Summary of Dean's appearance this week at Washington College.

From the blog. He spoke at the Journalism School there. Very inspiring blog entry by someone who attended. A lot of points about the media.
QUOTE from the blog:"I was able to attend the Dean event in Chestertown, MD on Tuesday, 4/13 and thought I'd post these observations about what Gov. Dean had to say. It was an extremely special event, particularly in contrast with Bush's press conference later in the evening, and I hope this piece conveys that.
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Gov. Dean’s Speech
Washington College, Chestertown, MD
Tuesday, April 13, 2004

Governor Dean’s appearance at Washington College on April 13th was a special and memorable event for several reasons. Dean spoke in front of a capacity crowd at the college’s Tawes Theatre, which was so packed that even standing room space was filled down both aisles. Thirty-five or so students and community members who were unable to find even standing space inside the theatre were content to sit or stand quietly outside in the lobby area, listening intently to what he said. After two weeks of the bloodiest and most violent activity seen yet in post-occupation Iraq, Dean spoke eloquently, clearly, and concisely on the situation in Iraq—a war he had opposed from the beginning. Dean managed to offer both criticisms and solutions in a manner that focused more on honest and constructive assessment than partisan accusation. Most striking was the fact that his speech came only three hours before President Bush delivered an uninspired and unapologetic message to the nation, pledging continued commitment to the Iraqi mission, and dodging reporters’ questions about the deteriorating situation in Iraq with hopeful clichés about working toward freedom. Here was an opportunity to compare two men’s leadership styles and visions for America. And Howard Dean truly has a long-term vision.

Dean’s speech revolved around the themes of community, hope, and democracy—citing all of these as dwindling and endangered resources after three years of George W. Bush’s administration. His campaign, he said, revolved around the mission to counteract growing cynicism toward politics and help restore these three crucially important aspects to Americans’ lives. Dean also said that his campaign had aimed at reminding each of us that we have control over our own lives—a simple message, but one that is so very important in reminding individuals that their actions and resolve make a difference. Dean cited the fact that only 50% of Americans vote in elections, and reminded the audience that they could register to vote at a volunteer table set up at the theatre’s entrance.

He began with a scathing critique of Bush’s actions regarding Iraq, explaining that it would not be the war itself that would be Bush’s undoing in the 2004 election, but the fact that he misled the American people in his case for going to war. Dean explained that Americans have a low tolerance for politicians who talk down to them, and who hide the truth, and predicted that this fact would ultimately lead to Bush’s defeat in November.

Gov. Dean also spoke about the problem of the media, citing his concern that 90% of the news broadcast to Americans comes from 11 corporations who own virtually all of America’s media outlets. The problem is that the news media is increasingly growing into an entertainment function rather than a public service, and these shifting priorities are endangering Americans’ ability to discern and interpret the truth about the most important issues. Dean spoke wistfully of the days when Ben Bradley of the Washington Post was willing to pay two young reporters (Woodward and Bernstein) for two years to explore the story that ultimately tied the White House to Watergate. He said that one of the most important roles for the press is protecting the people from potential abuses and deception perpetrated by government officials, and that currently, the press is not doing its job in this regard.

After covering what concerned him most about the state of America, he talked about what made him optimistic, again coming back to the themes of hope, democracy, and community. Dean talked about the Internet, arguing that his campaign succeeded in the early days not because they collected a lot of e-mail addresses and received a lot of online donations, but because the Internet creates the potential for community—a community that is not confined to physical location or state. Dean said this sense of community has been missing from America, and that restoring it, particularly among young people, is part of the key to revitalizing participation, hope, and true democracy to our country.

. . . Dean repeated his commitment to helping John Kerry defeat George W. Bush in this year’s election. Dean cautioned the audience, however, that hope and democracy demanded hard work to maintain, and that the work would not stop with the defeat of George Bush in November. Throughout the speech, his words were greeted with sustained applause. At one point, moderator John Harwood of the Wall Street Journal asked the audience if they believed that the press had covered the now famous post-Iowa caucus “scream” appropriately—not one person in the theatre raised their hand. During the question and answer session afterwards, Harwood jokingly asked, “Do we have any conservative republicans in the crowd out there who might have a question?”

After one student asked how the environment could be brought to the forefront as an election issue, Dean repeated an idea he touched on earlier, explaining that renewable energy must be correctly understood as being absolutely crucial to national security, as well as serving as an excellent opportunity for mass job creation across America, and that this would surely gain the issue the attention it deserves.

