OPINION & EDITORIAL
Democrats choose wisely with Dean
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Also by Rob Rossmeissl:
- Trolley proposal deserves thought (May 1, 2007)
- U.S. should re-evaluate free trade agreements to improve economy (April 24, 2007)
- High quality city inspires progress (April 17, 2007)
- Comic relief important in movies (April 9, 2007)
- Shout outs harbor hatred (March 26, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Dean wrong for chairmanship (January 18, 2005)
- The Democrats' Goldwater (February 6, 2004)
- Letters to the Editor - 1/22/01 (January 22, 2002)
- Howard Dean's 'Hee-yah' (January 23, 2004)
- Re-electing President Bush (January 19, 2004)
by Rob Rossmeissl
Thursday, February 17, 2005
So you thought you had heard the last of him. But alas, Howard Dean has reemerged, and not just as another prominent politico, but as the head of the Democratic Party. Remembered best for his infamous campaign-ending scream in Iowa, Dean’s political prospects seemed dim only recently, but the doctor whom most people regarded as dead in the water now appears to have revitalized his career. Now is the time for Democrats to give up their initial skepticism and embrace Gov. Dean as the chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Since the day he decided to run for DNC chair, Howard Dean has faced nothing but criticism. Preceded by his reputation as a liberal reformer and an emotional hothead, the former governor of Vermont seemed to upset his party’s status quo, which held a very different agenda. Centrism, it appears, has become very popular among Democrats since their devastating November losses. As Republicans welcomed and joked about the possibility of a Dean-led party, many Democrats warned against granting the former governor the reigns, fearing he would be too radical a figurehead for the party. Does any of this sound familiar?
Don’t pay attention to the Dean-bashers on either side of the aisle. These are the same folks who essentially deemed Howard Dean’s presidential run hopeless from its inception. As it turned out, his campaign (until it became mortally wounded in Iowa) was hugely successful, gaining a massive, energized following and bringing many young people and first-time campaigners into politics. While the 2004 Democratic primaries were shaping up to be little more than a George W. Bush hate-fest, Howard Dean was winning supporters who were excited to stand for a man and his ideals rather than just the common goal of defeating the president. In addition to creating his own enthused base, Dean utilized revolutionary grassroots campaigning techniques that would eventually be emulated by every other candidate in the field, and he did all of this while sticking to his principles — something Democrats should keep in mind, given the label that stuck to their eventual nominee.
If there’s one fear that seems to be shared by a majority of Democrats, it’s the fear of coming across to voters as being too liberal. Why is this? Consider the success that Republicans have enjoyed as of late. Very few people would credit Republicans’ recent electoral dominance to moderation. Rather, President Bush won his reelection via support from an energized right-wing base consisting of Evangelical Christians, proponents of limited government, foreign-policy hawks and the like. The neo-conservatives in Washington win because they stand for something. Maybe it’s time for the Democratic Party to stand proudly for what it is and to stop trying to hide its liberalism, because history has proven that Democrats lose when they pretend to be Republicans. With Howard Dean as the DNC chairman, you can expect that Democrats will be Democrats.
Over the past 25 years, the Democratic Party has seen troubled times. In their infinite wisdom, party leaders have seemingly always offered up the same remedy for Democrats: move toward the center. Maybe it’s time that the DNC begin to show the American people what it actually stands for: equal opportunity for everyone, a strong public education system, universal health care, economic growth and development, and reestablishing respect for the United States across the globe. Howard Dean is exactly the chairman needed for the Democratic National Committee while the Democratic Party begins its rebuilding process. He will rejuvenate Democrat grassroots campaigning and modernize the party’s fund-raising infrastructure to parallel that of his campaign, and, most importantly, Howard Dean will never compromise his Democratic principles.
Rob Rossmeissl (writerossy@writeme.com) is a sophomore majoring in political science.
Anonymous (February 17, 2005 @ 9:18am):
you realize you guys just kissed 2008 goodbye.
Anonymous (February 17, 2005 @ 10:34am):
"Remembered best for his infamous campaign-ending scream in Iowa"
Actually, his campaign had ended because of his *distant 3rd finish in Iowa*, THEN he screamed and the whole thing became a joke, as it was only a matter of time before the real Dean was revealed in the national spotlight anyway. It was a shame it happened so soon though.
Don't you find it slightly concerning that your entire opposition of the Republicans is just as excited about Dean leading the Democrats as you are? Has it ever occured to you that maybe the 90% of the country (Reps and Dems) that thinks Dean is (or is perceived as) a maniac might be right, and you might be wrong?
