Deanies (Deanites, Dean-o's, Dean Supporters) please help me out...

[bhunt70]

Dean is pretty much the front runner in the race right now. He's raised an enormous amount of money and has a pretty good support base.

Why?

I've seen a few debates and interviews and while I haven't been turned off by Dean, I haven't actually been "sparked" by him. I don't find him the most loose, charismatic, well spoken, or the most honest out of the nine.

What is it about him that made you jump on board?

Now I could ask this about any candidate, but Dean is the one in the lead. I am a clark supporter at the moment, but I am not biased against dean or any of the other candidates (I feel that there are a large contingent here that are able to fully get behind many of the candidates without any problem - which I will do when the time comes).

I just want to know what it is that I may be missing. Supporters of other candidates please do not make this an attack on Dean, likewise for Dean supporters.

[Hep]

1. It has really been the enthusiasm around me.

Dean's policies have made political activism fun again. I don't know how else to put it.

[CMT]

2. I've seen him in person and on c-span

doing his stump speech and he really pours it on and excites people. I also like his stands on the issues. I like the way his campaign involves his supporters and really makes them feel part of the process. I think he does well in debates without being the stand out. Yet with all the attacks on him in debates he does better than holds his own.

[Demobrat]

3. Dean spoke for me

during the dark days when everybody else had their heads too far up Bush's butt to breathe. (Kucinich supporters, somehow his voice didn't get through, why is a whole other discussion.) Howard Dean literally gave me the gift of sanity. In return I started throwing him $50 now and then. The rest is history.

[pistoff democrat]

4. It's interesting that you are a Clark supporter

at the moment.

It seems to me that while Dean has captured us, that Clark might actually have a better shot to capture the win in 2004. :shrug:

[bhunt70]

10. how so?

not sure I understand.

[hedda_foil]

13. You're using the I'm a Dean supporter who's gone over to Clark meme.....

It's old news here. VERY old news. Interesting talking point once or twice, but you guys have been overdoing it bigtime.

[bhunt70]

14. No Im not.

I never said I was a dean supporter who changed. I'm giving them all a fair chance, I just wanna see what people who suport dean see. I just happen to support clark at the moment.

please don't put words into my mouth.

[pistoff democrat]

28. No, I'm not either.

I am absolutely pistoff (so to speak) at the possibility of Bush in 2004 and just want to be sure the pick of the dems will also be the pick of the nation - I swear I have no ulterior motive! Clark is not at all my choice for Pres.

[newyawker99]

31. Hi postoff democrat!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[JNelson6563]

5. Well lemme tell ya

watching many Dems trippin' over each other to carry water for the boy king got real disheartening. My hope was with Gore coming back in 04 to claim his rightful place. About 10 minutes after he said he was not going to do that I heard again about Howard Dean, who I had previously ignored. He sounded a lot like I felt. Talked about crazy stuff like not supporting everything the fascist Bush Regime rams down our throats. I liked it.

Have been watching, listening and supporting Dean every since. He is effectively reminding the masses that there are more of us than there are corporate interests in this country and inciting us to seize the power that is rightfully ours.

Rock on Doc!! :toast:

Julie

[seventhson]

6. Process of Elimination. Dean is simply the BEST.

To ME, Kerry, Lieberman and Clark are Bush lapdogs.

Kucinich, Braun, Gephardt and Sharpton have little or no chance.

Edwards is okay with me more or less, but I think he lacks viability or "gravitas" as the frontrunner and his numbers are low.

So I support Dean/Edwards as THE winning ticket.

Dean is as smart as they come. He resonates with the grassroots moderate to liberal democrats and he attracts independents and even some republicans who are sick of Bush (although I tend to think the Repubs will drift to Clark, Lieberman and Kerry in that order).

I admire Dean's smarts -- I think that is what makes him my fave.

I LIKE the Idea of a DOCTOR, instead of a lawyer or a career politician or a general in the White House. I think he will use a rational approach to governing to try and heal our nation after the shcok we have been through.

