One Thousand Posts to Love Chairman Howard Dean, M.D.

How is it that our leaders have forgotten and abandoned our communities and repudiated our idealism and our principles?

When confronted with the President's ideologues, too many Americans have stopped participating, stopped voting, stopped believing that they can change America.

And we in politics have not given people a reason to vote or a reason to participate. We have slavishly spewed sound bites, copying each other while saying little. We raise millions of dollars and each year make lofty promises, while every year the struggle of ordinary Americans increases and fewer Americans vote. And our politicians, many of them good people, have been paralyzed by their fear of losing office. This leadership has developed a vocabulary which has become meaningless to the American people....

...Martin Luther King, Jr. said that, "Our lives begin to end on the day we become silent about the things that matter."

The history of our nation is clear: At every turn when there has been an imbalance of power, the truth questioned, or our beliefs and values distorted, the change required to restore our nationhood has always come from the bottom up, from our people.

http://www.4president.org/speeches/howarddean2004announcement.htm

Please feel free to post your appreciation for the great work Dr. Dean, post your Howard stories, your favorite Howard quotes or moments, favorite Howard pictures, and anything else you feel the need to add. As Howard said in his formal announcement, "change comes from the people."

:yourock:

Thanks for not shrinking in the face of 'fights' or criticism.

:yourock:

I take full responsibility for my mistakes unlike you know who.

;-)

Thanks, Doc!

hide behind massive amounts of conversations about exploring this or that. He has thought through so many issues impacting Americans that he can most assuredly give you his take ASAP.

One reason I am a big fan of Howard Dean's is this: When he came on the scene with all his talk of affecting change in our cities/states I was also on that same track in my home county. It was kind of lonely work until the primaries for 04 and the rockin' monthly Dean meet-ups we had here. We'd have anywhere from 80-110 show up and there was a lot of enthusiasm. People joined the local party, volunteered, got on the board, became precinct delegates and on it goes.

I think it is fabulous to have a national party chair who thinks just like I do about the importance of the people in the trenches.

:toast:

Julie

Young Howard


Now


I like Howard!! :7

I found it astonishing and wonderful. It still thrills me.

He really has wrought a small but dreadfully important revolution in American politics. Where would we be without him, if he hadn't happened along? Wow. Impossible to imagine.

I mean he did raise nearly $50 million dollars mostly in small donations, and then he took it to the national stage and whadda ya know, people power works.

The July 2003 Meet-Up in my area had something like 100 people show up. Small? Maybe. Terribly small no. Seeing everyone else turnout for the Good Doctor to write letters and discuss the issues gave many of us hope and subsuquently the perserverance to survive another 4 years of this living hell known as the tyranny of George W. Bush.

:pals:

we need him. Love ya, Dr. Dean!

Dr. Dean made me care again.

was lucky enough to be able to tell him so. He was kind enough to stop and give me a few minutes of his time after a speech in Columbus. I passed on election investigation information, which he had me give to an aide.

That one line says it all. And the 50-state strategy works as was proven recently. :yourock:

Landslide! Landslide! Landslide!

:toast:

I don't have any personal anecdotes. And I was not a supporter during the campaign (I was volunteering for the Clark campaign). But I really like Dr./Gov. Dean and would have been very happy to call him President Dean. He's authentic, honest, and smart. When he decided to run for DNC chair, I called and emailed my Democratic Members of Congress and State representatives, urging them to vote for him.

I hope he stays in the Democratic political arena for a long long time, as DNC chair, or run for office again. We need him.

:dem:

Yeeeaaarrrggghhhhh! Howard Dean's words echo my own thoughts more often than not. I think he "gets it" and has from the beginning of his rise to political prominence. Howard Dean speaks for me.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/882

Christopher Graff was fired from AP, and they finally gave him two reasons. First..Pat Leahy. Second...Howard Dean. An editorial that he allowed to be published by Leahy, and a chapter in a book he gave permission for someone to write. In fact the chapter by Gram was not really that flattering to Dean.

Plus...I did not realize Graff was told by the AP that he could not cover Dean's campaign since his son worked for the Dean campaign. He had covered Dean's career for years, but either had to tell his son what to do or not cover the campaign anymore.

I have to admit that I resisted Howard Dean for as long as I could in 2003. Something about his campaign reminded me of my first political love, George McGovern's quest for the Presidency in 1972. After all those years, here once again was a candidate I could support wholeheartedly, believing that small people trying to do good could somehow prevail over Big Bucks and Big Politics and Big Influence... and to have my heart torn out and stomped all over when reality finally won out over dreams.

