Gephardt for DNC chair

[quinnox]

I know he isn't popular around DU, but I think he would make a good chairman. He is an old style, big government, back to basics Democrat, and would have a good contrast with the Republicans chairman.

And he is free now no longer in the Congress, and is still a good Democrat.
I wonder if he is in the running, or even is interested in the job.

Drawbacks would be he is an old face, and might not be that exciting a choice. And I know the Dean people would not like him either.

[WI_DEM]

1. I like Gep

he is a good guy and I'm a Dean person so it is best not to characterize Dean people. I could support Gep over some of the others I've seen mentioned.

p.s.
Dean also worked for Gep in '88 and up until the primary fight they had a seemingly good relationship and probably do today as well. They seem to understand that politics isn't always pretty.

[quinnox]

2. Just my impression

For some reason a lot of Dean folks still seem sore at Gep over the primaries, but it's refreshing to hear that there is some exceptions.

[JohnKleeb]

35. that was my impression too but I am glad Ive been proven wrong

I also know that Dean was a Gephardt supporter back in the 88 primaries. We want a more party like the party of FDR, I think no democrat today examplifies that better than Gephardt, I really do mean that, I love what he does for unions.

[InvisibleBallots]

41. Gep is the closest we have to FDR

Dean is almost there, not quite, but almost.

[JohnKleeb]

46. I dont see it in Dean, sorry

I really dont, I meant in terms of policy beliefs especially on economics, Dean and Gephardt are totally different on economic issues, Dean is a self described fiscal conservative and a big proponent of balancing the budget but Gephardt is more of what the republicans would call a tax and spend liberal. I am not dissing him, but hes not like FDR.

[Warpy]

11. Same here

At the very least he could provide a transition between DLC domination and giving the party its soul back.

He'd be palatable to those conservative old farts, but I think he and Dean would work to unseat them.

And that's the best thing that could happen for the party.

[InvisibleBallots]

16. all the union people trust Gep, he's never betrayed them

Either Gep or Dean would be great for DNC chair.

[mattclearing]

3. Ugh.

The only thing worse than a fiscal conservative Democrat, which I am, is a big government Democrat.

This is party suicide, as surely as becoming the Republican-Lite National Committee is.

Bill Clinton declared the era of Big Government over for a reason. Let Bush get the credit for reviving it.

[InvisibleBallots]

17. how is Gephardt anything like that?

I know that's the GOP talking point about Democrats, but Gephardt is more fiscally responsible than any GOPper. How is he a "Big Government Democrat"?

[mattclearing]

20. I didn't say it.

The Original Poster did. They touted it as a positive. I had to take issue with it.

[happynewyear]

4. I think Gephardt would be a good DNC chair

I liked him as a presidential candidate too. He's been around a long time and we know what we have with this man.

:kick:

[goclark]

5. Not for my donation

I am tired of people that don't speak out firmly and cause people to listen.

He is a nice man but he doesn't get attention IMO.

[aquart]

6. "Big government"? What interesting phrasing.

Maybe you want to rethink using a Republican description for the Democratic approach which is government adequate to the needs of the nation and its people.

[quinnox]

7. It's meant in a good way

I'm all for big government, and there is no shame in that position. Republican use of the term, like the way they have distorted 'liberal', is not my intention. I use the phrase proudly.

[Hobarticus]

8. That's one of the better names I've heard bandied about...

Not the best, but certainly not the worst.

[Edgewater_Joe]

9. Gephardt Was Rolled Like A Bowling Ball By Bush

No.

[Merlot]

10. When I read "Gep for DNC chair"

I was mildly supprised that I thought it was a good idea. I don't know why, but it seems like it could work. I think Gep is respected, and would have a good working relationship with the dems. I also don't see him as being a repub-lite, but I could be wrong on that, I don't know enough about him.

Anyhow, we might need to save Dean for something else...and he might feel a bit constrained by the DNC chair position. Although if he decided to do it, I'm sure he'd shake things up which would be good.

[RubyDuby in GA]

12. How many times does this man have to run for national things

and get smacked down before people realize that he's not wanted?

If they ever want another penny out of me, it won't be with Gephardt as Chairperson.

[BurtWorm]

13. I like the idea of Professor or Dean Gephardt

at the University of Missouri Gephardt School of Public Policy. :thumbsup:

[RubyDuby in GA]

15. That works

Go home and work there Gep.

[UpsideDownFlag]

14. nah. nt

[PATRICK]

18. Personally

he is a very much better choice than someone who trashes liberals for the DLC- and he is rock solid. BUT he can gush for Bush and lose like he never had a real world clue.

Losing is a harsh litmus test, but it is one we should all employ in these times, if the losing was unabashedly open-eyed failure to see the trainwreck coming.

No. No more old school losing generals. He is a great Democrat and a wonderful legislator for the people, but we will continue LOSING unless he suddenly has a change of talent somewhere to reverse the past twenty years of his own experience.

