Howard Dean's Anger

[nomaco-10]

Howard Dean is being attacked for his so called "anger" by those on the right and a few on the left, John Kerry and the DLC come to mind. WHY? Does he not represent how many of us feel, just peruse du and you will find "ANGER" in nearly every post on every thread you come across that is opposed to the bill of goods that the right is trying to foist upon us at every turn, the most recent being the sham vote led by Tom Delay on the Medicare Bill that went on during the night, I don't know about you, but I'm mad as hell!
In this "new society" created while we were all sleeping and electing representatives to Congress that we thought were representing our particular point of views, we got screwed, and your damn right, I'm mad as hell.
I am so past trying to be politically correct, I hope the acronym, "PC" gets relegated to a footnote in 1990's pop culture. Howard Dean and Dennis Kucinich represent everything that is relevent and and representative of the party we are all trying so hard to advance against the massive right wing agenda of bush*, and while your at it, show some of that PC anger at the corporate media whores that have taken over our airwaves who at the very least, are guilty of duplicity in their agenda to advance this facsist, nazi administration, they have a huge responsibility in the wave of pseudo patriotism being fed to the "sheeple" of this country on a daily, hourly basis, that is when they're not hyping Michael Jackson, Kobe Bryant and Scott Peterson. PC, be damned, we all ought to be feeling some righteous ANGER over the fiasco in the house last night and the war in Iraq. ANGER, you better believe it, I'm just glad there's a few good dems out there that are still brave enough to speak out because they haven't prostituted themselves to special interests groups.
Are you mad? Do you want your candidate wrapped in the flag and spouting "PC" rhetoric to win the nomination, just because he's the "best chance to beat bush*", if not, don't be afraid to get a little angry everytime your congress is hijacked by the likes of Tom Delay on something as important as a Medicare/Prescription bill and the re-districting of Texas. And when you read in the newspaper that young Americans were killed and wounded today and there was "collateral damage" ie; innocent Iraqi civilians killed, try to muster up a little bit of ANGER and support the candidate that best represents your feelings about the way this marvelous country of ours is headed.
Are you ANGRY, if so, do you have a problem with candidates that reflect your anger and frustration in their speeches, or would you rather they be PC and not rock this sinking boat we call America?

[onebigbadwulf]

1. I'm glad he's angry

Anyone who is going to be a pansy isn't going to win debates.

Does a leader command or ask politely and then cry when he doesn't get his way?

[Kahuna]

19. What's he going to do with his anger? Is he going to pursue..

investigations into the treasonous acts by the bushistas? That's the kind of anger I want. Dean doesn't have it.

[virtualobserver]

2. Howard Dean expressed the anger that I had in many ways......

I was angry at the right-wing takeover and the weak response from Democrats. If Howard Dean was not a candidate, I would be pretty depressed right now.

[illini]

3. Anger is just what is needed.

Anger stokes that fire in the belly attitude that our candidates and and ourselves need right now. Anger = Fire = Action = Victory

BURN BABY BURN.

[xultar]

4. The skill however is finding the best way and the best time to

express it. Finessing the Passion is what I call it. Anger is great, there are ways to display it based on the audience and the message. What may work for some may not work for others. Also what may work for some audiences may not work for others.

When Dean is at a national debate he must realize that there is a national audience that he cannot see in addition to the party supporters in the room. It is important for Dean to work on this issue. Also, the candidate's personality leads the supporters and he should consider the effect on undecided voters.

[nomaco-10]

5. I agree with you completely.....

Howard needs to "finesse" his speeches and realize he needs to win over the undecided voters first. Lay the righteous anger bit on them when they are more saavy and open to his particular kind of speecifying or at smaller venues to rev up his supporters for bringing others into the fold. I hope his esteemed and talented campaign managers will pose this very contingent to him for the short run.

[Rose Siding]

6. Which national debate are you thinking of

I don't remember any of the debates in which Dean had any outburtst of anger. In fact, more anger was directed at him in the last debate than he displayed. Are we as concerned about Edwards' and Sharpton's issues with anger?