But the year went on. I was watching Dean's speeches on CSPAN, checking out various candidates' websites, and I realized that Howard Dean really DID speak for me. So I finally took the plunge. Came out of my shell and started going to Dean Meetups. Wrote letters to primary voters I didn't know in other states about why it was so important they consider Howard Dean. Donated til it hurt. And actually dared to believe that our best days could still lie ahead of us, that something decent and good could yet be achieved through politics.

Then of course Reality came along, ripped my heart out and stomped that sucker flat.

But that was not the end of the story. I was not alone. Along the way I had met other people who were a lot like me, people who had been attracted to this movement and still saw the need to change things. Many of us stuck together, and now we're a few years down the road, learning from our mistakes along the way, finally starting to have some successes. And the unexplored road stretches out before us.

So, what has Howard Dean accomplished? Did he change the country? Yes, I think, a little. Did he change the Democratic Party? Obviously. But I think his biggest achievement is he inspired a lot of people to change themselves.

That's SO true.

He gave us a sense of the possible, and back in 2003 when I discovered him myself, the pro-war juggernaut was in high gear and we who were against it were trampled all over, burned at the stake (not literally, of course but sometimes it just damned FELT LIKE IT!!!) and demonized and laughed at. We were so wrong, weren't we? That's what everybody said. We were shits and traitors and unAmerican and horrible excuses for human beings. We were bombarded with that from every side, WHILE those who should be standing up and defending us and taking up our cause were silent and intimidated and running for cover, themselves. Into that nightmare stepped Howard Dean.

I will never be the same, politically, again. He reached out to those of us in the underdog contingent and gave voice from a prominent podium to what we felt, saying what needed desperately to be said. He carried our message when nobody else will. I will NEVER forget that, and I will appreciate him, forever, because of that. And I will always look at pretty much everybody else in our party (except for a few - like the Feingolds and Kuciniches and McKinneys) and wonder - "where were YOU at that time???" And the mainstreamers all laughed at him and tried to demonize him, too. And he kept on, anyway, in spite of them. And he showed us that WE could - and SHOULD - do so, too.

And look where we are, now!!!

THANK YOU, HOWARD!!! You will ALWAYS have my heart on your keyring. May you and Judith live long AND PROSPER!!!

Let's here it again, so true! Amen!

:headbang:

I fear that somehow now he is being asked to not speak out very much. He said this on CNN Friday, and he said it hesitantly. Blitzer did not push him on the subject of war anymore.

"DEAN: I think that, you know, first of all, I don't have a vote here, so I think -- I think I'd like to make it as easy as possible on the leadership."

That worried me, because his voice is important. He is a Democratic leader, and he has a right to speak, just as we do.

He speaks for the whole party, I realize that. But he still should be allowed to have opinions.

You are responsible for my becoming an activist!

NGU, Dr. Dean...

NGU.

How angry some people were when they first heard that quote of Wellstone's being used by Howard Dean. They misunderstood.

Most, however, understand quite well now.

Cheers! :toast:

I hope we get a candidate this time who gets me as excited as his campaign got me. I hope Howard Dean runs again. I will remain a loyal Deaniac til I die.

The most telling and interesting thing about him was that he painted his own house to save money - we need common sense like that in DC!!

Kicked and recommended

at this small luncheon in Denver with some dem doctors and others. I was an early supporter and Dean delegate.

We're a big tent, just like the party.

:pals:

by Dr. Martin Luthur King from Dean to be seen again now so close to King's 78th birthday!

Thank you!

"On some positions, Cowardice asks the question, "Is it safe?" Expediency asks the question, "Is it politic?" And Vanity comes along and asks the question, "Is it popular?" But Conscience asks the question "Is it right?" And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right."
Address at SCLC Ministers Leadership Training Program.

U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Damon Keith of Detroit quoted this one in his swearing in address to the CBC for the 110th Congress. It was a beautiful moment...

http://www.bet.com/News/CBCushersinDemocraticRevival.htm?wbc_purpose=Basic&WBCMODE=PresentationUnpublished&Referrer=%7B03CE5360-2620-42CB-AD7E-77E4249C5FB7%7D

This didn't get much media play, but that's probably for the better because the MSM would have put William Jefferson front and center. The applause for him as they were doing introductions was very half-hearted from the audience and the stage but that didn't stop Hannity of course. Either way, this is probably one of King's clearest and most eloquent enunciations of his philosophy IMHO.

You are the light in our darkness, and you are our champion!