[Jester_11218]

7. See him in person

He is very dynamic in person. He speaks in real words instead of sound bytes. He seems more genuine than most. So do some of the others though.

The ones who sound too much like politicians are Lieberman, and Kerry, Gephart.

Even though I think he backs Bush/PNAC Iraq invasion to a fault somone like Joe Biden is a good example of someone else who actually speaks to people.

I think the message and the delivery of Dean are genuine and real.
I like him, but I think he has faults. He should team up with Clark as his VP and they beat the rest of the bunch hands down.

[eissa]

8. What drew me initially

was his courage to speak out against the war during the early stages, when the atmposhere in this country was one of "no dissent allowed." It's one thing when that sort of commentary comes from artists, it's another when it's a presidential candidate. That's when I first began tracking him. I read articles, visited his website and was really impressed with his policies (especially his experience in providing health care coverage and balancing his state's budget). I admire his energy, his backbone especially (something I've felt has been missing from the democratic leaders for a really long time), and the enthusiasm he projects for the direction he wants to take our country. I HAVE been "sparked" by him; I guess it's just different things to different people.

[killbotfactory]

9. He was the first advocating for universal health insurance

And he comes across as genuine, to me.

Then I watched the speech he gave in Sacramento on March 15th, and he blew me away.

He does the best when he's giving non-scripted or repeated answers to questions, I think. That usually doesn't get much play in interviews or debates.

If you are interested, here are some examples of interviews or speeches where I think he comes off the best

Radio Nation interview

http://www.carlwithak.com/files/Dean2003-56k.wmv">March 15th speech

[bhunt70]

11. Thanks, I'll take a look at those.

and thanks for all the replies.

[wryter2000]

12. He was the first

He was the first to state that the whole system is broken and that we need to get our country back. I love your guy, but I have to wonder if he'd even be in the race if Dean hadn't shown that there was real support for someone from the outside.

[dsc]

15. I would be a Gore supporter if he had chosen to run

I thought he had our best message and was our best messanger. He chose not to run.

Dean first attracted me based on his civil unions bill and more importantly the way he chose to campaign after he signed it. Not only did he do the right thing he refused to shrink from having done so. That impressed me. So I took a closer look.

I found a governor who ran a pretty good state. He isn't perfect but he did very well looking at the big picture. His citizens are insured, his budgets were balanced, crime is low, a good mix of growth and enviromentalism exists, and unlike nearly every other state Vermont has weathered the Bush recession well.

I want to win. Dean has a great message. Bush inherited a surpluss and is leaving a deficit. Dean inherited a deficit and left a surpluss. Dean created more jobs in tiny Vermont than Bush did in the nation. Dean covered more kids with insurance Bush fewer. Dean expanded rights to his citizens Bush took them away. This is a winning message.

Dean isn't perfect but he is running a great campaign, ran a great state, and has a great message. That is why I support him.

[Lisa0825]

16. For all that's said about him being angry, I think the truth is...

that he is just FORCEFUL. He used strong words and harsh criticism on Bush, and seemed to feel every bit as frustrated as me. That got my attention, while the other candidates were pussy-footing around trying not to tick off anyone. Since Dean captured the momentum, the others'voices seem to be louder and stronger, but back then, Dean stood out for it.

Once I started lurking and posting on the blog, I immediately noticed that average folks were being listened to by the campaign. Ideas "WE" had were actually being USED! I was on the blog when someone posted that Dean should post a pic eating a turkey sandwich to contrast to Cheney's fundraising dinner. The next day, there it was. I have seen the staff ask US for help or input, and have seen it put to use. And then one day, one of my suggestions (just a little one) was used. Sure, 500 other people could have sent the same email, but to me, it was mine, I was important, they listened to ME.

I never ever thought I could be considered an important part of a campaign until Dean. Candidates were just talking heads on TV to me.

In addition, the Dean support community is just fabulous. I have made so many friends, and being in the conservative Hell of Texas, it's great to feel like I'm not alone! I think Clark's campaign probably has that feel as well, since I know that their meetups have been pretty well-attended too.

