Why do you support Gov. Dean?

Ever since I've been posting on this board, I've wondered about the views of other Dean supporters here.

I shouldn't generalize, however, I see a lot of Dean supporters here tend to be highly critical of the situation in Iraq and the issue regarding the voting preference of other candidates in terms of IWR.

Speaking as a person who considers himself firmly entrenched in the Dean Campaign, I often wonder about other Dean supporters here in DU and their "political preferences".

First and foremost, I'm grateful that Gov. Dean and his "vocal" opposition to the current administration's policies when the other "prominent" leaders of the Democratic Party "sat on the fence".
And for that, I feel that I owe him a debt of gratitude.

I consider myself to be an Independent with strong Democratic leanings. I've noticed that a lot of Dean supporters here, although I cannot be certain, generally leans "strong left"(please feel free to "flame" me if this is not the case). In 2000, I supported Bradley, and when things didn't look too good for him...I supported John McCain, but eventually voted for Gore because there was NO FOCKIN WAY that I could vote for an Idiot. But, I have to be honest here....I didn't think Al Gore was the "perfect" candidate by any means.

From the beginning, I supported Governor Dean because he "fit' my political preferences just perfectly. I love "Socially liberal, Fiscally conservative" candidates (for example, Judy Dutcher...for all you Minnesota DUers out there) and Gov. Dean comes closest to what I believe in my "ideal candidate". His record as Governor in Vermont and the promotion of Fiscal responsibility to expand social programs in that state is impressive to say the least. I've seen other candidates and their "promises" before, but records speak louder than words.

I've seen a lot of Dean supporters here in DU "singing the praise" for the Governor's ability to initiate the "attack" on this current administration in the White House.

However, is this the only reason that you support the good Governor?

What say you...fellow Dean supporters?

left-leaning liberal jazz was all a smoke-screen to get the college kids working!

He's way moderate/centrist and really fiscally conservative.

Plus, I like his take on the ME - he'll stop this favoring Israel bit the day he takes office!

Liberals, left-liberals, hard-left, all know that Dean is fiscally conservative, and a centrist on most questions. But he's capable of learning, and does learn. And he can win. I did the McGovern thing in 1972. This time, we need to win.

he is against BBV
he is against the patriot act
he would repeal all the tax cuts
he wants healthcare for all
he wants a balanced budget
he would like to break up the media companies
he is a doctor
he seems like a real person (speaks his mind, etc.)
his wife is not a trophy
he has passion
he can raise $
he can beat bush
he seems kinda like me (skiing, guitar, smoked pot, likes music)
I think he genuinely cares about helping people
i do not think he has been bought (by the DLC special interests)

"What I wanna know speech" at the winter DNC meeting last Feb. I liked that he spoke well of Bill Clinton (before they all did), that he was as ticked at the Dem party as we DUers are (esp after election 2002), and I really liked his pick up truck with confederate flag part of the speech.

I am much like the original poster - except instead of voting Gore I went Nader.

I also see the so-called advantages of the other candidates being undermined by the example of Max Cleland. I simply don't think that Kerry or Clark's "credentials" mean anything except to Democratic primary voters. I don't think the rest of the country will care, because they don't care about what you did in the past, but what you'll do today and in the future. Bush will 'fight terror'. Kerry and Clark look like they'll 'fight terror with a limp twig'. Clark's actually said some nutty, arrogant things like, there will be no attacks on the US in a Clark presidency. What do you say to that?

Dean is not afraid to fail, and that's the attitude Michael Jordan broadcast during a bunch of Nike commercials for a few years, and that attitude means something. As for well Kerry, I just can't see him as being steadfast enough to get the job done. He reinvented himself for the fishbowl in Iowa; right now he has the 'he's electable' thing going. I just don't see him as strong enough to be much good. Not enough passion, bluntly.

And finally, Dean has youth appeal on his side, and I'm young, and I am tired of being ruled by the fear of others.

Dean has a very good record of cleaning up damage.

His stance on issues is coupled with a history of success and experience. I too like the fact that he has been able to balance a budget and simultaneiously provide healthcare in the Vermont. I realize that the gov may have helped with funding..be he is quite vocal in this area and stresses the importance of catching with other countries and their healthcare systems.