What I want to know is why in the world the Democratic party leadership is supporting the president's unilateral attack on Iraq. .

What I want to know is why are Democratic party leaders supporting tax cuts. The question is not how big the tax cut should be, the question should be can we afford a tax cut at all with the largest deficit in the history of this country. .

What I want to know is why we're fighting in Congress about the Patient's Bill of Rights when the Democratic party ought to be standing up for health care for every single American man, woman, and child in this country. .

What I want to know is why our folks are voting for the president's No Child Left Behind bill that leaves every child behind, every teacher behind, every school board behind, and every property tax payer behind. . .

I'm Howard Dean and I'm here to represent the Democratic wing of the Democratic party. .

http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/dnc0203/dean022103spt.html

This is the page linked to in dkosopedia.

March 15, 2003 in Sacramento.

It is a Yahoo video in WMP format.

http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?oid=0a67b2991e83761c&rurl=ahynes1.homeip.net%3A8000&fr=yvmtf

Ever resourceful as always madfloridian...

:yourock:

Thanks for posting that MF! :toast:

The day we heard that speech.

:hi:

"I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!" Wow, I was turned on by that. Wowee. FINALLY someone said what I felt. Finally. And he didn't just say it, he SHOUTED it. Brings tears to my eyes still.

:wtf:

Front and slightly to his left as a matter of fact. Literally right under the podium. The man was electrifying and gained thousands of supporters that day just from those at the Convention Center. We all walked back to the lobby area where some of the early candidates had booths. The poor Dean reps were absolutely overwhelmed. They didn't see it coming and hadn't brought nearly enough campaign literature, bumper stickers, etc. We were told that there were only 12 people at their Vermont headquarters and when I called the office the following Monday was told that the phones had been ringing off the hook with people wanting to volunteer, most of them from California. I came back home the evening of the speech and posted on DU about it.

:evilgrin:

:evilfrown:

:-)

Just hit the recommend button at the bottom of the op.

Error: you can't recommend your own topics

:shrug:

:rofl:

Was the first one I heard speak the truth to power in a long, long, time. Bobby Kennedy was the last one I heard do that prior to Howard. I have been on board with Howard from the first time I heard him speak. Wouldn't Gore, Dean, make a great ticket? Dean, Gore, might be better. Either way it would be my dream ticket.

The path to a better future goes directly through our public schools. I have nothing against private schools, parochial schools and home schooling, and I think that parents with the means and inclination should choose whatever they believe is best for their children. But those choices cannot compete, and cannot come at the expense of what has been -- and what must always be -- the great equalizer in our society, a free and equal public education.

HOWARD DEAN, speech, Dec. 8, 2004

http://www.notable-quotes.com/d/dean_howard.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parrhesia

There are contextual issues with transliteration but parrhesia does generally mean "to speak truth to power."

He's the kind of man others too often pretend to be in politics. He gets the kind of trust from the people that less gifted beings wish they could get.

You can't buy honesty and the desire to see good done in this world. That simply can't be faked for long, no matter how many advisers a politician hires.

to America in a generation. I think my wife was the last elected Dean delegate in America in 2004 (Kansas caucus). We met him a couple of times, truly a thrill.

I can tell you a major reason that Kansas is bluer in 2007 than it was in 2005 is Dean's 50 state strategy. We got real DNC support for the first time in my memory and it made a difference in more state legislators, more precinct activity, etc. We have a Dem governor, AG and two out of four US Representatives are Dems for the first time in decades, I think.

K & R

DEAN ROCKS, BAY-BEE!!!

this is just dynamite:

I can tell you a major reason that Kansas is bluer in 2007 than it was in 2005 is Dean's 50 state strategy. We got real DNC support for the first time in my memory and it made a difference in more state legislators, more precinct activity, etc. We have a Dem governor, AG and two out of four US Representatives are Dems for the first time in decades, I think.

AMAZING

Of course, let's not kid ourselves. It helped enormously that the whole country couldn't escape getting a belly just plum FULL of the Republicans and BUsh. BUT, and I think this is key -- it was Dean who got us into a position (thru the 50 state strategy) to take advantage of that. And that's no small matter.

What's the matter with Missouri!

:argh:

You were the only candidate to whom I donated and I knew the media was not going to allow your victory, but I've never been more glad to give my money away.

You are a true patriot.

but he is doing such powerfully effective work I feel happy with him where he is...FOR NOW. :-)

I hope to one day see a President Howard Dean in the WH.

