There are going to be attacks coming out from the right wing toward Dean.

[madfloridian]

To Edit, could we please not help them with the hatred here?

More so than ever. They will not want the Democrats to have a chair who is pro-choice and for gay civil unions. They are going to attack with all their might.

My fear is that this forum is going to help them. There is so much hatred here. There really is. Many are really trying to be cooperative, but just enough are carrying grudges.

I fear the attacks from this board this week. It is truly a shame. Howard Dean is a good man, and he would help bring this party together because at heart he is moderate.

He is the only one with the guts to face this bunch of hate-filled right wingers. I fear if our own forums keep on like this, that we will someone like Roemer. He may have dropped out, but he has the forces of the anti-choice on his side....he is waiting in the wings.

I think the anti-choice forces will the ones attacking the most and soon, and I guess I hate to see it perpetuated here. Of course the right wing will attack, but to survive as a party we can't join them.

[Democrat Dragon]

1. Who fucking cares what they say anymore?

If Joe Lierberman-date where DNC chair, their'd still be rethug attacks on him.

[madfloridian]

4. We eat our own.

They don't.

[Pirate Smile]

9. I don't think that is going to happen. Did you see the poll asking both

Dean supporters and non-Dean supporters (during the primaries) who they wanted for DNC Chair? It was 90% + for Dean including by a huge margin the people who were for other candidates during the nomination process.

I think most people are happy with Dean as Chair.

Other then the few people who continue to want to re-fight the 2004 Primaries over again, I think most people are somewhere between fine and ecstatic with having Dean as DNC Chair.

[mzmolly]

2. You are correct MF. And you can expect the "moles" to be out in force.

They fear Dean and I shall await with GLEE the evidence of said fear.

Remember negative posts against Dean is evidence that "they" are afraid. BWAH HA HA HA HA HA HA! /evil laughter :evilgrin:

[whistle]

3. Going to be? That's been happening since Dean first...

...announced his intentions to run for president. The entire strategy of the republican party and the neo-conservatives who want total power is to attack with any trumped up story or lie against democrats. Look what they plan to do to Senator Harry Reid of Nevada.

[madfloridian]

6. No, it is going to get worse very soon. I think our own should not attack

And it is wrong for this board to help it along....I know what you mean, the GOP will attack everyone.

[tridim]

5. Screw the right wing.. Really

There's no point listening to what they have to say about our DNC chair. We don't need their input. Although you are right, they will start screaming loudly after BushCo has a chance to deride Dean for a week or so. They'll say things like, "The Liberal Howard Dean's nomination shows how far out on the left the Democratic party has become" and "Dean is a lose cannon and will destroy the Democratic party". Typical reverse psychology crap.

[JoMama49]

7. Don't worry about them -- the more they "scream", the more

we're getting to them, and the more fear they have of us. Use it to our advantage! Laugh at them, and then Let's get to work and defeat 'em!

[asjr]

8. The ones who fear him will be the boldest in dissing him.

That is a given. He was my first choice for president. Dean is a man on a mission and more power to him.

[napi21]

10. I think Dean is the best person for this job.

All of us have been screaming for a long time about how unhappy we are with the lack of backbone in our elected officials, and how much we want change in the party. Well, Howard is certainly NOT spineless! He's a smart man who wants to pull the control out of Wash. and put it back at the grassroots. That's a great idea. We all want to win again, and soon! he's our best chance, because the others woulde have been more the SOS, and I don't think any of us want that!

I'm sure he knows the RW is going to attack him, and I bet he's ready for it. He's been through wild attacks from all sides during the primaries, and he'll do just fine.

[calimary]

25. The wrong-wing will attack ANYTHING that has a "D" attached to it.

They're just knee-jerk jerks. Count on it. They'd attack Mother Teresa if they thought it'd gain 'em some political ground.

What we need to do is Throw. Some. Attacks. Back. At. Them. Put THEM on the defensive for a change. Come out swinging. Keep 'em busy. I don't know about you, but I'm fuckin' sick of being the punching bag.

[napi21]

28. Oh I agree with you! I think Dean has shown the desire to do that!

He's not afraid to say what makes sense. There are some people we will never get through to, and I understand that. But most people are fairly reasonable, and recognize common sense when they hear it. Howard is good at that.

I'm tired being the punching bag too! I sure will help him all I can to fight back and put the Pubs on the defense too!

[DaveinMD]

11. I agree that we shouldn't attack fellow Democrats

this stands for all Democrats.

[madfloridian]

13. Not what I mean, you know that.

Dean is not running against any of the candidates we supported here during the primaries. There should be no conflict of interest this time.

