There will be no 'political funeral' for Howard Dean

[WilliamPitt]

I am sure a lot of Dean supporters are well used to their candidate getting battered by the media. Dean got rogered by the scream coverage, and I give a lot of credence to the idea that his stance on breaking up the media monopolies led to the 'unelectable' refrain that began before the words had left his mouth. But these 'Dean Loses in Wisconsin' stories that are coming out are leaving me with a sense of disgusted awe. I hope Kerry and Edwards are taking notes on how easy it is for the media to eviscerate a candidate. You can be damned sure the Kucinich campaign is.

Let me just say this. I have no idea what Howard Dean will do if, in fact, he loses in Wisconsin today. Nobody does, really. The obituaries being written disgust me for several reasons, not the least of which is the fact that the damned votes haven't even been cast and counted yet.

But assuming the worst for Dean supporters - he loses, and drops out - I still think that any commentators noting a 'political funeral' for Howard Dean should go jump in a lake. Howard Dean changed the way campaigns will be run. Joe Trippi revealed himself to be perhaps the most gifted grass-roots organizer in the country. Supporters of the Dean campaign are as passionate as anyone I have ever seen. This campaign is the reason the other campaigns are no longer continuing the mealy-mouthed tradition of wimpiness that has been the Democratic behavior pattern since December 12, 2000. Most importantly, Dean himself has proven himself to be a brawler, and God knows we need men like him in this fight.

Anyone who thinks Dean is going away, or should go away, is insane. A vein of iron has been struck here, and must be mined. I, for one, want to be reading about Howard Dean in the newspaper 20 or so years from now. I want to read about him at least once a week between now and then. I think I will get my wish.

Political funeral my butt.

(On edit: I reiterate my advice to Dean supporters - DO NOT watch the TV news tonight. Get your returns online. The TV will be a foul wasteland of crap coverage again, and you don't need that garbage)

[mgc1961]

1. I too...

...hope he doesn't fade away. Although I'm with DK it was Dr. Dean who initially woke me from my political stupor.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

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

[lancdem]

10. I think they're trying to get rid of him

so they can open the way for the Bush campaign to go after Kerry full throttle. As long as Kerry has Dem rivals, they're reluctant to do that. So I want Howard to stay in as long as he wants, and screw the media!

[lancdem]

3. I agree, Will

I believe Dean should stay in as long as he wants, because I think his presence in the race is making Kerry a stronger candidate, not a weaker one. And I'd love to see his organization become a permanent apparatus to bring more people into the Dem Party.

[Jacobin]

4. He's a national treasure

In the insanity of the last 3 years, abetted by the insipid reactions of most dems, Dean's statements, coming out on the heels of each vapid policy boondoggle announced by SmirkCo, have gladdened my heart and made me smile.

He is one of the very few politicians with whom I almost always agree and with whom I am comfortable when I disagree.

Whatever his next iteration may be, I know he will do it with fire and gusto and honesty.

[hedda_foil]

5. Do you honestly think ...

that you have any remaining fans among Dean supporters who have been following your posts here these past few months?

Sorry, Will, but I'm afraid you've blown that constituency.

[WilliamPitt]

11. Do you honestly think

I post things here for 'fans'?

I'd be interested in some examples of the terrible wrongs I have done to Dean people here. I've posted my honest opinions, and some serious criticisms. If that is too much for some Dean people here, then that really doesn't break my heart.

I also published an essay called Howard's Road, and almost got fired because a Dean supporter here called my boss. I'd say I've paid my dues.

===

Howard's Road
By William Rivers Pitt
t r u t h o u t | Perspective

Wednesday 24 December 2003

http://www.truthout.org/docs_03/122403A.shtml

They say that confession is good for the soul, so here’s mine: Howard Dean was not my first choice of candidates to face George W. Bush in the 2004 election. He is not as liberal as I am – and yes, conservative media pundits, calling Dean a far-left liberal is far from an accurate portrayal of the man’s record – and as this is primary season, I was afforded the opportunity to choose among a broad field of contenders. Had I been given my druthers, I would have seen either Dennis Kucinich or John Kerry run away and hide with the nomination.

Which brings us to the old folk saying: “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.” In all electoral likelihood, it will be the former Governor of Vermont who will run away and hide with the nomination. No votes have been cast yet, and the official score in the primary race is still zero to zero to zero to zero to zero to zero to zero to zero. But if polling numbers in Iowa and New Hampshire are any indication, the front-loaded primary season designed by the folks at the DNC to pick a nominee as quickly as possible will be catapulting Dean into the driver’s seat well before pitchers and catchers report in for spring training.