And then Leahy is aging so maybe we'll have Senator Howard Dean M.D. of Vermont, which would be thrilling.

:toast:

I have seen and heard several times where he said he intended to keep on with changing the party. I know the nominee traditionally can pick the chair, but not officially. But I wonder how this case would work, it's a little different. I have found that an interesting thought, like would those who elected him outside of the smoke-filled rooms decide to elect him again?

I have heard discussions on this, but nothing definite. He has said nothing definite either, just vague stuff. Just interesting to think about.

I have no clue why he would want to keep on with it after the way he has been ignored since the successful election. But maybe he's a glutton for punishment.

Or maybe some of us interpreted his comments wrong.

So he's a little overworked.O8)

In regards to the party chairmanship, the handoff doesn't typically occur until after the election unless something dramatic happens or the chairman leaves to run for office, do something else.

James K. Jones (1896-1904) - Arkansas
James A. Farley (1932-1940) - New York
John M. Bailey (1961-1968) - Connecticut
Howard Dean (2005-2013) - Vermont

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_National_Committee#DNC_Chairmen

Everyone else served 5 years or less. It is a high stress job, but Howard is used to that by now. We've changed the party and I am confident he'll get a second term. If the Beltway boys try to launch a revolution, we'll launch a counter-revolution and we'll win. If he wants it he's got it as far as I'm concerned.

Leahy was re-elected in 2004 so maybe Howard works until 2009 and then runs for Senate in a cakewalk. But it is a personal decision for him, and once 2008 is over we've got to respect his decision even if we don't like it. :7

I want him President too, but I just don't think it's going to happen. Besides the Oval Office is a fancy jail cell as Truman once said.

Politically and at work.

He is the reason I became a democrat. He made me
believe that the party could become a REAL party
for the people -- that it COULD be changed from
within.

When I feel like I am not making a difference, I
think about how tirelessly and selflessly he works
for the common man and I keep going.



First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you WIN.

...borrowed from Gandhi, appropriated by the Dean team,
we must never stop fighting those that would oppress
the many for the benefit of the few.



I've been able to meet and talk with him a few times,
he's just a REGULAR guy. No sense of awe fills you, just
a sense of gratitude for a person who WORKS HIS ASS OFF
for you and yours, just because it's the right thing to do.

I will ALWAYS go to bat for Howard.

I love you.

But I'm upset that yesterday on Hardball you said that Iran is a threat to the U.S. I have heard you say this before. Please, why is Iran a threat if they don't yet have nuclear weapons?

News report format IAEA follow-up to sanctions: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=21106&Cr=iran&Cr1=
Sanctions: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=21102&Cr=Iran&Cr1=

The IAEA board of governors will be meeting in March for the first time since this meeting:

Please see: "Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran"

http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Statements/2006/ebsp2006n021.html#iran

Compare the chronological course of the North Korean nuclear program with the Iranian one:
http://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/dprkchron.asp
http://www.armscontrol.org/country/iran/iranchronology.asp

Wikipedia would probably give you a simplified version of what's going on that probably isn't too far off the more technical writing.

These will give you some idea of how nuclear diplomacy works. It is a process of give and take for states that do not have nuclear weapons but wish to have them. The NPT has a major loophole in that it doesn't forbid enrichment, but you cannot have the material for a weapon without an enrichment process. Iran obtaining completing a nuclear weapon would destablize any peace process for Palestine and might start an arms race in the region yet again. Also, no one likes the idea of theocratic/ideological states having nuclear weapons. The Israelis are not party to the NPT.

Article I:<5> Each nuclear-weapons state (NWS) undertakes not to transfer, to any recipient, nuclear weapons, or other nuclear explosive devices, and not to assist any non-nuclear weapon state to manufacture or acquire such weapons or devices.
Article II: Each non-NWS party undertakes not to receive, from any source, nuclear weapons, or other nuclear explosive devices; not to manufacture or acquire such weapons or devices; and not to receive any assistance in their manufacture.
Article III: Each non-NWS party undertakes to conclude an agreement with the IAEA for the application of its safeguards to all nuclear material in all of the state's peaceful nuclear activities and to prevent diversion of such material to nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.
Article VI. The states undertake to negotiate toward general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control.
Article X. Establishes the right to withdraw from the Treaty giving 3 months' notice.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_Non-Proliferation_Treaty

The "political game" on DU right now is really over whether or not you can verify what Iran is doing given that they have not cooperated in full with the IAEA, the internationally agreed upon watchdog. I might get flamed for posting this, but these are as close to the facts as your going to find without joining the CIA. Howard Dean is correct in judging Iran a threat IMHO.

