Questions for fellow Deaniacs and the anti-Dean

[mrgorth]

For the Anti-Dean:

I'm really trying to understand this and I would appreciate you thinking about this first. A pundit says Dean won by not losing and "they are trying to give him the nomination so they can beat us". However, Fineman(sp?) from Newsweek declares Clark the winner AND Peggy Noonan (if anyone's a plant it's her) says, straight up, that Dean has more things the GOP can assault (gay marriage, etc) but the same charges are not made against Clark...who I love by the way. Please tell me why this double standard exists. Thanks.

For fellow Deaniacs:

Why hasn't Dean gotten any new clothes? Seriously, dude has millions of dollars and, debate after debate, it's that same goddamn gray suit. Is the man refusing to get a nice suit and power tie combo? He's easily the worst dressed man on the stage. Is this some kind of "I'm a populist tightwad" image thing? Help me out here. Also, why can't he be coached not to fumble for words in a debate? I understand he's better on the stump but if he gets the nom he'll eventually have to debate * and as easy as that may seem we are trying to take people away from * which he won't be able to do if he's stuttering. Thanks.

[wtmusic]

1. If clothes and style make your candidate

you should probably search for another one.

Yes, Dean stutters. Yes, he wears frumpy clothes (by some standards).

Listen to what he says, and the conviction with which he says it. I'll take his stuttering to Clark's false hysterics and Kerry's fake macho any day.

[evil_orange_cat]

2. "just because you are a communist"

"... doesn't mean you can't be a well dressed communist."

-- Elaine from Seinfeld...

:D

I like Dean. Things are too close to call now. The only people really paying attention to the primary race this early are the newsies and the hardcore leftist activists. *cough*DU* Everything will change once the rest of America (the majority independents) chimes in.

[Julien Sorel]

3. I need more clarity on your first paragraph to respond.

As for your second,
Is this some kind of "I'm a populist tightwad" image thing?

You answered your own question perfectly.




Getting back to the first paragraph, I'm not sure to what double standard you are referring.

[Zomby Woof]

4. I'll take a stab

I don't think there is a double standard, at least not yet. Dean has been running for many months now, and since he was an elected official, the highest office in state government, he has a record that can be compared to his platform. The gay marriage issue comes up (fairly or not) because of Dean's presiding over Vermont's adoption of a civil unions law. Clark, despite having an impressive service resumé, has held no elective office, and so his record is less well-known, and his platform is gelling as his young campaign gets going.

Also, Dean is the front-runner, and something of a double-standard has ALWAYS existed for the lead candidate. Expect this to continue well into the primaries, as things evolve.

[realFedUp]

5. I'll bite

although this is a sour apple...

I'd rather elect a candidate who doesn't spend
thousands on his/her hand-tailored
clothing made overseas and concentrates on the
real issues Americans face.

I think some of his frump is appealing. He
looks like a worker.

[meegbear]

6. There is no "double standard" ...

you have two different viewpoints from two conservatives who want * to win. With multiple candidates debating, there is going to be no real cut-and-dry winner, although one or two may stand out per debate.

But, as you point out, there are two different opinions, but they are two different candidates. Dean is better known for his social issues as Clark is for his military related ones. Go with what you know.


BTW, I like 'Anti-Dean'. For a Deanper, that's pretty clever.

[janx]

7. Hey. Dean bought a new suit (or said he did) for his

last campaign trip.

He's a fiscal conservative. I'm not kidding about this, because I'm the same way. I like to buy nice clothes that will last for decades. (My mother taught me that.)

So no, he's not going to have the new-money wardrobe of a thug or a pimp. It's a waste of money.

[indigo32]

8. From a former Deaniac

I'm gonna pass right by the first question... I am NOT anti-Dean
but Dean IS a tightwad... it's not some IMAGE thing. Did you see his appearance on Leno a while back. He talked about clothing... I found it much more appealing than his story about it being difficult to get a bathroom break while teaching (though I'm sure this is the reality of the situation), and yes I believed him. However.. he should break down and get a nicer suit for the debates.

[vi5]

9. I'm not Anti Dean but I see it this way....

Clark's positions on those issues are the same as Deans but he is seen as more of a strong, decisive, military leader which is what appeals to a lot of people.

Most people won't mind things like someone who supports something like gay marriage if there is another way in which that person appeals to them. It's a give and take thing. The military thing is something Clark has that neither Dean nor Bush has.

[democratreformed]

10. The double standards

from all sides of several campaigns and several groups drive me nuts too. I can't answer your question. I don't know why.

[Lisa0825]

11. I saw his suit close up....

I was at a fundraiser in Houston Nov 18, and saw his suit close-up under bright lights (5 ft away), and I thought it looked fine. I was actually surprised! at the rally beforehand, he had the sleeves rolled up and no jacket, so when he walked in looking nice in the jacket, I definitely noticed the difference. Personally, I LOVE that he is cheap. I would much prefer he had just a standard decent suit, than some thousand dollar designer number.

[in_cog_ni_to]

12. Is THIS the suit?

:7

[mrgorth]

14. No. That one's not too bad.

Maybe he just likes gray suits and has several.

[SEAburb]

13. Damn it ! Why did you bring up the suits?

Now I will be looking to see what kind of suit Dean is wearing. Well at least that will take the focus off his neck.

[mrgorth]

15. I should point out

that I only own one suit myself. It doesn't matter to me. I just think he should look a little better for the debates.