I can't say no one else's campaign could have the same feel to it, but if they do, I haven't found it when I have visited web sites, or seen it out in the community at parades and festivals. at the Heights festival, the only other candidate represented was Kucinich.

I think Dean tapped into the energy of our immense frustration and turned it into hope and action.

[unfrigginreal]

17. Because we're his "special interest".

He wants to get the government working for the people again and not just Corporations. Try to watch some of the videos at the website. It's hard to get a real picture of Dean in a debate where he's fending off jabs coming from all directions. To see what he has to say regarding bringing change to Washington, you really need to see some of his speeches and read the statements that he issues regarding current affairs.

[Polemonium]

18. outspoken, grassroots energy and finance

I was first attracted to him because he was the first to openly criticize the shrub empire. Kucinich, I didn't hear about until too late. The more I followed Dean and the campaign, the more I felt his emerging platform was reflecting the interests of the democratic base. Then I met other supporters and was blown away. I have not seen that kind of excitement, energy, and activism in democracy in the Democratic Party before. Recently over half of the money, was shown to come from small donations; another unprecedented thing that blew me away. I like being apart of something where it seems to represent giving government back to the people. To all those who say he's unelectable, I say go to a meet-up or a party of supporters. You will see unprecedented energy first hand, and you will begin to understand that the energy found there would be far more powerful than any dead end strategic ponderings that the democrats have been loosing with for the last several election cycles.

[rucky]

19. Watching Dean in a televised debate is kinda like buying a Phish CD

It's good, but...

You gotta see 'em LIVE, maaaaaan!

[bhunt70]

21. hahaha good one. <nt>

[Fleshdancer]

20. I researched quite a bit before making my decision

What initially caught my attention of Howard Dean was passing civil unions in the state of Vermont. Then I found out he was a doctor which is a refreshing change from lawyers. Then I listened to what he said about the war in Iraq and for the first time in a very long time, someone was saying what I was thinking. He validated my anger and frustration at a time when it seemed like other Democrats were only willing to follow the polls. I knew my brother would be sent to Iraq if we did go to war so this issue was very personal for me.

I researched all the candidates...went to their websites, both campaign websites and congressional site if applicable. (All but CMB because she wasn't in the race at that point) I also googled them to see what I could find.

I kept coming back to Dean because I liked where he stood on most issues, including balancing budgets. He's a strong supporter of pro-choice, and I like that the majority of children in Vermont have health insurance. I'm not crazy about his stance on guns, but I agree that what works for New York may not work for Vermont and vice versa.

So I liked him, but then I went to my first meetup back in May...this is what won me over. Not only did I meet others who felt frustrated and angry too, but I found a way to take my negative energy and turn it into something positive. I was asked to do more than hand over money, I was asked to get signatures to put this Dean guy on the ballot and I was able to hand out flyers and inform people of Dean. Normally when I volunteer, I'm stuck in a ugly room stuffing envelopes. This was much more gratifying. Each month the meetings got larger, I made new friends, and for the first time, I felt I was making a difference.

But if you're thinking "cult"...well, the meetings are nothing like the blog. :)

[realFedUp]

22. Kismet, karma...intuition

The first time you see someone and there's something
there you haven't seen in awhile...
you just know. Lots of issues I agree with him on
and I think he's rational, truthful, realistic
and knows that we the people are driving his campaign.

[Capn Sunshine]

23. Yeah, TV Debates are NOT his forte.

Nor are they Gen. Clarks. Where both these guys are outstanding is IN PERSON; then the charisma is evident.

See Dean in person, then get back to us.

[LittleDannySlowhorse]

26. Really?

I thought they've both done great in the debates. The real winner of those has been Sharpton though --- the guy just OWNS the stage.

[Eloriel]

29. Actually, I was surprised that his dynamic persona

comes across as well on his televised speeches as in person -- or for me, anyway.

But by all means, DO see some speeches, on TV, from DeanTV, or in person. No one (but Sharpton) shines in those debates.

Eloriel

[AWD]

24. I liked what I heard, but then....

....I spoke with the man. He impressed me a great deal, and at that moment, he made me feel like my opinion was the most important one in the world.

