Stop the Presses: Howie Kurtz says Howard Dean is the real deal

[WilliamPitt]

Bush's Worst Nightmare?

By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 9, 2003; 9:03 AM

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47145-2003Sep9.html

Even Howard Dean's detractors now believe he's for real.

Real as in: Scoff all you want, this guy actually could be president.

The good doctor's media treatment has gone through several distinct phases. First he was the colorful gadfly who had no chance of winning the nomination but was getting plenty of press. Then he was the serious threat who was suddenly raising truckloads of cash through some kind of Internet alchemy. Then he was magically declared the front-runner, but one who, critics said, would lead the Democrats to an '04 defeat of McGovern or Mondale proportions.

Now even some conservatives are saying: watch out. And there's a Web site called Republicans for Dean.

The new perspective may be driven in part by Bush's declining popularity (45 percent, says Zogby) as Iraq turns from glorious victory to albatross. But it also reflects a realization that Howard III is hard to pigeonhole as an unabashed lefty.

Yes, he was against the war, wants to roll back the Bush tax cuts and approved gay civil unions in Vermont. But he also governed as a fiscal conservative, won business support and got high marks from the NRA.

I don't know whether Dean is a nimble enough politician to broaden his appeal from angry underdog to potential commander-in-chief. You saw signs of that in the New Mexico debate, when he stressed that he supported the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan wars rather than harping on his opposition to the Iraq invasion.

...more...

[ibegurpard]

1. I would like to take this opportunity to say

that, although I agree with much of what he is saying about Dean, I think that Howard Kurtz is a tool.

[Stuckinthebush]

17. Snarf!

Agreed! Thanks Kurtz, but you are a tool!

HA! I love it.

[blm]

22. Yes. Kurtz IS a tool.

Fineman is a tool.
Tweety is a tool.

[GOPisEvil]

2. I can't explain why, but this scares me...

It's almost as if the powers that be are artificially pumping Dean up because they think they can beat him in November '04. To use a sports analogy, it's like Lou Holtz always pumping up his opponents like they're the second coming of the '72 Dolphins...

I never used to be THIS cynical - thanks Bushco.

[CWebster]

3. Dean generates interest

He is an atypical contender and generates a buzz.

[Woodstock]

7. I've know people who voted for Bush last time

Who are disgusted by him now. And they like Dean. One volunteered for him.

Yeah, small sample there. But I'd not underestimate that there are Republicans (despite what the polls say about their loyalty) and Indpendents who voted Republican who are pretty damned ticked off at Bush. And looking for someone else to vote for. One of the reasons I picked Dean was that he's a moderate - I thought he'd be just the guy to appeal to enough swing voters and those in the center, yet still support the positions I believe in.

BTW, thanks for the link.

[AP]

8. Does this remind anyone of Rove's enthusiasm for Dean at that parade

on (was it?) July 4?

[CWebster]

9. No

I think Rove is clueless and way overestimated. Everything is handed to him---from the press to the congress- and people consider having every well-funded advantage a sign of his genuis.

[AP]

14. RIIIIIIGHT

If there's one thing I appreciate, it's that you rarely experience the success Rove has experienced in his life without being good at what he does.

He's definitely an evil man. However, it isn't luck that put him where he is today.

[CWebster]

15. So...

"If there's one thing I appreciate, it's that you rarely experience the success Rove has experienced in his life without being good at what he does."

You mean, like Bush?

[AP]

18. Bush is Rove's greatest success.

And Bush is very good at doing what Cheney and Rove tell him to do.

Does it make you feel smarter when you say Rove is stupid? Put your pride aside and acknowledge that Democrats are confronted with a very talented, cunning enemy, and they aren't going to beat him without being smarter and more cunning.

[CWebster]

23. You are turning this goofball into a giant.

He is NOT, for crissakes--he just has had all assistance and no resistance. In a country that would hang out Martha Stewart, Democratic party contributer and small time insider trader, as the example of corporate crook while international looter and Bush buddy - Kenny boy, walks, some perspective is essential.

[gasperc]

19. w/o a doubt, the marriage act stuff being floated

is a weather balloon to galvanize conservatives and use gay marriage as a wedge issue to split liberal, moderate and conservative Dems and independents. Rove is polling like crazy and looking for issues to chop Dean up with, Bush has no plans to lose and is going to take a buzzsaw to any of our candidates, Clark, Kerry, Dean, Edwards etc.

EXPECT NO MERCY OR FAIRNESS!

[Patriot_Spear]

16. As Mr. Freud would say, " sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."

Dean has passion and a proven track record- Bush* has the worst presidential record ever. After that it's a matter of math.

Disasterous war + disasterous economy) = 1 term president.

[CMT]

20. the GOP has a history of underestimating challengers

In 1932 they actually wanted FDR more than Al Smith because they felt that FDR would be easier to beat. In 1948, they wanted Truman and were convinced that they would beat him. In 1960, they considered JFK a lightweight and thought he could be easily beat. In 1976, when confronted by Carter and such stalwarts in the Dem party as Scoop Jackson and possibly Hubert Humphrey they thought (at first) the little known one term gov of Georgia would be easiest to beat.

Let them underestimate and let us surprise them.

[Demobrat]

25. Maybe if the line hadn't been "give us the trial lawyer"

before Dean surged I would be worried too. But it seems as if whoever scares them the most is the one they supposedly want. Hmmmm....

[TNOE]

4. I'll tell you what - - - -

The talking heads have it ALL WRONG! I saw Dean on last night talking about the California recall - and my jaw dropped to the ground! He really is something. John Kerry on Chris Matthews sounded good and Clark sounds good to me too. Although for now my heart is with Kucinich - but what I am seeing is the exact opposite of what the talking heads are saying - the Dems have an excellent array of personalities out there running that could get the nomination - and they are all heads and tails and BRAINS above what is sitting in our house right now. They dog these candidates because they're afraid of them.

My only concern is that the fix is already in for the election now - after watching most of these guys perform - we're in great shape!

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[chiburb]

13. My boss saw Dean's appearance with Davis..

And was REALLY impressed with his words, but especially his tone. He hadn't seen or heard him before, and came away saying "this guy has balls"! (Well, I'd hope so...)
The point is that Dean IS striking a chord with people beyond the democratic wing of the Democratic Party.
(For the record, I'm in the ABB camp and not supporting anyone yet.)

[Brucey]

5. Don't forget...

Dean is the guy they said they wanted, since they thought he'd be so easy to beat and make fun of (which is one of the reasons I want him!), but also the conservatives absolutely despise Dean and will go all out with money, lies, deceptions, and trickery to defeat him. That's why it will be so sweet when he wins!

[cjbuchanan]

10. They will do that even if Dean is not the one

No matter who gets the nomination, the Repugs are going to try to rip into her or him. That is why we all must stand together once the nomination is won (even if you guy or gal did not get it).

I know that is common sense, but I don't think it can be said enough.

Just my thoughts.

[Capn Sunshine]

12. WHAT HE SAID !

A lot of DUers are valiant ideologues to the bitter end, but once the nominee is in, please o please cut the crap and work to defeat the BFEE=== the fate of the world depends on it like never before.

[Brucey]

21. Even if it's JL?

I guess you're right... even if it's JL.

[XNASA]

11. "Blah!.......Wow, that scared me. For a second................

....I thought that the Subject Line read, "Howie Kurtz says Howard Dean is the real deal.""

Wait a minute..................:wtf: :shrug:

[cprise]

24. This is an excellent summary

Thanks for posting.

He even takes on that Libertarian blather from The Standard.