"Mr. Dean's Army" What it's about.

An eloquent post from Whiskey Bar circa July 2003

http://billmon.org/archives/000403.html

Mr. Dean's Army

<excerpt> (Read the whole thing, a lot of good stuff about demographics and money in politics. Hard stuff)

Braveheart

<snip>

In a way, it reminds me of the plot of the movie Braveheart. (I know that sounds bizarre, given Mel Gibson’s politics, but hear me out.)

The hero, William Wallace, built an army out of nothing and figured out how to use it to beat the English. But Wallace was too angry and too uncompromising. In the end, he was seen as a threat, both by the Scottish lords who originally supported him, and by the Scots king, Robert the Bruce. In the end, Wallace was betrayed and executed.

But the Bruce – a far more devious and unscrupulous leader – went on to beat the English at the battle of Bannockburn, won Scotland’s independence, and used all of his diplomatic wiles to build a network of alliances to safeguard it.

I suspect that at some point – maybe in this election; maybe the next – a Democratic presidential candidate who is not Howard Dean is going to have to turn to Dean’s supporters and say, as Robert the Bruce says to Wallace’s supporters in the final scene of Braveheart: "You bled for him, now will you bleed for me?"

<snip>

Posted by billmon at July 27, 2003 01:12 AM | TrackBack


PS, I'm still with "Braveheart" but if he falls by hostile fire or press treachery, as may happen, I'm with ANY of Kerry, Clark, or Edwards. - fabius

PS, I don't think Dean is too angry. He's sure as hell not as angry as I am. YEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

"Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo"

I am still working for Dean, but even if someone else gets the nom, I think the we are stronger because Dean is in the race. The other candidates have had to speak up, face the issues more strongly, and mobilize more because of Dean and his campaign. I also think that Dean has really awakened a lot of non-voters, and that we will for the most part be ready to take on Bush in any capacity we can.

I also think the "too angy" thing is a product of the press. Dean has a great smile and uses it often. It just makes better news to show him when he looks angry.

but if its John Kerry I'll know how those who worked for Dole vs Clinton felt.

The Bruce was portrayed as quite sympathetic to Wallace and his cause. And that he (The Bruce) was manipulated by elders/nobles. Anyways, I like your comparison between Dean's army and Wallace's, even if I wouldn't pick Dean for the part of Wallace.

cheers

But in the meantime I'm in the Dean ranks. I am serious about changing the party and the country and the Dean campaign still seems like the best vehicle to achieve that goal.

When I hear Dean's speeches, I feel like grabbing my pitchfork and storming the Bastille. I just don't that from anybody else.

YEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!