Howard Dean: Raising Issues Or Becoming The Issue?

[Mark E. Smith]

It is one thing to raise issues, but it is another to raise them in such a way that you become the issue itself. One helps your cause, the other harms it in a way that allows the targeted party to stay safely out of sight.

Question: Is Howard Dean bringing issues to the attention of the nation, or has he instead become the issue most are concerned about?

[PDittie]

1. Wow.

The first two votes in this poll were "He is the distraction".

Just wow.

[billbuckhead]

14. Dean branding the Republicans as the "white Christian" party is moronic

Even with all the Republicans vast resources they couldn't buy advertising this good.

Media whore Howard Fineman blasts this Dizzy Dean fastball out of the park with this end of the article observation.

"But Dean's real problem may not be his mouth but his mind-set. He and his aides seemed genuinely mystified at the idea that his characterization of the GOP was a political mistake. But by labeling the other party a bastion of Christianity, he implied that his own was something else—something determinedly secular—at a time when Dean's stated aim is to win the hearts of middle-class white Southerners, many of whom are evangelicals. In a slide-show presentation at the DNC conference last weekend, polltaker Cornell Belcher focused on why those voters aren't responding to the Democrats' economic message. One reason, he said, is that too many of them see the Democrats as "anti-religion." And why was that? No one asked Dean, who wasn't taking questions from the press."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8185333/site/newsweek/page/2/>

[PDittie]

15. "Dr. Dean, STOP TELLING THE TRUTH!"

"Don't you understand people WANT to be lied to?"

[CTLawGuy]

18. you don't like something Dean did?

I'm shocked. Who'd have guessed :eyes:

[billbuckhead]

19. Wedge issues are to to be used against the other party not your own

Dean has alawsy been on the cutting edge of dividing the Democratic party. BTW, what's Dean position on the Iraq war today?

[CTLawGuy]

22. position on the Iraq war

It was a hideous idea, but now that we're there, we're stuck until the country is stabilized. Same position as always.

[RetroLounge]

24. Wow! You are here attacking Dean?

I never would have guessed.

:eyes:

RL

[mike_c]

2. Howard Dean gives me hope for the future of an energized...

...OPPOSITION democratic party.

[janx]

3. The media and Repubs are trying to make him the issue.

They don't like what they see.

[KnowerOfLogic]

26. Correct; and add corporate owned DLC types. nt

[iwantmycountryback]

4. Howard Dean is telling the truth

And the Republicans wish he would stop.

[Zhade]

20. Hell, some rightwing DEMS want him to stop.

In the party elite, and here.

I never was a Deaniac, but damned if I don't like his ability to tell it like it is.

[brentspeak]

30. Nancy Pelosi is a "rightwing Dem"????

[Zhade]

35. Odd, I don't recall mentioning her.

Please don't attempt to make my words say more than they say, thanks.

[RetroLounge]

27. So do some scared dems on this board

:eyes:

RL

[jmaier]

5. I voted the Tempest option

These latest comments, and reactions thereto, are likely to have little long-term effect other than polarizing Democrats.

I'd say less rhetoric and even more on the ground efforts. Let's see the DNC go nuts in Ohio to help the fading Democratic Party there exploit the coingate scandals and spend less time speechifying.

[GetTheRightVote]

6. I believe the Repubs fear Dr. Dean as they should so attack him they will

He is the power and energy behind the Dems and it's party.

:kick:

[PDittie]

7. So where are the comments from these folks who are voting

for the Rove option?

[Maple]

8. Well first,

you have to get their attention.

THEN you can discuss issues.

[Zenlitened]

10. Bingo. It's WAY too early in the process to judge whether Dean...

... is being effectivfe or not.

[AntiCoup2K4]

9. So we had 14 DLC interns hit the poll and run...

...without even bothering to make a pathetic case for themselves?

[Adelante]

21. Uh. Just maybe.

Calling people whose views may differ from yours "DLC Interns" is not conducive to open discussion?

Just sayin'

[RetroLounge]

28. No, I think DLC Interns sums it up pretty well

or maybe DLC Wannabes...

RL

[brentspeak]

31. Bull

I'm not a fan of the DLC, and I was one of those supporting Dean's election to DNC head -- but I'm ticked off at some of Dean's recent statements. I think the majority of people here at DU who are similarily annoyed by Dean's behavior fit the same bill.

[terrya]

11. He is bringing the issues to the attention of the nation.

He is energizing Democrats and he is talking about some very important issues.

[stray cat]

12. Dean is becoming the issue

However, not because what he says is wrong but because the republicans are doing what they do best to steer the media and attack truth tellers.

They did it to Kerry. They did it to McCain. And so far they are doing a good job on Dean.

I agree with Dean but so far the republicans are doing a better job of directing the media.

[Mark E. Smith]

17. Sadly, you're probably right.

I have nothing against attacking Bush and the GOP, but there is a way to do it that is inclusive, not polarizing. Dean is now in danger of becoming our George W. Bush. I'm not sure we need one.

[Cha]

23. Then you haven't been paying

attention to who Dean is.

That's as about the most insulting to Dean as I've ever seen on this board.

[Mark E. Smith]

34. I don't think think you understood my intent.

Bush is as polarizing to the left as Dean is becoming to the right.

We don't need leaders in our party that alienate like Bush, we need leaders who reach out and bring people in. I thought that was what Dean would do as party chief. But based on his recent statements I have to conclude that is not the case.

And I am very disappointed.

[DrGonzoLives]

13. While his points are valid

the way he says them just invites him becoming the story.

Dean supporters, flame away.

[sandnsea]

16. His speech yesterday was terrific

Too bad I've seen next to nothing of it anywhere on DU, let alone in the media or on the Sunday shows. If you don't think that's a problem, then you're not thinking.

[bluedonkey]

25. He's raising issues!

The outcry over his remarks gives him the attention we want.We can't get it any other way!
Don't buy into the "he's bad for the party" thing.He's not!This is what the *clones want us to think.Dean doesn't lie,he's stating facts.

Did you hear what Cheney said about him?Now that is outrages!It's not a fact,just because HE said so.It's a downright lie!I want to see the outcry to that,but I'm not holding my breath.

[leesa]

29. He's primarily being used by the GOP media to distract from their war

crimes. They will focu on Dean so that DSM and the other evidence of treason and war crimes are kept in the dark.

[brentspeak]

32. Becoming the issue

Dean did a great job blasting Bush and the GOP during the Dem primaries.

Recently, though, he's moved away from that and just done a good job at making himself the issue. When even Nancy Pelosi raises concerns, you know Dean is making a mistake.

[Poppyseedman]

33. What issues is Dean bringing to National attention ?

Republicans are lazy, evil, greedy, racist, warmongering election thieves ???

Those are not issues, just name calling.

What issues besides wanting to fight the republican machine is Dean proposing???