Southern Politics...and the Courage of Howard Dean's Candidacy

Franklin Delano Roosevelt stares down the Supreme Court opposition to New Deal policies and wins.

Harry Truman confounds the political aristocracy by barnstorming to victory in 1948 through appeals to the poor, blue collar workers, farmers and the middle class.

John F. Kennedy confounds conventional wisdom by campaigning in the West Virginia primary against Hubert Humphrey's strong labor support. His appeal to ordinary individuals wins the primary and sets him on course for eventual victory in the 1960 presidential election.

Bill Clinton, a white southerner, reaches across cultural divides, embraces African-Americans and is rewarded with 90% support from the African-American community.

Howard Dean confounds conventional political wisdom by using one of the most divisive symbols in America today in an effort to reach across cultural barriers to aim toward a politics of inclusion.

Time will tell whether Howard Dean's efforts could be held in the same esteem as the other courageous victories by Democratic national politicians of the past 70 years mentioned above....but I do want to write a few of my thoughts on the matter.

It is abundantly clear after last night that the current Democratic Party political strategy in the South is not working. We are losing governorships and Senate races left and right. At this point in time it seems at least a 50/50 probability we could be heading toward losing the seats currently occupied by John Edwards, Fritz Hollings, Zell Miller, and Bob Graham in 2004. Blanche Lincoln, Bill Nelson, Mary Landrieu and John Breaux may start to feel a bit lonely as representatives of the Democratic Party in the South in the U.S. Senate.

In the wake of Howard Dean's comments of wanting to appeal to Southerners who display the Confederate battle flag, a number of Southern Democrats have cried foul and that he is unfairly stereotyping and deliberately trying to use the flag in some nefarious form.

An answer that may be put forth in answer to the stereotyping concerns is that the South has a strong recent record of electing Republican politicians in statewide that openly embrace the Confederate flag such as Sonny Perdue's victory as governor in Georgia in 2002. Code-worded support of the flag on the part of Republicans wins other races...as has been suggested about Haley Barbour's Republican victory for governor in the state of Mississippi. Democratic politicians on the other hand are afraid to even address the voters who have an affinity for the Confederate flag...and have a strong track record of losing elections.

When Howard Dean says he is wanting to use the imagery of the flag to reach across boundaries, I believe him. One of the reasons I believe him is that he has also been traveling to campaign in the state of Idaho to reach across boundaries that some Democrats say are impossible to breach. In my estimation, Howard Dean is looking for a mandate and, possibly, a landslide for the Democratic Party. Franklin Roosevelt won landslide elections by breaching the boundaries Howard Dean is going after. In the wake of FDR's New Deal, poor Southern white people and black people alike placed portraits of Roosevelt on the walls of their homes in tribute.

If other Democratic candidates for president have ideas for breaching these boundaries and dramatically expanding the base of Democratic voters, I am happy to hear them. Perhaps Howard Dean's ideas and/or style are not the best approach, but it is an approach. I see a Democratic Party that instead of wanting to tear down boundaries and go after a national mandate is investing its resources in trying to eke out a bare victory that would most likely result in a Democratic White House and a Republican Congress. Four more years of bloodbath between the executive and legislative branch and no daring legislation having any opportunity of passing. I think we can do better than that, and I think Howard Dean thinks we can, too.

The Democratic Party establishment seems to have invested a lot in telling some Southern people their religion is wrong, their guns are dangerous to the rest of us, and their views on homosexuality means they are mean, nasty people we don't want to associate ourselves with. Yet, they are Americans and we all have a lot invested in this country and this democratic experiment. We all depend on the health of our economy and we all want a good life for the next generation. There are divisions, but I think it is also time for the Democratic Party to recognize there are commonalities as well. I think that is what Howard Dean is getting at...and those commonalities that Howard Dean is interested in are at the root of a good life in the United States of America - good jobs, good health, and educational opportunity.

I am embracing the acts of courage by Howard Dean thus far in the campaign...and look forward to embracing more. I encourage you to embrace them as well. The Democratic Party will become the clear majority party in the United States by embracing all Americans, rejecting the Republican Party's politics of division, and working to bring about the American dream of a good, safe life for all Americans.

What a nice post to wake up to. I too think Dean is courageous. I remember the first time I heard him use that phrase, being taken aback for a moment, and then how proud I felt of him for sticking his neck out. I definately have my Oh Shit moments with Howard, but I know he will never wimp out and that's what counts. Go Dean.

To take the road less-travelled that makes him interesting is enticed me.

What has been done in the past isn't working. We were promised that we are a majority in this country but we are losing governorships left and right. If we don't win in 2004, the Democratic party won't win another Presidency for at least eight more years.

seeing affirming the Confederate Flag in the South as an act of courage. There are no other issues on which Democrats can appeal to the "the voters who have an affinity for the Confederate flag"?

