Is Howard Dean a likable guy?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

Both Howard Dean and John Kerry have said they think George Bush is a likable guy.

Dean: He’s a likable guy

Kerry: President Bush is a very likable fellow

Personally, I think they are both nuts!

I suppose they were just being 'politic' (meaning 4).

But what about Howard Dean? Is he a likable guy?




I DON'T KNOW OR CARE! I just want to elect the best President we can for our country.

[hedda_foil]

1. How about the full quote????

Beating George Bush is not going to be an easy task. He’s a likable guy and I think a lot of my colleagues in this race underestimate him. I think we’ve got to be respectful of the President. But I think the President’s wrong on a lot of issues and I think the American people think he’s wrong, too. They like him, but I don’t think they agree with his politics.

For someone to beat him, two things have got to happen. He’s got to be in trouble on the economy, and there has to be an alternative that’s credible. It’s a very winnable race.

[Bozola]

10. Likable is not synonymous with "I like him"

Likable simply means he has attributes to which people find attractive.

In Bush's case, this is most certainly true. As much as we find him truely detestable, he has that "lost waif" look that ex-KMart shopper types find appealing.

Rather clever wording on Dean & Kerry's part, actually.

[dsc]

2. Even Ivins

thinks Bush is likeable. And she has no reason to lie. While I find him maddening and anything but likeable I also know that for many Americans the traits I hate they like. So in that sense he is likeable and we underestimate the man at our great peril.

On edit I forgot to answer your question. Yes, I think he is a likeable guy. He is, like Truman, more polarizing than say FDR but polarizing is what we need.

[Cha]

4. This reminds me a lady who came into our

Co-op today who owns the hardware store in town... She started talking to me because of my Dean button and told me she absolutely "hates" bush and can't stand to even see or hear him..."he's such a phoney"..she says!

She saw my Dean button the other week and asked me why so many People have jumped on Dean's bandwagon as "he seems to have come out of nowhere"!

I told her for me and alot of People it was because Dean was against the Iraq Attack when 70% of the people were for it. And we like what he has to say about taking back our Country! :kick:
And she's gone to Dean website, too, and liked what she learned. :dem:


cartoon from http://www.bartcop.com

[fujiyama]

23. Phoney..

is not a bad way to describe him. Frankly that's a good message to drive home.

And I myself don't find him the least bit likable. I'm surprised there are people here that would like to 'have a beer with him'. Everytime I watch him, I cringe. He comes off as an arrogant and cocky ass hole. I loved the line in John Chait's New Republic column where he said "I don't like him, and I'd probably like him even less if I met him".

I don't care if most people in the US would disagree with me. I think their wrong. Most people have been brainwashed anyways, and I think no matter who we put up, that person will get smeared by the likes of Bill Schneider and other worthless talking heads on CNN and Faux News.

As for the democrats, I'd much rather have a drink with anyone of them over Bush. Atleast they can control how much they drink, which is more than I can say about the Chimp in cheif.

But, anyways enough of my own Bush ranting. I myself think within the confines of political reality and the uphill battle we face, Clark and Edwards come off as most "likable" and able to "connect with the people". They speak clearly and not down to people. Kerry looks like he's from an old money, east coast family but he still comes off as a decent guy. Dean comes off (but probably isn't necessarily) somewhat ill tempered and arrogant, but that's the media's impression really.

[sfecap]

3. Yes he is. Very likeable.

I'v met him. I've spent some time with him. He's been a guest in my home. Howard Dean is very likeable. He's warm, friendly, interested in other's opinions and viewpoints, and he has a great sense of humor. The second time I met Gov. Dean, he remembered exactly what we had discussed, and had some more information for me. It is evident to me that he truly cares about what his supporters think.

I'm certain that John Kerry is very much the same. (I had an opportunity to meet Sen. Kerry, but couldn't make it. I was out of the country.)

These guys don't get where they are without being likeable. :-)

As for bush...Dean said that he had met him when they were Governors. He said bush is a nice enough guy, then spent the next 20 minutes ripping his policies to shreds. LOL.

[Cha]

6. Cool! sfecap, nice recap! As I related in my post...the local

hardware lady has it down! "bush is such a phoney"! But, ya can't go around saying that if you're in the Government!

[Pastiche423]

12. sfecap -

You need one more "Dean" in your sig line.

[sfecap]

14. Done!

LOL!

[Fatima]

29. Whoa....

outstanding!

[Awsi Dooger]

30. That is impressive, and reassuring

Especially the part about Dean remembering the details of your previous meeting, plus having more info. On CSPAN the camera frequently follows a candidate before or after an apearance, and so many of them can't remember a person's name even after being introduced just a couple of minutes earlier.

[procopia]

5. * is a thief and a fraud

Once you know that about him, how could you possibly like him?

[dolstein]

7. Well, since 99% of voters won't meet him personally

I think the real question is whether people THINK Howard Dean is likable. And, with all due respect for the Dean fans out there, the press is already painting him as arrogant, prickly and ill-tempered.

[sfecap]

8. And of course, the press is always right, huh?

The press spin on Dean has been debunked continuously.

All politicians are likeable people. They wouldn't make it very far otherwise. They have to meet the public.