Speaking afterwards with those who had attended the talk, I kept hearing similar words that people used to describe their impressions of Governor Dean—“He has such vision,” “He sees where we need to be heading long-term.” After the crowd spilled outside, we were treated to a beautiful, multi-colored rainbow that had formed over the Washington College campus. Looking up, then glancing back at the smiling faces so energized by Gov. Dean’s words, I couldn’t help but wish it were him we could pull the lever for this November. Even if his name is not on the ballot, it is the spirit and effort of Gov. Dean that will ultimately win this presidential election for the Democrats in 2004."END QUOTE
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Posted by Ted-Annapolis-MD at April 15, 2004 12:39 PM

JUST SCREAM!!!:loveya: :bounce:

I don't mind Randi Rhodes playing the scream because she "gets" what he was/is about.

Good scream, slinker.

think he is the best. I will vote for Kerry, but Oh! what we could have had as our president.

Kerry should not let them muzzle Dean.

Don't forget the I-4 Corridor Democrats tonight!

Does Dean sound like he's been muzzled?

So who is "muzzling" Dean, and why do they need permission from Kerry, who supposedly is "letting them" do it?

concerned he is insignificant. I'm sure Dean understands why he is not being covered anymore, it's not a conspiracy or Kerry muzzling him, he no longer has the stature he did when he was a candidate.

As far as Dean's ability to make a difference, you are so so wrong. He can do more now than as a candidate, but not if they continue this "don't hurt Kerry" stuff.

I remember that sometime recently Dean made some remark in an interview that Kerry did not support when asked about it later. I wonder if that's the remark you're referring to when you say that Kerry and Kennedy tried to "hush" Dean.

I'm also wondering what the difference between "hush" and "muzzle" is.

Slate has a good article on the different directions the Kerry campaign is being pulled. Will find the link.

Not the Spain issue, Dean defended himself on that. He was perfectly correct.

On Edit:
Here is the link to the Slate article.
http://slate.msn.com/id/2098894/

That's what I was thinking of.

That Slate article is something I don't put to much stock into. While there is undoubtedly some truth to what it says, it's also true about every administration. Look at the Bush* admin and you'll see similar stuff. Any successful politician has to deal with negotiating amongst various interest groups.

WRT the advisors, IMO nothing an advisor says can be rightfully called "muzzling" or "hushing". Like Dean, those advisers can say whatever they want, and it does nothing to keep Dean from saying what he wants.

Just afraid that he will be blamed for saying things....like if he disagrees with Kerry....which he does on some things.

In politics, no matter what you say, someone is going to criticie you for it. That's just as true for Dean as it is for anyone else in politics.

media will cover him just as much as any of the other former candidates - Gephardt, Lieberman, Mosely-Braun, Edwards, Clark etc.

I didn't say he can't make a difference, just like I wouldn't say Moveon, True Majority, The Media Fund, Air America and a number of high visibility bloggers don't make a difference - they do. All I'm saying is that he is getting the media attention based on his current stature.

Dean's DFA has joined this alliance.
www.americavotes.org

Yes, I am quite aware he is not a candidate anymore. However, there are powerful voices joining together. They are going to make a huge difference.
The following organizations are the partners of America Votes - representing over 20 million Americans across the country.

ACORN
AFL-CIO
AFSCME
America Coming Together (ACT)
American Federation of Teachers
Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
Clean Water Action
Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund
Democracy for America
EMILY's List
Environment2004
The Human Rights Campaign
League of Conservation Voters
The Media Fund
Million Mom March
MoveOn.org Voter Fund
Moving America Forward
Music for America
NAACP National Voter Fund
NARAL Pro-Choice America
National Education Association
Partnership for America's Families
People for the American Way
Planned Parenthood Action Fund
SEIU
Sierra Club
USAction
Voices for Working Families
21st Century Democrats

and he will always be plugging away. In time those who couldn't spare a positive word for Dean will see that his agenda isn't about him, it isn't about one election. It is about shaking America out of its dangerous apathy and encouraging them to action.

He will be a powerful force for a long time to come. I'm proud to be working toward the same goals he is. Taking the government back a piece at a time. My contribution to the effort is northern Michigan, for starters....hope everyone will join us and do what they can with their corner of the country.

Julie

I have to say that he has redeemed himself in my eyes

There are plenty who still cannot, who never will be able to no matter what.

I hope your view is more common though, your changed view that is. ;-)

Julie

and his feistiness. Kucinich is still da man with the actual platform to justify such intensity, IMO.

Thanks, Dr. Dean. :)

When I read these words I start to tear up. All my hope is gone now. sigh.