:hi:

:dem:

For a thoughtful response.

I have always trusted Howard, completely. And he has always been proven right. I suspect that what you have posted does underlie his statements re: Iran, but I wish he would elaborate his meaning, because otherwise he just sounds like part of the chorus (and I prefer his solo performances, even if he does get flamed for them).

I prefer them too, especially this one: "He called Saddam's capture "a good thing which I hope very much will keep our soldiers in Iraq and around the world safer. But the capture of Saddam has not made America safer." - Late Fall 2003.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/2003-12-16-dems-cover-usat_x.htm

That was a very brief interview (Less than ten minutes and barely five, no transcript yet), so I figure he didn't want to spend his time talking about Iran when there are more pressing issues for the Chairman of the Party. They better give him more airtime come SOTU time.

No problem, I've had to brush up my Iran chops because of all the ruckus, so its not much of stretch, and I enjoy doing it.

I agree there are some serious concerns about our diplomacy from Iran, and I probably wouldn't use the word threat just because it reinforces fears, but I think he almost did it on purpose so he couldn't be mischaracterized as not taking the likely existence of an Iranian nuclear weapons programme seriously. I think he did elaborate some along the lines of the above, but I might be wrong, and I'm taking a break from Tweety because I've been screaming too much at the television as of late. }(

I taped it and watched it again. He is right about Iran being a danger now, and it probably was before though not to this extent. We have made it less safe for their continent and for us. He sounded more sad than hawkish, and more angry than warlike. He did NOT call for going to war on Iran at all, but we do have to do something. Here is the video from Hardball...listen to it that way.

Remember he was never exactly a pacifist, never claimed to be. He just knew we were making the world less safe even back in 2003. He said we were not going to be safer after Saddam was captured, and he got blasted for that as well.

http://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm?g=44b970ef-472a-4b5d-8174-99237010e5b9&f=00&fg=email

Good post!

:(

:toast:

It certainly has been "Capitoil Hill" under the Republicans and our petroleum-soaked administration.

We all have them.:-)

The Terra Gene?

:scared:

facts and reason. :hi: I like this thread of yours.

Thank you:hi:

;-)

Did William Jennings Bryan use a microphone in the cross of gold speech? I think not.

"Having behind us the producing masses of this nation and the world, supported by the commercial interests, the laboring interests and the toilers everywhere, we will answer their demand for a gold standard by saying to them: You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold."

He saved our party. He gave us hope and dreams. He steered us out of the wilderness and yanked the party from the hands of the DLC.
How can you not love Howard Dean?

I want the same kind of fun/excitement/inspiration in '08, but I haven't found it yet :/

You're not going to find the authenticity, the sharing of power, the optimism and hope and dedication, not to mention integrity and character. NOR the VISION. And for anyone who doubts me on that, go back and read the Restoration Speech (his formal announcement), realizing that Dean means what he says, it's not just some pleasant, political rhetoric.

Go Dean! :D

:yourock:

The real truth is, there's no such thing as a red state or a blue state, they're all purple. Some are more purple than others and our job is to get them all deep purple and then blue. And we can do that.

HOWARD DEAN, speech, Jun. 2, 2005

http://www.notable-quotes.com/d/dean_howard.html

Once at a rally in Kansas City (with a bunch of people shoving behind me), the second time while helping at a house party in Lawrence,KS (he came to speak there before a big rally). I always appreciated his down to earth, let's-get-to-work attitude. He inspired me then and he still inspires me.
Thank you Chairman, for all you've done for our party!

He was harassed by a Green Party person at Portland State and I was shy and waited till he was leaving, but the minute I shouted out that I was a volunteer he shook my hand and signed my poster out of all the dozens of people there with them. That's character.

Who else has had the privilege to shake Howard's hand?

;-)

and Terry McAuliffe's DC-centric BULLSHIT.

and does not require the bashing of others to elevate his stature. I think he would be appalled to read some of that that is done in his name here at DU. His 50-state strategy has worked in concert with the efforts of others to bring about success last November and I have no doubt will put a Democrat in office in 2008. Dean's hard work is appreciated.

:7

Ask ABC News. They were the only network to admit it.

And look what he did in '06.

Howard Dean is one of my heroes. I'd vote for him for any office.

for bringing our party back.

I was an early Deaniac in Jan 03. Just happened to catch him giving a speech to the National Press Club on CSPAN and I could hardly believe my ears! He was passionate, informed, and unafraid of telling the truth.
What a breath of fresh air.

