behind Dean in anything that he does. 2012 and/or 2016.

[gorfle]

45. I always liked Dean, even when I was voting Republican.

I remember when Dean was piloried for his "Dean Scream". I still voted Republican at that time, but even then I was impressed with his "scream". I could not figure out why people made fun of a politician who was honestly showing invigorated energy instead of pre-canned, pre-thought-out, pre-chewed, pre-tested, pre-engineered pablum for the masses.

Fucking-A, I want a politician who can get fired up and and yell "Yeah!" about stuff.

[Melissa G]

47. Dean!

The democratic wing of the Democratic party!

[Goldstein1984]

49. My principles tell me to support Dean

My compromised side tells me to follow the party line.

I'm tired of allowing my principles to be compromised.

I'll be paying close attention to Dean.

[Upfront]

50. Dead?

No way! He has always had my support and always will. I hope he decides he has to run, doubt it though. Dr. Dean is the real deal! K&R

[LiberalAndProud]

51. I will be paying close attention to what he says about the reconciled bill.

I would hope our lawmakers are keeping him well informed, as his voice in this will carry a great deal of weight. Even though I am hungry and thirsty for health care legislation, if Howard opposes it in the end, I'll be listening.

[Divine Discontent]

55. K&R for Dean's authentic audacity of hope against corporatism!

[defendandprotect]

56. What we need to resurrect is the Democratic Party and its ideals . . .

We have to remember that the coup on JFK in '63 wasn't just to prevent another

FDR from rising --

It was basically a coup on our "people's" government --

Of course, it doesn't happen all at one time -- it's taken them decades.

But, included in that takeover was, of course, the destruction of the Democratic Party

to prevent it from being used to overturn the coup, to investigate right wing political

violence, to prevent the corporate/fascist takeover that has happened since.

GOP and NRA and CIA working together targeted many liberals/progressives in the Democratic

Party --

They have totally co-opted the party . . . just as they have co-opted other nations,

undermining them and taking them over.

That's pretty much where we are now --

I love Howard Dean -- but no one leader is going to be able to overturn this facism ...

We have to understand the depths of it -- and that basically they work to keep us leaderless

-- and rise up ourselves to take back our government.

HOW, EXACTLY, I don't know -- but certainly doing what we've been doing in voting for the

"lesser of evils" over the last 3 or 4 decades isn't working.

[shireen]

62. Dr. Gov. Dean is one of the few Democrats who gets it.

Love the guy!
:yourock:

[Faryn Balyncd]

66. k and r.

[mzmolly]

67. A K and R

for the good Dr. :kick: I'd love to see Dean run in 2016. :)

[Ysabela]

68. Dean/Kucinich 2012! n/t

[BrklynLiberal]

69. The doctor is back in the house!!!!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[DebbieCDC]

70. Long time Dr. Dean supporter here

Howard speaks the truth.

[Tom Rinaldo]

76. I totally trust Howard Dean

and I say that about very few people in National politics. I also agree with Howard Dean 90% of the time but even when I don't I still trust his integrity. God bless him and the work he continues to do.

[TrollBuster9090]

79. The ideal solution

In my opinion the ideal solution would be to substitute Dean for Biden as the VP candidate in 2012. Then Dean is poised for a run at the nomination in 2016. But even if he doesn't get the nomination, he'd make a hell of a good VP from 2012-2016. Biden can go back to the Senate and replace Harry Reid. Reid's position is vacant already, it's just that Reid is the only person in the country who doesn't realize it.

[colsohlibgal]

82. Yahoo Howard!

If Obama keeps on this republican lite and not so lite republican course I'd support Dean.

[lpbk2713]

87. Found this too late for a rec

Dean has always had my respect and admiration.