Politicians - and Candor

[dave29]

A question - for those of you who find fault with all, or maybe just most of the words coming out of Howard Dean's mouth.

Dean is known for shooting from the hip. He says it like it is. He admits to speaking "elliptically" - meaning that he assumes people are smart enough to fill in the blanks -and that can get him in trouble. Dean is also known for being an pragmatic "incrementalist". If one thing doesn't work, he will try another. It's part of his medical training. It's part of why he was such a successful politician in Vermont. For these two reasons - he is often, in my opinion accused of being a waffler, flip-flopper, or a panderer. Not to mention sometimes his words are taken completely out of context, etc.

Contrast this with George W. Bush - who doesn't even talk to the press unless it is scripted. I'm beginning to see why now - candidates who speak openly or candidly are crucified by their opposition. With Bush - he just shows his complete non-grasp of the issues. With Dean - he just happens to not mind pissing people off - if what he is saying is true.

My question is - should we expect our candidates to be scripted - or should we be more open to candor from our politicians - and be more forgiving of statements they make that might seem a little rough around the edges.

I know where I stand - where do you?

[LuminousX]

1. Dean's candor was one of the first appealing things I liked about him

I prefer straightforward talk when talking about nitty-gritty topics. I don't like people who dance around issues. And I appreciate strong forceful opinions. If someone 'calls things as he sees them' even if I disagree with his perception, I at least know how he is seeing things. When he said Graham wasn't a first tier candidate it didn't even phase me because I myself knew Graham wasn't a first tier candidate. When all the other candidates got their tighty-whitey's in a twist over it I was shocked. Graham dropped out about a month later, proving Dean right. It was an apolitical thing to do, far better to pretend but at the end of the day someone is going to point out the obvious.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

2. False choice

Politicians should be candid, and careful about words, and tell it like it is.

When it comes to the most important job in the world - President of the United States, we need someone who is capable of being careful with words without a script.

[dave29]

3. I agree with you

however - anything you say can be used against you - and is - it doesn't just happen to Dean. Where do you draw the line?

[blm]

6. When your words are selfserving rhetoric

with no basis in reality.

I'd say that is a good start.

[maxr4clark]

4. Rhetorical style

He has a different rhetorical style than the members of Congress who are running. Honestly, his rhetorical style reminds me of George Bush's campaign in 2000, so I don't like it and don't see it as candor. I understand that a lot of people like it, I'm just not one of them. I dislike Gephardt's rhetorical style (kindergarten teacher) even more than Dean's.

I liked Clinton's rhetorical style, but not Gore's. I like Kerry's message, but think he has trouble getting it across. I think Kucinich does a good job of getting his ideas across.

Clark's style is targeted at people like me, and correspondingly, it is the one I prefer. He reminds me of Bush I, whose rhetorical style I also liked. I didn't like Bush I's message, though.

Dean would convince me he was being candid if he would release his records. I'm more impressed with a body of statements than I am by any individual sentence. That's why I tend to refer to Clark's book, rather than his campaign literature.

[blm]

5. Sorry, I see Dean's being the LEAST straightforward of all the candidates.

I think he has used DECEPTIVE rhetoric to claim his position as antiwar and label the others as prowar, even though he, too, supported Bush 's authority to make the final determination for use of force.

I think he has used DECEPTIVE rhetoric about the taxcuts, claiming the others are "Bushlite" for wanting to keep middle class taxcuts and now saying he always intended to cut taxes for middle class.

I think he has used DECEPTIVE rhetoric to claim himself to be against corporate cronyism when his entire record as governor was pro big business, including pushing to deregulate electricity for years.

[isbister]

8. Re: LEAST straightforward of all the candidates

You're right, Dean is a misleader and that's not the candidate I want representing our party. BUT, bush is the "LEAST straightforward of all the candidates". Dean's second... Bush-lite.

[blm]

9. heh...Ok, Dean is second to Bush in the misleader race.

.

[sandnsea]

7. Not ignorant candor

A President ought to be able to open his mouth and speak without sounding like an idiot. Howard Dean has shown on too many occasions that he just doesn't pass muster. His recent religion pandering is prime. And just because a small segment of the population, and it is small, thinks what Howard says is true, doesn't make it true or rational for the majority. Howard doesn't even get that or can't moderate for fear of losing his base support. He's in a real pickle.

[ThomWV]

10. Look At Kucinich

When it comes to speaking his mind no once can beat Kucinich. Every bit of my gut tells me he is unelectable, whatever in hell that means, but at the same time there is no one who I absolutly believe that he whole heartedly means exactly what he says, and will step up with a well reasoned answer to every single question he is asked. I don't agree with all of his positions, but when it comes to someone being a model of what I want to see in how a candidate expresses himself, well Dennis can not be beat.

Thom (A Clark supporter, by the way)