Dean’s campaign has been, for my money, one of the most remarkable electoral phenomena in recent memory. He has forever changed the face of American political campaigning with his use of Al Gore’s internet. His fundraising abilities have been second to none. He has captured the hearts of the ultra-liberal base, and pulled more than a few Greens along in his wake, while being a centrist budget hawk with a 100% approval rating from the NRA. Figure that one out and you’ve got a stellar dissertation for your Political Science PhD.

Or maybe not. At the end of the day, there is one reason Howard Dean stands ready to grasp the brass ring in Boston. He stood up before the die-hard base of the Democratic Party before, and in the aftermath, of an unnecessary, criminal war. He stood up after two years of hide-the-ball from Bush and the boys regarding September 11. He stood up after that base had endured one of the most ruthless anti-liberal propaganda campaigns since Joe McCarthy held a key to the Congressional washroom. He stood up after this country got lied to again and again and again. He stood up within the confines of a mainstream news media structure that has done more to cover Bush’s backside than anyone could have possibly imagined. He stood up when too many of the other Democratic candidates sat on their hands and played it safe.

He stood up and roared, “I want my country back!”

...more...

------------------

TO Interview with Howard Dean
t r u t h o u t | Exclusive Interview

Thursday 22 May 2003

http://www.truthout.org/docs_03/052203A.shtml

As the election season begins to heat up, truthout has begun pursuing interviews with the seven Democratic candidates for President. Invitations have been extended to the Kerry campaign, and we have begun to reach out to the rest of the field. The first candidate to accept our invitation was Governor Howard Dean of Vermont. We at truthout are grateful to him for taking time out of his busy schedule to speak with us

Howard Dean, M.D. served as the Governor of Vermont from 1991 to 2002. Dean is a physician who previously shared a medical practice with his wife, Dr. Judith Steinberg. He received his B.A. from Yale University in 1971 and his medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City in 1978. He served in the Vermont House from 1982 to 1986; was elected lieutenant governor in 1986, and became governor in 1991. His campaign website is www.DeanForAmerica.com.

-

PITT: There are nine candidates running for the office of the Presidency in 2004. What sets you apart from them?

DEAN: There's bunch of things. First of all, I am a Governor and a physician. The other candidates talk about the environment, and I have actually done a lot of environmental work. Everyone is going to talk about health insurance, but our health insurance plan is modeled after what worked in Vermont. That is an advantage, having been in a position to get things done, rather than just vote, introduce bills and all that. The second thing that is setting me apart, and is probably responsible for why we are doing as well as we are, is that I am really willing to stand up for the Democratic party. I don't think we can beat this President by being like the Republicans.

The people I am running against have mostly voted for 'No Child Left Behind,' which most teachers think should be called 'No Behind Left.' Or 'No School Board Left Standing' from the school board members point of view. It's a huge unfunded mandate and there's an awful lot of bad educational policy in there. Many of my opponents have supported significantly large tax cuts, which has clearly caused a huge deficit and big problems in terms of job creation. They all supported the Iraq war and I didn't. So there are a lot of these issues that set me apart from the Democratic field, both in terms of my job experience and my willingness to stand up to the President.

...more...

[A-Schwarzenegger]

13. LOC

[reprehensor]

25. Speak for yo' seff, suckah.

I think he's alright.

Misguided, but alright. ;)

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

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

[bobthedrummer]

6. Howard Dean was on t.v. last night in Green Bay restating that

regardless of today's outcome here he's staying in the contest.
He's got a lot of supporters that should cast their votes for him in States that haven't been heard from.

How can "the media" put out his political obituary at 8:42 A.M. of our Primary???:wtf:

[Casablanca]

34. Good! Give the punditocracy hell and piss off McAuliffe, Dean ...

Dean owes noone a graceful exit, least of all the Dem so-called Leadership Congress. It would give the corporate media hives to know that many Americans don't buy and sell into their smear tactics, as with Clinton and the Lewinsky media fiasco. And it would be good for the rest of Americans and the world to see a person who doesn't go down when told.

Stay and keep the delegates, Dean. You'll do a lot more good at the convention with them.

[demnan]

7. Funeral? Hell No

Dean should stay in at least until the March primaries if for no other reason than just to irritate the media.

[lancdem]

15. Yep

[Snivi Yllom]

8. A more appropriate funeral would be for the Democratic party

And for the failure of the DNC and DLC to listen to the core of the party.

