The tables were nearly filled in the back room of the Uptown Cafe, even before 9 o’clock on a Saturday morning in May. Local Democrats had gathered to begin their long process of sizing up presidential candidates before the statewide caucus next January. Up front sat 93-year-old Francis Cudahy, a greatly respected local lawyer and party leader known in this… return to article
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Reader Comments (88)Page 1 of 1 pagesThanks for the lengthy story on Dr. Dean. After today’s FCC ruling, I suspect we won’t be hearing much about any Dem candidate.
Posted by Terri Takahashi on Jun 2, 2003 at 11:11 AM If only we could get our Christian brother to act more like Christians. I like this article about Dean. I voted for Bush last time because I hated all things Cliton, but I have sense come to realize that Bush is not a real Christian nor is many of the GOP, but a lot of the Democratic value have struck a chord. I try to talk to other of my congragation but they seem to like to hold onto the GOP over abortion mostly. I don’t like abortion either but if it means running this country into the ground then we can find other ways to fight abortion besides supproting the GOP. I am so worried now about my husbands job. I hope we can stop these crazy bastards.
Posted by Suzie on Jun 2, 2003 at 11:33 AM This is an excellent article. It clearly spells out why so many of us are Howard Dean suporters.
Many of us were in his camp before the war was even an issue - we agreed with his policies and where he wants to take our country.
Thank you for such an enlightening article. I will have all my friends read it.
Posted by Chi Oji on Jun 2, 2003 at 2:43 PM Strange, isn’t it, that a Christian (as Bush claims to be) would rely so heavily on a seemingly amoral advisor (such as Carl Rove gives the impression of being). St. Paul had some things to say, I think, about who you believe and to whom you listen. Hopefully Dean will chose advisors more wisely.
Abortion should always be legal but never, or hardly ever, be used. The culture must soon attain the level of civil development that precludes the need for recourse to such barbaric acts as abortion and capital punishment or forfeit its membership in civilized society.
For the record, I am a retired clergyman.
Posted by tim snyder on Jun 2, 2003 at 2:46 PM Please, Mr. Dean, continue your work so that pepole will see there is another voice out there, a voice of common sense and honesty. This next election will be such a turning point in the history of the world and I cannot imagine another four years of this administration. I am behind you one-hundered percent.
Posted by GUY FALGOUT on Jun 2, 2003 at 6:11 PM For years I have watched Howard Dean on a late night PBS panel on Canadian-American viewpoints, when he was still governor. He was always cordial and gentlemanly toward those who disagreed with him, with a slight sense of Moral indignation that served him well as a debator. He never acted out the roll of governor, seeming at home as just one of the panelists. I liked this about him. The fact that he took the trouble to go on this little watched show and patiently argue his positions said here was a man who cared about ideas. Well damn it, Howard Dean may not have the fire of Harry Truman, but he is a man who is true to his principles. We all need to unite behind someone to get the worst President the United States has ever had out of office and Dean is a good choice. Please, no third parties this time. Lets be at least as smart as the right and unite. The necessity to get rid of this crowd who is trashing the world to enrich their friends is transcendent!
Posted by James Hellmuth on Jun 2, 2003 at 8:56 PM Thank you for the article. It was nice and long and balanced! Let’s hear as much as possible on Howard Dean, please.
Posted by Ted on Jun 2, 2003 at 11:44 PM When Bayer Pharmaceuticals is useing extracts (THC and CBD) from Cannabis to be marketed in Europe I have to wonder if the good Dr. could be less a politican and more of a STATESMAN and move toward a more rational drug policy for our people! Do that and I will work for him!
Posted by george de Merle on Jun 3, 2003 at 9:23 AM I heard Howard Dean speak at a fundraiser here in San Francisco two weeks ago and was really charged up by the experience.
He speaks convincingly about how to take back our country, not by trying to imitate Bush’s crowd, but by embracing what true Democrats always have: jobs, health care, education and a compassionate regard for the little people who get left out of the prosperity the rest of us enjoy. I was excited enough to write a check—the first time I’ve done that for a presidential candidate in many years!
Posted by John Fitzgerald on Jun 3, 2003 at 11:08 AM This is a good article that clearly lays out many of the merits of the Dean candidacy. The characterization of Dean’s foreign policy as Clintonesque, however, makes little sense. For starters, Clinton’s foreign policy, as exemplified by the combination of endeavors in places like Haiti and Kosovo and relative silences toward catastrophes like Rwanda and Bosnia, essentially lacked coherence entirely. Dean has put together a sensible, comprehensive set of foreign policy proposals that seem to offer greater muscle and more principle than ever seen under Clinton, while also realizing the necessity of internationalism. An actual explanation of his foreign policy, which I encourage those interested to look at on his website, would have been helpful to this article. Those comments aside, I commend the author and the magazine for taking the time to notice and report on Howard Dean’s candidacy, which is taking Progressive America by storm!
Posted by Ethan Katz on Jun 3, 2003 at 11:57 AM I think Dean is great for the left-wing agenda, I just don’t see how he can win. Even if he wins the primaries, big if, he’s going to have a tough time getting swing votes. The country is about 50/50 (as noted in last election) republican and dem. Dean will lost votes from more moderate dems and has no chance of getting moderate repubs.
Dean has no shot
Posted by Brad on Jun 3, 2003 at 12:15 PM I have to differ with Brad from New York’s opinion. Yes, there might be clearly divided party lines in throughout the nation, but as an avid Dean supporter, and developer for www.coloradofordean.org, we think Dean, or any Democrat for that matter, has a decent shot at removing our selected president from office.
As much as it pains me to say this, my brother is a stauncy Republican and fan of Rush himself. What has changed for him in the past two years even though he remains registered as a Republican? Bush’s policies, the TIA act, and the Homeland Security Acts have scared such a steadfast Republican to the point of becoming a card-carrying member of the ACLU - there are a lot of Republicans out there that are very unhappy, and very scared, of Bush’s policies.