I love it though. Let the extreme left minority continue to drive the Democratic party off the cliff!
Anonymous (February 17, 2005 @ 11:04am):
Plus Howard just launched this gem:
"You think the Republican National Committee could get this many people of color in a single room?," Dean asked to laughter. "Only if they had the hotel staff in here."
What an idiot.
Here is the source:
http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/newyork/politics/sns-ap-deans-moment,0,3868303.story
Anonymous (February 17, 2005 @ 11:47am):
Dean is going to rock the Repubs world. You shoul dbe trembling in your Uggs and cowboy boots right now suckers!
Anonymous (February 17, 2005 @ 11:50am):
"You think the Republican National Committee could get this many people of color in a single room?," Dean asked to laughter. "Only if they had the hotel staff in here."
Talk about trying to exploit race and just plain stereotyping! He just ignored any minorities that have actually achieved something and become successful. He basically implied that minorities only work in service jobs.
Anonymous (February 17, 2005 @ 11:52am):
Maybe Howard ought to look in Bush's cabinet for a room full of people of color. Oh wait, I forgot, those aren't real minorities because they're Republicans.
Anonymous (February 17, 2005 @ 12:03pm):
Of course we have to prominently place a photo of a young black woman on our homepage to remind blacks which party they are supposed to vote for, and not be fooled by Condi 2008.
http://www.democrats.org/splash/splash05.html
Anonymous (February 17, 2005 @ 12:14pm):
The reason for Dean is to make Hillary look more reasonable.
Anonymous (February 17, 2005 @ 1:25pm):
Good Job Dems -- way to position the republicans for another 8 years!!
Anonymous (February 17, 2005 @ 3:26pm):
"Talk about trying to exploit race and just plain stereotyping! He just ignored any minorities that have actually achieved something and become successful. He basically implied that minorities only work in service jobs."
No, he implied that service jobs more often employ minorities. You're putting words in his mouth, which is why people don't listen to Republicans. Don't they teach basic logic here at this University?
It was a joke. Not a really funny one, but it beats, "You need some wood? Hehhehheh." from Fearless Leader.
Anonymous (February 17, 2005 @ 4:03pm):
"No, he implied that service jobs more often employ minorities."
You're right, it was a joke. It was a racist joke. How is that any different from implying that most prisons are filled with blacks, or most people in Hollywood are Jewish? What if he said, "You think the Republican National Committee could get this many people of color in a single room? Only if they held the convention in a federal prison."
Hardee-har-har, that would've been a really knee slapper then, right? Maybe its factually true, but that doesnt mean its appropriate to joke about. Trent Lott says Senator Thurman would've been a good president and he's practically lynced by the liberals as a racist. Your hypocrisy is laughable! Your leader is laughable! I'm going to be laughing all the way to the ballot box in 2008!
Anonymous (February 17, 2005 @ 4:16pm):
Ahhh yes Mr Rossmeissl, a very well put article. The democratic party is still in shambles from the unorganization of the John Kerry campaign. And can only go down hill if they decided to back Ms Clinton.
Anonymous (February 17, 2005 @ 5:28pm):
"You're right, it was a joke. It was a racist joke." I totally agree. You don't sound like a humorless shill for the GOP at all when you call Howard Dean a racist after he made a joke. A joke!
"Maybe its factually true, but that doesnt mean its appropriate to joke about." This is what makes Howard Dean Howard Dean. Real Americans sometimes make jokes like this in the comfort of their own homes and AREN'T RACIST. He's not the big cuddly guy you want- he's the big guy that people talk about and are inspired by. If you want to not be inspired, ok.
"Your hypocrisy is laughable!" There's a difference- Trent Lott isn't FUNNY.
Also, you realize that the GOP is the party that hates the "politically correct" movement, right? Because you might want to call Rush and have him tell you what to think about this.
"Your leader is laughable!"
God grant me the serenity to accept the jokes I cannot make; courage to make the jokes I can; and wisdom to know that I can't make a better one than that.
Anonymous (February 17, 2005 @ 6:07pm):
hey shithead- your article is a load of effing crap- heh heh heh
Anonymous (February 17, 2005 @ 6:08pm):
hey bobbo- your article is a load of effing crap- heh heh heh
Anonymous (February 17, 2005 @ 6:43pm):
What a scream.