[xultar]

7. My dad always says don't compete with the waterboy...

Sharpton and Edwards are OUT. Thus, Don't compete against the waterboy.

I wasn't BASHING Dean about his anger. I was just saying there is a time and a place. That is a valid criticism. I wasn't speaking of a SPECIFIC debate it was an example I culd have used campaign stops or rallys. When you know you've got your base you don't worry about them. The undecided people will decide this election. We need some converts in the swing states.

[Rose Siding]

9. I didn't accuse you of bashing anyone

You said "national debate". I thought that's what you meant and that I had missed something.

I'm sure you are aware that the anger issue, like any other aspect of a dem candidate, will be exaggerated by the press and the compitition. One way to combat that is to be as specific as possible.

[liberalmuse]

8. His anger is positive...

and has helped me take much of my anger against Bush and use it for something positive as well--to help get Dean elected. I've been almost perpetually angry for about 3 years now, and it isn't healthy. The anger and despair I've felt can only be curbed with hope and knowing I'm not alone in feeling as I do. Some namby pamby Bush ass-kisser just isn't going to do it for me. Dean has passion, and the innovativness to recognize a problem, fearlessly state what that problem is, reach for possible solutions to that problem and the ability to follow through. This gives me hope.

[jobycom]

10. Will you still be happy if it costs us the election?

I'm angry, too, but anger will not win many converts, and it strengthens the opponent, who becomes more resolved in the face of attacks. Republican voters will be more mobilized by direct attacks on them, just as are. Meanwhile, the vast group in the middle who don't understand what's happening will see one guy ranting and the other keeping his cool.

Take out the understanding of politics you have, and try to see which candidate you would like better-- the one who remains calm and portrays a positive vision of the future (even if we know it's wrong), or one who raves about how bad things are. After a while it becomes one of those single message annoying commercials you can't get out of your head, but that you hate. Dean has a danger of winding up like that.

Look back on past elections, at winners and losers. Mondale was angry, Dole was so angry he started attacking the voters for not listening to him. Reagan, Clinton, and W all won (or in the case of Bush came really close to winning) with a message that focused on their abilities and visions, not on the other guys' failings. All three ran against opponents who also articulated a vision

One thing W and Clinton and even that gad damned (in the literal sense) piece of filth Reagan managed was showing positive leadership to the general public while showing their core constituency that they were angry. Bush did it with his little "They haven't led, we will" mantra. To the general public he stayed non-partisan, above the fray, but to his core he showed anger and indignation. Some of the worst drops in his poll ratings were when he lost that balance and went on the attack. Clinton also walked this line. He convincd the majority that he was a calm, able leader who could fix the mistakes of the Bush/Reagan era, but he didn't foam at the mouth about it. Now and then, though, he would let his true feelings about Bush out, and this cheered the core Democrats enough to back him. Both of those candidates ran against a regime that their constituency hated as much as we hate W, but who the general public basically had warm feelings about. Just like W.

Dean is too angry. I agree with him on a lot of issues (even the southern voter issue), probably more than anyone else running. I keep trying to make him into Clinton-- moderate liberal governor from a small state, running against another failed Bush with high approval ratings. But I can't. So far I don't believe he can win. And I'm not DLC or establishment or pro-Lieberman or any other fantasy DUers create about anyone who disagrees with them.

It has nothing to do with PC, and I'm very disappointed that Rush's mantra has become accepted even by liberals. I guess next we'll start calling women with jobs feminazis.

People don't elect presidents based on how well they speak to a minority of voters. Despite the beliefs of many posters here at DU, we cannot win with a minority of votes-- we don't own the Supreme Court. Anger is a luxury for commentators. In fact, it's why commentators write instead of run-- they'd rather rant and rave than do the actual work it takes to change things. I'd rather a compromised victory than a warm and fuzzy loss any day.

You can't honestly tell me that watching four more years of what's happening now would be better than electing a Democrat who compromises on a few issues. At least I hope we haven't sunk to that level of self-indulgent pity.