I went to Meet-ups. I hosted one of the first house parties. I stood
outside our local library gathering signatures to get him on the NC primary ballot. I donated money. I blogged. I wrote letters to the editor and letters to Iowa and New Hampshire voters. I LOVED this man and wanted him to win the primary so badly.

I was furious with Pelosi, Gephardt, Kerry, Edwards, and Kucinich
for swiping at him at every opportunity. I cheered when Gore
endorsed him and cried when he lost the caucus in Iowa and was humiliated by 900 repetitions of an artifact from a microphone being replayed constantly on every TV channel.

And what did he go on to do? Work for the Democratic Party, the people, and even the Dem leadership that were so envious of his popularity they had to collude with the media to get rid of him. Howard Dean is a class act. What a man.

Especially: "And what did he go on to do? Work for the Democratic Party, the people, and even the Dem leadership that were so envious of his popularity they had to collude with the media to get rid of him. Howard Dean is a class act. What a man."

From a madfloridian thread on the 50 state strategy: "We talked a little bit more, I mentioned that he never takes credit for what he does and he said that he has found that if you let others take credit for what you do, more gets done."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3052615

This is an echo of a Harry Truman saying: It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.

Harry S Truman

http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Harry_S_Truman/

Also a favorite of mine,

I always remember an epitaph which is in the cemetery at Tombstone, Arizona. It says: 'Here lies Jack Williams. He done his damnedest.' I think that is the greatest epitaph a man can have - When he gives everything that is in him to do the job he has before him. That is all you can ask of him and that is what I have tried to do.

;-)

PS. I'll have my summary of my Dean campaign expierence by early tommorow morning.

Call me....:loveya:

You should be President of the USA!!

What a shame it is how much stock we put into the state of Iowa during the Democratic Primaries. That system has to get scrapped.

I stand with Howard!

Her daddy is the one of those who have kept such great videos of the campaign.

Baby kissing politician.

Awwwww.....

:wow:

We can do this!

Howard wore Charlie's belt during the campaign.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Dean

I believe it was lead by Joe Klein, who humiliated Howard Dean for shedding a tear when his brother's body was found and indentified.

And his fellow Democrats said he was using it to gain sympathy.

Sometimes I wonder what our party and nation is becoming. Dean often said Charlie was supposed to be the politician of the famiily.



Howard's in the tree and Charlie's standing.

But what else is new?

*shakes head*

I was a senior in high school in 2004. I had followed the campaign a little, but when Dean gave his announcement speech that sold me and I was at the July meet-up. I wrote letters, did visibility and canvassed; fought in the DU primary wars. I recruited a few of my more aware friends (I went to a very poor high school) and a teacher. I was almost always the youngest person in the room, that did not daunt me one bit. After IA and NH, I went with a bus full of Deaniacs from the Los Angeles area to Tucson to canvas. We had an independent documentary crew with us and they found excellent material including an Egyptian engineer with a son in Iraq as part of the army reserve. I was camera shy, I have not been able to track down a copy of the film which was entitled "Pray for Tucson," produced by Bruce Ferber. When Howard heard that there were several hundred well organized volunteers in Tucson he moved the scheduled rally from Phoenix to Tucson. I was no more than 50 feet away and ended up in a NYTimes crowd photo nearly dead center. Dean did better than expected in Arizona as a result of these volunteer efforts by 3 or 4 points.

It was kinda bone crushing when Howard was finally pushed out of the race, but we carried on and word began to spread of the reincarnation we now know as Democracy for America. I rallied with Dean diehards at a primary debate at USC between Kerry and Edwards. I slipped away with another volunteer and we politely confronted Carl Cameron of Fox News before he went on air, he confirmned our worst fears the media had slaughtered Dean in Iowa because he was the frontrunner and because he was a liberal. I kept attending meet-ups, went to a training session at USC, I saw Dean speak at East LA College in the late spring, and went away to college the following late summer, nearly 3 years later here I am. I donated $75 dollars total, $40 of which went to last minute radio ads in Tucson. At the end of last summer I attended a second training session in Portland; the handbook has improved greatly!

We made mistakes, but we did many more things right and the Chairmanship and the Congress are the results of the hard work of devoted, patriotic, hard working people, some of whom are in this thread. Thank you Dr. Dean for all you have done! And thank you to all activists on DU and around the world!

