The Fighting Moderates -Krugman on Dean as chair

[Rose Siding]

The Republicans know the America they want, and they are not afraid to use any means to get there," Howard Dean said in accepting the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee. "But there is something that this administration and the Republican Party are very afraid of. It is that we may actually begin fighting for what we believe."

Those words tell us what the selection of Mr. Dean means. It doesn't represent a turn to the left: Mr. Dean is squarely in the center of his party on issues like health care and national defense. Instead, Mr. Dean's political rejuvenation reflects the new ascendancy within the party of fighting moderates, the Democrats who believe that they must defend their principles aggressively against the right-wing radicals who have taken over Congress and the White House.
...
By standing firm against Mr. Bush's attempt to stampede the country into dismantling its most important social insurance program, Democrats like Mr. Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Dick Durbin and Barbara Boxer have, at a minimum, broken the administration's momentum, and quite possibly doomed its plan. The more time the news media spend examining the details of privatization, the worse it looks. And those Democrats have also given their party a demonstration of what it means to be an effective opposition.
...
For a while, Mr. Dean will be the public face of the Democrats, and the Republicans will try to portray him as the leftist he isn't. But Deanism isn't about turning to the left: it's about making a stand.

http://nytimes.com/2005/02/15/opinion/15krugman.html?hp

Oh, yeah :dem:

[dorktv]

1. I am naming one of my kids after Howard Dean.

How does Howard Wellstone Whatever sound?

[Redneck Socialist]

2. Howard Wellstone dorktv has a certain ring to it

:)

I say go for it.

[dorktv]

3. My real name last name is Rogers but

I hate it and hope to get married for the sole reason of getting a new last name. :)

[Redneck Socialist]

4. Well since we seem to be totally hijacking this tread...

Why don't you like rogers? Howard W. Rogers would be a great name.

[dorktv]

7. Because I was tormented by it too much as a kid. And I do not like

my father. He is um shall we say less then pleasent?

[Redneck Socialist]

8. Ah, got'cha...

Not that I know much about it, but you could have it legal changed if you wanted.

[Hekate]

9. You can change your name any time

A friend of mine changed hers so that both her first and last names are female (as in "Sally Belinda"). She didn't like her father either. The judge said he'd never heard of such a thing as using two first names (really? William-s, John-son, Roger-s, and a thousand others all started that way), but he granted her petition anyway.

Were you teased by being called Roy Rogers after the cowboy star, or was that before your time?

Hopalong Cassidy, another cowpoke, was on the small screen at the same time, and I got really sick of being called Hopalong. "Hoppy" and "Hop" stuck to my dad, who didn't seem to mind it as I guess he liked it better than "Junior," his previous nickname.

Hekate
yippee-ki-yi-o

[dorktv]

13. No...really really repetative lame jokes about Mr. Rogers.

[Chico Man]

45. My name is the same as one famous horror writer from Maine

Take that.

[dorktv]

53. But I like Tabitha King!

[biscodawg]

61. well my last name is..

Tritz, now you do the math on what the other kids called me. :eyes:

[dorktv]

63. Fritz? Dritz? Mritz?

[biscodawg]

64. no, how about

tits, Ritz cracker (i think that one is kinda funny), Trix (silly rabbit) and a few I cannot remember. Even funnier was substitute teachers calling my name out for roll call and always getting it wrong. Oh yea fritz was one of them

[happyslug]

28. Check with a lawyer, but changing one's name is easy

Now it varies from State to State, for example my home state of Pennsylvania still follows the Common law Rule that a person can change their name at any time as long as it is consistent and for non-fraudulent purposes. No Court action is needed (This upsets bureaucrats who want your birth certificate to match your name, but that is NOT a requirement in Pennsylvania). Furthermore in Pennsylvania changing the name on a Birth certificate is easy, you just tell the Bureau of Vital Statistics the name is wrong. On the back of the Birth Certificate is the form to correct the name. Fill it out mail it in and the name on the birth certificate is changed and a new one is issued. Pennsylvania has long ruled its birth records are records of birth not your name, thus it is administrative to change any name on the Certificate. If the subject of the Certificate is below 18 it requires BOTH parent's Signature but if you are over 18 all it requires is your signature.