[nomaco-10]

12. Why I'm for DEAN

Howard Dean reflects my anger and represents me when it comes to issues like the Iraq war, health care in America and just about any other issue you or anybody else brings up. I'm one of those fortunate democrats that has found a candidate that I can get behind with no feelings whatsoever that I've compromised my principles. He's leading in most polls early on without name recognition and that bodes well for him. Thank god, I am not faced with the dilemma of having to vote for Lieberman, Gephardt or Kerry on the ABB dogma going on at present or attaching my hopes to someone like Dennis Kucinich, as much as I admire him on many levels, he doesn't have a chance in hell. It's good to be a dem today, atleast if you're a Dean supporter, I think I'll ride this wave of democratic party pride all the way to the White House in 2004, come join us, it's one hell of a ride, but you may experience one or two small bumps in the road on the way. You see, we always no where our candidate stands because he tells us whether we like what he says or not, but that just makes me admire him even more.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

15. FYI.

When I was in college me and my friends would go to Reagan's rallies in order to protest. Reagan always used anger in his speeches. Very effectively, I might add, judging by the look of the faces in the crowd.

[GreenArrow]

11. His anger is negative

it seems to leach out of him and be beyond his control, though he does keep it in check enough that he hasn't had any major temper tantrums yet. He projects the same sort of thinned skinned reaction to criticism that W does; he doesn't like being challenged. His anger is of the self righteous type. Even when he's smiling, the anger is there, built into the lines of his face, evident in his body language. That's my perception of him, anyway.

[chimpymustgo]

13. Perhaps therapy for the anger. But a winning candidate for the country.

Look, we are all angry. But I am baffled by the need to channel that emotion and energy into the yelling, finger-pointing, say anything hypocrite Howard Dean. He will NEVER will a national election.

Democrats need to get behind a positive, optimistic force for change.

Clark/Edwards 2004?

[Rose Siding]

14. I'm drawn to the defiance

Just saw this and laughed because it hits me at the same level the rest of what is, I guess, perceived and exaggerated by some, as Dean's "anger".

(The article is about Kennedy and finds some comparisons in the candidates)

snip>
Dean first grasped Kennedy's ideals, particularly an affinity for his speeches, when he reached college. One of Kennedy's visions still moves him today.

"Everybody will say the same thing," Dean said. " 'Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.' "

Asked if Americans are ready to respond to that call in 2003, Dean said, "They better be. You have the power to change the country, whether you like it or not."

http://www.nhprimary.com/stories/11-2003/112203-jfkinspires.htm

*all emphasis is mine- I'd never seen him use that last phrase and I think it applies to your topic

[helleborient]

16. Plenty of anger on display from other candidates...

I'm not sure I understand why supporters of other candidates claim Dean is the only angry candidate:

Witness John Kerry firing his campaign manager and the stories of his anger about the campaign...plus his "Dean Dean Dean!" swearing under his breath.

Witness Wesley Clark great display of justified anger on Fox News.

Witness Dick Gephardt's flashes of anger about the Dean ads in Iowa.

Witness Dennis Kucinich's angry finger wagging at the AFL-CIO debate in Chicago.

Is anger really the issue?

[blm]

17. He didn't start out angry when he was first running.

In fact, he was touting himself as a centrist who gets along with Republicans.

His so-called "anger" act didn't manifest until the antiwar crowds grew. Then Dean started changing longheld policies and repositioned himself with populist rhetoric coopted from internet message boards. Then he used it against the other Democratic candidates.

[Kahuna]

20. He's full of it. The only thing he's angry about is...

he might not win. I have yet to hear how Dean is going to channel that anger to hold the bushistas accountable for their crimes against our country and humanity. Not a hint. Not a clue.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

18. "Howard Dean and Dennis Kucinich represent ..."

Howard Dean and Dennis Kucinich represent opposite ends of the spectrum of our candidates.

Bizarre that you would lump them together as if they have something in common.

