Dean: Power Play

[Duder]

Skating for the goal with Howard Dean, hockey dad by Ken Picard

Burlington’s Paquette Arena was chilled to its usual meat-locker briskness when Betsey Krumholz and her husband Charlie arrived for their son’s first day of hockey practice. It was an early morning in September 1991 as their son A.J. and a dozen or so other gear-clad kindergarteners scampered onto the ice. When the Krumholzes signed up their son for the “Mites” Division of the Burlington Amateur Hockey Association, they knew several parents would be sharing the coaching duties, which basically means teaching kids the fundamentals of the game. But they had no idea who else would be on their bench.
“We show up the first morning of practice and out skates the newly minted governor,” Betsey Krumholz remembers. “It was surprising, to say the least.” Little did she know then that A.J. could one day claim he learned how to face off from Howard Dean, the left wingman of the Democratic Party.

“Howard was out there in these beat-up old skates and this beat-up old bomber jacket, and he was having more fun than the kids,” Krumholz says. “We would set up these milk crates with the hockey sticks lying across them to teach the kids how to take a dive head-first and use their pads effectively. And Howard would be the first one out there diving on his belly.”

Where else can you find the state’s highest elected official belly-flopping across the red line? Only in Vermont, as the Washington pundits might say.

And when push comes to shove, isn’t that why so many Democrats have a problem with Dean — because he’s such a Vermonter? Dean’s harshest critics within his own party harp on the fact that the Green Mountain State, with its socialist congressman, gay-friendly politics and white-bread demographics, is an unworthy training ground for a serious national contender.

But putting aside for a moment Dean’s eagerness to throw off the gloves with President Bush over his tax cuts and the war in Iraq, consider this: Which is better training for cajoling a boisterous Congress to toe the line? A few congressional sessions of shmoozing with Dupont Circle lobbyists, or several Vermont winters of rousing the kids out of warm beds and onto a chilly ice rink at 5 a.m.? And when it comes to choosing a commander-in-chief who knows when to throw his weight around and when to clear the zone, it’s no contest. Hire a hockey dad.

More...

http://www.sevendaysvt.com/-thisweek/feat/features.html

[Fabio]

1. DrF

A reply to this post was tailor made for you. Keep in mind that JK is a hockey dad t - except he was a Hockey Dad to his daughter Vanessa. I think that is even cooler.

[Duder]

2. Yup, I thought of Dr. Funk

Dean's daughter Anne played hockey as well. :)

[RevolutionStartsNow]

4. Dean gives a boost to girls' hockey

Excerpt from the article:

Dean has also chalked up a few nifty assists for girls’ hockey in Vermont. “Howard Dean was responsible for giving the Vermont High School Girls’ Hockey League a real shot in the arm,” notes Walter O’Brien, director of women’s hockey for the Vermont State Amateur Hockey Association. During the 2000-01 season, Governor Dean offered a $10,000 grant to any school athletic program that started a girl’s hockey team. That year, the number of Vermont schools with a girls’ team jumped from four to 14. Today, there are 20, including the Stowe High School team O’Brien now coaches.

[meegbear]

3. As long as deanpers stays away from football ...

I'm fine with that.

[dorktv]

Dean played football apparently...

[DrFunkenstein]

5. I Think That Is Cool Of Dean

I'm sorry that the writer decided to contrast it to those in Congress, especially having read about how Kerry would always run back to Boston on the weekends to get some QT (quality time) with his daughters.

From the Globe profile:

As he tried to make a mark, Kerry maintained a breakneck pace, squeezing in fatherly time with his two daughters, Alexandra and Vanessa, who were living with Julia.

Kerry says his own experience, with long absences from his family while at boarding schools, helped him become "a better father . . . and make sure I was there" for his daughters. But he acknowledges the "juggling act" of public life took its toll.

Family time had to be shoehorned into his hectic schedule. For some events, Kerry's staff attended to details, including instructions in his daily schedule, such as this entry for Dec. 11, 1983, a Sunday.

"!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!" (Kerry turned 40 that day.)

"2:30 p.m. Arrive Cabot Theater (in Beverly). Go to the box office and pick up the tickets (6). Note: There are no reserved seats. It's first come first serve -- This show is sold out.

"3 p.m. The Magic Show begins. After the show, you and the kids are to meet your mother at Friendly's Restaurant for a snack."

From what I read elsewhere, Kerry's early years in the Senate were rough. He was (surprisingly) broke, was hustling with what would turn out to be historic investigations, and refused to deny his daughters (several states away) the presence and love of a Father.

I wish I could find that damn article (I checked the Joe Klein profile, but no dice). It was very moving. You really felt for the guy.

<>

[Fabio]

6. no pics of kerry playing hockey?

[RevolutionStartsNow]

7. These guys are both great and devoted fathers

At least as far as we can tell from press coverage, they were both attentive and dedicated dads. And I have a soft spot for such men. My husband is one, he is a stay-at-home dad who goes to all of our son's practices and games, and hauls both kids around tirelessly. He also volunteers in my son's 2nd grade class twice a week.

My husband's involvement in the kids' daily lives has made a huge difference in their lives. I applaud fathers who are both willing and able to do this, even more so if they maintain a career while doing so.

[Fabio]

8. I cant speak for HD

but I can tell you that JK is a very devoted father. I've seen it in person. And I am happy, and not surprised, that his step-son Chris and daughter, Vanessa, have dropped what they are doing to help this man.

[Cha]

9. This is Fantastic, duder! I'm glad you found this!

Thanks!

"And with Bush’s foreign and domestic agenda having a rough season, whoever takes over next in the West Wing will need to know a thing or two about multi-tasking, a skill Dean has apparently mastered. “Howard was always there to help out with anything that needed to be done,” Morin adds. “He came to practices, he came to all the games, he was always active with working the penalty boxes. And, of course, it was great having him there as a doctor just in case any of the players got injured.”

While the Religious Right has condemned the former Vermont governor for signing the civil-union bill into law, anyone who accuses Dean of being weak on family values had better make a quick line change. During Dean’s 11 years in office, Montpelier politicos all knew the governor’s calendar was kept open to accommodate his children’s athletic schedules, especially during the playoffs. That commitment hasn’t wavered since Dean began running for president. The Dean For America Web site notes that his presidential campaigning is scheduled around his son’s high school hockey games."

[Cha]

10. A Kick for Dean!

This needs to stay around so more People can read it! :kick:

[Nicholas_J]

11. What is most interesting

Is that if the coondition Dean had in order to get out of the draft really existed, he would not be totally incapable of such activity, as the consition given is degenerative and without significant surgery, gerally results in severe arthritic degeneration of the spine.

[JaneQPublic]

12. So, did he have surgery, do you know?

I'm not sure what your point is.

[MiddleRiverRefugee]

13. ignore

[Duder]

14. Nonsense

Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=155&topcategory=Spine

[helleborient]

15. Typical from Nick...

No data and attacks

[KaraokeKarlton]

16. Sure thing Mr. "I built houses all over the northeast"

Funny how Dean is supposed to be a total invalid for a similar condition to yours but you can do constructions work. Didn't you also criticize Dean for pouring concrete? Your double standards are quite ridiculous.