[candy331]

26. Snivi I agree completely

and actually think we will see this in November. I think we should start gathering our black funeral garments now ahead of the announcement..

[lams712]

47. Amen to that!!!!!!!!

I am a Dennis Kucinich supporter, but I respect the HELL out of Howard Dean. He is the one that has helped the Democrats get their mojo back.

[TexasPatriot]

9. Clark made the same comments on media consolidation

and he was equally gutted. Odd that in the day of the internet and reporting as a cottage industry we see big media with such a remarkable capacity to shape consent.

[revcarol]

32. Kucinich was saying the media should be broken up

so they ignored him. I feel for Dean people and this saying he lost the election less than one hour after the polls opened is CRAP.

Everyone should be sure to document that they DO NOT WANT THE LICENSE RENEWED OF ANY STATION THAT DOES THIS. Money talks, and threatening their money will make them listen, well, maybe.

We grass roots supporters of grass roots candidates are the ONLY ONES who can change the party.

[NoPasaran]

12. Thanks Will

As I've said before and will no doubt say again I would no more watch TV news than I would drink out of the toilet.

[jpgray]

14. "credence" = credit; "creedence" = tapes you lost with your old car (nt)

:D

[WilliamPitt]

18. LOL

Thanks.

[Spirochete]

40. and the rug

that really tied the room together. hehe

[GumboYaYa]

16. "DO NOT watch the TV news tonight."

We have developed thick skin over the past two months. The day I start internalizing the spew from Matthews and his minions is the day to take me out to the back 40 and put an end to the misery.

I can tell you from my experience here in St. Louis, the Dean network of volunteers is going nowhere. We have local politicans scrambling to get our support. Tonight I'm meeting with one of the candidates for Gep's seat in the 3rd District. He wants me to organize his canvassing and voter ID efforts like I did for Dean. Nancy Farmer, a candidate for U.S. Senate, is courting us to get behind her campaign. Clare McCaskel, candidate for govenor, has been pursuing us for weeks.

Our group intends to stay organized and work together to promote progressive candidates. We will pick the next campaign we support within a few weeks.

When the candidates talk to us they are all trying to "out-progressive" the others. I like that.

[rucky]

28. You ROCK!

:yourock:

[BeyondGeography]

17. A "brawler" with a glass jaw who

complains when he gets hit back.

Let's remember, Howard blew his formidable lead with a little help from his own foibles, as well as his fair-weather friends in the media. The voters of Iowa decided well before the so-called scream that they didn't see a president when they looked and listened to Dean.

That said, I'm sure he will be around for some time to come, mostly because he's interesting to listen to, and he does tend to tell the truth more often than the average politician.

And, of course, there's the fan base.

[Nadienne]

27. The media is a weapon

that hoisted Dean and cut him down. They made him the front runner... or at least made him appear to be the front runner... My guess is so that those who didn't like Dean united behind the one who seemed to have the best chance to beat Dean...

[mzmolly]

19. I think many people are now realizing his contribution to this campaign

and to our future. I don't expect Dean to go away, I expect him to continue to be an agent of change, regardless of the avenue. I will continue to support him and his worthy cause of returning Government to the People.

[MaineDem]

20. When the time comes that we have our nominee

Some people will be sorry and others will be glad. Others will go away forever. I've seen it happen amny times over the years.

Howard Dean has been - and still is - a force in the Democratic Party. Anyone who says otherwise is talking out of her hat.

I'm sickened by the media seemingly calling so many of the shots these days. However, a lot of the campaigns are playing into those hands and releasing information early and having to retract, for example.

There will be horrible press about Dean and Edwards, to say nothing of Sharpton and Kucinich (if they get any mention at all.) The press will have them all heading home to disband. But it shouldn't happen until the candidate is ready and not a moment before.

[VelmaD]

21. Hell, but I almost wish...

the media would spend some time eviscerating Kucinich...cause at least then they might actually *gasp* mention his freakin' name.

Sorry. Was having a little moment there.

You're right. The stories coming out this morning declaring Dean lost before a vote had been cast are reprehensible. And you can bet your ass they're gonna do this to the nominee no matter who it is.

Our media has obviously gone completely 'round the bend, bull-goose, straight-jackets and rubber-rooms looney.

[Desertrose]

22. not really a Dean fan , but....

I hope he stays in...he's doing a great service by sticking around after the media turned on him....and we really do need all the candidates in this race.

anyone else observing this race with the same sick feeling of selection 2000??

Peace
DR

[lyonn]

23. mealy mouth - brawler - media brow beating

You are so right describing the democrats attitude from 2000 on, and mealy mouth is good. Dean may not be a brawler but then maybe that's what he did when he was touring the country for at least a year getting the democrats' attention. He became a star of sorts. He came right out with his ideas, no problem knowing where he was coming from. The complete opposite of Bush and many other democrats who are afraid to say something that may be held against them, chicken I call it. And yes, the media will get real smirky with their I told you so attitude when the results "begin" to come in. They no doubt will start their rant just as the polls close. Edwards is pretty much in the no. 3 spot and they don't mention how he should quit and leave it to Kerry, but, Dean is another story, he is considered "dead."

[eissa]

24. Thanks Will

Regardless of the outcome, I do hope Dean remains a figure within the party. I do believe he is an asset to the dems.

[Robb]

29. Believe me, listen to Will on this one....

I just turned the TV off. The only thing more disgusting than the talking heads climbing over one another to declare Dean dead is their laughter at the mere mention of the name Dennis Kucinich. :thumbsdown:

[killbotfactory]

30. When I saw the media scream coverage, I lost hope for democracy

They took a guy who was smiling and having a good time and turned him into a hitleresque madman. How the fuck can you win against that? The media is salivating at the chance to feast on Dean's corpse. He threatened them, and they won.

[mzmolly]

39. They won the short battle KF, but in the long run I think they'll WISH

Dean was *only* President. ;)

[mrgorth]

31. Danke.

[fudge stripe cookays]

33. Thanks Will.

I was contacted yesterday by a reporter at the Dallas Morning News through the meetup site, wanting to know if he could ask me "a few questions about the campaign." The way things are looking right now, the probability was very strong that he just wanted to smear us with the same brush of 'a bunch of nuts,' or 'losers who won't take the hint.'

Had he ever asked to come to one of our meetups when the campaign was going well? Nope. Had he ever showed up at any of our successful events? No again.

I wrote him back and told him, "No, I'm familiar with what the right-leaning media reports as the truth, especially considering your employment at DMN. I was in Iowa; I saw it happen. Get your "information" from someone else.

[Lisa0825]

35. Thank you Will! The fact that Dean HAS changed this race, and

so have I make me proud to be a participant. WHEN the Dems win, even if my candidate didn't get elected, I will take partial credit for whoever is!

[0rganism]

36. Thanks for taking time to write this

As DK's press sec, you probably have a lot on your plate already -- and I hope you have a whole lot more as the March 2 elections draw close. It's really nice to see that you haven't lost your broad perspective, and have some head room left for candidates you're not directly supporting.

Maybe you're "Fair and Balanced"!

[YNGW]

38. He'll get the same coverage as Gephardt, Leiberman & Clark are getting now

Once you're out of the running, that's it. Ride off into the sunset whether you want to or not. Should he drop out, Dean won't be a blimp on the radar screen in no time at all. Twenty years from now, he MAY be a Trivial Pursuit question, but no guarantees.

Political funerals happen. Wishing them away and magic fairy dust aren't real.

[Ramsey]

41. Damn straight!

Although I have pretty much resigned myself to the fact that Dean will not be the nominee as I had once hoped, even thought possible for a brief shining moment, I am proud of Dean and his candidacy and the vibrant honesty it brought to the whole primary. I am proud of the work I have done and that many have done to bring change to the system through the Dean campaign.

I think we got caught up in the momentary heights when Dean was on top. I don't think he himself ever expected to be in that position. As far as I am concerned the campaign was a success in that Dean got his message out and made the others speak to that message.

I too hope that Dean will be around to dog the establishment players for years to come!

[Hekate]

42. I want my country back: Give 'em hell, Howard

Thanks, Will Pitt.

[kaitykaity]

43. I love Howard Dean with all my heart,

politically speaking, but it is so hard to see the smaller crowds and to hear the wingers crow about his fall. A small part of me wishes he would drop out and throw his support 100% behind the eventual nominee (Kerry, of course). It is just too painful to see him and to wish for what might have been.

(Gee, I'm kinda maudlin today. Sorry. :eyes:)

[RetroLounge]

44. Will, I couldn't agree more

or not...

:boring:

[edzontar]

45. Reports of the death of the Dean campaign have ben premature

And my reappearance here on GDP seems to prove that there really are second chances in American politics (or at least, on American political forums).

[slinkerwink]

46. the media had to choose someone to crucify, and they chose Dean

I sure as hell wish they hadn't.