[nomaco-10]

23. Howard Dean and Dennis Kucinich.....

I was careful in my initial post to lump Dennis in the mix with Howard Dean because he, DK, to his credit does extol the anger that many of us feel, he is a breed apart from Lieberman, Gephardt and Kerry. Til this party rants and rails against the right and demands that our candidates not be "bush-lite", we are doomed.
I think we are facing the most important crossroads that our party has ever faced right now, moreso than any time in history. Democrats MUST come forward and support the candidate that most represents them and work together to advance their candidancy for the good of all, not hold back the frontrunner that represents us as a whole and vote for the most "electable" candidate because we might gain some minor ground against the evil right, and don't kid yourself, the right is evil, even in the diluted form of Kerry, Gephardt and especially Lieberman. I not only want my country back, I want my congress and senate back too.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

24. I'm sorry but saying DK is 'angry' like Dean is, just isn't true.

And they certainly don't represent the same ideas or positions.

And Kerry is one of the most liberal members of the Senate. Certainly far , far to the left of Dean on just about every issue. Saying he is a 'diluted form' of the right is just plain wrong. That characterization would make more sense when talking about Dean.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

25. Far to the left...

Patriot Act, IWR, Homeland Security and NCLB. Why, he's practically a Socialist!!!!

[Feanorcurufinwe]

26. Are you actually claiming that Dean is more liberal than Kerry?

I mean seriously, is that your point?

Your 16 word comment is so devoid of any actual argument it is hard to tell what you are trying to say except that you don't like 4 of the votes Kerry cast in his years in the Senate.


So really, are you claiming that Dean is a liberal? On what issue?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

30. Yes. Dean *gasp!* is a Liberal.

More liberal than Kerry? Hard to say. Which Kerry and which Dean are we talking about?

Are we talking about the Kerry of the 1970's and 1980's who fought Iran Contra, BCCI, and Vietnam policy? Or are we talking about the Kerry of the 2000's who voted for Homeland Security, the IWR and the Patriot Act?

Are we talking about the Dean of the 1990's who flirted with electricity deregulation, wanted to limit medicare growth to an inflation index, enacted balanced budgets and was pro-states rights re: gun laws? Or are we talking about the Dean of the 1990's and 2000's who wants to re-regulate industry, signed a civil unions bill, helped provided health care to the vast majority of his state, said that the President* "hadn't made his case" regarding war with Iraq, set aside huge tracts of land in Vermont, and wants to balance the Federal budget and remove Chimp's tax cuts in order to free up more money for social programs?

It seems to me that Dean is getting more liberal as time goes by and Kerry is getting more conservative.

This answers the age old question "What have you done for me lately?"

[Feanorcurufinwe]

31. Laughable.

Calling Dean a liberal when it's convenient, and a centrist when it's convenient, and a conservative when it's convenient, might work on people who are less informed on the issues. But on DU, "that dog won't hunt" as they say. lol

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

36. "Very laughable."

I didn't claim Dean was a "centrist." You did. I said he was a "liberal." It's convenient for you to change my words. That dog won't hunt.(That might work on people who didn't read what I just wrote)

You're the one claiming that Kerry is more liberal, despite the conservative nature of his votes over the last couple of years. That dog won't hunt, either.(for people informed on the issues and how certain Senators voted on them)

[w4rma]

21. Howard Dean has passion for his views. I have a lot of respect for him.

The passionate centrist
http://www.michigandaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/08/04/3f2de34c3b301

A Good-Tempered Man
http://reese.king-online.com/Reese_20031008/index.php

[shance]

22. Great post. Anger is the valid healthy response to what is happening

Rationalization and denial stem from fear and cowardice.

Somewhere down the road, anger has gotten a bad rap. Anger is just an emotion like any other and it is important to respect its purpose in telling us that something is wrong and needs to be confronted.

Fight or FLIGHT. Flight wont work in this situation. We have seen essentially nothing but flight from our Minority leader Daschle and when Democratic leaders refuse to do their job, which right now is to FIGHT for what is right, they only embolden those who are running roughshod over our government and our laws.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

27. Dean's knee-jerk anger.

" When people get in my face, I tend to get in theirs," Dean said in the interview at The Times. "Al Sharpton was in my face last night and I was not going to step one step, half a step, backwards, and I don't care who's in my face."