If we can also somehow convince the Libertarians and Greens that this is NOT the election in which to make a stand - our unified goal has to be Bush’s prompt removal - then I think Dean, or whoever actually gets the Democratic nomination stands an excellent chance of success. This person will be, after all, NOT BUSH.
Posted by Joe Chizmas on Jun 3, 2003 at 2:22 PM Sounds like Brad wandered over from GOPTeamLeader.com in order to do a little trolling of progressive websites. (It’s obvious that he didn’t read the article—he just knows what his GOP masters told him, that Dean Is A Threat And Must Be Stopped.)
Howard Dean’s favorite novel: Ken Kesey’s _Sometimes A Great Notion_. This man FIGHTS.
Posted by Phoenix Woman on Jun 3, 2003 at 2:34 PM He’s a bit too clintonesque for my
tastes. He doesn’t capture my deepest political tastes. I want a guy who fights straight up for the
embattled environment and convince the unions, not cater to them. Earth- and human- health
are imperative for survival. So is
containment of corporate dominance
and the need for clean campaing money and single payer health.....
Posted by Greg Foote on Jun 3, 2003 at 2:40 PM Did you do one on Kucinich? He
comes closest to my views.
Posted by Greg Foote on Jun 3, 2003 at 2:42 PM I am a strong Dean supporter and am very impressed by the clarity and depth of the story...the best work I’ve seen so far on the good doctor. Thanks
Posted by Greg Hewlett on Jun 3, 2003 at 2:43 PM Thank you for an outstanding article. Please keep us posted on Dean…
Posted by Mylu on Jun 3, 2003 at 2:46 PM Good story. Dean may disappoint some hard-left supporters as they get to know his positions—he is a harrd-line deficit hawk, by no means a tax-and-spend liberal, and is really quite moderate even on foreign policy. I am beginning to think, however, that the left is coming around to tthe idea that the best way to make a real difference is supporting an electable candidate like Dean. And make no mistake—Dean will fight hard agains Bush, the right-wing Republican ideologues who support him, and the timid Democrats who are enablling him.
Posted by Don Rogers on Jun 3, 2003 at 4:59 PM Thank you for providing such a balanced story on Gov. Dean. It highlighted all the reasons this life-long Dem is supporting him and why others will too when they get to know him.
Posted by Jennifer on Jun 3, 2003 at 8:16 PM I would like your permission to share this article with Democrats in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region. I am chairman of the Hong Kong group and Vice-chair for the Asia Pacific Region of Democrats Abroad. Thanks. Michael
Posted by Michael A. Ceurvorst on Jun 3, 2003 at 11:53 PM Ok, pheonix woman, I think Dean is a threat, whatever you say. If you read my post, I didn’t say anything bad about him, I just said I didn’t think he could win. He can’t.
Do you realize that only two-thirds of america know one dem candidate and the heavy majority only know one, Joe Lieberman.I honestly believe that the next dem to have a shot at the presidency is Hillary Clinton in 2008. The Repubs have no one, jeb bush, condi rice, there is just no one there.
So I’ll repeat what I said before, Dean has no shot.
Posted by Brad on Jun 4, 2003 at 8:54 AM I want to see a candidate who stands tough against the beligerent right-wing neo-cons and tells the truth about them and the corrupt, sadistic and lying Bush administration. I want someone who will not cower when they are challenged. Gephardt, Leiberman, et al...are all milk-toast and namby-pamby’s. Dean looks presidential..sounds presidential, so far so good. ..and is on the right side of the issues important to a lot of people...Maybe, if he can hold his ground and find the cash he can beat the liar and thief in office now.
Posted by R.L. on Jun 4, 2003 at 11:54 AM I drove through Austin, Texas with ten DEAN FOR AMERICA stickers slapped all over my little red car. I honked like mad at 12:00 a.m. at the pro-choice protestors camped out in front of the wrong iron fence surrounding the Texas capitol, which is guarded by a contingent of Texas Rangers. They waved their signs in appreciation. Despite the fact that I was deep in Bush territory, my little car didn’t get plowed over by one monster Ford F-350 or giant SUV plastered with American flags and Texas Lone Stars. I’m not afraid to bring Howard Dean’s name into the depths of the political wilderness! Next time I go, I think I’ll stick a larger Earth flag on the top, and French & German flags next to the U.S. stars-n-bars (I’m of French & German heritage, and “French” fries are fine with me!) Howard Dean will get along fine with Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Schroeder. Howard Dean can heal the international rift!
Posted by Daemmern a.k.a Dawn on Jun 4, 2003 at 1:25 PM Dr. Howard Dean will be our next president of these United States. Karl Rove, Rupert Murdoch, Jack Welch and the rest of our rightwing wealthy dirty tricksters have yet to derail and never will derail the clear message of Howard Dean’s candidacy. The American people have been misled by the rightwing controlled media, yet Al Gore still won the last election. George Bush has made a mess of America and world security and no amount of Sean Hannity, Michael Savage, Rush Limbaugh and Bill O’Reilly hatetalk can change that obvious fact to the American people. A word of advice to George W. Bus: place between your head between your legs and kiss your ass goodbye. President Dean will have you indicted and convicted of your Harken Insider Trading and the Federal Complaint will be far more convincing than the Martha Stewart complaint that was filed today. George, enjoy your stay in Leavenworth with your Good Ole Buddy, Kenny Boy Lay and your shadow President, Dick Cheney. America will not miss any of you.
