Dean to be Chair

Lessons Unlearned

Published on February 8, 2005 By Dr Guy In Politics

Over the past month, a heated debate has sprung up on JU. Basically conservatives have been kindly giving advice to liberals on the direction of the democrat party. Why would they do such a thing?

I can think of 2 reasons. One is that they felt sorry for a party that was imploding on its own pettiness and wanted to see if come back as the party of JFK and LBJ. That is the altruistic reason.

The other is that conservatives and especially Republicans knew the advice would not be taken and indeed the democrats would do just the opposite. That is the cynical reason.

Regardless of the reason for the advice, explanation number 2 has proven to be the one that was followed by the democrats. Having lost everything in the last 10 years (except one presidency, but that one was by less than 50%), they refuse to acknowledge that perhaps they need to re-evalutate their message and come up with a new one that plays to more than just the kook fringe that has no where else to go anyway.

But instead, they are now set to select Howard Dean as the new chair of the DNC. I know many will celebrate this and indeed I see some of the looniest even taunting the Republicans with a "take that you stuffed shirts" attitude. But in the end, picking a person from the fringe left of the already leftward leaning party will do nothing to help the party. Indeed, with the exception of the ultra liberal North East, They have just handed every republican, from Moderate to conservative, a perfect poster boy for the next elections. The Dean Scream will be heard many times in the next 4 years, but not from Democrats.

Knowing that they just lost the the presidency to an unpopular president, knowing they also lost seats in the house and senate, knowing they have been losing seats in State assemblies and governorships by running on the far left, do they finally realize maybe they have to moderate their message?

Nope. They just figure they have to run farther left. I wonder if Lieberman is open to joining the Libertarians. We need a viable second party.

Comments (Page 1)

bakerstreet

on Feb 08, 2005

He did a better job motivating his people. People were stunned with the way he rallied his campaign into shape and used the internet. I think they want those skills at work for all their candidates.

And anyway, I think most people realize now that they would have had a better chance to win with Dean. Even though he is farther left, I have heard people say they would have voted Democrat if he had been the candidate. Go figure.

Not that the head of the DNC is really a draw for people anyway. Most people couldn't name the current one. He'll be of immense use, and in a inconspicuous kind of way.

Dr Guy

on Feb 08, 2005

Not that the head of the DNC is really a draw for people anyway. Most people couldn't name the current one. He'll be of immense use, and in a inconspicuous kind of way.

Terry McAwful. But they do set the direction and strategy for the party especially during the interim elections.

thatoneguyinslc

on Feb 08, 2005

LBJ was a crook. I hardly think he fits in our ideal dem catagory. The Civil Rights Act was a carryover from JFK. Even LBJ said so.

I have to take issue with Dr Dean leading the DNC. He's far to liberal for the job if the party is trying to center itself. He is the epitome of what's wrong with the left.

I would prefer Wel Webb (ex-Denver mayor) or even Bill Richardson. But i think Bill has higher aspirations.

Dr Guy

on Feb 08, 2005

I would disagree with you on LBJ. He was the epitome of a politician and in that he did some good. He was definitely not Liberal however.

And on Bill, I would support him for President. It would depend on the Republican choice, but Richardson is a good man, more honest than a politician too.

sober cali fella

on Feb 08, 2005

Electing howard dean to the chair almost ensures a republican sweep in 2006. way to go democrats.

Larry Kuperman

on Feb 08, 2005

Howard Dean likened the Republican Right Wing and Democrats that followed Conservative policies to cockroaches during his campaign. He said "they'd scurry around like cockroaches" if he were elected. Not exactly what one would call "building bridges." In explaining his remark, he said "I mean, look, I'm a colorful person, I use colorful language. Would it have been better if I hadn't said that? Probably it would have been. But members of Congress who are supporting me know darn well that I wasn't referring to them that way. What I was referring to is people like Tom DeLay, the cockroach exterminator."

If I had been on Dean's staff, I would have said "Howard, learn your cliches."

Dean lacks the ability to lead, to build consensus. I doubt that he can get the Democratic party to follow anything that he says or anyone that he endorses.

See my post http://kupe.joeuser.com/index.asp?AID=4300 comparing Dean to McGovern. Those who do not learn from the mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past.

Daniel Ruoss

on Feb 08, 2005

This is fantastic news for the GOP. Dean as DNC Chairman will help ensure Republican majorities for a long time. A very stupid and short sighted decision on their part. The only comparison would have been the GOP making Pat Buchanan chairman after 1992. The good thing is that the "Democrats are moderates" charade is put to rest. This is a left wing, socialist party that is very out touch with the American people. Congrats to all Dems on their choice! With Dean as your conductor its "All aboard the 'Oblivion Express'!!!!"

Island Dog

on Feb 08, 2005

He did a better job motivating his people. People were stunned with the way he rallied his campaign into shape and used the internet. I think they want those skills at work for all their candidates.

That obviously didn't work out in the end for him. He mobilized the "I hate Bush" wackos and the other extremists on the internet, problem is they never made it to the voting booths. Dean's followers were people who like Dean, believe Bush was behind Sept. 11 and all the other wacko conspiracy theories that the democratic party has embraced.

sqrrldrw

on Feb 08, 2005

Dean supports:
1) Universal healthcare, while allowing HMOs, PPOs and other health insurance to still exist and make money.
and
2) Fiscal Reponsibility

Say what you will about the scream and the man's demeanor, I don't think anyone can argue that either of these are bad ideas or are going to lead to the demise of the Democratic party. I think even the most right people out there can agree that 45 million uninsured people in America is way too many and that - in the end - someone has to pay for deficeit spending.

kingbee

on Feb 09, 2005

Over the past month, a heated debate has sprung up on JU. Basically conservatives have been kindly giving advice to liberals on the direction of the democrat party. Why would they do such a thing?
I can think of 2 reasons. One is that they felt sorry for a party that was imploding on its own pettiness and wanted to see if come back as the party of JFK and LBJ. That is the altruistic reason.
The other is that conservatives and especially Republicans knew the advice would not be taken and indeed the democrats would do just the opposite. That is the cynical reason.
Regardless of the reason for the advice, explanation number 2 has proven to be the one that was followed by the democrats

speaking on behalf of myself and the other members of the dnc who blog here at ju, i wanna congratulate you for not only unmasking us but also revealing our foolishness and ingratitude at rejecting the collective wisdom proffered us here.

kingbee

on Feb 09, 2005

He did a better job motivating his people. People were stunned with the way he rallied his campaign into shape and used the internet. I think they want those skills at work for all their candidates

good call!

the reason the gop rebounded so quickly from the 64 elections has a lot less to do with political ideology than it does practical considerations that are still working in its favor. if nothing else, dean has shown an ability to put some of the same successful strategies to work for democrats. will he be as successful is another question.

Dr Guy

on Feb 09, 2005

Actually, Kerry mobilized the Hate Bush Crowd. Dean had the Dove crowd solidly in his corner, but it was not enough to win the nomination. Which just goes to show you that even in the democrat party, the Hate Bush outnumber the Doves. That does not say a lot for the democrats!

Dr Guy

on Feb 09, 2005

Say what you will about the scream and the man's demeanor, I don't think anyone can argue that either of these are bad ideas or are going to lead to the demise of the Democratic party. I think even the most right people out there can agree that 45 million uninsured people in America is way too many and that - in the end - someone has to pay for deficeit spending.

The 45 million is a trumped up number. It includes transition people (people moving from one job to another) and those who opt to maximize income as they do not have health problems at that time. The true number is about 8 million. Out of almost 300m, that is not an big number.

But in the end, besides the scream, Dean will be known for opposing not only Iraq, but Afghanistan as well. All 10 people who opposed that one did vote for him, and will always vote for a democrat. So Dean does not bring anything to the role.

Moderateman

on Feb 09, 2005

So Dean does not bring anything to the role

hush now let "them" dream.... after all dreaming of what was is ALL they have left.

Gideon MacLeish

on Feb 09, 2005

My chief reason for explaining the problems with the dem. party was actually a third one...not as much altruistic as borne out of a complete distaste for the Republican Party that is overridden only by my distaste for the Democrats. Like you, I gave much to the Democrats, and it was only after some hard soul searching that I made my exodus.

Excellent article.

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