"I tend to be reflective rather later than sooner," he added.
"Now, unfortunately, we all know that nobody's personality is perfect. So the things that make me a strong candidate are also my Achilles heel."
http://www.iht.com/articles/116632.html


You can't blame CMB for laughing at Dean -- his anger is so reflexive and childish it's ridiculous.

Hey, at least everybody in the world now knows how to push Dean's buttons. Just get 'in his face'. He will respond with anger, and not think about it till later.

[Scott Lee]

28. Where is an example of this "anger"? Anyone?

We've all heard, to no end, about Howard Dean's "anger problem". Can anyone post links to any particular event or example of such an anger, and why it is any different from anger exhibited by any of the other candidates, or a human in general?

Time to put up or shut up. Let's see the evidence, or be consigned to the large bin marked Political Urban Myth.

Any takers?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

29. Dean says he has an anger problem. He can admit it. Why can't you?

PS - see my post above, which you somehow managed to ignore, lol.

"He's an adulation junkie who has always wanted to be famous, the most self-consumed man I've ever met," said Garrison Nelson, a local academic who met Dean more than 20 years ago, when the doctor was new in town, a brash native New Yorker with lots of chutzpah and lots of family money that he never talked about.

But if you quiz folks long enough in this flannel-and-Birkenstocks town, where bike paths cross interstate highway ramps, you find out that Dean - while as anxious for adulation as any politician - governed with a doctor's personality, making crisp diagnoses, moving on with no second thoughts. He was supremely self-confident, and never felt the need to charm the people who didn't like him.

Instead he would often rant at his detractors, calling them "lunatics," or confronting them with "the finger in the face," as Nelson calls it. At times he would get so mad that the skin on his thick wrestler's neck would redden to the color of raw meat. No wonder some folks used to call him "Little Napoleon."
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1109-08.htm

[Zomby Woof]

35. nothing beats primary source material

Excellent sources. One more reason I don't want that hothead with his finger on the proverbial button. :nuke:

[JohnKleeb]

37. why do we need that nuke button anyhow

:shrug: I hate fucking nukes, whats the use ya know. I bet many here would agree but supposely we gotta nominate a moderate, :shrug:, some people see things as how they are and ask why, others see what could be and ask why not, Shaw said that than RFK than many other people, now I say it. Fuckin nukes.

[Zomby Woof]

38. it was a METAPHOR John

Encapsulating all the heaviness of the burdens the office bears (current occupant excepted - he feels nothing but a coke buzz).

A cool head and a long temper are needed for the world's hardest job. There are many reasons Dean should never be president, and his vile temper is just the cap on the firecracker.

[JohnKleeb]

39. No duh

I know that Zomby. Yeah thats one of the reasons why I shouldnt be pres either, I have an awful temper myself. Thats true, I just wish there wasnt a button to begin with. :hi: I should have never commeted I got your point from the get go, was just expressing my hatred of fuckin nukes.

[Zomby Woof]

41. nukes and repukes!

Bah to both of 'em! :-)

[JohnKleeb]

43. yep

[SahaleArm]

44. LOL - 'Little Napoleon'

That's a keeper :evilgrin:

[mzmolly]

56. Kerry said he'd punch people in the face if...

he caught them burning a flag so??? I guess he has an anger 'problem' as well.

I prefer speaking out in an angry fashion, to punching people personally.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

58. When Kerry punches someone, call us.

:eyes:

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

33. It is politically incorrect to accuse the Dean camp of being cult-like.

You Dean-basher, you!

[Zomby Woof]

34. lol

I've been a political junkie for years, and only the Nixon Youth brownshirts EVER came as close as these jokers in their utter zeal and mobthink tendencies.

[chimpymustgo]

47. Zomby, this deserves it's own thread.

Very funny.
Very scary.