;-)

:yourock:

Rally news report: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/specialnews/dean/260.htm

Thank you very much! :patriot:

You know, the idea that you have to wait on line for eight hours to cast your ballot in Florida -- there's something the matter with that. You think people can work all day and then pick up their kids at child care or wherever, and get home and then ... still manage to sandwich in an eight-hour vote? ... We ought to make voting easier to do.

HOWARD DEAN, speech, Jun. 2, 2005

I used to be active in specific issues - but he made me take notice of my local community - my local leaders - my local Party.

I think other like me were inspired because of his - emphasis on how every race is important - and also it was the first time I gave money to any politican. Small donors feel like they have more of a stake in the race and the candidate if he wins.

I could go on and on - I love the man!

Also my son's first political rally was a Dean rally and my son was 2 months old!

Are all politics local? What does taking our country back mean to you in the local sense in terms of activism? What suggestions do you have to Chairman Dean to increase activism in general in our local communities? Is it really block by block?

I do not think all politics are local. But I do think locals are the best people to get other people motivated that their vote counts and that they should go out and vote. Taking our country back means more than just getting Dems in. I think taking our country back means having people voice their opinions to their leaders and their leaders responding - Republican and Democratic leaders. I think activism works best when it's precinct by precinct. I think State parties need to be strong but I also think they need to be smart and communicate with the County Parties. If the county parties are more together and know their stuff and their volunteers I think the state's need to listen to them and help them and take from their successes.

Activism is full time - state Parties would be more effective if they engaged people more than once every two years.

I don't know what advice I have for Dean. I have taken alot from Dean's advice. What we'd like help with is how to target Independents. We are a state where you are just a registered voter - no party affiliation - so we only know the democrats from the Republicans by those who voted in primaries. We have a great County wide welcome to the neighborhood to all new registered voters and reach out during election to 60 and over for Vote By Mail - but how do we viably root out the truely Independents. Well we have a strategy that we are going to try but I'd love to get advice on that.

I live in Oregon where we have vote by mail, it works. I think we should definitely look into it on a state by state business! I think one of the better ways to pull "independents" back into the fold is through old-fashioned door to door party building. No one knows eachother in their neighborhoods anymore outside of the very urban and the very rural IMHO. So ultimately I do believe that government by party must be local in the fruition of victory if we are to have any hope at all. I think some FCC and FEC reform would go a long ways towards that.

:yourock:

Hands down.

Dina's take-off of "On the Cover of the Rolling Stone"

"Rolling Stone!!
Ya gotta see his picture on the cover
Gotta buy lotsa copies for each other!
Gonna see Howard's smiling face
On the cover of the Rolling Stone!
On the cover of the Rolling Stone!
Oh, man…beautiful"




Now back to work to change our party, just like he said. DFA is building on the ground where he intended, DNC is doing the same. It was fun to see his picture on the cover of Rolling Stone, but now there is lots of work to do. I almost give up some days here in our area, there is so far to go.

:loveya:

:applause: :loveya:


Candidate Dean and HippieKid at the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Indy, May 2003





Candidate Dean's arrival at Jefferson-Jackson, shaking hands with DU's own Khephra - co-organizer of the "Dean Meetups" and the Dean Info Table. Also working that table were DU'ers Indiana Green, Voltaire and me.

I was doing some archive stuff lately and saw some of Kef's posts. They made me so sad. He was hurt badly by all the stuff going on here. I think he left DU for a while. I don't know why we do that to each other.

This was a classic moment in which Howard Dean let his feisty side show big time. Too bad he isn't doing that very often now, but he can't. Khephra loved this statement. I found this in a thread we were having in 2003, December.



http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0312/08/ip.00.html

And you will be President one day.

.. RANDOLPH, Vt. — Five very tired, very wet, very
determined seventh-grade girls from Randolph, Vt.,
helped Gov. Howard Dean achieve a personal goal Monday
— his own end-to-end trek of Vermont’s 250-mile-Long
Trail.

In return, the girls got a note excusing
them from the next day’s phys ed class at RUHS. The
note was signed by a doctor — Dr. Howard Dean.
..:loveya:

That sounds like a most excellent trek. Those girls will remember that for the rest of their lives.

O8)

Can't even begin to thank you for what you've done for me, for my life, for the County, state, and country. You got us excited about politics again and there's no one who has done more for the party than you Howard. I can count on you for a straight-up answer an I've always appreciated that. You were just as amazed at the rest of us at what your candidacy spawned as we all took to the nets to raise cash so I wouldn't have to kiss so much corporate ass. You always believed we were on the right path, I always believed you were right, and the times you went out of your way for me are too numerous to count.

Rain or shine, hot or cold, you've made the effort and always showed up for the people.

