You are naïve.
Dean is not about the party. Dean is about Dean.
If Dean is DNC chair, the media and the public will bury the Democratic Party in Deaniac slogans.
Deaniac this, Deaniac that. Just imagine the worst case scenario. Just imagine CNN American Morning:
Soledad O'Brien: "Hey, Bill Hemmer! Tomorrow, we are going to visit a rally for a 4th District challenger to a republican incumbent. DNC Chair Howard Dean will be there!"
Bill Hemmer: "Wow, Dean and his Deaniac machine will be there?! That will be some good coverage! Hey, who is the democratic candidate?"
Soledad: "I don't know. We're not going to cover the candidate. We just want to see what Dean and his Deaniac machine does!"
Bill: "But where is this district, and who is the republican incumbent? Does the democratic challenger have a chance of winning?"
Both remain silent...then chuckle with amusement.
Bill: "I guess it really doesn't matter, does it?"
Soledad: "No."
You would happen to be RonK from Kos, would you?
Consider contacting your physician about a prescription for Valium or Proszac, switch from Faux News to The News Hour with Jim Lehrer and call me in thirty days.
Even as a Democrat I would be more compelled to go with McCain instead of Hilliary. Not because of McCains conservative stance but because at least you know where he stands whereas I see Hilliay is already two-stepping the triangulation waltz.
I'm replying to your blog while listening to Air America's Al Franken Show. They are all talking about Gonzales and the potential "Jury Duty" scandal.
I never watch Faux. I do listen to News Hour (while driving) on a local radio station. I volunteer two-three evenings a week, and listen between 7pm-7:30pm. I am mostly an NPR and CSPAN junkie. I subscribe to the NYT, Wash. Post, and WSJ. Yes, WSJ...but I cannot bring down the WSJ too much, the Journal has good financial info.
Oh, and of course, I watch the Daily Show religiously. Religiously.
So please, JollyBuddah, spare me the issue of Dean being a moderate. That is not the issue!
What matters is the media and the general public's already formed opinion of Howard Dean. Most of the media and millions of Americans feel they already understand Dean as abrasive, at best.
Let's all be candid. There are politicians who can just smile, and suddenly everyone loves them. Then there are politicians, no matter what they say or do, and even with the best of intentions, they still manage to piss people off! Unfortunately, Dean is one of those later politicians. That is why his campaign implosion was decisive.
You suggested that I go take medication? Here is some advice for you: Go down to main street or a local mall and ask 10 strangers about how they feel when they hear the name "Howard Dean, M.D."
I know Dean has a strong moderate record. Heck, even the NRA liked him while he was governor. That does not matter. Perception in politics is everything.
Oh, got to go...David Brock is now talking with Al.
Because it is time to take back the terms of debate, Howard Dean is precisely the right candidate for DNC Chair. If 9 out of 10 mall rats think Dean is too liberal, then we need to give Dean more exposure, not less. Take two valium, repeat Howard Dean is a moderate 50 times and call me in the morning.
Talk is shit .... action is what its all about. Soldead and Bill can talk all they want .... it is shit.
But voters are obsessed with media expectations.
2004 was a perfect example. Soledad and Bill made $400+ thousand (each) per year. It was so painful to see them (and others) drop the bar on Journalism for "Media Entertainer" status.
Their acts made it harder to spark debate and empower the independent voters.
There were many factors in 2004, but the media played their own corporate ratings game before journalism. This only furthered our November loss.