Other states require a court order to change a Birth Certificate and require a Court Order to change one's names, so check with a lawyer in your state on how to change your name.

One last comment, the wife taking her husband's name was never required under the Common Law, it was just a Tradition. They are cases of the Husband taking his wife's name and even both parties taking on a third name. Pennsylvania follows this rule but other states have changed it by Statute.

[Coastie for Truth]

29. The Rogers name is highly respected in the Progressive Religious Left

as in the late Rev Fred Rogers. Rev Rogers was a graduate of Pittsburgh Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary on North Highland Avenue in Pittsburgh's East End, a day-in day-out youth minister at University and City Ministries (just off the University of Pittsburgh Campus), and the producer and "star" of Public TV's "Mister Rogers Neighborhood."

The Unholy Three (Falwell, Dobson, Robertson) accused him of advocating the so-called "Gay Agenda".

he was my neighbor in Pittsburgh's East End.

Rogers is a distinguished name.

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

35. Absolutely

Wear your association with Fred Rogers like the badge of honor that it is.

[dorktv]

55. I know that NOW but when I was a kid it was just one more thing

that the other kids used to torment me.

[mzmolly]

22. Howard Paul? Howard David?

;)

Paul David Wellstone, take your pick.

Sounds wonderful!

[dorktv]

57. I like Wellstone and I think that it shows more then anything who

I am naming the child after.

[mzmolly]

71. Very true.

:hi:

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

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

[Name removed]

39. Deleted message

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

[Redneck Socialist]

43. Somebody flamed her for wanting to name her kid Howard?!

Holy shit! Some people are unbelievable. :mad:

[Bouncy Ball]

46. Yep.

It was flat-out hateful and ignorant, too.

[dorktv]

56. Why thank you. I appriciate the defense.

:yourock:

[Kazak]

5. "Deanism isn't about turning to the left: it's about making a stand."

Nice...so true.

[madfloridian]

6. Now that is one article to be proud of. Outstanding. Thanks!

I love and respect Paul Krugman, and I am glad to see he understands what Dean is about.

:hi:

[Hekate]

10. Thanks for posting this!

I'm writing Paul Krugman a short note of appreciation. I wish my newspaper carried his column on a more regular basis -- he's such a voice of sanity.

Hekate

[housewolf]

14. He's published in the NY Times

you can read it online line

nytimes.com

You just have to register (free)

[DFLforever]

11. You could describe Krugman the same way.

He's a 'fighting moderate' himself - driven to taking a stand and speaking out by the lethal right-wing extremism of the Bush govt.

[housewolf]

16. He's one of our true heros...

I have had so much gratitude for him over the past couple of years... he's been one of the ones who's kept me going.

[spooked911]

33. Yes-- and he's taken a lot of grief for it, but he's been right every time

I can think of, anyway.

Three cheers for Krugman!
:toast:
:toast:
:toast:

[Eloriel]

12. Wow, this is powerful

Here's my favorite version, from another fighting moderate, Eliot Spitzer: "As President Bush embraces the ownership society and tries to claim that he is the one that is making it possible for the middle class to succeed and save and invest - well, I say to myself, no, that's not right; it is the Democratic Party historically that created the middle class."

And the Repugs who are systematically destroying it.

Eliot Spitzer. VERY powerful point/quote.

[housewolf]

15. Spitzer -

That was such a powerful speech he gave (was it lastl week? or the week before?). It made me proud to be a Democrat. Eliot Spitzer is a hero to me now....