[CAcyclist]

24. I understand your concern

but Dean can take it and so can we. We need to not allow ourselves to be drawn into fights;we need to alert the moderators over any personal attacks and stick to the issues and we will be alright.

Not everyone posting on this board is a Democrat or other progressive as you know, and I for one think anyone who feels threatened by Dean is someone who really isn't on our side. And I prefer that those people speak their mind so that I will know who's opinion is not worth wasting my time on and who's opinion is.

[calimary]

26. Absolutely Dean can take it. He wasn't born yesterday. And he's

seasoned.

What we absolutely NEED to do, as resolutely and constantly as we breathe, is - when they attack, change the subject, change the target, and attack BACK. Preferably harder. Hit to hurt. If we don't strike first, and strike hard, they'll do it to us. Bank on it.

[Rowdyboy]

12. Some people LIVE to attack Democrats, and you can bet they'll hit Dean

and hit him hard. But the fact is, he is the chairman of our party (nearly) and he represents us all. I will strongly defend him as long as he remains true to basic Democratic party principles and I really can't imagine him ever deviating from them.

[Pushed To The Left]

14. Amen!!

I don't see why there is any bad blood from the primaries. I supported Kerry in the primaries, but I would have been thrilled if any of the Democratic candidates had won the presidency. If we are going to defeat the radical right, we need to stick together! I'm excited about Howard Dean becoming the head of the DNC. He is perfect for the job!

[DemDogs]

15. "He is the only one with the guts"

I agree that we should hold together, but one of the first steps might be to get language like this out of your/our posts.

[madfloridian]

16. I think you know I was referring to the candidates for chair. Not primary

The others would not have been as effective, but it is not over yet. Of the chair candidates, he is the only one. Fowler might have, but he is not as strong a voice. Roemer would bent over backwards to be like them.

Others would have made good chairs, but Dean has the ability to take them on, more than the other candidates did.

I was not referring to the presidential candidates.

[Capn Sunshine]

17. I second Ms Molly

The moles are ready to come through the astroturf.

Just watch and learn brothers and sisters.

[madfloridian]

19. I loved the post at the blog today. "Do the Write Thing"

http://www.blogforamerica.com/archives/005941.html
Monday, February 07, 2005
Do the Write Thing
"Howard Dean is not even DNC Chair yet and the Republicans are already warming up and getting ready to attack us. Early news stories are showing that the Republicans are building a massive file of derogatory comments and are just chomping at the bit to label Howard Dean as they see fit. We can't let that happen. For every Republican who wants to call us nasty names, there is a good Democrat who knows the real story.

Howard Dean's story is one that any Democrat can be proud of. He's been a county leader, a Governor and a national candidate. He could have given up after John Kerry won the presidential nomination; instead he started an organization, Democracy for America, which is helping to elect Democrats all over the country—maybe even in your state.

Many of you have asked us what you can do to help the Governor in his bid to become DNC Chair. The easiest thing to do is write a letter to the editor. You may already know Howard Dean's story, but there are hundreds of people who need to be convinced that he is the best thing for the Democratic National Committee. Let people know why you think he would make a good chairman and why the Democrats will not take the GOP smear tactics lying down.

Writing a letter is easy and doesn't take a lot of time. Yet, it can be a powerful tool in informing people what is at stake for the next four years.

Here are some general tips that will help give your letter a better chance of getting published:

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your letters brief, concise, and to the point. Check the letter guidelines in your local paper—most newspapers will not run letters that are longer than 200-250 words.

State Your Point Early: Be sure to state your main point in the subject line and in the first sentence of the letter.

Get Local: Any local angle will increase the impact of your letter and increase its chances for publication.

Smaller is Better: The bigger the circulation of the publication to which you are submitting, the more competition you face in having your letter selected. In general, small newspapers are more likely to print your letter.

Include Your Contact Information: Most newspapers will only print a letter to the editor after calling the author to verify his or her identity and address.

So please start writing! Get your friends to write too and let's get our message out there before the Republicans even have a chance to grab a pen and a piece of paper."

[CVN73]

18. I tend to agree

The right is sounding more like a broken record

[kayleybeth]

23. Hi CVN73

Welcome to DU!
:hi:

[JHBowden]

20. Only a vocal minority do the circular firing squad thing.

Most Democrats I know are entirely supportive of each other.

[madfloridian]

21. But that vocal minority pushes a lot of buttons.

It needs to stop on all sides. He is not running agaist anyone's favorite candidate, so there is just no excuse.

