We need an overhaul of our spokesperson corps--Dean's a good start

But in terms of sabotaging anything we have in our public image that resembles a strong position, it's as if the GOP were to trot out Olympia Snowe and Lincoln Chaffee to defend neocon ideology on the news shows--the illusion of a unified party that stands for something vanishes in a puff of smoke when the only visible party representation doesn't even believe in what another party member is saying. If all we saw of GOP spokespeople on the Iraq war were people like Chuck Hagel or other moderates, the illusion of the GOP's unity on the war would take a huge hit.

For our side, take Jane Harman on the Iraq war, (please). During a Crossfire appearance last year, after Carville did a fairly good job of hammering Bush on the absence of WMD, she wades in with "they may still be found and we were right to invade." Thanks Jane! Democrats can't even convince each other, and they expect to convince me? This is the question she just put in the mind of everyone who was watching.

Now moderate Democrats will be asked ad nauseam about Dean's past/present statements to produce a similar effect--to give the impression that Dean doesn't even represent his own party, and the Democrats disagree on everything. This diluting of our message has got to stop and immediately, and spokespeople who are capable enough not to get trapped are absolutely necessary to combat it. Dean during the '04 General Election is a good example--he disagreed with Kerry on some things, but in his statements and appearances supporting Kerry's candidacy, he never once got drawn into the trap of making Kerry seem like an outsider in his own party.

For an example of that, take Joe Biden on the $87 billion vote (again, please). He spent much of his time answering Russert's question on MTP defending and glorifying himself at the expense of Kerry. At the very end he sputtered out the real reasons for Kerry's "no" vote, but missed a great chance to stand with Kerry on it rather than remind viewers how wise the great Joe Biden was. Whether or not the press in unfair in emphasizing the splits in our party and hiding those in the GOP isn't the issue--we need to get better at answering those questions rather than waiting for the media to start playing fair. We can keep our policy disagreements, but we can stop rolling over and playing for favors at the expense of fellow Democrats.

They keep picking out Hannitys and we keep getting Colmesed. It has to stop--they are digging up weak-kneed moderates I haven't even heard of while great men and women in Congress I almost NEVER hear on TV have such stronger things to say about our party.

If they do not quit apologizing and acting afraid of Howard being Howardly....then it hurts us all.

They are still afraid to speak out for fear of being attacked. Maybe it will end someday...I don't know.

This is not a matter of anyone liking Dean or not liking Dean, it is a matter of standing up and not being afraid.

There is no conceivable reason to undermine him and display fractures in the party for all to see during an interview. If there truly is a congressperson so vulnerable that he/she cannot help but bash other party members on those shows to remain politically viable--KEEP THEM OFF THOSE SHOWS.

That's really what we need. The Religious Right could be countered by citing Biblical verses. I've been tempted to memorize a bunch of the verses that back our way of seeing things (most of the sayings of Jesus Christ would qualify) and take them on, but I'm charismatically challenged and am aging rapidly and losing the ability to memorize such things.

it is not whether anyone likes Dean or not. Liking has nothing to do with anything now. It is about the apologetic tone our Democrats have been using when criticized.

I heard one Democrat on TV say we really should "give Dean a chance."

What a weak way to stand up for yourself and for the party.