But I don't see any other candidates coming up with a different approach.

I would be really happy to hear about others.

It is really depressing to see those voters electing officials who will bring about more job layoffs, less access to health care, and continuing deterioration in education.

I do think by bringing up the flag...Howard Dean made it clear to the people he is talking about that he knows who they are. And that he wants their vote...maybe he pricked up a few ears.

I've still not seen any responses to any of this from someone who does display the Confederate flag. Can anybody share any information on that?

The subject line was supposed to say "Maybe Howard Dean's approach isn't the best approach..."

With his remarks about "poor whites" last night, I do not think that Dean understands me at all.

No, I don't have a confederate flag on my "pickup truck". Yes, children go to school. My son attends a private school. My daughter is in college.

No, I don't feel that I am poor. I am middle class. My husband and I own a business. I also work for another company.

I have confederate flag items in my home. One is an eagle wrapped in the flag. It is right beside the eagle wrapped in the American flag.

I don't have exceedingly strong feelings about the CF. I do, however, feel that it is my right to display it in my home if I choose. I do not feel that it would be correct to display it in a government building (such as the state capital).

I do not live in a trailer park and I am not "trailer trash" which is how I felt that we were referred to last night. I am not racist. The CF means nothing more to me than that it is a part of history and it is pretty.

Yes, my children have health insurance. It just so happens that it is fairly easy here to get insurance on children. That's not so much true for adults and my husband and I went without coverage for a couple of years. We couldn't find an independent provider willing to accept us. That's one reason I went back to work for someone else. Now, we have health coverage.

Basically, as a white southerner, I was offended by the "hillbilly" stereotype presented last night. It certainly did NOT make me feel like anyone "understood" me.

I really really appreciate your post!!

Why is what he said any more 'streotyping' than if a candidate refers to 'people who work full-time at Wal-Mart, and fail to earn a living wage', e.g. ? The only thing a plain, common-sense, in-context reading of Gov. Dean's remarks could yield is that we should reach out to those Southerners who vote GOP, even though it in not in their self-interest to do so. Why 'reach' to find something that *plainly* is neither in the words nor spirit of his remarks? *sigh*

When the dialogue has just begun...

I asked for a post from someone who displays the Confederate battle flag, because I did want to hear and I wanted to try to start a dialogue and be inclusive.

I think it's quite possible that Howard Dean has stumbled a bit in his attempts to reach out...but he is attempting.

We have to listen to the audience were wanting to talk to if we really want to find out if our efforts are successful...not attack them when they are honestly reporting their feelings.

My point remains, though; *are* people deliberately looking for something that just isn't there? :shrug:

Will cause a lot of minds to race off in emotional directions...

Beginning a reasoned dialogue about it is the start of robbing it of that "larger than life" impact on people.

I think that is some of what Pres. Clinton was getting at in wanting a national dialogue on race...when people actually listen to each other about these things it's much harder to just get your hackles up and start screaming at each other.

I think it would be much better to focus on our similarities instead of our differences. That, I feel, is what makes me, in particular, feel included.

Yes, we have differences. But, often times, we have many more things that are the same. We are all human. We are all Americans. We are all Democrats. We all want to see a change in where our country is going. We all want respect and are concerned with the economy. On and on....

You see? Basically, we are the same. Some have issues that are more important to them than others. Yet, we all, deep down, I believe, want what is best for our country as a whole.

I, personally, think there is too much time spent on pointing out differences instead of simply treating everyone equally. Does that make sense? Actions speak louder than words, I guess I am saying.

By the way, thank you for attempting to engage in meaningful dialogue.

I'm sorry I went off earlier, but knowing that Gov. Dean isn't a racist, and also knowing that he would never knowingly 'talk down' to ANY group of people, coupled with the unceasing piling-on since Saturday is getting on my very last nerve; I agree with what you say, and I have several times conceded that his remark may not have been the most brilliant piece of wordcraft ever devised, but... after years of ignoring this 'elephant in the room', he has at least succeeded in *finally* getting people to talk about it. Agreed? :hi:

I can agree with that. Thanks.

:hi:

what would be a better way of referring to poor white Southerners who vote Republican based on social issues, against their economic interests?

Is there a way to widen that shorthand reference to include middle class white Southerners who vote against their econocmic interests to vote on social issues?

Is there a way to note that shorthand reference while making it very hard for folks like you to misundertand his point that he is speaking directly to you and is making a big effort to be inclusive?

You are going to have to do this from the grass roots,say someone who is respected that work with some of the southern rednecks, and do it gently..We have gotten away from the old style of campaigning...Howard Dean should have had people from the neighborhoods talking this up before he spoke, who knows he could be doing exactly that. In olden days most communities had someone they could trust going to the politicians and asking the question and making known what they expected from the politicians, we have to go back to some of that, just 30 minutes on T.V...isn't going to cut the mustard

I would think...it's based on face to face campaigning...or campaigning in letters and phone calls.

I'm about to bust loose with a 'Bob Boudelqang moment' here, but I'll restrain myself and simply ask that everyone quit saying that Gov. dean is 'embracing' or 'affirming' the CF--- because he isn't. What he has said, plainly, is that the people who put the CF decals on their pickup trucks are supporting the wrong party, because on issues that concern them, OUR party would represent them better. Rather than continuing to gratuitously alienate this group of people, Gov. Dean is trying to reach out to them and to explain to them *and to our party* why their best hope for a decent future resides with US, not the GOP.

The trumped-up pseudo outrage, pious, hollow crap and grief regarding this issue says far more about those crass, opportunistic politicians engaging in it than it does about Howard Dean.

I don't understand why we are losing so many elections.

I am more convinced than ever that Dean is our only hope.

I see it differently.

as is evidenced by the last few elections. The Republicans have driven a wedge between the Southern Democrats and the Democratic party. Until someone has the balls to bridge that gap, we'll never win the South. I'm glad Dean is not backing down, there is no reason for him to do so.
The other candidates are using this as a wedge issue. Their sole reason is to attack Dean because of his front runner status, not because they believe that he's wrong. Sharpton has no credibility when it comes to pointing the racial finger. Two words, "Tawana Brawley".
Edwards, Kerry and the rest are just attacking because they're behind and looking for anything to slow the Dean juggernaut.
IMO, this whole thing will blow up in their faces. The bigger issue they make out of this non-issue, the more the disenfranchized Southern Democrats about whom Dean speaks, will support him exactly for that reason. They'll view him as, not a Sharpton, not a Liberal elite, not the staus quo Democrat that has ignored them for the last few decades.
Flame away, but Dean is right on the mark. These people need to brought back into the party. They've been ignored for too long.
Do any one of you believe that Dean is a rascist? 'Nuf said.

unless you mean to say that Dean acknowledged the flag exists. In that case, yes, but so does everyone.

Dean is clearly on the record as to saying he believes it should not be flown.

in brilliance.

Dean '04...Rebel with a Cause!!!

Many black AND white southerners, even GOPs called in and few were critical of Dean's comments. Most of the critical people were Democrats, probably supporting candidates other than Dean.

then why wont he join the boycott of SC with the NAACP ?

I see Former Governor Dean as stereotyping Southerners in a group of deliquient children who dont know any better than to vote Republican.

You see thats not the case. I'll tell you why Southerners vote Republican...b/c that party has given them more reason to vote with them. Social Issues go a long way in the South, and it IS b/c of the Confederate flag and what it stands for that we need to get AWAY from. Not embrace.

The NAACP is giving candidates 'a pass' when they go to South Carolina to campaign. The boycott isn't meant to prevent South Carolinians from enjoining in the political process.

... your pro-Edwards bias that causes you to 'see' something that is neither in the words nor in the spirit of an in-context, common-sense, plain-English reading of the remark?

Serious question, btw...

you think Dean basically saying to southern audiences, you poor, redneck, white southern racists should vote for us not republicans?, will actually give Dean a ground swell of support or respect here?
oakie doakie. (I don't think it was courage).

But he's making the effort, and I think the effort is worth making, because I do value this country and do dream that we can work together better than we are doing now.

And the people he was attempting to address are Americans.

No other candidate has the courage to address the people Howard Dean is attempting to reach...they are writing them off and using stereotypical terms much more severe than what he actually said...

Look at your statement:

"poor, redneck, white southern racists"

Is that how you would refer to the person posting above?

Dialogue is so so very important...and those who encourage dialogue are always heros to me. Starting a dialogue with someone you do not easily identify with takes a lot of courage. Please try and walk down the street in your hometown, find someone who fundamentally disagrees with you on your worldview, and start a dialogue. Does that take courage?

Those who attempt to shut it down when the barriers have the possibility of being breached are working against real solutions to real problems, in my opinion.

:thumbsup:

Funny, I don't see Al taking notes.

touching upon southern religion, there is a saying among the baptists:
Hate the sin and not the sinner.
Sounds simplistic, but the point is that finger pointing just shuts off
the debate and makes it impossible to have a dialog. Once Dean can
get Southern whites to realize that he is not casting stones at them,
they might well listen to why he supports things like civil unions - that
fundamentally its an issue of fairness. Instead of turning them off,
Dean could then well end up garnishing strong support in the South
by focusing on the essential unfairness of the current system and the
need for a change.

Now photos of Dean on the wall, I dont know if it'll get that far!!