Thanks for being the guiding light to help people come in from the darkness, and
HELPING US TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK!!!!

He did not pull any punches about how we had to fight.

Dig that artifact up.

:D

I can't find it. It was archived at another site. Anyway it was one of HD being outspoken after he dropped out in 04. He said we could not afford to be so nice about everything, that we had to fight back. I posted snips of it way back then....and it got so much criticizing I won't post it again. People here said he shouldn't talk like that.

But to make up for it, here's a nice pic from Armenia in 2005.

I had no idea Howard was so well traveled!

:kick:

:hi:

well as we did in the last elections, nor would we have as promising a future. We do have to fully engage every possible voter every time there is an election, regardless of what they did in the last election. Another thing Dr. Dean has emphasized. I do love Chairman Dean.

Strategy." THAT is what made us competitive in places that the establishment Dems and Beltway Bunch summarily wrote off, long ago. They thought it was useless to invest any time, money, or person-power there because it was just a loser. So as they thought, so as they manifested, unfortunately, to the detriment of all the rest of us. Howard came along with a new attitude and a new inclusion - and a determination to go after the lost sheep and reach out to the starving and neglected Dems in "Fuck-It,-Write-'Em-Off" country.


AND LOOK WHERE WE ARE!!! BACK IN POWER!!!

The proof is in the pudding. In the House AND in the Senate, not to mention more than half-a-dozen statehouses and state legislatures. Wins where we never dreamed we could even be competitive.

And that's because of Howard Dean.

I LOVE HOWARD DEAN!!! ALWAYS WILL.

NOTHING james carville or rahm emmanuel or ANYBODY can say to smack him down in my opinion.

Nobody is willing to believe we have decent, honest, competent, hardworking people in public service so when they get one they can't believe their eyes.

You're spot on.

I lost my internet in a blizzard.

:kick:

Kicking it for Howard!

:toast:

:toast:

He has reached out and inspired so many people to believe that we do have the power. It's using the power that is scary. But we all wrote letters, petitioned, canvassed, polled, telephoned, and blogged. We got together and it was because of Howard Dean. He is a political visionary of the 21st century and I am glad he is on our side.

:loveya:Dr. Dean.

:headbang:

for your courage and your tireless work. Please, never stop!

Dean's remarks from 04 while thinking about running for chairman.

This was posted by Holly J at the HEP forum. He was meeting with groups of DFA folks apparently. It is interesting his mindset then. If anything it shows me he ran because he thought he could make a difference. He has, too. I doubt she will mind if I share.

Disclaimer: I was one who did not think he should run for chair. I felt he could accomplish more working with DFA. I think I was wrong.

http://howardempowered.blogspot.com/2006/12/repost-meet...

Because Dean was in a meeting, our group of 14 had a chance to talk first. There were several people you know from the blog including Toscha and Franster. Of course our first topic was Dean and the DNC chair position. We have all heard positive input about this but were also aware of how long time Dean supporters still preferred that he run for President.

..." "Sorry for the delay, but I was just getting some advice from the former DNC chairman." Dean smiled broadly and sat down at the end of the table. I was sitting 3 chairs down on his left and Tom M was to his direct left but not at the table.

Dean broached the topic first so someone was brave enough to ask him what he was thinking regarding the DNC chairmanship. "I am seriously considering it because I don't know that the DNC will reform without me. But if I decide to do it, it won’t be as much fun as what I am doing now. I don't feel I have to agree with everything such as giving corporate tax breaks. I am aware that there are some Democrats that will be nervous thinking of me in this position but I want to emphasize that what ever I do I want what is best for the Democratic Party. I would NEVER do anything to hurt the party. If I run for DNC chair and lose it could be the end of the Democratic Party as it now is. I could tear the party apart. I fear that this could cause the progressives to give up on the party. If I lose, the DFA could be harmed too. That is why I am taking my time to make the right decision."

Someone asked if he took the position would it stop him from running for president. He looked up seriously and said, if I don’t become chairman, there may be no Democratic Party for me to ever run in. I had come armed with this question (thanks to my son who had the foresight to think of it). I knew this was my opportunity so I leaned into the table looking Dean straight on. "If you become DNC chairman, can"t you just 'pull a Cheney and say 'I looked everywhere and I have found the best candidate for President and it is ME?"

Howard eyes twinkled with the thought, grinned with the corners of his mouth and broke out into a full smile. "Well I certainly wouldn’t say anything like that!"


Thanks for sharing, Holly J.

:yourock: