Dean Spares No Opponent as He Sprints Across Iowa -NYT

[Rose Siding]

MONTROSE, Iowa, Oct. 14 — Howard Dean, who is increasingly giving his presidential candidacy an anti-Washington cast, cranked up his rhetoric on Tuesday, saying that if he won, members of Congress were "going to be scurrying for shelter, just like a giant flashlight on a bunch of cockroaches."

His jab at Capitol Hill, institutional home to four of Dr. Dean's five main rivals for the nomination, came in response to a question about how he would handle Congress and the entrenched Beltway bureaucracy. The questioner mentioned Republicans and Democrats alike, and Dr. Dean made no distinction.

snip>

The theme of cleaning up a poisoned Washington climate has been a staple of Dr. Dean's campaign from the beginning, but in recent days he has been more pointed, as General Clark, who has never before run for public office, threatens to displace him as the outsider. His comments have also racheted up as some of his Washington-based opponents have stepped up their own attacks on him.

At the Junction Cafe in Bedford, where students from a high school government class joined local Democratic Party loyalists, Dr. Dean said: "We need to clean house in Washington. That's what this campaign is about."

At lunchtime in Mount Ayr, he responded to a question about whether he had a bad temper by saying, "The problem is, everybody gets along and goes along in Washington, and nothing ever happens."

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/15/politics/campaigns/15DEAN.html

[PartyPooper]

1. Dr. Dean is an M.D. NOT a pest control operator!

But, I will vote for him anyway! I'm sure he can rid Washington of some of the 'human-like' vermin residing on Capitol Hill...and, along Pennsylvania Avenue.

:D

[Voltaire99]

2. I value any candidate who likens our Congress to cockroaches!

A charge true of Repugs and unfortunately many Dems, too.

The whole sycophantic corporatist crew deserve scathing.

On a related note, don't miss George Monbiot's essay in today's Guardian on how the US is in danger of turning into a military state.

[Rooktoven]

3. The problem is, everybody gets along...

maybe, but causing conflict with those on your side or on the fence is never a good strategic move.

[DannyRed]

4. Actually,

it CAN be a good strategic move...

If those who do not vote because of their feelings of alienation or disgust with "the Beltway Elite" see Dean as willing to take on his OWN party...it could gain him respect from Independents and the apathetic "business as usual" haters...

Depends on how Dean plays it and how the press reports it.

[Atlant]

5. You think the establishment Democrats are "on your side"? (NT)

[GregW]

6. But wait!

Didn't Bush* promise EXACTLY the same thing ... and look at the mess we're in! Shrub's penchant for NOT doing things the "Washington way" (you know, like looking for compromise solutions) is one of the great causes of angst in the Beltway.

I'm voting for Howie, I just think he needs to think first before engaging brain.

[eileen_d]

7. Well, it worked for Arnold.

I know I should (and no doubt will) be spanked for saying that. And I'm sure the point of positioning himself as an Washington outsider may garner Dean more attention and more votes, which is all well and good, because I would *not* have to hold my nose to vote for Dean if he were nominated. I think he's a good candidate.

But the whole "insider/outsider" thing does not work for me, personally. "We need to clean house in Washington" is an content-free phrase. Just tell me what you stand for, and what you stand against.

Then again, as a committed Democrat I am already part of Dean's audience, so he doesn't need to get my attention with these kind of remarks. So this is kind of a nitpicky critique on my part. Couldn't help hearing echoes of Arnold in the article, though... so sue me.

[ModerateMiddle]

8. Dean=Arnold?

Clean house in Washington? Where have I heard that phrase before? Oh, yeah. Arnold in CA just a week ago.

Ptooie.

And some folks say this Dean guy ISN'T a politician?

[eileen_d]

11. Dean is trying to attract voters' attention

And that isn't necessarily a bad thing. It doesn't appeal to me, but if it appeals to other voters who use this as motivation to look at Dean and other Democratic candidates, I say: why not.

[ozone_man]

9. We need an Rx for Washington cockroaches.

Dean has got alot of guts to speak the truth, and I think it will will win him alot of votes with people fed up with Washington insiders, many who are running for president.

"These guys have been in Washington talking for all those years, and what do you have to show for it?" he asked 150 elderly people in Council Bluffs. "When I am president, we're going to have prescription drugs instead of hot air in Washington."

[robbedvoter]

10. The Tom Delay approach? Don't we have Senate/House races in 2004?

Shouldn't our nominee have some coattaills for congress?
Is Dean as good he can govern without Congress?
Confused in NYC

[Starpass]

12. How does he campaign with those "cockroaches" in '04???

Or is he suggesting that we elect Doc Dean and get rid of all those slimy bastards of our own party to boot??? Then he can have a 100% repuke congress (who knows, maybe that's what Doc Dean really wants). If he gets the nomination, is going to stump in state after state with his arm around it's elected Dem cockroach and tell the people he was just joshing (lying) or will he stand on his much (cough, cough) touted principals and say to the the crowds, "and you gotta get rid of this scum suckin' bum, too!!!---which would give the repuke challenger a boost right through the roof. No wonder the Dem Party doesn't like this guy.

[Donna Zen]

13. Good point...

Campaigning with the very people you called roaches could be a problem. Another problem would be trying to govern from the WH and needing their support.

IMHO, a specific criticism is much more effective and informing than a blanket condemnation. It would also go a long way toward accurate public perceptions, if Dean could point out the positive about the DC Dems. And there are positives. Running a campaign based on ideas comes to mind as a way around the Dem. bashing.

Personally, I worry far more about the reps in DC than the Dems.

[revcarol]

14. What a shame he lumps the REAL LEADER (Kucinich) in with the

cockroaches.

The man who genuinely fought the Patriot Act...

the person who genuinely was against the war and rallied 132 colleagues against the war...

Yeah, Dean, dirty campaigning.

[THUNDER HANDS]

15. *sigh*

If Dean is elected president, I think he'll find that it's not so easy to get Washington to do what you want.

Especially when you piss off members of both parties.

[goforit]

16. LOL!!!......Now what would Congress say to their constituents?.......

"Dean hurt our feelings ....don't vote for DEAN?????"

LOL!!!.....I do believe the constituents are getting pretty damn
mad about the Economy/Iraq/Rights.....and the basic trashing of
the US of A.

How about DEAN say...."Does Congress want a JOB???"

With out checks and balances why do these schmucks get a paycheck
anyway?

[robbedvoter]

17. Checks & balances require POTUS and Congress

Things are screwey now because Bushco controls the whole thing. Assuming Dean gets elected - how will he govern?
Clinton was a genius at getting things passed by a hostile congress (some day, even DU-ers will credit him for that). Newtie would come from conferences with him saying he'd need detox for the Clinton charm.
At one point it got so bad, Tom Delay issued an order: "Nothing he wants passes"
So, Dean's campaign slogan is: Congress is shit?
Not according to the Constitution I know!
I can see his bills now!
This outsider thingy is a bit overplayed - he's heading for irrelevance.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

18. Why not shine that giant flashlight on the sealed governor's papers?

Oh brave one from Vermont? :eyes: