Dean on the Today Show

[RevolutionStartsNow]

Ok, Matt Lauer is not exactly Tim Russert, but Dean was great on this segement. Except once or twice when Lauer talked over him, he was able to get his message across with brief answers, and every answer was spot on. For example,when asked about Iraq and what he would do if he were president, he managed to convey that he was for the invasion of Afghanistan because he thought it impacted national security, and he also managed to criticize the president for damaging our relations with our allies.

He was also particularly strong with his economic message, making it clear that you can't have tax cuts AND a strong economy AND jobs, something has to give (jobs). And he clearly explained that his plan would include limiting growth of the budget, rather than just cutting everything.

And he laughed and smiled often. Great showing, Governor.

[vi5]

1. I didn't think he laughed or smiled enough.....

One of my main reservations about him is that when he is in the interview setting he comes across as fairly stiff and humorless. I've seen him in partisan settings filled with supporters and know that he is not stiff and humorless, but every interview I've seen he comes across that way to me and also the people I am watching with.

Yes, there is a lot to be serious about, especially for us Dems. But to win over the undecided middle of the road people who like it or not base their vote on likability and friendliness, I think he has a ways to go.

Not that I think the other candidates don't also need to work on this (some even more so than Dean). But to deny that it's something he's got to work on as well would be shortsighted.

[Larkspur]

14. I disagree

Dean laughed when it was appropriate today and he was serious when discussing issues and events, like Iraq. I don't want him laughing about our position in Iraq because we have troops there dying.

The only things he needs to work on are 1) to stop blinking his eyes too much. Yes, I know he's not used to those high wattage camera lights, but his staff needs to do something to help him overcome that. And 2) the only place where I'd agree with you about him needing to smile and laugh more is when he is being introduced to the TV audience and at the beginning of his interview. He needs to learn what Bill Clinton did -- when looking into the camera pretend that you are greeting millions of your're adoring fans and there are no Repukes, inane media pundits, and critics in sight. It worked for Bill Clinton, it can work for Howard Dean.

[liberalnurse]

2. He is on a roll now....

I think he must read DU. I relax more when he relaxes! I know this format is essentially new to him, knowing each breath is going to be critiqued.....He's going well with the feedback from his devoted supporters.

I don't mean to cheerlead here...He answered well...

[cjbuchanan]

3. No matter what you think of Dean

You have to admit, he's having a great week. Cover of three major magazines, Larry King and the Today Show. He has people talking.

Two questions come to mind
1. Can he keep this up for 5 more months?
2. Will another candidate be able to get this much publicity and momentum in the next couple of months?

It will be fun to watch

[GR]

4. Yes, And Poor Old Whiney Joe Is Stuck On Imus...

He just can't figure out that being nice to Bush isn't gonna get it done.

I still remember how he let Lying Dick Cheney walk all over him about how much money he'd made had nothing to do with the government...

I like Joe, but he hasn't a chance in Hell of being elected with the approach he's taking.

[ProfessorPlum]

11. that was the moment my head exploded

I'm glad I'm not the only one who remembers that. What an idiot. He could have stabbed Count Dickula through the heart at that moment if he'd been paying attention. Instead, he just chuckled like he was having the time of his life listening to Cheney's little fairy tale.

[janx]

6. I definitely think he'll not just keep it up for five more months,

but that his support will keep growing exponentially. Dean is the best candidate I've ever seen. People love the MeetUps, they love being involved and volunteering, and they love tracking the fundraisers as the $$ keeps pouring in from all over the country.

It's the first positive thing to happen in American politics in a long time.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

9. Getting supporters involved

Dean gives his supporters something to do (writing letters for example) and a voice (on the Blog) and a way to see the results and cheer along (the Fundraising bat, the Mailing List, the Meetup #s). These things are incredibly effective in keeping people engaged in the campaign. Whatever you think of Dean, this is some brilliant strategy. Success breeds success.

[Nazgul35]

12. you might also want to check out...

the new Dean chat room.....located at www.chatforamerica.com

[RevolutionStartsNow]

13. I saw that

Is it civil? I hope so.

Someone on the Blog once suggested www.whitehouse.gov/Blog and the campaign picked up on it -- great idea! Maybe unrealistic, but if anyone could/would do this, it's Dean.

[Le Taz Hot]

18. OK, NOW you've done it . . .

A Dean chatroom -- I'm there. DU may not see me for awhile. ;-)

[caledesi]

15. Yes, it feels good to actually be involved! The meetups were ingenious.

[Cha]

5. Thanks for this report Amerika!

Dean is On his Message and that is what is Important.

Dean Is Getting Through and No one defines him.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

7. His message was loud and clear

I don't know the demographics, but I bet lots of middle America voters watch the Today Show, people who wouldn't normally see Dean.

What a great week of press for him.

[Cha]

10. Yeah! When I first saw Dean was on "The Today Show" it

was in General Discussion and I couldn't get in, of course...so I was disappointed. I wanted to know how that went. Glad you reported here in Politics and Campaigns. :-)


I think Lots of "Middle America" sees The Today Show!

And I think it's important that Dean and his policies are getting out Now! By Nov 2004 ..Everyone in America will know who Dean is and What he stands for at this rate. :kick:

[Cha]

8. And as for "tim russert". I don't know why everyone thinks he

is suppose to be The interviewer! tim sucks at it ...Thank God Matt Lauer is Not tim ge whore russert.

[caledesi]

16. I want a video of this.

Someone, please.

[UnapologeticLiberal]

17. Do you by any chance have a tape or DVD of the broadcast?

For some reason, I had no idea about this and thus was unable to record it with my new DVD recorder. If you by any chance recorded it or know of anyone who did, please let me know. I would really like to see it and, if I can get a good enough quality version, include it in a DVD I am making of Dean speeches and newsclips.

[ModerateMiddle]

19. link to online video here

http://www.msnbc.com/news/948491.asp

[ryharrin]

21. My Syracuse Dean group is looking for

a DVD or video cd full of Dean footage. I'm going to try to put one together, but anything you might be able to send me would be incredibly helpful.

[UnapologeticLiberal]

22. Do you have any high quality footage?

Maybe we can trade

[ThorsteinVeblen]

20. What an awesome week!

For the Dean-meister.

[Jonte_1979]

23. Not his best performance

Granted, I haven't seen a whole lot of interviews with Dean since I don't live in the US, but my impressions are that he needs to talk a bit slower and loosen up a bit. I was however pleased with the answers he gave.

[DrFunkenstein]

24. A few thoughts sure to be unpopular

1) He seemed stiff.

2) He dodged the balanced budget question. Cutting spending growth is not going to balance the budget.

3) I thought he came off as presumptious regarding 3rd party candidates. He seems to believe that all Perot, McCain, and Nader supporters wanted was someone who talked differently. Believe me, I didn't support Nader because he was a great speaker. He was a mediocre speaker with inspiring ideas and reforms.

4) I felt that the comment about Vermont's size struck Dean hard. I wouldn't be surprised if it came up many more times in the future.

That said, I think he did a good job of condensing his standard stump speech into TV blurb.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

25. Do they do transcripts?

Do they do transcripts? I don't have TV.