Dean delivered the keynote address at a Yale Political Union debate yesterday.

In the midst of what promises to be a heated race for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, Democratic National Committee Chairman and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean ’71 urged Yalies to focus on fundamental political issues and avoid getting steeped in a politicized us-versus-them mentality.



Adam Trettel/Staff Photographer
Howard Dean ’71 walks down York Street on Thursday afternoon. Dean later spoke at the Yale Political Union, where he encouraged discussions about political issues while avoiding an us-versus-them mentality.

Dean, who majored in political science at Yale, delivered the keynote address at a Yale Political Union debate on Thursday evening in addition to holding discussions at a Saybrook Master’s Tea and an event hosted by the Yale Law Democrats earlier in the day.

..."Wearing an American flag pin on his suit jacket, Dean laughed along with the crowd in the Law School Auditorium during the introductory speeches of the debate and said he had been warned about the Union’s tradition of pounding and hissing as signs of agreement and disagreement, students said. In his speech, Dean said Democrats have unfortunately let Republicans assume the role of the sole party interested in protecting “values” by shying away from controversial issues. He said Democrats must instead engage in discussion and debate with evangelicals and residents of “red” states about issues both groups care about — such as the environment and poverty — if the party wishes to win over voters.

“I think that it’s great to have plenty of money but I don’t think that people are ruled out by not being up in the stratosphere,” he said. “It’s too early to tell.”

Adam Hirst ’10, who is a member of the Conservative Party, said although he thinks Dean’s 50-State plan is overly optimistic, he felt that Dean’s political analysis was more “on the money” than he had expected it to be. Hirst said despite a few snide remarks about Republicans, Dean spoke calmly and seemed to try not to exert a divisive presence.

Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean '71, a former candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, spoke Tuesday at Yale about the shortcomings of today's print media and the importance of an ethical media in a working democracy.

In the symposium, titled "The Media and the Election: A Postmortem," Dean stressed corporate ownership of the media and the increased focus on entertainment as problems with today's media, and he emphasized the importance of diversity and regulation in fixing these problems. Panelists Evan Thomas, an assistant managing editor for Newsweek, and Martin Nolan, a political reporter and editor of The Boston Globe's editorial page, defended the media's integrity and objectivity.

"The media is a failing institution in this country," Dean said. "They are not maintaining their responsibility to maintain democracy."

...""The media are incapable of regulating themselves," Dean said. "What's at stake is our democracy. If you think that American democracy can survive without an ethical media, then you are wrong."

Dean received a standing ovation and an enthusiastic response from the audience. Approximately 200 members of the Yale community attended the symposium.

Deaniacs have a new reason to hope. Even though wary moderates control the Democratic National Committee, Howard Dean, PC '71, vanquished champion of grassroots politics, may become the party's new chairman. After a sudden rise and fall in the primaries and an infamous speech in Iowa, most observers were writing Dean's epitaph. But now, as the Democrats prepare to replace Terry McAuliffe, Dean's skills as an orator, fundraiser, and organizer may be exactly what the party needs.

...."Dean has proven himself to be up to the task. He is one of the most famous Democratic politicians, in part because of his skills as a speaker and fundraiser. About three weeks ago I saw Governor Dean speak in Luce Hall about the need to refocus attention on local elections and grassroots organizing. He was clear and articulate about his convictions, a quality too many Democrats seem to lack in the post-election confusion. Even though I was skeptical, and my immediate bias stood against him, I left that auditorium convinced that Dean would be the best choice for chairman.

...."Should he choose to run, Dean would have to give up thoughts of another presidential run in 2008. Hopefully, he will realize that the DNC chairmanship presents a far better opportunity to frame the coming debate and shape a struggling party. I also hope the party will recognize Dean's strengths. Democrats need a leader who fundamentally wants to reach Southerners and Westerners—"guys with Confederate flags on their pickup trucks"—with a message of economic populism and moral certainty. This is not the time for timidity. Dean would bring strong convictions, rallying the volunteers, many of them college students, who gave so much during this past election. The power vacuum within the Democratic Party is huge, and Dean has the shoes to fill it."