His record and opionns on education are clear. He spoke out early as to why NCLB was not working and offerd what needed to be done.

His record on speaking out on Iraq when it wasn't popular. He stood for restraint when many did not and in hindsight ... he was right.

I see Dr. Dean as a "peoples president". He clearly is unhappy with the flow of jobs off shore and has shared what he would do which includes balancing a budget to reduce our deficit and offering tax incentives to small bus. which account for 70%of the job growth. He also speaks of "fair taxation" ...but no policy has been discussed.

He has a base in each state and a very enthused "democratic voter" who perhaps has not voted recently ...he guesses 8 mil new voters could play a big role in determining the next president.

I like his passion in sticking up for the people and certainly not afraid to go up against bush.

In summary: issues, experience,ability, and desire to restore America to what it can be.

There is much more...hope this helps.

Howard Dean's record: He opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning, while strongly favoring going after the terrorists who attacked us. As Governor of Vermont he was a fiscal conservative who cut taxes and balanced the budget. He fought for prescription benefits for seniors and health care for everyone. For his entire career he has stood for Democratic values -- for American values -- and he will continue to do so as President.
I also believe that Howard Dean's campaign is changing this country's politics. Our campaign is not funded by the large corporate interests that back George W. Bush and many other candidates. Our campaign is built by hundreds of thousands of ordinary Americans who have contributed money and volunteered time to make our country better. I have never been involved with a presidential campaign before. But this campaign is different. Seeing so many Americans joining together in common purpose has restored my faith in our democracy.
The grassroots support Dean has inspired is the kind of fire the Democratic Party needs desperately to combat the growing number of people who are cynical about the political process. Here in Australia groups of Dean supporters have gathered together to share ideas and help get the word out to others about Howard Dean. I find this incredible, as in the year and a half that I've been here I hadn't met with other Americans until we started getting together to talk about Dean. This campaign has initiated a level of dialogue desperately needed among Americans.

There is a growing list of endorsements for Dean from people I respect and admire, and some of the brightest minds have joined Dean to help form his platform. Howard Dean has raised more money than any other candidate, and he opted out of public financing so he does not have to be restricted by a spending cap. This allows him to compete against Bush's stockpile of special interest donations.

Howard Dean has a good record in Vermont, he speaks his mind, he is smart, I respect the choices that he has made during his life, and he genuinely believes in government for and by the people. Howard Dean is listening. I have heard many supporters talk about how an idea they had was being used in the campaign or had become a part of Dean's platform.
I feel there is only one candidate who is actively listening to average Americans, and attempting to get us (not him) to take our country back. This campaign only works if we all take ownership of it. This election can either be about the candidate who is most convincing or it can be about we the people and a revitalized democracy. Howard Dean is the only one who will let that happen, and I feel he is the candidate best able to beat George Bush. His campaign inspires HOPE.

His record is fairly conservative and his platform is fairly liberal. In both cases this was because he was listening to the people. Howard Dean spoke out when few others did. It wasn't hard to do, most of us were screaming about how we felt the Democrats in general were not standing up to * enough. Howard Dean heard us, and spoke for us when few others would. That in a nutshell is Howard Dean, one of the few politicians who doesn't claim to be smarter than the rest of us. He listens and represents us. This is backed up in his campaign by record grassroots effort and small contributions. That means that Howard can keep listening to us, he doesn't have to wear special corporate earplugs. This is a huge step in the right direction.

If you don't support Howard, who is your candidate listening to?

I'm a former democrat, now independent. I left the party largely because of state democrats (NC) who were acting like repugs on the environment and in their enthusiasm for tax-payer sponsored corporate subsidies and perks such as eliminating minority hiring, wage and health care standards as requirements for getting tax subsidies. I've voted for a few republicans and libertarians in local races, but always a dem for president.

I support Howard Dean because his stance on issues is very closely aligned with mine, from civil liberties to guns. Most importantly though, I trust his judgement

In the run up to the war, I was skeptical. But when Powell's UN presentation was debunked here on DU prior to the war, I was certain we were being mislead. I took to the streets and marched.

Knowing what I thought I knew, which now turns out to have been correct, I wondered, were the candidates who failed to speak out against the war fools, jokers or hawks. Did they really want this war? Were they too stupid to see the truth or did they know the truth but not have the guts to speak up? Any of the above were unacceptable in a presidential candidate.

Dean and Kucinich were the only two who demonstrated the ability to discern the truth and the integrity to speak honestly to us about what was happening.

Hope that we could 'take our country back'.
Hope that we could be proud Democrats again.

Mike

Enough so they drew the long knives in a bi-partisan attack.

Nobody can say that Dean is "slick", "wooden", or "patrician".

Like you I think a social liberal/fiscal conservative is just what the doctor ordered.

I'm a left leaning centrist I think? Briefly considered Nader because I believe in campaign finance reform and power to the pepa baby! But, in the end I voted for Gore and am quite proud of that vote.

However, I like what Dean did in Vermont. I like the fact that he was a voice in the wilderness when I needed one so desperately. *A fighting centrist if you will* as per Molly Ivins.

I am so thankful to Dean for what he has contributed to this campaign/discussion and politics in the years to come. He set the agenda, the others followed.

Dean brought in many new voters (many of whom abandon him in Iowa) but bringing people into the process will help Democrats win in the end.

Regardless who you support in this race, we Dems owe Dean a debt of graditude.

Seriously, with all the Dean people in here saying things about IWR all the time...I was beginning to wonder if I was the only "left-leaning" centrist for Dean.

I seriously thought that I would be "roasted alive" with a flame thrower by honestly sharing with you my preference for McCain over Gore.

Well...the night's still young so, I'll keep wearing my flame retardent suit for later.

Thanks folks!

I'll try to do better next time.

but I liked what I saw beyond that. I am ABB, but the war vote is hard for me to swallow personally. Doesn't mean I won't vote for Edwards/Kerry if they are the nominee though.

I only speak for me. I know many Dean supporters who are NBD, and I think that is the beauty of Howard Dean. He brings us all together :)

He doesn't baffle with bullshit in other words. He is right about the war and isn't affraid to say it. He understands the difference between right and wrong rather than right and politically motivated.
I found out he is not as far from my views on gun control as I thought and the differences I can live with.
He will make a good president and I think the best candidate we have. Bushlite's not going to win.

at heart - fiscal conservative, social liberal. I liked what he said in a speech today - too many people put the good of their party above the good of the country. Now I'm strongly for Dean.

I don't support Dean on general ideology -- if I went with that, I would be pushing Kucinich, or maybe be a Green. I support Dean, yes, because he has taken some stands: against the invasion, for health care, and so on. But I also support him because he says what he thinks -- no matter that he sometimes gets himself 'into trouble'; because he learns and changes; and because he has run a grassroots campaign. Most of all, I have supported him because I think he can win, can beat Bush -- Dems have already tried sounding like Republicans, and they've lost. Dean sounds like a Democrat. But I don't know that he can win. First, he has to make it through the gauntlet of the primaries and caucuses, a trial-by-fire that can separate out those who can win from those who cannot. Can he rise from the ashes of Iowa? Well, that will be quite a test of his ability to win, won't it? If he's not the candidate, at least he's helped push other Dems into sounding more like Dems; just as Kucinich and Sharpton are, and Mosley-Braun did, push all, including Dean, to more-Democratic positions. But I still have a good deal of faith that he can pull it all out. If he can't, I'll be supporting a different candidate -- and so will a lot of other people who Dean has brought into the process, and with a changed process that Dean has helped change.

His policies all agree with my own ideas. I love his resiliency; his energy, and his openess. He is exactly what he is, not some snobbish, elbow rubbing brown noser. There's nothing the media or no one can ever say about him to make me change my position. To the best of my ability, I try to do something positive for his campaign every day, and I've won several people over to his side. He's a physician, and that is not a small accomplishment. He's a good person, period.
:thumbsup: :hi: :bounce:

right mixture of qualities ands defects to beat the resident. Clark comes close though. Kerry is too superficial and the others too deep to be elected (imho). I also bet NH is gonna show this.

(1) Universal health care, which he ACTUALLY instituted in VT

(2) Pro-2nd amendment

(3) ACTUALLY balanced budgets in VT

NO other candidate can claim all three, which are dear to
my heart.