"Empower Play: The Pitch That Works for Dean" from today's Wash Post

[flpoljunkie]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25308-2003Sep30.html

By Laura Blumenfeld
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 1, 2003; Page A01

The question is: How? What did Dean do to enchant Pierce, and to stir up thousands of avid supporters? Despite the buzz surrounding retired Gen. Wesley Clark's late entry into the campaign, and mounting attacks from some of his other eight rivals, Dean has raised the most money and leads the polls in New Hampshire and Iowa. Conventional wisdom credits Dean's Bush-bashing and his stoking of Democratic anger. But to follow Dean on the stump is to see something more subtle at work.

While the other candidates focus on their humble roots or heroic feats, Dean inverts the telescope: He talks about the voters. He tells them they're okay. Instead of trying to get them to love him, he tells them to love themselves. A doctor by training, he injects psychology into politics.

<>

It may energize Democrats, but the self-help dynamic breaks down with the press. In interviews, Dean ranges from wary to snarling. When a television reporter from New England Cable News sat down with him and asked gentle questions about his life, he was as clenched as an inmate at a parole board hearing. And when facing off with other Democratic candidates in debates, he has appeared at times, by his own admission, "grouchy and nervous."

The empowerment approach also can backfire with people who don't feel disempowered. At St. Anselm College in Manchester, Dean addressed students and local residents.

more

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

1. I like this article!

Yet half an hour later, as Dean finished his stump speech, Pierce stood up, joining the crowd in a hooting ovation. The Democratic presidential hopeful had moved her, she said, made her feel like recruiting friends to vote for him. As she reached for Dean's hand, her eyes lit up. "He inspired me," she said.

The question is: How? What did Dean do to enchant Pierce, and to stir up thousands of avid supporters? Despite the buzz surrounding retired Gen. Wesley Clark's late entry into the campaign, and mounting attacks from some of his other eight rivals, Dean has raised the most money and leads the polls in New Hampshire and Iowa. Conventional wisdom credits Dean's Bush-bashing and his stoking of Democratic anger. But to follow Dean on the stump is to see something more subtle at work.

While the other candidates focus on their humble roots or heroic feats, Dean inverts the telescope: He talks about the voters. He tells them they're okay. Instead of trying to get them to love him, he tells them to love themselves. A doctor by training, he injects psychology into politics.

"I liked it when he said the election wasn't about him, it was about us," said Pierce. "He's empowering me.

Lots of good stuff here!

[Malikshah]

2. Great article

You take the good
You take the bad
You take them both
And there you have .....

Interesting snippets used.

The article itself is spot on at dealing with the individual nature of politics--

Some folks are empowered, "I want your baby" excited," while others are not so enamoured.

Overall positive take and interesting read.

[wtmusic]

3. Why does there have to be some 'technique' at work

If you want to put a label on it try 'honesty', 'intelligence', 'integrity', 'ideas'.

[Egnever]

4. Thank you for that!

That was a great read. one of the best peices I have read on deans appeal.

This line in particular nails it for me.

"Most politicians treat voters like consumers," said Karen Hicks, Dean's New Hampshire state director. "Dean treats people like participants."

A-friggin-men!

[Larkspur]

5. Only the pompous would not feel empowered by Dean

and they are most likely in the upper 1% tax bracket who enjoy Bush's tax cuts.

But the article does explain very well why Dean is overpowering Kerry, Lieberman, Edwards, Gephardt, and the others. The quote below explains how I feel about Dean's message vs the other Dems:

"Most politicians treat voters like consumers," said Karen Hicks, Dean's New Hampshire state director. "Dean treats people like participants."

Like a good doctor, he listened to his patient -- We the People -- and developed a strategy to help us solve our problem -- Bush and the plutocrats who rule both parties.

Personally, I've never felt this excited about politics in my who 42 years on this planet. This history majro feels like I'm helping make history with the Dean for America campaign.

[Egnever]

6. You are helping make history!

:bounce:

[blm]

7. Dean never empowered people while he was governor.

In fact he was pushing BFEE proposals like deregulating electricity which was designed to EMPOWER the energy companies OVER the people.

Amazing how his 9 month conversion to populism has duped so many. Shameful.

[Larkspur]

8. It's amazing that Kerry is so out of touch with the common person

His campaign admitted after Dean spoke in Boston last week that they underestimated the depth and width of anger at Bush from the Dem base. Gee, maybe if Kerry listened to WE the People, and treated us like adults, instead of sheep to be sheared, he'd be the big leader now.

[blm]

9. That's one view. I know longshoremen, firefighters and vets

and teachers and artists who think he is more on their side than most of the other Dem candidates.

[Larkspur]

10. Most people aren't longshoremen, firefighters, or vets

Kerry has limited his base of appeal. Of course, voting for the 2002 Iraq War resolution pissed off alot of progressives and moderates who may have supported him for presidency.

Dean has intentionally appealed to Americans of all walks of life as Americans and as adults. Maybe that's why Dean's base is broader than Kerry's.