[snoochie]

54. Dean ubersupporters like Nixon Youth brownshirts?

great... now I'm gonna have nightmares. :scared:

[DrFunkenstein]

40. That Is Hilarious!!!!

Not to knock ALL Deanies - because there are definitely some very cool people in that camp - but too many of them act like Moonies. I wouldn't be surprised if there were Deanie weddings. Seriously, I wouldn't be surprised.

[DemDogs]

42. Will swing voters vote for anger or for answers?

And it is not historically accurate to say a candidate can offer both. He can have anger at the policies or the president but he cannot be angry. Angry suggests to outsiders a lack of stability, a lack of steadiness. (I am not saying anything about Dean here so don't flame me. I am saying that is what angry connotes.)

The place to get these swing voters (Bush has to have them, we have to have them) is to tap into their frustrations (not necessarily their anger) and offer them something positive. THIS IS HOW CLINTON WON. He was not angry, he was sympathetic. And he had answers. We know how to win, and angry is NOT it.

Now the question for Dean supporters is whether Dean can change or even wants to change his image. Changing your image is hard and takes total discipline. No haranguing, no furrowed brow and pointed finger, no snarl. Without changing his image and being completely disciplined about it, Dean cannot win those swing voters, which means he cannot win. (I know he says he is bringing millions of new voters in, but that kind of hyperbole is not uncommon and is not usually translated either into actual votes, as opposed to what DrFunk refers to as Deaniac weddings (or more likely hookups), and into actual votes where it matters. Our best new vote getter is George W Bush, not any one candidate.)

[Name removed]

45. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JohnKleeb]

46. I wasnt bashing Dean rma

I was just commenting on the fact that I dont like nukes to begin with so I dont want anyone with that button.

[w4rma]

48. My post was in response to ZombyWoof's obsessive rant. (n/t)

[JohnKleeb]

49. Gotcha

The "you all" just confused.

[Zomby Woof]

65. "obsessive rant?" LOLOL

It was a list I copied from another site, with my own hilarious commentary added. I (and lots of others) found it funny. :D

The angry reactions posted here were predictable. In fact, they proved my post was correct. ;-)

[blm]

50. You should send this to Joe Klein.

His observations have been similar.

[Rose Siding]

52. Eliminate the middle man

and the flow of Dean's media hype- Send it right to Gillespie. Or better yet, Falwell- the "Christian" Coalition could really make hay with this.

Too bad you couldn't have helped out with this useful Cult Rubric when Dr King was spouting all that change stuff. He had everyone believing his cause was important, too. hahaha! Something like this could have really poured cold water on that cult, huh? Oh, there's LOTS of movements that could have been stopped if we'd just thrown our backs into it.

With any luck the eventual candidate (ABD!) won't garner any more enthusiasm than they already have and the RNC won't be able to call them names at all. Then they'll be safe.

[Zomby Woof]

69. that's just so silly

I have been a student of history a looooong time, and in no way is there ANY comparison to the great people's movements in civil rights and the Dean campaign, lol! You're just spouting illogical rhetoric, and being highly defensive to the extreme. It did make me laugh though!

The "Cult Rubric" doesn't apply often, and in all my years of following campaigns closely, I have NEVER seen such a mob as I have with the Dean folks. Dean never impressed me all that much, and I would be content to leave him alone, but his supporters won't let me. They need to understand (but won't) that THEY are alienating potential voters out there far more than he is. Lots of undecideds out there, and you don't want to drive them away do you?

Thanks for the RNC implications. I am asking Karl for a raise.

[Zomby Woof]

67. Klein ought to pay me

I have been harboring this idea for months now. See my reply to eileen below for more on my thoughts on how Dean's followers will alienate more people than Dean himself.

A lot of people here hate Klein, but he wrote the best biography ever of Woody Guthrie, and for that alone, I know he is not all bad.

[Rose Siding]

51. Exactly!

No Democrats should be so commited to defeating George W. Bush! It's just wrong. We must ridicule them- it will be easy. (the big lie is the easiest, yadayada)

Come, we lose again and then we rail about our powerlessness!

