Does Howard Dean need a massage therapist?

[MoonGod]

I'm dead serious here. One of the main knocks on Dean is his incredibly stiff and unnatural public appearance. I suppose it might just be the way he is, but it seems like he's carrying a lot of tension and he would probably LOOK much more natural if he loosened up. Regular appointments with a massage therapist would make a huge difference here.

Anyway, I'm throwing this out there 'cuz I know the Dean campaign has eyeballs here on DU, and I honestly think this might be a good idea. You guys have not shied away from trying new things before, so here's another idea for ya' consider. :)

edit: Dumb typo-opposite-meaning-thing

[Clete]

1. He has back problems, which purportedly kept him out

of the military. I read it the other day. I'll see if I can find the link.

[indictrichardperle]

17. Amazing ! back problems kept Junior out of Nam too !

i think Loserman would give Junior a rubdown :D

Dean isnt "stiff", thats Al Gore rehash........if they are going to get picky, how about a stumbling, bumbling red nosed fella who wont ever face the press ?

[JaneQPublic]

27. Dean quote on his back injury (& being classified 1-Y by the draft board)

He's always struck me as being very passionate onstage. I never thought of him as stiff. Just the same, he was classified 1-Y by his draft board because of an unfused vertebra in his back, which kept him out of Vietnam. Here's how Dean answered the question on "Meet the Press":

"I went to my physical in Ft. Hamilton in Brooklyn, which was a great deal like the scene out of Alice’s Restaurant in terms of the different sizes, shapes, colors, and all kinds of people were there. I was given an examination. I had a previous back problem, which is evidently congenital, which prevented me from doing any sustained running, a problem that I’ve had since then, since that time, which requires that when I get out of the car I often have some pains up and down my leg and back and so forth. But I have been able to exercise at—ry vigorous athletic life except for some things. One of those is long-distance running, which is how the problem came to my attention in the first place. I noticed the pain when I was in high school running track. In any case, the—after the physical, I received a one Y deferment. That’s how the United States government decided that they would use me. One Y deferment means you can only be called in times of national emergency. I didn’t have anything to do with choosing any draft deferment. I didn’t try to get out of the draft. I had a physical. The United States government said this is your classification. I’m not responsible for that. I didn’t have anything to do with the decision. That was their choice."

http://www.msnbc.com/news/912159.asp

(edited to add link.)

[dorktv]

2. Dean was pretty loose the last time he was here in AZ.

7/12.

[w4rma]

3. You're talking about the way Howard Dean sits up straight when interviewed

, I believe.

He is absolutely great when he is giving public speeches. Huge movements and lots of body language.

I definately wouldn't characterize him as "incredibly" stiff during interviews and I see nothing unnatural about his appearance during said interviews. But, the on camera interviews are not so conducive to body language. So that is one reason that he isn't as vibrant looking during them when compared to his public speeches.

[dorktv]

5. And he has been awfully tired the past weeks.

[dajabr]

4. Bush should have given certificates for massages...

instead of tax cut checks. i think we are all carrying a little tension right now.

Saw him up close in NYC last night and he could not have looked more natural or relaxed.

It's noticable during sit-down interviews. Probably due to his back problem, affinity for tight shirt collars, and some unflattering camera angles.

Thought he overcame this well on Charlie Rose...

[Cha]

7. Lucky you, dajabr!

That must have been really exciting at Bryant Park last night!

[dajabr]

8. zidzi - it was like friggin political Beatlemania!

The crowd. The Media. Being interview by an AP reporter. Shaking Dean's hand AND Trippi's (we had a brief exchange that was way cool!). My wife being there with me... Bryant Park being packed back to 6th Ave...

A night I will never forget...

[dorktv]

9. And look at how many people will come to see him...

usually double the number expected.

[Cha]

14. "Political Beatlemania" Grand! That's ol' bush for ya..

the big Uniter! Gotta give that little jerk credit!


"Shake Dean's Hand"...Cool! Did you tell him there were some us who love him on DU? :kick:

[Cha]

6. Did you mean in your post that "you guys have Never shied

away from trying new things before"?


And I think you are definetly right!

We could even e-mail and suggest it, too! It would help everybody not just Dean! But especially Dean! :-)

[MoonGod]

10. Yup... if it helps with that stiffness thing...

... (and I know a lot of you don't see it, but enough of us DO see it that I'm convinced there's something there)...

... if it helps, then it will be well worth the expense. Getting rid of that will go a long way to beating Bush. People that look relaxed are so much more "likable".