Posted by George Washington on Jun 4, 2003 at 1:41 PM It’s completely irrelevant what some folks think of the prospects of Gov. Dean actually winning… what is of utmost importance to those of us who do not side with the current regime in DC is to have a thoughtful, scholarly, well-rounded message out there for real Americans to truly think about. The real Democrats are not as small of a minority as some would like you to believe… they’re everywhere, and what we need to get across to people is that there is nothing to fear in opposing the GOP just because they are the ones who wave the flags and toe the line (as they would have you believe). It’s understandable that any GOP sympathiser would be skeptical of the chances someone like Dean has, and they find it so easy to dismiss him because of his “left-wing agenda” and lack of name recognition. But it’s not that easy this time. What so many recent Democratic hopefuls have lacked is a focus that seperates “us” from “them” on any number of issues that citizens are truly concerned about. It seems that recent elections have been about chossing the lesser of two evils, but somewhere, sometime, somebody has to eloquently expose what the evils are and offer a realistic remedy. That’s what makes Dean stand apart from folks like Lieberman and Gephardt (and those others occupying the White House), he seems more concerned with real ideas and not reliant upon hollow promises or flowery words. And just because the GOP tells us that they have all of the answers, that doesn’t mean they have any clue as to how self-serving and transparent they come across to many of us… but, you know, I don’t think they really care what we think because they don’t fear us one bit… unless we give them a reason to. A true “Democrat for Democrats” has nothing to lose, and nothing to be ashamed of.
Posted by stuart on Jun 4, 2003 at 3:06 PM This was a good article. And after reading the comments from other readers I am starting to feel like there are others out there like me. Except maybe the guy from New York. Dean is good for America and Americans and he can win. It takes support and dollars. So Brad from New York, support who you want, but in the long run, this candidate who stays true to his word will get all my money and all my support.
Posted by Steve on Jun 4, 2003 at 3:16 PM What I read about Howard Dean impresses me. I think he sees to the heart of issues and ariculates his positions with intelligence and passion.
Posted by Dave Halpert on Jun 4, 2003 at 5:20 PM Not voting for Dean until he supports legalizing marijuana.
Posted by johnx on Jun 4, 2003 at 6:46 PM Dean is the only candidate who can represent the Dems. As far as I can tell Lieberman is a Republican. Dean seems to be the only one who isn’t trying to maneuver.
In regards to George Washington’s post: I wish you were right. I really do.
But Americans tend to be uneducated and uninformed. Look for another 4 years of hell.
Posted by drus on Jun 4, 2003 at 7:21 PM Howard Dean is the only candidate worth the vote of the American people.
Posted by Darren Mastrangelo on Jun 5, 2003 at 11:46 AM Thanks for such a fair article, ITT!
If anyone is interested in learning more about Gov Dean, I invite you to peruse http://dean2004.blogspot.com, http://deancalltoaction.blogspot.com, http://howarddean.tv, http://dean2004.meetup.com and http://deanforamerica.com
Gov Dean has a clear message which will resonate not only with progressives, but with centrists and even Republicans who believed GWB was a moderate. I like to say that he’s a Democrat even a Republican could vote for, and that he’ll siphon off votes from Bush just like Reagan did to the Dems in the 80s.
He’s the only candidate who can beat Bush because he’ll stand up to the attacks of the Mighty Wurlitzer (aka the so-called liberal media). He’ll fight for America, and he offers a positive vision for the future.
Dean 2004!
Posted by Anna on Jun 5, 2003 at 3:08 PM I attended a Howard Dean Meet-up yesterday. I am amazed at the excitement and the number of people that were present this early in the election season. This mean something, something good, which will hopefully translate into a suprise democratic win in 2004. My gut tells me that voter turnout will be so important, even more important than it usually is. Dean seems to have the early advantage due to this grassroots organization that is occurring as we speak. His use of the internet has been groundbreaking. It is my hope this will continue into the general election and elect Howard Dean President in 2004!
Posted by tony on Jun 5, 2003 at 10:29 PM when you say that whether or not dean has a chance of winning is irrelevant, you obviously learned nothing from 2000. You people say that Bush stole the election from Gore, he didn’t Ralph Nader stole it from Gore. He was a candidate that had no chance of winning and had a lot of wasted votes go his way. Dean is similar to Nader. While Dean is running in the dem party, he still quite left-wing and has no shot of winning and will alienate moderate dems. It matters whether or not the candidate can win. If you hate Bush, you should think first about who can get him out and then on who you like best. You should accept it would be a huge upset if dean won, (jfk was the last pres from the north) Most likely he won’t win, so when you vote, you should vote think who has an actual shot at the presidency and then out of those who you want out of those who can win.
(Note: Do whatever you want. This is just a suggestion, as I believe a vote for a candidate with no chance is a wasted vote.)
Posted by Brad on Jun 7, 2003 at 5:18 PM So the GOP has 2 1/2 years of their anti-Clinton, and they think they’re unfallable, unbeatable, and supremely righteous? That has to be a mistake waiting to happen. There’s so much time left for the sleeping folks in this country to wake up and try to decipher how this administration is attempting to fabricate truth. This regime is absolutely ripe for an implosion. Little bits are starting to filter through in the newspapers (albeit slowly) that the cronies in the White House have an agenda that is solely theirs and theirs alone; if everything that say didn’t relate to “9/11” than they would have nothing for the masses. It will take someone with the character, class, and ideas of a Howard Dean to put forth a new agenda that isn’t based on scaring the public into submission. The GOP apologizers shouldn’t pretend to know what they don’t have the capacity to understand: so many of us are fully aware of the difficulties in trying to de-throne this illegitimate squatter. We all remember the true version of the 2000 debacle. And so do the card-carrying Democrats. We know the election can’t be vanilla vs. French vanilla; we need a new flavor altogether. The conservative elite should be afraid because this time there is a boatload of people who are pissed and anxious to have their votes count and counted. They can spin their crap whatever way they want to make themselve feel better, but every day that passes is another day where scores of people come to the realization that the people in power are detrimental to the American citizenry.
Posted by stuart on Jun 7, 2003 at 11:35 PM Having researched many candidates pushing for presidential candidate I come to agree that the republicans have no real depth to their ranks and what Bush’s ‘regime’ has done will directly affect all republican chances.
The WMD are missing, and a whole lot of money will be needed to rehabilitate Iraq.
I, would like to see Dean as your next president as I feel that the greatest democracy in the world has been under an attack, from within.
President Bush’s administration has consistently undermined everything I thought the US was about - fairness, justice, integrity, honour, democracy and strength.
Bush’s “forward defence” has failed to prove anything is in Iraq, and Dean has done a lot in Vermont - and that’s not easy, he’s done so much for health care it’s quite comendable.
Anyway, what I’m trying to say is I hope that Dean can restore normality to international trade - as howard’s comment in a speech says:
[Bush’s]ìforeign policy is, ëGet out of my way or Iíll see you after school in the parking lot.í Weíre the most feared country in the world, but weíre not the most respected, and thatís something we have to change.î
Posted by Tim on Jun 8, 2003 at 7:16 AM Dean’s a whacko if he doesn’t think we’re the most respected in the world. Name one country that people respect more. People are afraid that we can deny their aid and sever their economy, that’s respect. People do things that they don’t necessarily want to do because we tell them to. (Note: this isn’t just under Bush, it wasn under Clinton, and if Dean were to improbably win, thats how it would be) Fear and respect are almost the same. People listen to us and they come to us to settle their disputes. If that’s not respect, what is?
Posted by Brad on Jun 8, 2003 at 8:18 AM No, Brad, Fear and respect are NOT almost the same. They are almost diametrically opposite, in fact.
Posted by tim snyder on Jun 8, 2003 at 12:28 PM You say, “I only vote for an electable candidate.”
I hear, “Tell me who to vote for and I will rubber stamp it for you.”
How do you know who is electable if you only show your support after the decision is made (and by who?). Maybe that explains why so many people don’t vote. They aren’t interested in playing a crooked game.
Compromising for the least evil can happen at general election time. This is the primaries. This is when you absolutely should vote your most favored choice; otherwise you dilute your own voice.
Posted by Ladybug on Jun 8, 2003 at 1:14 PM Ladybug, thats what I was saying, during the big election is when you have to pick an electable candidate.
Oh and Tim, if we are not the most respected, then who is?
Posted by Brad on Jun 8, 2003 at 1:21 PM With all the war mongering, it’s really just made the whole anti-american thing skyrocket.
I’ve heard people laugh at the fear of terrorism, “forward defence”, and how Americans actually gave 48% of the vote to Bush.
I respect France and Germany for having the guts to stick up to a real bully - not just some toothless dictator, the same way Britain and France did back in 1939.
Bush has turned the terrorism into a public fear, when Israel-territories get far more on a regular basis.
“Dean’s a whacko if he doesn’t think we’re the most respected in the world” - I’d expect a patriotic american to say just that...all I can say is take a look around.
You’d be amazed how many people have told me they thought the USA had 9/11 “coming” and “deserved it” - which I reply with “How does any country deserve to lose 3,000+ innocent lives?”
You’re being led down the garden path to think that the USA has as much respect as it induces fear…
Posted by Tim on Jun 8, 2003 at 3:35 PM Tim, you still won’t say who the most respected country in the world. So I’ll ask again, if its not us, who is?
Posted by Brad on Jun 8, 2003 at 5:08 PM Great article! Dean caught my attention around the mid term elections when he declared his candidacy. As the field of Democratic presidential aspirants grew, he has continued to be my clear choice.
Posted by Mark on Jun 9, 2003 at 8:17 AM While it does not surprise me that the New York Times and other corporate media outlets have managed to label Dean a progressive, I never thought In These Times would go there. I’m amazed that you did not bother to ask Dean about his opinion on increased military aid to Israel and war with Syria. After a December 2002 meeting with ultra-right-wing Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon, Dean pledged to lobby for Israel to get a supplemental military aid package of $3 billion this year. When Congress only gave them $1 billion, he held a press conference to express his disappointment. Dean maintains relationships with the defense industry lobby to whom he gave a speech reaffirming his commitment to the preemptive war doctrine. THIS GUY IS NOT A PROGRESSIVE! AND IT’S ABSOLUTELY AMAZING HOW MANY PEOPLE HE HAS DUPED. Shame on you for not doing the research, David Moberg! You will be hearing from many other people.
Posted by Morgan Guyton on Jun 9, 2003 at 8:41 AM Guyton, I wish you were telling the truth. If you were, Dean would be a better candidate. Dean was against the war.
Posted by Brad on Jun 9, 2003 at 4:57 PM Alright, Brad..
So the US is the “most respected” country and yet all those terrorists that are everywhere are out to get us? A bit of a contradiction there..
We’re not respected; we’re feared. We bully and bribe nations into doing our bidding.
“Name one country that people respect more. “
Why must we “respect” countries (for I’m assuming you mean governments)? All systems of government are easily corruptible, and when the do become corrupt, it is our right—no, our duty—to change them. I don’t respect governments; I respect people.
“Every generation needs a new revolution.”—Thomas Jefferson
And now that our government is corrupt and feared, not repected, it’s time to change it.
Direct democracy, anyone?
Posted by Amanda on Jun 10, 2003 at 12:23 PM Amanda, you still haven’t answered my question, “what country is more respected than we are?” I’m assuming that you can’t find one.
Posted by Brad on Jun 10, 2003 at 1:26 PM To Brad from New York. Just thought I might remind you, no one knew who Bill Clinton was, either. I think Howard Dean is our only chance. I like him. And I think he will do a great job. Please, Howard, stay away from interns.
Posted by Sandy on Jun 11, 2003 at 6:27 AM Sweden. They have fewer than 11,000 gun murders a year. The richest 1% of households don’t have more wealth than the whole bottom 95%.
Posted by Golondrina on Jun 11, 2003 at 10:45 AM Sandy,
I appreciate and understand the sentiment, but whether Rep or Dem or Dean or Bush are in the White House, illegal arms sales are still made and small countries still get pulverised and children still die from economic sanctions. The difference between Republican and Democrat is the difference between eating cold shit and eating warm shit.
Posted by Faf on Jun 11, 2003 at 11:03 AM I found your story to be very enlightening and hopefully this Dean guy will be able to defeat the tyrant. Bush has dealt a blow to the economy with tax breaks, lied about WMD in Iraq and scared everyone needlessly with this terror alert level nonsense. Bad things will happen one way or another but that shouldn’t make us do anything abnormal. Dean makes me proud to be a Democrat again. He’s tough, coherent and honest. He reminds me of Harry S. Truman. I’ll be voting Democrat this time around and it will be for “Give em’ Hell Howard!”
Posted by Barry Boomer on Jun 11, 2003 at 11:22 AM Sandy, great point on dean/clinton, I hadn’t compared the two. But Dean is from the north, our country hasn’t had a northern pres since JFK, which is a big deal. Dean would have to completely stun Bush (just like Clinton did). But I believe that Dean will only win if Bush loses, meaning that this is Bush’s election to lose and he’ll get another 4 unless he screws it up.
Golondrina, I don’t know if our income is that separate and its obvios that you want some money from the government as you have stated that a) there is too much disparity between “classes” b) that you respect a socialist government more. Its ridiculous that you think that Sweden is more respected the US, just because you might, it doesn’t mean the world does.
Posted by Brad on Jun 11, 2003 at 12:22 PM To everyone who says that Bush lied about wmd: Do you want the weapons to be found? Or would you rather the US look dumb on an international stage just so you can say, “I told ya so”?
Posted by Brad on Jun 11, 2003 at 12:31 PM Why is it ridiculous that I think Sweden is more respected than the US?
Posted by Golondrina on Jun 11, 2003 at 1:05 PM Golondrina:
Because when countries need help they come to us, they don’t go to Sweden. Because we’re the ones that dictate how the world is run. Because our countries GNP per capita (under purchasing power parity (international dollars)) is third in the world (luxembourg, liechtensein are 1 and 2) while Sweden is twenty-ninth. Americans have a higher standard of living than the Swedish. A higher percentage of Americans are college-educated. There are a lot more reasons why, but frankly its not even close. Britain, Japan, and maybe even France are more respected than Sweden.
Posted by Brad on Jun 11, 2003 at 3:15 PM I FIRST HEARD HIM SPEAK AT THE DEMOCRATIC DINNER IN IOWA AND WAS IMPRESSED. I WANTED TO KNOW MORE. I LIKE THIS ARTICAL A LOT. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS GETTING HIS MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC AS THE DEBATES IN CAROLINA WERE NOT CARRIED BUT THANK GOD FOR C-SPAN I WAS ABLE TO SEE THEM. THIS ABILITY TO SEE AND HEAR WILL BE MADE HARDER BY ALL MEDIA AND EVEN RULING DEMOCRATS AS WELL AND THE INTERNET IS OUR HOPE OF FINDING A CANDIDATE THAT IS NOT THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS. BE WATCHFUL AS THE NEW FCC RULING MAKES GETTING HIS VOICE HEARD AS WELL AS THE PEOPLES, HARDER. AND THE FCC IS IN CHARGE OF THE INTERNET AS WELL AND THERE IS MUCH TALK OF REGULATION UNDER THE GUISE OF GETTING RID OF SPAM. I AM VERY ANXIOUS TO GO TO MY FIRST DEAN MEETUP GROUP IN MY AREA.GIVE’EM HELL HOWARD.
Posted by katti on Jun 12, 2003 at 1:24 PM I have never been politically active, but I am tired of voting for the candidate I dislike the least. I went to my first political rally in Austin, tx on june 6th. This rally was organized in a scant 10 days and turned out 3200 participants from all over the state, in the middle of “shrub country”. Dean’s messages were welcomed and insightful. But wat really spoke to me was his genuine impassioned appeal to the crowd: he cannot fix all our problems when he gets to the white house, but we, the people have the power to determine the course of OUR country. To me, that reminder was worth the 2 hours in 100 % humidity after a long day at work. And indeed, it is we the people that have pushed him into the spotlight.
Posted by lucy on Jun 12, 2003 at 8:43 PM yes, i do want wmd’s to be found. otherwise, why did we go to war and kill many innocent people? bush and his junta lied and they need to be held accountable, and at the end of a proverbial rope (as i am a pacifist). also, if you aren’t voting for H.Dean b/c he holds no stance on legalizing marijuana, you need to find some harder drugs to smoke, so your comatose state of thinking has some excuse for being that way. voting for anyone more liberal will ensure a victory for bush, similar to voting for Nader (which I did, but only b/c Illinois was a surefire Gore victory).
Posted by brandie on Jun 13, 2003 at 10:55 PM The reason I asked whether you want the weapons to be found is because many liberals do not want the weapons found for political reasons. Because if the weapons aren’t found Bush looks bad and his approval rating will drop. These liberals are terrible for the country, they’d rather have our country look bad. So Brandie, at least your hoping for the best.
Posted by Brad on Jun 14, 2003 at 5:29 PM I took part in a meet up with Dean last week ... he called in on a conference call and answered questions.
What stands out is his ability to articulate a rational view, his ability to step outside of a contrived demogogic argument and stick to the point.
One of the important roles for a leader is articulation of the important points. He speaks better than I can on each of the issues that are of concern.
I especially liked his position on gun control—which is exactly rational. I live in Baltimore where kids are tired of seeing their friends killed with 9 millimeter pistols. I came into my office one morning to find a spent 38 slug on my carpet because someone thought it would be fun to shoot into an office windown.
But if I lived in western Maryland, rural Iowa, parts of Tenesee or Texas or in New Mexico, then gun control is a fundamentally different question.
I heard Dean talk on CSPANN a few months ago. Someone called in and laid out the most poisonous indictment of “liberal” positions—and without breaking a sweat, Dean simply said “ See, this is what I mean. You probably wouldn’t hear a Democrat calling a Republican candidate and talking like that.” And he moved on to a substantive discussion of some real issues.
But leadership at the Presidential level involves a lot more than being articulate. One can only hope that the other aspects of that leadership are also there—and until you are fire-tested in a national campaign, no one knows.
What is clear is that Dean’s standing is moving quickly as people hear what he has to say. Hopefully he won’t peak too soon. I wish that Kerry were saying the things that Dean was—but he can’t seem to find a set of convictions—and I am tired of nuanced fence sitting.
The GOP is truly frightening. I think we are much closer to losing our freedom than anyone is saying. It is a national agenda to control the most powerful country in the world. If you control the US, you have already, essentially, conquored the world. That’s worth thinking about.
What happens when a ruling group, losing an election, decides that they are not going to give up power? Such a time could be closer than we think.
Posted by trandal on Jun 15, 2003 at 3:47 PM Brad
Regarding WMD, we already know Tony Blair attempted to hoodwink his people with a dossier plagiarised from a Californian students’ thesis (more than a decade old) and Colin Powell got himself laughed out of the Security Council with his “overwhelming” evidence. About the latter, US News reported that during a rehearsal at CIAHQ on Feb 1, Powell at one point “tossed several pages in the air. ‘I’m not reading this,’ he declared, ‘this is bullshit’”.
One former weapons inspector told “Arms Control Monthly” that “Iraq no longer possessed any meaningful quantities of chemical or biological agent, if it possessed any at all, and the industrial means to produce these agents had either been eliminated or were subject to stringent monitoring”, and he said the same about its nuclear capabilities. So there’s the “grave and imminent threat” posed to the US.
I want the WMDs to be found for the reason I was assured they were there. So were you, but if you don’t feel like seeing that promise made good on that’s your prerogative.
Posted by Michael on Jun 16, 2003 at 4:44 AM Govenor Dean looks very good on a lot of issues, but he is all for business as usual with the Israelis. Until the U.S. stops aid to support the Israeli Apartheid and Occupation of Palestine, the quest for security for the U.S. or Israel will only mean more war, killing, and degradation of innocents.
Posted by lee on Jun 16, 2003 at 2:02 PM As an independent I voted in my states Republican primary during the last pesidential election for John MaCain. Not because of any desire to belond to one party or another as I still remain an indpendent. It was that to me Mr. MaCain exhibited a real emotion for this country and its people that went far beyond any party loyalty. I must say that after reading this article and seeing Mr. Dean on CSPAN I’m seeing that same emotion. My son served in the war on Iraq ( Marines)and with the grace and blessing of God is on his way home, but as a vet myself ( Veit Nam era ) I can hardly feel completly happy while knowing that many young men and women are still dying and being seriously injured daily in a war that was thrust apon us by leaders without vision. Keep up the fight.
Posted by Robert Gardner on Jun 16, 2003 at 11:59 PM Nobody talks about America’s biggest problem, the bloated, obscene defense budget. Bringing that under control, would pay for the middle classs safety net. Having spent thirty years as a union activist, I want to point out that many Unions are no more than career vehicles for the Union officers. They talk a nice fight but don’t fight it. The rank and file usually don’t identify with such Uniions seeing them as just another expense.
Posted by Art Hambach on Jun 17, 2003 at 7:04 AM Dean has the ability to quickly say the obvious with such clarity that it carries the impact of common sense.
He clarity is disarming and encouraging. I wonder if he might be the candidate to moblize voters who do not normally participate?
I went to a Dean meet up with my wife, having heard him on NPR. We both wrote $100 checks—the first time we have donated to a campaign.
If the trend continues, I plan to do more. It is frightening Bush is raising $20 MM from corporate groups with a wave of his hand.
I am hoping that this emerges as a candidacy that rational people can fully support. I would like to feel that we live in a sane country again.
Posted by William on Jun 17, 2003 at 9:44 AM Great article! I have been to a number of meetups and am working, with friends, on a fundraiser here in New Jersey, at which Mr. Dean will speak. Having been in his presence a number of times, I am more impressed each time I hear Dr. Dean speak.
We shouldn’t forget that, prior to throwing their hats into the ring, virtually no one had ever heard of the Governors of Georgia or Arkansas...Clinton or Carter...and they weren’t blessed with the power of the Internet.
The following quote, from Thomas Jefferson, rings true today, as it describes the Bush regime, yet at the same time offers the awesome opportunity to Howard Dean:
“It appeareth that however certain forms of government are better calculated than others to protect individuals in the free exercises of their natural rights...yet experience hath shown, that even under the best forms, those entrusted with power have, in time and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny, and it is believed that the most effectual means of preventing this, would be to illuminate, as far as practicable, the minds of people at large.”
I call on all who read this to go to Dean’s website (www.deanforamerica.com)
and find a meetup site near you. They meet the first Wednesday of every month, in over 500 locations around the country.
As Governor Dean is fond of saying:
“LET’S TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY”
Posted by C.A.Lodewyks on Jun 18, 2003 at 6:50 AM Give me a break. Dean is no more a progressive than Bush is compassionate. He has been against
every progressive bill in Vermont.Dean is simply a Neo-Con mole in the
Demonctate Party. Siding totally with
big business all the way.
Posted by chris on Jun 20, 2003 at 9:48 AM I hope Dean wins his party’s nomination. It would be a blessing to the GOP. He doesn’t have a chance.
Posted by David on Jun 23, 2003 at 6:27 PM WE HAVE IN THE WHITE HOUSE ,AN IMPOSTOR, , HE WAS NOT ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE,WAS SELECTED BY THIS RIGHT WING SUPREME COURT,WE HAVE A CRAZY MAN AND WAR MONGER WHO IS DESTROYING OUR COUNTRY OUR ECONOMY,AND OUR CIVIL RIGHTS, SINCE BUSH BECOME A DICTATOR,WHOLE WORLD HATE US, WE NEED A CHANGE,SEND BUSH BACK TO TEXAS
Posted by SEVERIO NESICH on Jun 27, 2003 at 5:45 PM THE REPUBLICANS ALLREADY START TO ATTACK THE DEMOCRATS,,BUT THIS TIME WON’T WORK,WE WILL SEND BUSHY BACK TO TEXAS,WITH HIS UGLY GUNG OF FASCIST.
Posted by SEVERIO NESICH on Jun 27, 2003 at 5:49 PM I like Dean. I think this whole idea that he’s unelectable is hogwash. For one thing, he’s pro-gun. I consider myself pro-gun control. However, his explaination (it should be left up to the State) is very convincing. I read somewhere a guy said that in his union, some 90% voted Republican on that issue alone, even though they are more in-line with the Dems on every other issue. Another thing that makes Dean so attractive is that he has passion. He sounds like he truly believes in the things he says. He’s willing to stand up against the Republicans- not like the others who are more like doormats for the White House. Lastly, he actually has common sense. The whole “Iím a complete pragmatist” and base judgements one facts sounds great. He’s very scientific that way. If you visit his website and read his views on the issues you’ll see what I mean. I’ve been reading about Dr. Dean for awhile but now I am determined. I just made my first ever candidate contribution and will attend my first meetup event on Wednesday. Before Dean, it was all doom and gloom and the unbeatable GOP. Now, I have hope. Taking back the White House no longer seems so impossible.
Posted by Melissa on Jun 28, 2003 at 3:42 PM “Kucinich has proposed a universal single-payer system of Medicare. But the plans from Dean, Kerry and Gephardt are all complex programs to subsidize private health insurance. They fail to remove the biggest cost problem: private insurance overhead, profits and inefficiencies.” You could also add that all these other plans continue to reward inhumane profiteering drug companies, and Kucinich’s plan is the only one that takes all insurance companies out of health care so that only doctors and patients are involved in the care, and only the government manages payments.
There are other areas where Dean double-speaks, e.g. his anti-war stance but pro-Pentagon ideology. He is confrontational in character and policies. His Middle East statements can be summarized in his own words as ìbeing more in agreement with AIPACî, the richest most influential militarist anti-Palestinian apartheid-supporting PAC, than with the Israeli group trying to reduce their own governmentís violence. With former AIPAC top man Grossman managing Dean’s campaign, ask yourself where Dean’s contributions are coming from. Do you think the poor and working class are the ones donating $7 million? Where did it come from?
If you are truly a progressive person who wants this country to be respected again for its morality and thoughtful cooperation as well as its might, please look at Dennis Kucinich, kucinich.us Dennis accepts no PAC money, he comes from and represents the hardworking people of this country, and is strong when called for, not to create a spectacle.
Posted by Inaru on Jul 1, 2003 at 3:50 AM I want to say I agree with everything Howard Dean has said. I also want to add though that the DLC was responsible for loss of the 2000 election. They should support Dean and his movement instead of creating a rift between democrats. I remember during the 2000 presidential election that on voting day I got 12 phone calls reminding me to vote, all of which came from local Republican party members, I recieved an overload of Republican Party mail for certain candidates in my area and for BUSH. The funny thing about that is I’am a democrat and I recieved no phone calls, and no democrat candidate mail was sent to me. The DLC needs to keep in mind that a little over half of the democatic party is far left, not progressive. We steer closer to a socialist/democratic party ( hence the votes for Nadar). But most of us realize that voting for the underdog this time won’t work and that BUSH must go. But the DLC isn’t helping to move him out, but instead they are creating a rift between the liberals and progressive democrats. Dean clearly should be on the presidential ballot either as president or vice president. For many of us socialist democrats in the South, we see a ballot with DEAN/EDWARDS or DEAN/GRAHAM for 2004
Posted by Nate Haynes on Jul 9, 2003 at 4:55 PM You’re article is factually wrong. You indicate that Dr. Dean would pay for Socialized Health Care “(paid for by rolling back most Bush tax cuts)”. This is not true. In a recent interview with Tim Russert, Dean said, he would roll back every last penny of Bush’s recent tax cuts, three-quarters of which haven’t even gone into effect.
Try to get your facts straight, if you’re going to report what candidates actually say.
I also love this ad hominem attack with no back-up. “In contrast to the Bush administration, which makes lying a central strategy in pursuit of right-wing objectives, a respect for facts is refreshing.”
You’re no reporter, but a common hack.
Posted by publius on Jul 10, 2003 at 12:23 AM its a long time from now to nov.04 bush has been feeling the heat and you can bet he knows he has to come out swinging and do it quickly. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were numerous “victories” in iraq, n. korea and even capturing usama by nov.04.
Posted by greywolfe on Aug 1, 2003 at 4:41 PM People like David Moberg are the need for the present world. This article reveal his awesome potential and objective analysis of the issues. WELL DONE SIR!
Posted by Waqas Rehan on Sep 23, 2003 at 3:27 AM O’ Mann that Bush is a worthless piece of Shittttt...! He gave birth to many illegitimate Bin Ladens and now is the time to die the DOG’S WAY..
WORLD WANT TREES, NOT ‘BUSHES’
Posted by The_K on Sep 23, 2003 at 3:42 AM Bush is not a pro-totalitarian. He does good by gathering moslem’s blood. He is very assisting in establishing a BIGGER and stronger Israel by conquering Middle East and pressurising Palestine. Bull shits like Howard Dean are simply NO COMPARISON TO BUSH!
This is a biased article from a novice writer.
Posted by Race Blind on Sep 23, 2003 at 3:59 AM “Progressives for Dean”? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Ask Vermonters how “progressive” Dean is.
On national issues, let’s see...he’s a deficit hawk; a balanced-budget freak. Never mind the nonsense economics—how progressive a position is this?
Add to his deficit hawkery his preference for “defense” spending profligacy, and his stated taste for pre-emptive war, and you’ve got an idea of what he’d favor in the way of domestic spending: somewhat less than Ronald Reagan.
Maybe I just don’t know what “progressive” means. But rather than Dean, I’d vote for Teddy Roosevelt.
Posted by nasrudin on Oct 2, 2003 at 3:25 PM Howard Dean has said for months that one of the first things he would do as president is tear up the President’s doctrine of pre-emptive war. This was the biggest reason that he opposed the war in Iraq. Meanwhile, the reason he is a balanced budget hawks is that he believes the government cannot do social justice without first balancing the budget. The fact that he brought health care to nearly every kid in Vermont, improved education and environmental protection, and signed the Civil Unions bill, all with fiscal responsibility makes his point. His point is made even clearer when you see that Vermont, because it balanced its budgets every year and set aside a rainy-day fund, is not cutting vital, liberal social programs, as is almost every other state right now due to the size of their budget deficits. Those who are saying Dean is not a progressive need to descend from their high horses of Naderism and get their facts and reality straight.
Posted by Ethan Katz on Nov 5, 2003 at 2:56 PM I feel that the elderly helped build this country, and are being treated very unfair. Except the rich, and did
their hands get bloody from all of the work they did for America, I think not. They sat on their duffs and let others do the work for them
just like now. I worked 80 hours a
week for many years, retired and if
I did not I would starve, I help my
sister and her daughter and we are
having a very hard time making it.
We have to beg our Church for food at least every 2 weeks. Our
electricity is $168.00 mo. and the
house we live in is all electric. The other homes rent much higher or are in a very bad neighborhood. I
feel I deserve to live in a neighborhood that is condusive to
my ethnicity. That is not racist that
is the truth. I was born in a small
town in Nebraska and I am not very
comfortable around others. I think
America comes before Mexico, if
you would go to Welfare dept you
will find it filled up with Mexicans who get assistance, and I think that
is unfair, that Americans pay for
them and mega children. Don’t they know how to say no, they drop
babies like we dropped bombs on
Hussein in Iraq. This is very unfair.
Why does America allow this to go
on, they have kids so they get more money, why don’t they put a
limit on it, they pay for one, and any after that they don’t pay. Like
I said they did not build America the elderly did, My family and many
other AMERICAN FAMILIES. NOT
THE MEXICANS. WHY SHOULD WE
PAY FOR THEM TO TAKE OVER
AMERICA. THINK ABOUT IT. IT
WILL HAPPEN IF WE DO NOT WAKE
UP. THEY MULTIPLY LIKE FLYS.
THE MORE THEY GET PREGNANT
AND HAVE BABIES, THE MORE MONEY THEY GET FROM WELFARE.
THIS IT TOTALLY UNFAIR. Betty
Posted by Betty Karnes on Dec 21, 2003 at 1:40 PM i want assiatance
my family is death,
earthquate is deathe them
i want help;
assistance me.
Posted by bahram on Jan 3, 2004 at 5:29 AM Bush has spent of Billion dollars to overthrow Saddam Hussein, buy off countries to join the alliance and to rebuild Iraq. Many more Billion are earmarked to be spent in the near future and generations to come.
If this phony excuse to go to war had not occurred and this money was spent on prescription drugs, prop up Social Security and Medicare, employment for our unemployed, the needy and the economy, how much better off would our nation fare today?
In addition, how much less hatred toward American from around the world would there be today?
Who is going to get the American public to think about this? The old guard Democratic leaders are certainly too timid to do this for the past three years?
Posted by Paul Fung on Jan 10, 2004 at 12:59 AM Saddam appears delusional, grandiose and thinks he still can be elected president. I’m sorry that’s not Saddam, that’s Howard Dean.”
“Howard Dean was endorsed by former Vice President Al Gore. And I’m thinking, who better to give advice than the guy who couldn’t even get elected with the most votes?”
“Howard Dean was endorsed by Al Gore. Now, if Dean could get Gray Davis to campaign for him, that would put him over the top.”
“Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean was all smiles, well smirks, after picking up the endorsement of former Vice President Al Gore at a rally in Harlem ... Gore went on to praise Dean for taking a tough anti-war stance before the invasion of Iraq and he praised Dean supporters in hopes that will ease his concerns over lack of foreign policy experience, and his lack of support among blacks and Latinos, and his hot temperament, and perceived arrogance, and policy flip-flops, and campaign glitches. Well, there’s a lot going on here.”
“The New York Times is reporting that back in the ‘60s, presidential candidate Howard Dean used a letter from a doctor about a back condition to keep himself out of the draft in Vietnam and then spent 10 months skiing. Well it sounds like he’s done the impossible. He actually made Bill Clinton and George Bush look like war heroes.”
“In a recent interview, Howard Dean admitted that he used to drink and smoke pot. So, now all he needs to put him over the top is a sex scandal.”
“In his new book, ‘Winning Back America,’ Dean talks about his wealthy prep school and how he used to get drunk. Let me get this straight ó he had rich parents, drank a lot, went to prep school and avoided Vietnam. He’s the alternative to George Bush? I think he is George Bush.”
“Howard Dean is a politician, a medical doctor and a Democrat. So he has three reasons to tell women to take off their clothes now.” The Clinton Agenda
“While opponents label Dean a throwback liberal, The New York Times recently noted that as governor, Dean cut income taxes, reformed welfare and balanced Vermont’s budget ó all traditionally conservative policies. Dean also received an ‘A’ rating from the National Rifle Association, which I think you can’t get unless you’ve killed a guy.”
“It was reported today that former Governor Howard Dean raised $14 million dollars in campaign funds mostly over the Internet. Of course, Dean’s success could be contributed to his Web site: www.peniseslikeus.com
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