Does Dean have the appeal of a rock star?

[Sean Reynolds]

Watch his rallies, they're like rock concerts. You've got people cheering, chanting, just totally in a frenzy. Is it just me or does Dean have the same appeal as a rock star?

I mean look at this!






I LOVE IT. And to know I'M APART OF IT is just awesome! =)

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. I see four little x's

;-)

[Clete]

2. Click the little x's with your right mouse.

Then select 'show picture' with a left side click. Then let it load.

[Sean Reynolds]

3. ARGH

Well go here:
http://photos.deanforamerica.com/gallery/20378/1

[ScreamingMeemie]

7. Terrific pictures!

[IndianaGreen]

9. Nadler and Weicker endorsed Dean?

Now I am impressed, particularly with Lowell Weicker's endorsement (who actually looks very ill in the picture, he has that bloated look of someone on serious meds).

To think that Lieberman defeated Weicker!

[Southsideirish]

34. Dean's appeal? Like when your big brother rescued you from bullies.

He has that "savior" quality, for me. His sex appeal is akin to that of your best friends cute, older brother whom you could only dream about...(sigh).

[Clete]

4. Those pictures are really awsome Sean.

Thanks for sharing.

[Sean Reynolds]

5. No problem.

And yes they're awesome!

[bearfartinthewoods]

19. is the concept of his appeal being akin to a rock star supposed to make

me feel good about his candidacy? does it focus on the substance of his character or his positions? why would you post this to a board which is already uneasy with the reason for his popularity?

[Upfront]

20. Who Is Uneasy?

Not me, Go Dean!

[jagguy]

33. I am

because its just smoke and mirrors. The guy turns to mush in front of a camera and cannot speak extemporaneously. Is this presidential ?

Gore got gored for appearing to not be presidential. And he CAN speak in public albiet not very well.

[Ellen Forradalom]

6. I wouldn't say rock star

but any politician who speaks the truth about our awful situation is almost irresistible.

[NNadir]

8. There was a lot of "rock star" posture in New York...

...the "Thank you, thank you very much..." and the "I love you New York!" at the end, but hey, the guy's excited by his rise. I don't blame him and in any case I think this is great, if not stupendous, political theater. If this doesn't scare the shit out of the Bushies, they're even dumber than I think they are.

The speech itself was masterful, and if you hung around CSPAN to watch the interactions with the crowd, it was incredible to see the enthusiasm. I saw a friend from the campaign get in a few words with Dr. Dean and damned if she wasn't crying...

[newyawker99]

15. Hi NNadir!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[madfloridian]

10. Sean, still can't see them. What is it the file extension?

I don't usually have trouble seeing any pics with my new puter.
:hi:

[Sean Reynolds]

12. Go here:

http://photos.deanforamerica.com/gallery/20378/1

[madfloridian]

13. Thanks, those were great.

:hi:

[dajabr]

11. It's getting that way...

I thought I was going to get stampeded "Who Concert Style," in the handshake "line" at Bryant Park. I called it Political Beatlemania in another thread...

Here's another reason. I've heard and read his standard stump speech a million times. I could probably stand up and give it to a crowd at this point. But, it's kind of like Bruce or the Dead at this point, you know the songs word for word, but you go to the shows or collect bootlegs to hear it anyway, because it's live, exciting and a little different each time.

Speaking of bootlegs...

Psssst... Dean nailed it in Falls Church big time, and it's up at http://www.howarddean.tv/

Edit: NY is up now too.

[msanger]

14. I was driving my 80 year old folks to the doctors

when NPR did a report about all the money Halburton was getting from Iraq, followed by a report on Dean.

they asked me why I was such a Dean fan, and I said "because he says what we are all thinking about the halburton story. And he gives me hope for a better future."

I'd say his appeal is that of a rock star PLUS he could actually make a difference in the lives of those I care about.

[Le Taz Hot]

16. I think part of the "rock star" effect

has to do with so many young people who are involved in the campaign. The other is Dean's charisma when you see him in person. I commented on this aspect when I came back from the California Democratic Party Convention in February and very few people, even here at DU, had even heard of Dean. I had JUST heard of him and knew that he was against the Iraqi invasion, but I was still uncommitted to any particular candidate. Both Dean and Edwards spoke to the general assembly and I came away energized and ready to volunteer and mobilize for Dean. You've got to see him in person to know what "Dean fever" is all about.