[Guaranteed]

17. Yup. It's about leadership. nt

[BNW]

18. It's also about the grassroots

Yes, Dean takes a stand, but most of his grassroots supporters stand to the left of Dean. One of Dean's most important stands, however, is that part of his job as DNC chair is to empower the grassroots.

[CWebster]

19. Most Dean supporters understand what Dean is all about

He is good and decent and a strong Democrat. Clear and proud of his identity and determined to fight for it....with us. That is all we ask.

[sendero]

20. Exactly...

... and DESPITE the conventional wisdom, I don't care whether or not I agree with Dean on every single issue.

I don't agree with ANYONE on every single issue, that is not my litmus test. My test is "will this person stand up for what he believes, can he speak with passion and conviction about his viewpoint?".

Dr. Dean can do that, and he will. And as soon as we get more Dems that can and will, we will move forward.

[mzmolly]

23. Right O!

:hi:

[WLKjr]

21. DAMN SKIPPY! It was always about making a stand! n/t

[Overseas]

24. Kick ! eom

[stray cat]

25. Don't move right or left: Stand and fight!

[knight_of_the_star]

59. Good slogan!

Want to make that a bumpersticker?

[lojasmo]

26. Spot on article....thanks. EOM

[Tighthead Prop]

27. Bravo! Excellent piece.

In my political science course I'm taking about Politics & Mass Media we watched the movie "Network". This article and Howard Deans words reminded me of the scene where Howard Beal told everyone to stand up and shout "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not gonna take this anymore!!!!!"

[NYCGirl]

30. Thanks so much for posting this. Krugman is a gem;

he's one of the best regular guests on Franken's show.

[KissMeKate]

31. there are several issues I disagree with Dean about

but as the other posters say, it never was about agreeing with him on all of the issues.

[Q]

32. All Democrats should heed this message:

it's about making a stand.

it's about making a stand.

it's about making a stand.

it's about making a stand.

it's about making a stand.

it's about making a stand.

it's about making a stand.

Now all we have to do to take back our party is get rid of the DLC appeasers.

[McCamy Taylor]

34. Krugman is a real journalist! Dean is a real Democrat! I am real happy!

:toast:

[UCLA Dem]

36. great article. i know it made my morning!

[moggie12]

38. This is must reading - thanks for posting

With Dean in as DNC chair and Harry Reid fighting back in the Seante, I have some hope.

[Callboy]

40. Dean should start his own party

Democrats who criticize him are pikers

[etherealtruth]

48. I really question the value of sweeping generalizations.

I have been a liberal Democrat since I was old enough to align myself with a political party or philosophy. I support Dean now because I support the DNC (I do think he does bring talents to the chair's position that will serve us all well). I would hope that the party is looking to find commonalities within its ranks and welcome those independents whom share some of the same core values. Name calling falls into the same category as gathering in a circle and shooting-----it is counterproductive!

I'm not a Dean worshiper but I wish him great success!

[stray cat]

49. I think Deans straightforwardness will help with independents.

[John_H]

41. Paul in right, natch. The sooner some DUers realize this , the better

The DUers who worship Dean as some liberal rock star are going to be dissapointed sooner or later, and unfortunately we're going to have to listen to them whine and moan and feingoldobamaleahyize him as soon as he acts like a party chairman should act.

DUers who recognize dean as the moderate fighter krugman describes ought to continue to be pleased as punch for years to come.

[opihimoimoi]

42. Dean Stands for the REAL AMERICA... the OutSider coming to DC is what the

Pubs fear.......

He will be able to galvanize us ...to take our collective strengths and maximize them to the point of success.

Clinton stood up to the Pubs during his showdown with Newt..and the Gov't was shut down for 5 days(or whatever)...

Newt lost big time and looked foolish as a result...he has never recovered....

Dean will make similar stands...because he believes in doing the right thing for ALL AMERICANs and not just a few as the BushCo does.

This is why the Pubs will do everything possible to break up the Dean Movement.... Watch "Bushes Brain" and you will come to realize we are in dire times.

