Dean's pickup line

[Noordam]

St. Pete Times

Dean's pickup line
Howard Dean's choice of words was clumsy, but the Democratic presidential candidate is right about his party's need to reconnect with Southern voters.
A Times Editorial
Published November 7, 2003

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Howard Dean had it half-right. Democratic presidential candidates do need to find a way to reconnect with white Southern voters who have been deserting to the Republican Party for the past 40 years. But in referring to "guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks," Dean unnecessarily perpetuated an insensitive stereotype that obscured his point. The former Vermont governor was right to apologize for his choice of words, but he shouldn't let the exaggerated complaints of his opponents for the Democratic presidential nomination scare him away from the subject.

,,,cut,,,,,

Howard Dean stumbled in his effort to make that point, and he was shouted down for all the wrong reasons. The Democrats' culture police may prevent any further attempts to address the party's problems in the South. If so, George W. Bush and Republicans on the bottom of the 2004 ballot will be the beneficiaries. The Republicans' Southern strategy may be cynical, but it beats no strategy at all."

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IMHO Clark being a ex-General and Dean are attacking the problems with connecting with the southern's.

Again in IMHO,,,, Because of Iraq and the shitty tours Whistle Ass has sent the military on, I between the Military vote is not locked into the Repugs like in years pass.

[SeattleRob]

1. I agree,,,

The southern and military votes are not a lock for anyone or any party. Bush's record, no matter how much they try to spin it, has been crap. Southerners also pay high insurance premiums, are having a tough time finding jobs, and are also shedding their blood on distant battlefields. We (Democrats) need to roll up our sleeves and get past the filters of the news media and right-wing radio and get the word out.

[Noordam]

2. Right there are a lot of Georgia

troops in Iraq. Alot of wifes and husbands sitting home praying their love ones make it back....

The Right Message and large groups of voters swing to the Dems.

[spooky3]

3. Gov./Dr. Dean has apologized for this, and it's time to move ON.

[DrFunkenstein]

4. Don't Forget Veteran's Rights - They Won't

Edwards has a Southern strategy. Dean has an anthropologist's version of the South. Which was made painfully clear, as was his inability to handle pressure.

Southerners respect a sense of honor and duty. A war hero on the ticket will bring a whole lot of votes over, as will a good plan for manufacturing.

[SeattleRob]

5. Correct...

And the thing to remember, the Repubs have been saying support the troops and they've been waving the flag, but their actions are quite the opposite. They have been treating our military personnel very badly.