He's got "Elvis"....that charisma that can light up a room just by being in it. Clinton had it too...no other candidate in the Dem primary does.

[LittleDannySlowhorse]

25. The darn guy just kept saying things I agreed with

As far as his policies are concerned, he's pretty much in the same place on the political compass that I am. He was among the only ones coming out and saying the war in Iraq was bullshit, which I certainly appreciated around March and April when the entire country was first starting to seriously resemble Nazi Germany in its total hard-on to go to war for no good reason. Then I saw him speak and was pretty blown away by his passion. When I realized the depth of his ability to get people riled up it occured to me that his "unelectability" (which I think is a crock) is completely outweighed by his ability to excite people. In short, I became convinced that not only was he on the same page as me as far as policy was concerned, but he could actually win --- it is unusual for those two attributes to exist in the same candidate.

He makes me feel hopeful, and he makes me feel like a part of the process, as opposed to a lot of politicians who I have felt have sort of taken my vote for granted. They were right of course --- I've voted straight Dem since I was 18 --- but Dean makes me WANT to vote as opposed to making me feel like I HAVE to vote, if that makes any sense.

A lot is being made of the fact that he was not in the military. However, I think Dean makes up for this by his ability to put his opponents on the defensive and keep them there. In short, he is a fighter, and if the current primary season is any indication, he has no problem not only standing up to attacks on his record and character, but he actually seems to set the tone and define the race. The are well-established Dems running right now who were considered the guys to beat, and right now all of their time is spent trying to take him down. It's not working, and it's actually reflecting badly on those guys. This is what we call "teflon".

There is definitely an element of risk in a Dean candidacy, and many people are of the opinion that due to his lack of military or foreign policy expertise he would get killed in the general election. This may very well be true. I would certainly feel a lot better about him if he had a few medals from Vietnam as opposed to experience skiing after getting a medical deferment. However, Dean is an unconventional candidate, and I am skeptical about how much the standard arguments are going to work on him. People like an underdog, and they like a fighter. They also like someone who appears to speak directly to them, with no filter.

Anyway, don't take my word for it --- you still have a couple of months of candidate shopping before the primaries, and you should obviously pick the candidate who you feel best represents what you want.

Good luck!

[zeemike]

27. For me

It was much of what others have said, his early criticism of Bush and the fact that he was saying tings that I liked and so forth, but that was not the most important factor.
I believed that he meant it. And I have pretty good instincts about when some one is just bull shitting or they really mean what they say and I got the feeling that he did.
And he seems to talk strait. For instance in one of the debates he was confronted with a statement he made in which he was quoted as saying that he felt uncomfortable with the gay people.
And instead of denying it and giving the standard ” some of my best friends…” answer he said that he was at first uncomfortable because he was strait and it took him a while to deal with those feelings, but it is a natural process that most strait people must go through.
That was real honesty and that is what we need.

[Eloriel]

30. "I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!"

I was a Dean supporter well before he delivered that line at the CA Dem Party meeting last March, I think it was. But when he delivered that line, I nearly burst into tears. THANK GOD, FINALLY someone who gives voice to my deepest anguish about what is happening in this country. Even now, the tears are literally rolling down my cheeks as I write this, thinking again of that galvanizing line.

He doesn't say that any more, I presume because he's running such a People-Empowering, populist campaign and probably feels that "WE" all want our country back. I wish he'd say it. I'd LOVE to hear it again and again and again in exactly the same way he said it back then.

There are so many reasons he appeals to me, but the biggest is that not only did he have the guts to oppose this wicked, senseless war, which may have been the first thing I noticed about him, he gives me hope.

EVERY DAMNED DAY, in fact several times a day, since Jan. 20, 2001, it's been literally one atrocity after another from the Bush administration. Since Dean came onto the scene, every damned day there's a reason to hope again. What Dean is doing, what the Campaign is doing (very aggressive and savvy campiagn!!), reading the blog and the amazing personal stories people write about why they're supporting Dean -- it's very inspiring.

We all want our country back and we realize that Dean is the one who can do that, and REALLY give us our country back, by which I mean put the power back in the hands of the People. No other candidate gets that, no other candidate is willing or able to do it. Hell, they're not even able to SEE or understand what he's doing, tho they occasionally parrot some of Dean's lines as if that will be the magic Dean has, or adopt his internet tools, as if that will give them the Dean magic. It won't.

This is the first Open Source, Iterative Campaign in history. As someone explained upthread, the campaign reads every single post to those blogs and acts on those posts as appropriate. Dean got one of those two service union endorsements recently in part because the Campaign Headquarters is running 24/7. They have to in order to keep up. And the energy in the campaign sustains them.

And I love his pragmatism. The first time I heard his position on guns, I did a double-take. "Wow, that's really a winning position," I thought to myself. "Takes that issue right off the table." And yet, you'll notice he does NOT do that on everything. For example, he's not doing that on abortion (he's adamantly pro-choice). So it's not like this "triangulation" shit Clinton pulled. Dean stands up for what he believes in, and he's a fighter.

I'm very impressed with just his physical stamina, and the fact that he's been running a General election for quite some time. Very, very canny Campaign.

And I haven't even talked about how what Dean and his Campaign and supporters are doing is revolutionizing campaigns, campaign finance, and the democratic process itself. As several pundits have finally come to understand and write about: this isn't a presidential campaign, it's a movement.

If you want to understand more about Dean and his campaign, I urge you to read or watch some of his speeches in particular, but also some of his policy initiatives and positions, and ESPECIALLY to check out the Official Blog (incuding supporters' commnents) at least once each day. http://www.blogforamerica.com/

Eloriel

[Polemonium]

32. Thanks Eloriel - well stated as usual

Your support and the support of many others has been a big part of what got me involved. Prior to the Dean movement, my political activism was restricted to ranting and raving, to voting, signing petitions, and the monthly letter to representatives. Now, I am involved weekly, almost daily. I feel what I am doing is helping to make the changes I believe in, and I have real hope that those changes are possible. Never again will I be content to be on the sidelines, throwing angry words at the people involved. This kind of awakening has been empowering for not just me but many Dean supporters I have met. Many of us want our country back, and I am glad to be supporting someone who not only speaks to that but is obviously listening to me and others like me.

[calimary]

33. Eloriel - that pretty much sums it up for me, too.

As they said in the movie "Network," THIS Howard, like THAT Howard, became a huge hit because of his ability and willingness "to articulate the popular rage." Mine, certainly! And he was the first major candidate to stick his neck out about the war, when all the polls and smarmies and all the king's horses and all the king's men were saying what a great, red-white-and-blue patriotic idea it was. HE ALONE was saying what we were, out on the protest sidewalks.

And, as a mom, I kinda like the idea of all children under 18 having health coverage. As a woman (and the mother of a now child-bearing-age daughter), I like his pro-choice stand. I liked his record as governor, and took note when the first MeetUp I attended, back in February, was also attended by a transplanted Vermonter, who had nothing but good things to say about his former governor, having lived in Vermont during Howard Dean's terms of office.

Plus, I've seen quite a bit from people and politicians from Vermont, and I RAWTHER like what I see - Jim Jeffords, Bernie Sanders, and Patrick Leahy to be exact.

He's worth a look, and then some. Besides, he's savvy enough to have tapped into the internet (I'm surprised the rest of 'em hadn't done as much in that regard, since it IS the new medium), and he's fired up people like nobody's business!!! It's so impressive to hear over and over and over again how people are getting involved who never felt compelled or inspired to do so before - until he came along.

And I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK, ALSO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or what's left of it, after the schmuck-pirates now in charge get through with it.

[Upfront]

34. You Need

to hear Dean speak at a rally. That is his strength. You will get it then.

[Eloriel]

35. Just watch a speech

Doesn't even have to be in person (or at least, it doesn't for me).

DeanTV has a bunch of his speeches. http://www.deanforamerica.com

Eloriel