Its guys like us who must help Dean reorg the Dem Party to its full potential...We owe it to ourselves and our children/future not to mention the Planet.

Come, we go help the guy......plz....

[Callboy]

44. Go Dean

The solution

[ClarkUSA]

47. The Fighting Moderates -- not the Fighting Progressives/Liberals

Another paragraph from the article:

"It was always absurd to call Mr. Dean a left-winger. Just ask the real left-wingers. During his presidential campaign, an article in the muckraking newsletter CounterPunch denounced him as a "Clintonesque Republicrat," someone who, as governor, tried "to balance the budget, even though Vermont is a state in which a balanced budget is not required."

Yes, Counterpunch is a leftwingnut muckraking rag, alright. Clark supporters know it well. I'm glad Krugman said it.

"...Mr. Dean is squarely in the center of his party on issues like health care and national defense. Instead, Mr. Dean's political rejuvenation reflects the new ascendancy within the party of fighting moderates..."

The Party returns to center.

[Democrat Dragon]

52. I don't think the party chairman totally changes the stance of the party

I prefer the to see the Democratic Party as an intresting mix of liberal s(I will continue to use this word. I don't care how the Rethugs use it) moderates, a few conservatives, and a pinch of DINOs.

Isn't Dean gonna put some kind of "Think globally, act locally" campaign strategy? This way the party can be moderate in say, red states or red counties.

Many grassroots organizations have some kind of liberal stance(like PDA and Democrats.US) and if they are going to have a great impact in campaigns, then it might become intresting. Of course there are some moderate or single issue grassroots organizations(like Velvet Revolution and Alliance for Democracy).

I'll just have to see how it would work out, afterall Dean has only been chair for four days.

[V Lee]

50. Yes, fighting is what we need to be.

This isn't partisan, it's personal. It's not about compromising, the Repubs will only take advantage of that. It's about standing up and fighting for what we know is right!

[Uzybone]

51. Krugman is one of the main reasons

I have any faith in Dean. This was an excellent article yet again by Krugman.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

58. Howard -- Our Surrogate President ! n/t

[Dr Fate]

54. Krugman GETS IT: "It's about making a stand. "

It is NOT about moving to the center or moving to the right or "I'm more pure & Liberal than thou"- it's about making a stand.

I hope Dean can fight the GOP/media- lord knows most DEMS cannot or refuse to.

[UL_Approved]

60. Its like I keep saying

We will never get the Democratic party back into power in this country until it can represent most Americans. Retreating into the left will only worsen our problems.

Dean is right on target. He made reference to MAINTAINING OLD VALUES.

We don't need a "new America". We need to refurbish the old one, which was working just fine.

Bush has tried to push the middle right over the ultra-conservative cliff. He is trying to reshape the most basic stance in politics.

Dean sure has some good things to say here. And he is saying what a lot of people that I've met are saying. They think Kerry was some regional Boston liberal, but they are scared of Bush. They want a populist and a true centrist.

:kick:

[moggie12]

62. I agree - nicely said

Most middle-class people I know have "bad" images of Democrats as "liberals" -- but they would vote for a Democrat who would spoke a true economic "populist" message and who seemed fairly moderate. Many people I know chose Bush as the lesser of two evils: They didn't like Bush and were actually more than a little afraid of what he's been doing, but were put-off by the "liberal" label the Bush campaign stuck on Kerry (which Kerry, in my opinion, did not do enough to cast off).

I think Dean will appeal to these people.

[Mountainman]

66. We should not shy away from calling ourselves liberal !

We need to define what a liberal is, not let the right define it.

Here is what John Kennedy said about it.

Sen. John F. Kennedy, acceptance of the New York Liberal Party Nomination, September 14, 1960.

What do our opponents mean when they apply to us the label "Liberal?" If by "Liberal" they mean, as they want people to believe, someone who is soft in his policies abroad, who is against local government, and who is unconcerned with the taxpayer's dollar, then the record of this party and its members demonstrate that we are not that kind of "Liberal." But if by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal."