[opihimoimoi]

17. EEEXXXACTLY what we need at this point in time.... a candidate

who will bring Reason and Sanity back to the White House. Not that others wouldn't but Dean is gaining the big Mo for now. If he takes the early states, he will leave the others in the dust.

His message is loud and clear for all to understand. He appeals to the younger voters which is the untapped resevoir all the others wish but haven't. He appeals to the older voters because of his pragmatism. The Bushies must be shittin about this man.

I luv it.

[poskonig]

18. Dean's almost Hitleresque.

Not on the issues, obviously, but in his ability to whip a crowd into a frenzy. I've seen nothing like it during my short life.

[Avalux]

21. Dangerous

if the appeal is purely emotional; if Dean's supporters are there because he works them up into a frenzy. Makes me wonder...what about the issues?

[poskonig]

22. Speaking ability and issues are not mutually exclusive.

eom.

[Avalux]

23. speaking ability?

Dean is great in front of an audience where he can expound and isn't questioned...not so great in conversation, or debate. IMHO - he doesn't get high marks.

[poskonig]

24. Other candidates, like Clark, need to work on this too.

Clark, for example, faces a camera like a firing squad. But as far as the rock star analogy goes, Dean is the best "on stage."

Since we are going head to head against Bush, I don't find this stuff important. As long as our candidate doesn't say "ah agree" 50 million times in a debate or is ashamed of being a Democrat, a liberal, or plain'ol different than Bush, we will be in good shape.

[TLM]

26. I have seen Dean in person where he was questioned...

he did great.


He spoke for the City CLub here in San Diego and was fantastic. Then he took questions from the crowd and did great.

He has the perfect mix of good ideas and the ability to express them to people and get people as excited as he is.

THat's why he's going to win.

[jagguy]

30. conversation and debate are the stock in trade for a politian

which is the Achilles Heel for Dean.

[ibegurpard]

31. I noticed your avatar

Your "candidate" isn't even running...let alone has he expounded on any issues. I'd suggest you should probably refrain from that line of criticism.

[Quahog]

25. Yes. But that's not ALL he's got.

I get nervous about this Beatles-at-Shea-Stadium effect at times, worrying that the fanaticism might be drowning out the realities (both good and bad) of Dean's candidacy. But there's always Dean's web site to reassure me of his positions on the issues. Some of these I disagree with to one degree or another, but I'm happy with enough of what he says and does that I can see myself enthusiastically voting for the guy.

What I LIKE about the rock star phenom is that I think we really need a component like this to the Dem campaign in '04 to counter the mood that the GOP has managed to manufacture in this country. A huge number of Americans have gotten very comfortable with living in this weird state of violent, macho, pseudo-patriotic posturing in the face of fear and feelings of vulnerability. The BFEE has cranked up the violence and fed and nurtured the fear to the point where people have forgotten how good they felt four years ago. Dean has got that feel-good vibe going in his campaign, and nobody else has got it at this point. He's striking this interesting balance between righteous indignation and anger at BushCo on the one hand, and a really positive, optimistic future vision on the other. Yeah, he interviews badly, but watching him in front of a crowd is inspirational.

Also, men seem to think he's a "regular guy," (despite the shrieking heads of the right-wing media trying to paint him as some sort of pinko leftist freak), and a lot of women I talk to of a variety of ages and tastes seem to think he's a hottie. Now, these are not the most important qualities to look for in the leader of the free world, but at the end of the day, and considering the fight we need to take to Bush*, they sure as shit can't hurt.

Rawk on, Howard!

[Demobrat]

28. Dean is just an average looking guy.

Who becomes a god when he opens his mouth.

[retyred]

27. Dean rock star?

Ozzy's a rock star, but I wouldn't vote for him.

Where's the meat and potatoes of his stand on the issues?


Retyred IN FLA.

[Quahog]

29. "Where's the meat and potatoes of his stand on the issues?"

www.deanforamerica.com

[demnan]

32. Dean has sex appeal and charisma

but it's associated with his personality and intelligence, not his looks. Also he is giving hopeless sad people hope. You can't come away from seeing him without a little grain of hope for the future growing in you.

That's exactly what we need right now IMHO.

[jagguy]

35. what charisma he has fizzles when he starts sweating

and cutting his eyes this way and that when under pressure.

The trick is doing that when its uncomfortable not just when its easy.

[opihimoimoi]

36. Dean Rocks, bushwa stutters

Bush stammers and shows the education he remembers..... o