Anonymous (February 17, 2005 @ 6:53pm):
I never said it wasn't a funny joke, in fact I think it was pretty clever. I'm just pointing out that clearly -- CLEARLY without a DOUBT -- if a Republican said something about the hotel staff being black in whatever joking context, he would be getting ripped like crazy from your side. If you don't believe that, you've totally lost touch with reality.
Anonymous (February 17, 2005 @ 6:58pm):
What will even be funnier is when Condi gets the nomination for the Republicans. Then she can start off all her stump speaches with "I'm assuming y'all aren't the hotel staff, right?"
THAT will be funny.
Anonymous (February 17, 2005 @ 7:11pm):
"I'm just pointing out that clearly -- CLEARLY without a DOUBT -- if a Republican said something about the hotel staff being black in whatever joking context, he would be getting ripped like crazy from your side."
Well, yeah, but that's okay. We're Democrats. We can do whatever we want. Because we're funny.
If I read this in the paper for Condi '08, "You think the Democratic National Committee could get this many rednecks in a single room?," Condi asked to laughter. "Only if they had the NASCAR race in here."
I promise I WILL NOT CALL HER A RACIST.
Anonymous (February 17, 2005 @ 9:13pm):
very well written. very very well written.
i didn't actually read the whole thing. but i like the picture
Delfin Beltran MD '53 (February 17, 2005 @ 10:47pm):
But the Democrats do stand for something - class rights granted by a central bureaucratic government. The problem is that the class definitions are exclusive and not an inherent right of an individual as defined in the founding documents of the country. Chip by chip they design the new america cast on rights granted by persons such as the new head of the DNC.
Delfin Beltran MD '53 (February 17, 2005 @ 10:48pm):
But the Democrats do stand for something - class rights granted by a central bureaucratic government. The problem is that the class definitions are exclusive and not an inherent right of an individual as defined in the founding documents of the country. Chip by chip they design the new america cast on rights granted by persons such as the new head of the DNC.
Anonymous (February 18, 2005 @ 1:34am):
deanomaniac comments from polipundit.com scroll down!
Dean: "[W]e Need To Remember That The Enemy Here Is George Bush, Not Each Other." (CNBC/The Wall Street Journal Democratic Presidential Candidate Debate, New York, NY, 9/25/03)
Dean: "This Is One Of The Least Truthful Group Of People I've Ever Seen Running The Country ... These Guys Are Just Lying Through Their Teeth." (CNN's "Late Edition," 10/17/04)
Dean Compared Republicans To "Sadducees And The Pharisees" And "Money Changers." (MSNBC's "Hardball," 10/7/04)
Dean Compared Republicans To Lenin. "'The Republicans have the best propaganda out there since Lenin, and they just make stuff up and they keep repeating it, and hope people are going to believe it,' [Dean] told The Associated Press." ("Howard Dean Calls Bush Dishonest In Lecture At Brown," The Associated Press, 9/9/04)
Dean: "This President Has Told More Lies Than George Washington Ever Denied Telling." ("Dean -- Bush Lead Into Iraq War Based On Untruths," Sioux City Journal, 7/30/03)
Dean At New York DNC Gathering: "'I Hate The Republicans And Everything They Stand For, But I Admire The Discipline In Their Organization,' [Dean] Says ...'" ("Dean's Past As Prologue To DNC Future," The Washington Post, 1/30/05)
Dean At Dartmouth College: "Bush Thinks Getting Elected Is More Important Than What Happens When You Get There. The President Appeals To The Fears And Anxieties And The Hate." ("Dean Says Democrats Won't Retreat," The Associated Press, 11/7/04)
Dean Compared President Bush To Slobodan Milosevic. "'The truth is the President of the United States used the same device that Slobodan Milosevic used in Serbia. When you appeal to homophobia, when you appeal to sexism, when you appeal to racism, that is extraordinarily damaging to the country.'" ("Howard Dean Disputes Media View that 'Values' Swung Election," EditorandPublisher.com, 11/12/04)
Dean Claimed Bush Has "Complicated Psychological Situation" In Rolling Stone Interview. "'This president is not interested in being a good president,' [Dean] said. 'He's interested in some complicated psychological situation that he has with his father. He is obsessed with being re-elected, and his obsession with re-election is hurting the country.'" ("Democrat Dean Says Bush Obsessed With Re-Election," Reuters, 1/13/04)
Dean: "[The Bush Administration] Likes Book-Burning More Than Reading Books." ("Howard Dean Muzzled - But Not At All Muffled," The Philadelphia Inquirer, 7/28/04)