You are right it is just a few.

[madfloridian]

22. My guess is most of it will not come from major news media...

especially the print media. I believe it will be through the internet from the religious wrong, as Randi calls them. I believe they will go after the abortion issue the most.

I know he will not back down, but the party might. That is why this is such a crucial fight right now.

[dave29]

27. Our objective is simple:

Stop the rightwing assault on America dead in it's tracks, and dismantle it with the overwhelming force of coherant positive message, without giving them an inch.

It may get messy, but what can I say, I love the smell of Neocon in the morning.

[fujiyama]

29. Any Dem

that is going to attack Dean once he becomes chair, should be kicked out of the party or STFU immediately.

When you run for something, things get messy. Inevitably there will be bruised egos...but once the battle is over, you get over it and focus on the good of the party (and more importantly the nation as a whole). Dean obviously understood this. It was difficult losing in the primaries, but he did everything he could for Kerry and other Dems, stumping and raising money for them during the GE.

If the Roemer/From/Reed wing can't do the same, then they can go to hell. They'll make it clear that their first interest isn't in strengthening the party, but their own narrow self interest.

I am sick of several Dems claiming that Dean is too far to the left. These Dems are lazy and are relying on soundbytes to define him.

I have been critical of Dean at times and I think it's going to be a rough road ahead. There will likely be problems, but of those that ran for chair, Dean was by far the best choice.

[CWebster]

30. First take the party back

then the Country.

[sendero]

31. He's not an elected official...

... most people just won't give a shit what the pukes say about him.

But more to the point, instead of bending over and spreading, Dean will send it right back at them.

Progress is being made.

[0007]

32. The world is more important than what these right wing

dimwits have to say with all their nastiness and money grabbing ways. The U.S. has got to get back on tract and become a nation of respect and not one of being laughed at for being led by a stupid man and war mongers.

[mandyky]

33. It has started - see link to article

<snip>
The Democratic candidates for president are playing a game of one-upmanship in their attempt to gain support form abortion advocacy groups. But former Vermont Governor Howard Dean has a claim to fame none of the others can match: he's worked at Planned Parenthood.

The physician-turned-politician did a stint at Planned Parenthood while working to become an internist, Mary Hahn Beerworth, director of Vermont Right to Life, tells LifeNews.com.

However, the rotation wasn't required by his medical student program.

"While he has said that he fully understands the procedures involved in an abortion, he also says he has never performed one -- which leads to the question, why not," Beerworth asked.

What is known, however, is that he also served on the board of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England for five years before becoming governor.

</snip>

more at http://www.lifenews.com/nat1179b.html

Curious about LifeNews - http://www.lifenews.com/about.html

<snip>
LifeNews.com is an independent news agency specifically devoted to reporting news that affects the pro-life community. With a team of experienced journalists and reporters, LifeNews.com reaches more than 150,000 pro-life advocates each week via its web site, email news reports, and weekday radio program.

LifeNews.com also acts as a service provider to furnish news content to media that share the pro-life perspective. The topics covered by LifeNews.com include abortion, assisted suicide and euthanasia, bioethics issues such as human cloning and stem cell research, campaigns and elections, and legal and legislative issues.

</snip>

[Tom Rinaldo]

34. I completely agree with you, and applaud your example here

This is a good thread that you started. It is a positive thread and it is clear to me that you are sincere about wanting old battles between many of us here to remain in the past. Dean is stepping forward now on behalf of all of us, and I am hopeful now that the National Democratic Party will move more toward empowering us all on the local level rather than continuing to cut back room deals and dictate the results. Howard will be attacked and we should defend him. If he makes an error from time to time I will still remember that he is on our side fighting for us. None of us are robots so sure we might express disagreement with this or that from time to time, but Dean has my trust and my patience. I don't expect a miracle from him, just hard work and a better vision for our Party. Dean will not destroy the village in order to save it, so he may have to move slowly and carefully at times. I understand that and wish him all the best.

[meow2u3]

35. The Republicans wanted a DLC mole

who would secretly work for them, the likes of Terry McAuliffe.

The Repukes wanted to have someone who would cave in and act like a beaten puppy begging for mercy instead of one who has the intestinal fortitude to stand up to their bully-boy tactics and answer in kind.

[txaslftist]

36. I agree with this post...but not just for Dean.

We should be circumspect in our criticisms of all dem candidates, knowing that the R/W is listening in and will use our criticisms themselves. On the other hand, criticizing someone for being too conservative or too much like the neocons is certainly fair game. Ya hear that, Joe?