[LuminousX]

53. If your country is stolen and you aren't angry... you aren't sane.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

55. If you react angrily and without thinking, you're not fit to be President

[LuminousX]

57. But you agree, anger is the proper emotion

[Feanorcurufinwe]

59. I agree that Dean is the wrong person to be President.

[LuminousX]

61. You wouldn't be agreeing with me ... must be some other post

[DrFunkenstein]

60. All Anger Is Equal

Are we really going to play these silly semantics games? There is an obvious difference between righteous indignation and being hot-headed (also known as wrath). And you know very well that Trippi has been begging Dean to pull in the demons, but Dean just can't help himself. He shoots first and asks questions later. That is not Presidential, and it is not becoming of the Chief Diplomat and Commander-in-Chief.

<>

Jesus Christ! Spooky mofo!

[LuminousX]

63. Trippi has been begging Dean to pull in the demons

evidence? proof?

I don't know this. Dean hasn't 'blown up' yet once. He has only gotten stubborn and reticent.

Tell me when the fireworks start.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

64. Dean hasn't 'blown up' yet once? Apparently he disagrees with you.

" When people get in my face, I tend to get in theirs," Dean said in the interview at The Times. "Al Sharpton was in my face last night and I was not going to step one step, half a step, backwards, and I don't care who's in my face."

"I tend to be reflective rather later than sooner," he added.
"Now, unfortunately, we all know that nobody's personality is perfect. So the things that make me a strong candidate are also my Achilles heel."
http://www.iht.com/articles/116632.html

I give Dean credit for being able to admit he has an anger problem. Amazing that his supporters can't seem to do the same thing.


Dean delivers a lecture to Reverend Al Sharpton.

[LuminousX]

71. It's a self-applied label

I haven't seen it yet, though he sure talks about it a lot. I think it is a way of demonstrating passion.

[Zomby Woof]

72. "demonstrating passion"?

In and of itself - so what? I can think of MANY leaders who "demonstrated passion", and not all of them are flattering, lol.

Passion is no substitute for reason or content. In fact, letting passions get out of control is just how we got into this mess.

[Zomby Woof]

68. sure I'm angry

But I channel it much more healthily than Dean and his cult. I was going to alert you for attacking me as not being sane, and then I realized it was true. :P

[eileen_d]

62. Of course anger at the Bush administration is appropriate

It just isn't enough to convince some people to vote for a candidate.

It has nothing to do with being PC or being meek. It has to do with moving BEYOND anger and providing a vision for our country, solutions to our problems, with experience to back it up.

I think Kerry has it; I'd bet Clark has it. Dean might have it.

If I want anger at Bush, I look in a mirror. I don't need Dean's anger to validate my own.

[Zomby Woof]

66. now that's the kind of reason I like!

Thanks eileen.

The Dean hardcores don't realize that I TRIED giving him a chance - waaay back when the first meet-ups were going on, early in the year. I watched him on TV every chance I got, checked the website, you name it - I did my homework. But he just didn't click. He just isn't who I want to be president. The more, well, hardcore, his legions get, the more I resist him. They need to realize once the undecided voters get a whiff of him, they may very well feel the same way. His followers could do him more harm then HE can in the long run. They need to lighten up, and breathe... deeply.

I am officially ABB, and undecided. I already said I would vote for Dean if he gets the nod, but I really don't him to get that far.

Does he have a chance to beat Bush? Maybe. It is too soon to tell. Everyone has a chance as far as I am concerned. His devotees seem to think he is the ONLY one with a chance to beat him, and if we dare disagree with their outlook, or devotion to Dean, we are emablers of Bush, Karl Rove, and all other matters of great silliness and hysteria.

I learned long ago you can't reason with fanatics, so I take a more, um, provocative bent to get my point across. :-)

[LarryTheTiger]

70. I never seen a more angry bunch in my life

You need to vote for Braun because she keeps her cool, she addresses the issues and give great answers, she talks about the lose of civil liberties 5x more then any of the other candidates. Everytime I see her the first issue she talks about is the loss of civil liberties, Braun would not only make the best President out of the nine, she would likely be one of the best in history.