I've met Joe Lieberman. I don't like Joe's politics, but he's a very nice person.

[dsc]

9. ah Grey Davis

I think he is certainly an exception.

[procopia]

11. Howard Dean is a good-tempered man.

Charley Reese said so:

"Several times I've heard television journalists complain that Howard Dean has to learn to control his temper. Actually, it is his temper that I find attractive.

An honest man with sincere convictions will get angry when he hears lies."

http://reese.king-online.com/Reese_20031008/index.php
(10=8-03)

[jpgray]

13. Dean = likeable, Kerry = respectable

I think they both are likeable and respectable (two of the best candidates!), but if I had to choose which one leans more which way, I'd describe them this way. Dean is more exciting--has the "straight-talk" aura--and Kerry has the gravitas and dignity to inspire respect, but isn't the most exciting guy. :)

Of course, Dean gets respect, and Kerry windsurfs and all that, so make your own call.

[gully]

15. I like a lot of people, doesn't mean I'd want them running the country.

:shrug: Speaking about Bush of course. I liked Clinton as a Prez, but I wouldn't want to be married to him KWIM?

[rucky]

16. Who Would You Rather Have a Beer With?

That's, IMHO, the #1 Question the apolitical voters ask themselves - one way or another. That's the #1 - if not the only - basis for their vote. So who would Joe Six-Pack rather have a beer with:

Dean or GW?
Clark or GW?
Gep?
Lieberman?
Kerry?
Edwards?

I'd have to say that Bush, Clark & maybe Edwards win the beer-drinking vote.

I think Dean is quite likeable - once you get past that Yankee candor. But I have very different tastes than most people.

[sfecap]

17. Dean doesn't drink...

But Edwards, Gep, and Kerry for me.

I'll pass on the chimp.

[Cha]

21. Good for Dean ...not drinking! I heard Clinton doesn't "drink",

either.

[gully]

18. Most like to have a beer with Dean, but he doesn't drink...

;) Sharpton is in second place on the beer roster....

[mlawson]

20. 1000% correct, rucky!

I have posted virtually the same idea several times. And we Dems ignore this at our peril.

After all, how else did Ah-nuld get more than a tiny handful of votes? How else did Dumbo get close enough in 2000, to steal the election?? It sure as hell was NOT their credentials!

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

19. No. Please don't mention his name again.

Please!

[Feanorcurufinwe]

26. Whose name?

[Awsi Dooger]

22. Most relevant question on DU in a long time

I like to watch debates with political neophytes, especially women. The instant critiques they provide are always superior to the crap policy or philosophy spin on CNN or MSNBC. In 2000, for example, my friend and I gathered almost 20 friends to watch debate #1. The apolotical women were so turned off by Gore's theatrics that I knew he had instantly lost a chunk of the crucial gender gap, built up through the convention and all of September.

I hope our field thins so I can round up some unbiased debate viewers early next year, before the primaries.

Dean obviously needs to smile more and tame the angry rhetoric against Bush, especially anything that smacks of personal. The passion is an extremely likeable trait. I think he needs to dump some of the sarcastic wisecracks like, "I used to be George McGovern, now I'm Newt Gingrich..."

The camera and the media will determine how likeable Dean is, should he be the nominee. The true percentage of voters who will never meet him is more like 99.99999999%. Republicans will no doubt abuse the "duck mouth" characteristic in unflattering commercials. Dean would also be much more general election likeable if he were about 4 inches taller. That sad fact is never emphasized enough on DU.

[mlawson]

24. Focus groups of apolitical persons.

That is what the Dem pollsters and advisors need to do, because THIS group is the one that elects presidents. Party faithful and ideologues on either side already know who they will vote for. But this bunch is KEY, and the issues do not necessarily affect their choices.

[Cha]

25. So much for your esteemed analysis of what would be

more "likeable"! I say Hogwash to your theories.

[Awsi Dooger]

27. That was fairly pathetic

A reason or two, please? Or something you would substitute as a guideline?

I like Howard Dean myself, more and more every time I hear him speak. At the same time, I know my values are not representative of the apolotical crowd who will decide the '04 election, and decide EVERY election.

[maxanne]

28. I doubt I'd find W a likeable guy

but, I found Howard Dean very likeable when we met. He has a good sense of humor, and wasn't the least annoyed by the fact that I am quite a bit taller than he is. (that can really annoy a short guy, btw)

John Kerry is also quite likeable. He has a good sense of humor, and is very good at putting people at ease. He also has good instincts, in knowing who to schmooze.

I didn't meet John Edwards, but his wife is great. I'd vote for her in a heartbeat.

Dick Gephardt is also a good guy. In fact, it breaks my heart that I can't support him. He came up here and spent a few hours campaigning with me when I ran for office in 2002.

Lieberman and his wife alienated people here - the wife was a real prima donna on the day they were here. I didn't meet them.

Kucinich is due in about 2 weeks. I'll let ya know.

Clark seems to have given up on NH already, I doubt if he'll bother to come to the north.

I wish Al Sharpton and Carol Moseley-Braun would come up here, I'd love to meet them both.

But hey - these people are politicians. They don't get as far as they have without being truly likeable, or being good actors.