I could be wrong but we had better look for the right kind of brain before we tout credentials in a dead duck Democratic world.

[robbedvoter]

19. Yeah, cuz he did so well in Congress - especially with the IWR

But then again, if the pary goes Vichy - he's one of the "lefties" now....

[trillian]

21. We don't need more of the same!

I like Gep, but lets face it he is part of what's wrong with the DNC. Too many old white guys who care more about power than winning elections.

We need new blood! We need someone who thinks out of the box.

My vote is for Dean though I don't think he will get it. Rosenberg seems to be everyone's second choice. I don't know enough about him to say whether he's a good choice or not.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

25. But..but..the IWR vote for the war, was really against the war.

As I'm sure the DLC types will inform you.

[lojasmo]

22. No thanks.

Uninspiring, uninspired, boring, mealy-mouthed, capitulating career politician....yuuck.

[HootieMcBoob]

23. We need real change

Howard Dean.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

24. Chair? Gephardt prefers Bush's lap.

But, he or some other DLC/RNC appeaser will probably get it. We sure wouldn't want somebody in there who wouldn't snuggle up to the shrub in the Rose Garden.

[sadiesworld]

26. He opposed NAFTA, etc...

his stance will be remembered with increasing respect as our economy crumbles.

[InvisibleBallots]

40. Gephardt stood up for us when it was very unpopular to do so

For standing up against NAFTA, Gephardt has the eternal loyalty of MANY of us. When ALL the rest of the Democrats screwed us over, Gep stood up for us. It is NOT forgotten.

[Robbien]

27. Gephardt is adicted to Rose Garden photo ops and the DLC

He doesn't just say lets move the party to the right, he is on the far right trying to drag the party to his rightmost position.

[JohnKleeb]

33. hes not a member of the far right of the party

You can't use one vote to judge the guy. I dont like it either but please just because someone voted for the war resolution doesn't make them a member of the DLC, nor does it put them at the far right of the party. To me a guy who votes against welfare reform and is a true populist economically is not on the far right wing of the party.

[Robbien]

36. It wasn't one vote. By standing in the Rose Garden he torpedoed

all anti-invasion discussion. The minute Gephardt posed with BushCo, all opposition talk stopped "for the good of party unity".

That Rose Garden endorsement was the ultimate betrayal. To me it is comparable to John Kerry conceding the election before all votes were counted.

Bah! Both of them.

[JohnKleeb]

37. Yes but that doesnt make him a right wing democrat

Sorry but I aint buying it

[Robbien]

42. You are right, it doesn't. It does make him very untrustworthy though

While the discussion was ongoing as to whether the party should support BushCo's dubious war evidence, Gephardt went before the cameras and lent the party's support to BushCo thus stopping all debate.

You are right, it does not make him a rightwinger, but it makes him very very untrustworthy.

[JohnKleeb]

43. right and I dont think he should lead the party either but please

dont call someone right wing because of one vote.

[InvisibleBallots]

39. Gephardt is the most leftist mainstream Democrat there is

He did screw up royally once - supporting the war, just like Kerry, Edwards and Lieberman did.

[ibegurpard]

28. I don't think Gephardt has a clue how to deal with the threat to the party

He's been in Washington too long, has personal relationships with many of the people who are outright trying to destroy the party. That's not to say that he's in on it but I just don't think he can look at from a perspective outside of the Washington D.C. circle.

[OnionPatch]

29. No

We need new blood. Gephardt is a good guy but will not inspire.
My husband calls him "an old worn shoe." I have to agree.

[FubarFly]

30. Gep is a terrible choice

Gep is an enabler of the worst sort. He lacks the spine we need to see from the DNC chair if we are to turn this party around.

[Cuban_Liberal]

31. Uh, no thanks!

:puke:

[Johnny Noshoes]

32. Gephardt

Nice guy - WRONG choice.

"As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely,the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
-- H.L. Mencken (1880-1956)

[JohnKleeb]

34. He's a great guy

Its people like him that made my family democrats, people who stand up for regular people. BTW guys he is not a member of the DLC, so stop saying that, yes I dont like the rose garden thing either but let's look at the facts other than that Gephardt is a democrat. I remember when Kerry was vetting, people wanted someone who was against the free trade agreements like NAFTA yet at teh same time were cursing Gephardt. Gephardt is quite progressive economically, more moderate socially but still liberal on social issues. I wish he wouldn't get such a bad break here because of that one vote, the guy has done so much for working people over the years and yes he has my gratiude and respect, I dont know if I'd want him to head the DNC but would I be angry if he was the one? nope.

[okieinpain]

38. no,no,no,no,no,no,no,no,no,no,no,no. I hope I've been perfectly

clear.

[The Zanti Regent]

44. NO!

I speak for my only child, the one Limp Dick and the other pink tutus sent off to die in Iraq!

[Dr Fate]

45. I'd rather have someone who has never kissed Bush's ass before.

n/t