[Cha]

11. I'm sure they can afford it! That's a very Excellent suggestion!

You'd think they would do it on their own...being from Vermont and all! lol!

Some companies have that kind of thing available for their employees! :-)

[MoonGod]

15. Yeah... I know 2 people who are massage therapists...

... my mom (although I don't think she's practiced in years) and this guy: http://rivershealingtouch.com/ (his site might be f'ed, just moved to a new server)... so I'm kinda familiar with a lot of the different work options available. My mom briefly started her own practice specializing in geriatric massage.

I think the world could use a whole bunch more massage therapists and a lot less Hummers.

[madfloridian]

20. We see it.

Yes, it is brought up here at DU with great regularity. Oh, yes, we know it.

People who aren't so obvious are more "likable".

[MoonGod]

12. BTW, if it is in fact some specific back problem...

... then a massage therapist may be able to help... or perhaps an acupuncturist.

(BTW, check out the "i" alliteration in the Subject)

[hedda_foil]

13. Get thee to the blog and suggest it!

http://blog.deanforamerica.com

You wouldn't be the first to say it, there but the campaign takes all kinds of suggestions from bloggers and lots of DUers post there. Go on over ... you'll love it!

[MoonGod]

16. This idea has been suggested before?

Wow! Cool!

Go Deanies!

BTW, I also think DK could use either a good speech coach or a speech therapist. I absolutely love the guy, but I have no idea how he expects the 50% of the population that doesn't even read a daily newspaper to be able to follow what he's saying when he gets so excited. Just my 2k.

[madfloridian]

19. Sure, head right over there to his website.

A few have suggested that he fix his stiffness, some have been polite and some rude.
Once they learn he has a back problem, they accept just as they do Kerry's long face and Kucinich's hair.

Hey, since he gets criticism for this at least twice a day here, he should be fixing it, don't you know?

I mean, maybe you need to recommend a good therapist or accupuncturist.

We all want him to be perfect, you know. The stiffness just has to go.

Frankly I prefer Deanybopper instead of just Deany. It sounds cutesier.

[Kanola]

18. Have you seen him other than a one on one interview

I agree he may look "stiff" such as LKL, an MTP. But from what I have seen on CSPAN and hope to see more of here in fantasy land California is his magnetism. He is direct and to the point about what he thinks and I love it. I think that most voters are going to turn to Dean because he doesn't sound like a typical politial drone (i.e. talk about early childhood, do not answer direct question, tell some other story without answering direct question). From what I hear in CA about politicians is that they are tired of them not giving direct answers and promising the world to them if elected. I have not seen do that. He is pragmatic in his answers and for right now my number one choice.

[MoonGod]

23. Actually, I've only ever seen him do 1 1-on-1 interview...

... and I thought that he looked best then.

His TV campaign spots are the worst... and he looked pretty stiff and awkward at the 2 candidate forums/debates I've seen.

[madfloridian]

21. Deanieboppers and Dean Freaks.....we are open to all suggestions.

Oh, I forgot the Deanies. Hmmm...mm..can't decide which name I like best. I am little too old for Deaniebopper,though.

Do you have suggestions for my bad back? It causes stiffness at times, especially in the neck. I used massage therapy, accupuncture, accupressure, and I just wondered if you had other ideas, Moon God.

:evilgrin:

[MoonGod]

22. Haha... I'm no expert...

... just a guy who knows experts. :)

Here's some thoughts anyway... Umm, have you tried exercise or yoga? How about your mattress? Is it in good shape and at least moderately firm? How about your computer setup? Is your monitor up at eye level or do you have to stare down at it? Monitor stands can be a very good thing for fixing neck strain. Is your keyboard at a comfortable height? How about your chair?

Basically, you can go through the rest of your life like this. Anything you do a lot, make sure that you're stressing your body as little as possible while you do it. And then make sure you're doing a few extras to keep your body in good shape, like exercise, or at least a thorough stretching routine.

[madfloridian]

24. I think the solution is less DU until the silly posts stop.

But thanks anyway! Please head your little body right over to the Dean site, and be sure you have that wonderful attitude with them.
They will love you for it.

[MoonGod]

25. silly posts?

I hope you don't mean this one :)

[MoonGod]

26. Oh... BTW...

Dean Freak sounds kinda derogatory to me, so I'm not sure I'd want to go with that. On the other hand, I suppose you could just embrace it and let your freak flag fly. :)

[RetroLounge]

28. I like "Generation Dean" myself

includes ALL OF US supporters...

[JaneQPublic]

29. I vote for "Deaniacs"

On the dean website, "Generation Dean" refers to the young supporters:

http://www.generationdean.com/