"In Defense of Dean" from Univ of Chicago Maroon...good one.

[madfloridian]

In Defense of Dean

SNIP...."In his original article, Hammond worries that Karl Rove will “sink his teeth into” Dean, making Dean unpopular with anyone who isn’t from the Northeast. This complaint is not particularly relevant—Rove and the Bush administration will attack any candidate who emerges as a front-runner; this is not specific to Dean, nor is it a reason that Dean can’t beat Bush. It is just part of the crassness of Republican campaign strategy....."

[Cha]

1. Anybody that says "Dean lacks charisma" hasn't

been reading DU and the "cult" accusations! }(

"Although he neglects Dean’s ability to appeal to people on the basis of issues, Hammond is quick to mention what he calls Dean’s lack of “charisma.” On this point Hammond is simply wrong. Howard Dean may not be good at slinging mud in other candidates’ faces on national television, but he is very good at reawakening political interest in formerly apathetic voters. He has shown himself to be honest, straightforward, committed, and passionate about serving his country. He has used the Internet to reach out to uninspired Americans across the nation and sparked a grassroots movement unequalled by any other candidate including President Bush. This is not the work of a man without charisma."

[Cha]

2. I wonder who this "Andrew Hammond's" candidate

is? :shrug:

[wryter2000]

3. lack...hahaha...of....hohoho...charisma? hehehehehe

I just fell off my chair laughing.

[Cha]

4. Merriam- Webster's definition for "charisma"...

"a personal magic of leadership arousing special popular loyalty or enthusiasm for a public figure (as a political leader) b : a special magnetic charm"

[Scott Lee]

5. That's like criticizing YoYoMa for his lack of cello skills

Unbelievable, the lengths some of these clowns will go to in order to "stop" Dean.

[Ardee]

6. why no link to the original article?

All i see there is criticism of an article unlinked, sort of like an unfair tribunal ,imo.

I do not wish to post a criticism of those who support Howard Dean's candidacy, as long as that support is based upon a realistic view of Dean himself. I understand that, in a political climate wherein the democratic party has abrogated its duty as an opposition party,Deans anger plays well with many.

If your support of Dean is based upon his record as Vermonts governor , and if you fully support that record then fine, support him, donate to his campaign and speak out against criticisms of him.

Somehow, though, Ive a gut feeling that people are seeing Dean through a filter of their own emotion, their desperate need to find someone to whom they can rally.I do not blame them for trying to fill this current void in american political life, I too despair for the nation with the traitorous silence of my former party and most of its leaders.

If you recognise Howard Dean as a strict centrist and agree with all that entails then by all means do support his candidacy. If you are not offput by his attempts to boost his candidacy on the grave of a real liberal, Paul Wellstone, if you are not made a bit suspicious by what appears to be a turnaround of a life spent as a centrist, not by any epiphany of conscience but by a simple and self serving desire to become President then support Dean with all your heart and all your money.

If ,however, you do actually research Deans tenure in Vermont, if in fact you are not comfortable with the reductions in the education budget, the reduction of assistance to seniors, the weakening of environmental protections to attract corporate interests to Vt., if you are uncomfortable with his refusal to agree to a reduction of our bloated military budget, with his stance against single payer health care then perhaps you should be uncomfortable with your support.

[madfloridian]

7. Did you try a search at the site for Hammond? Link.

http://maroon.uchicago.edu/profx/mt-search.cgi?search=hammond

You have to scroll down. I used the search term "hammond", and there does not seem to be anything.

Your quote:
"Somehow, though, Ive a gut feeling that people are seeing Dean through a filter of their own emotion, their desperate need to find someone to whom they can rally.I do not blame them for trying to fill this current void in american political life, I too despair for the nation with the traitorous silence of my former party and most of its leaders."

That is what the right wing is doing with Bush. As to myself, I want someone who is gutsy enough to stand up to him. Please do not project the word desperate onto Dean supporters. It is not a nice thing to do. Dean and his supporters are not desperate.

I do agree with you on the "traitorous silence" part, though.

[Ardee]

8. Thanks for the link

I use the word desperate in the context of seeking out an opposition leader. Further I believe that , if there was a plethora of democrats speaking out against all the Bush lies and distortions I feel that Deans real political character would be more obvious.

[madfloridian]

9. Has it occurred to you that Dean supporters are informed?

I won't explain why we support him, as I should not have to. The worst thing people can do is try to use his political character against him. We know what it is. We like it. The worst thing this forum does is assume we are naive little sheep. It is condescending.