There is much more to his speach go here

http://www.cjnetworks.com/~cubsfan/whatis.html

[moggie12]

67. Wow, I doubt I've ever read that speech - thanks for posting that

I agree, we have to better define it. Since the day when JFK said those stirring words, there is much water under the bridge: Vietnam, the failure of many well-intentioned Great Society programs, etc., etc. Right now the word "liberal" is an effective "slur" in some sense, a shorthand way of saying "high taxing, big government program, soft on defense Democrat".

If a politician would come along who could explain what a "liberal" is these days as eloquently as JFK, we'd be in great shape (unfortunately, John Kerry was not that man).

I thought it was interesting that JFK said back then,

"If by "Liberal" they mean, as they want people to believe, someone who is soft in his policies abroad, who is against local government, and who is unconcerned with the taxpayer's dollar, then the record of this party and its members demonstrate that we are not that kind of "Liberal."

Maybe things haven't changed as much as I thought...

[Mountainman]

65. We should not make it priority 1 to care about what the right says about

us. If we do it will only distract us from doing what we need to do. They want to keep us in a defeatist mode but we don't have to go there.

We don't have to compromise our beliefs to win. We don't have to appeal to the conservative voter by co-opting their positions on issues to win.

We are people of faith too. We believe in what Christ talked about in the Gospels. We believe in government fiscal responsibility. We believe in peace in the Middle East and on and on.

Don't let the right define us anymore. Those tactics should have less and less effect if we work to defend our core beliefs.

[obiwan]

68. You Betcha. Fighting for what you believe is the American way.

It's been the American way for over 200 years. If liberals roll over and play dead, we're doomed as a country.

Howard Dean is not a leftist. When you think far left, think Abby Hoffman et al.

Howard Dean is a centrist.An extraordinarily brave centrist who is not afraid, and not afraid to speak the truth.

He is exactly the man the Democrats need to steer the ship.

F--- the Republicans. They smear Dean because they know courage and logic when they see it, and they don't like it. It's a lot harder to fight courage and conviction than it is to fight division and apathy.
The Republicans are terrified of the truth in Dean's conviction.

I'll walk the path of courage and logic with Dr. Dean. It makes a lot more sense than walking down the dark path of fear and deception that the repubs want us to walk.

He doesn't like neoconservatives, and neither do I. It's okay to say that in public. The repubs sure as hell have been less than kind to the left in public.

God is saving a special place in heaven for Howard Dean.

[Clarkie1]

69. New Theme Song for Democratic Party

Well I won’t back down, no I won’t back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won’t back down

Gonna stand my ground, won’t be turned around
And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down
Gonna stand my ground and I won’t back down

Hey baby, there ain’t no easy way out
Hey I will stand my ground
And I won’t back down.

Well I know what’s right, I got just one life
In a world that keeps on pushin’ me around
But I’ll stand my ground and I won’t back down

Hey baby there ain’t no easy way out
Hey I will stand my ground
And I won’t back down
No, I won’t back down

-Tom Petty

[Don1]

70. Woohoo! Go kick butt, Dem Moderates!

Go, Centrists, go!

http://counterpunch.org/cp02152005.html

Yay, I want universal health care for citizens under 25 years old with concessions to the GOP and pharmaceutical industry!

Yay, I want to raise the devastating unlivable minimum wage by 50 cents! 3 people in the US will move above the poverty line due to this change and I will fight for them tooth and nail!

Yay, I want to restore 10 of the 50 education programs that the * budget has cut!

Yay, I want US troops to stay in Iraq indefinitely even though I was against the war previously! Anyone who calls me a flipflopper is a jerk and I will fight them! Grrr...

huh!? Why fight for moderation with corporatists? Does this even make sense to you? Most people on DU are not centrists or moderates. We should be doing something else with our time:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1235209#1239341