Howard Dean and the DNC: The Democratic Party's Last Great Hope

[Avalux]

I watched Howard Dean chair a committee meeting on CSPAN yesterday. Then, I listened to Thom Hartmann's radio show yesterday afternoon and sat nodding my head in agreement as he discussed the Democratic National Committee, Howard Dean and the masses of middle class Americans who are slowly being pounded into the ground and being stripped of any voice in our government. Hartmann's message was somber. Unless the DNC is able to generate interest in the Democratic Party and involve Americans at the local level, the Party will die.

My thoughts kept going back to Howard and his skill at motivating people at the grassroots level (as witnessed in his presidential campaign). Although that didn't quite work out for him (and I was not a supporter in the primary), the role he's in now is an absolutely perfect fit. If Howard Dean does nothing else in his lifetime except cause a groundswell of Americans to get up off their asses and do something, then his gift to this country will be enormous and even more valuable than any presidency.

I know there are those who don't agree with me, but Howard Dean is necessary. He is necessary if the Democratic Party is to once again be restored to greatness as the "Party of the People". He is necessary for change that MUST happen - change that will anger the establishment, the corporate Democrats who want to maintain the status quo. They will speak out against Dean, but as Congress's approval ratings reflect - the people aren't too happy right now. I'm not naive enough to believe that only pertains to Republicans and neither is Howard Dean. The DNC should not be about towing the party line, it should be about progress and moving this country forward in a new direction.

The next months before the 2006 election are critical. Election reform must be demanded at the county/state level. Democrats challenging incumbent Republicans up for reelection must have the resources needed to defeat them. The DNC must have $$ from donations to assist in these goals.

Will these things happen if those Democrats inside the beltway carry on as usual? Will these things happen if the media carries on as usual? NO.

These things will happen if Americans get involved at the local level; if the Democratic Party is once again seen as the champion of the middle class. I believe Howard Dean has the ability to help Americans realize this and empower themselves.

Howard Dean, the DNC and all of US will save the Democratic Party and ultimately, this country. We will definitely have detractors, but we must no be afraid.

[janx]

1. Nominated! n/t

[Avalux]

3. thanks! n/t

[katmondoo]

2. You are so right

Many complain that the Democrats are too soft now they complain that the Democrats (meaning Howard Dean)are being too harsh. Remember the years and years of Republican lies and screaming nastiness toward any and all Democrats. I will never forget their meaness.

[Avalux]

4. The complainers -

Establishment Democrats and the media. I want change!

[GetTheRightVote]

5. I have tried so many times to energized people, Dean does it so easily

He is in the right place at the right time, the Dems really, really need him.

:kick:

[jocapo]

6. Democratic Party version5.0

Howard Dean and the DNC are beginning to roll out the new version/model of the party. As with software or car models etc. at some point in their life cycle old versions/models are no longer supported. What this means is that you still listen to complaints from owners of the old version/model but they aren't given as much weight in the decision process nor do you change your plans for the future based on their input. I don't think Dean's plans anticipate winning in '06 or '08 but he's looking further into the future and
I personally think it's smart to let the old party geezers to fade into the sunset and for him to be looking for future leaders.

Howard Dean is doing exactly what he promised to do when he was elected as party chairman. He's focusing on and figuring out how best to support the state and local parties and nurture our future stars. He has traveled the entire country meeting with state and local party officials and is listening to their needs.

Here's an example: I receive a group e-mail from my local district chair here in Washington State (and have for a long time). Over the last couple of months 4 or 5 advertisements for PAYING JOBS were included in these e-mails. In other words the party is reaching out to US to get involved in the future of the party. I see this as a direct result of Howard Dean's leadership and I welcome it!

[bvar22]

7. I agree.

The Establishment Democrats and the DLC have gotten too comfortable and powerful with the flow of cash from their RICH donors and have abandoned the Working American. Economically, we now have TWO Republican Parties.

However, it will take MORE than Howard Dean and the Grassroots to SAVE America. We (the American Working Class) MUST find a way to DEMAND representation from the Democratic Party. The VISION of the Party MUST include economic reform. The Democratic Party MUST MOVE AWAY FROM THE DLC and begin to propose legislation that will BENEFIT those of us who WORK for a LIVING.

Limit the Power and SIZE of Mega-Corporations (ala Teddy Roosevelt)

Strengthen LABOR Unions

Criminalize Corporate Lobbying

Aggressively prosecute corruption in DC

Criminalize secret Offshore Accounts

Legislate Transparency in Corporate bookkeeping

Limit Corporation OWNING other Corporations

Legislate Transparency in Corporate ownership and stock holding

Legislate protections for Mom&Pop small businesses and Family Farms.
Criminalize Corporations using their size and power to demand lower prices from Suppliers. Suppliers MUST DELIVER the SAME services and products to EVERYONE AT THE SAME PRICE!!!!

Living Wages

Corporate Responsibility for Environmental Damage

FAIR Trade NOT Free Trade

These are issues that the DEMOCRATIC PARTY MUST put into the National Debate. Give Middle America and Working Americans something to go to the polls and vote for!!!DAMMIT!!!!

[rodeodance]

8. well, the WI dems resolved to impeach Bush et al see this thread.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3840149&mesg_id=3840453&page=

[Hidden Stillness]

9. We All Have to Realize How Grave the Republican Threat Is

I also support Howard Dean and anybody else who will help get the Democratic Party back on track and attacking these treasonous global-capitalists, even recently making a first-time-ever donation to the DNC which I can't really afford. Things get more threatening all the time, the entire population is now being cut out of its own political system, which more and more is being made up completely of investors, lobbyists, and oil, etc. executives. I hope the official Democrats are finally starting to understand what the great ones (Kennedy, Boxer, Harkin, McDermott, etc.) have always known, and are starting to face the problem, the rich-oligarch threat, unthinkable until the capitulation of "Democrats" to the corporate DLC, which left nobody even trying to impede this headlong rush to destroy all that ever was. Sen. Reid, Rep. Pelosi, etc., also seem to have come back to life and rediscovered our country--I hope it isn't all too late, as the devil (Republicans) already have this whole process so well along.

Somebody is going to have to get the problem of Dean's stupid statements under control, however. The one that really bothered me, getting me both angry and worried, was the recent "anti-abortion" thing: "Nobody I know likes" or "favors" "abortion"; "they make us have to defend abortion," as if it were "bad," etc. These things have consequences. The recent thing of calling Republicans almost all "white Christians" was just weird--why was it even said? I loved the comment that most top-level Repubs had never worked a day in their lives, etc.--common sense--but wish that the other comment made at the same time had been that the Republican Party is made up of bankers and other corporate-capitalists, and doesn't even have a popular base, except by lying about what they are and what we are. Recast them as what they are. The great, pressured middle class will finally be able to cheer. "You know us."

I agree that only somebody not currently running for office or serving can even make these statements and hit it hard, as they (media operatives) can't threaten you with a smear campaign right before the "election." This is why most uprisings that finally turn the tide on an issue, (Social Security's attempted-murder; Terri Schiavo, etc.), start from the people themselves, fed up and not afraid to show it. It never comes from "framing" consultants, who will only go back to making people feel manipulated by ad campaigns.

I support Dean and the DNC, and hope, at long last, as they haven't done since the '70s, they will fight where they can, and take the fight to the people by explaining what is going on here, and get us in on the act. Work on making the angry public pronouncements better, though; not by consulting "framing" academics, but by consulting us. We are furious out here, AND describe it correctly!

[Avalux]

10. evening kick! n/t