Reflections on the Howard Holler

[Plaid Adder]

On the way into the office this morning (yes, I'm in the office on a Saturday, alas) we were listening to Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me, the NPR news quiz. Being a humor show, of course, they made great play with the "yeeeagh" moment from Howard Dean's post-3rd-place-finish speech in Iowa. Then at the break they played a little remix sampling the "yeeeagh" and "we're going to California," etc.

It had the desired effect, of course, whcih was that we both burst out laughing. The more lasting effect, however, is that it has become our new running joke, so that one of us will say, "We're going to California!" and the other will reply, "Yeeeagh!" This is partly because we're bored, I suppose, but partly because there's something sort of harmlessly cathartic about it.

I also heard from a friend who said that one of her coworkers, who is not in the Dean camp, took the view that it was refreshing to hear someone in politics getting excited about something, and now uses the "yeeeagh!" as one of his Windows sounds. To which someone else on the same list immediately replied, "Hey, where can I get that sound file?"

Is this all going to hurt him with some voters? Undoubtedly. But to others, it has provided him with an instant hook, a combination of campaign slogan, soundbite, and catchy advertising jingle. And think about it: he has gotten more press (negative though some of it is) for finishing 3rd in Iowa than poor non-yelping John Edwards got for surprising everyone and coming in second.

So this actually may turn out to be not a bad thing for the Dean campaign. Whether it is a good sign about the state of the media in the US is a totally different story. But I'll tell you one thing about the Howard Holler that I think is fueling the interest: it's fun. And let's face it. Hasn't every Democrat in the US felt the need for a primal scream now and then over the past 3 years?

C ya,

The Plaid Adder

P.S. Since I have been one of NPR's harshest critics lately, I feel bound to point out that they also had a field day with "weapons of mass destruction-related program activities," and the call to ban steroid use.

[LizW]

1. Cathartic

That's the word. I listened to the Dean remixes yesterday and giggled helplessly. I'm ticked because I can't do the "Yeeeeaagh!" I just can't quite get it right.:7

[bearfartinthewoods]

10. i am no fan of dean's but i'm glad to see you guys are getting

over this. what has happened this week is tough. but it's waaaaay beyond what is resonible. i keep expecting fox to include the clip in their logo or something. dean isn't my candidate but even i don't like seeing you guys get screwed like this.

[Guaranteed]

11. It's kind of gutteral...prolly harder to do for females...

:)

[mandyky]

12. This gal has lived in TX and OK and GA

I'd have probably said YEEEEE Haaaaw! but gals can scream too!

[mopinko]

2. people are loving the bumper sticker

i took some stickers with me to an art opening (ok, it was an anti-war show) but the reaction was huge. a few people were a little shook about the whole thing, and looking at other candidates. but i think the humor has definitely taken the edge off. and howard's reaction has been perfect.

(bumperstickers still available -free. just e-mail me through http://pinkobuttons.com)

[WatchWhatISay]

5. Is there a bumper sticker that pertains to Howard's enthusiasm?

I didn't see it at you website.

[mopinko]

9. it's not on the site

i do not have the ability to update at this time. so it is not there.
the bumpersticker has a nice picture of howard, and says
"give 'em hell howard"
yeeearrrrrrgh!!

i can e-mail a jpeg, if you like.

[TexasSissy]

3. Yes, it's funny. Dean & his crowd need to get a sense of humor.

It's funny, not fatal. I and others posted that. Dean supporters were vicious about it, overall, though, which perplexed me. Hey guys, it's funny. Not fatal. It's a GOOD thing to be on the news.

[On the Road]

4. Howard's Certainly an Attention-Getter

and that by itself bodes well for him.

A lot of folks here are pointing out that he has high negatives. True, but so did Clinton, Reagan, Nixon, and Johnson. That's not an indication of unelectability.

I actually think the scream was incredibly damaging the first couple of days, but it's being played just right now. Other candidates and candidate supporters have tended to be gracious and supportive about it, too. That's helped.

[shance]

6. Exactly. Thats why so many of us love Dean: his passion and enthusiasm.

This will only help. Thats what makes the media so mad I think.

I thought the speech was endearing. Just shows that he cares so much.

[kaitykaity]

7. "Primal scream" is exactly right.

:thumbsup:

[Gin]

8. that made me laugh........thanks....and Yehaaaaaa

"poor non-yelping" John Edwards got for surprising everyone and coming in second.


gin

[Meldread]

13. LOL! The "Howard Holler"!

I love that term Plaid, and the articles that get posted by you from time to time are great.

[Plaid Adder]

17. "Howard Holler" is not my term, alas

though I wish I could take credit for it, I borrowed it from some media treatment of it. Can't remember which outlet now.

yeeeeagh,

The Plaid Adder

[THUNDER HANDS]

14. I think those remixes are hysterical

And I think people are gonna stop bashing Dean so much because of it once time settles in.

But I don't think Dean can gain back the confidence he lost in people who were seeing him for the first time that night.

[not systems]

15. The necessity of celebrity in the media...

make this a big win for Dean.

I have been able to talk more openly and get better
reactions with Dean the screamer than Dean the "antiwar" guy.

I think this is turning out better than fine.

Americans like the real because it is so rare and the media
can't fathom passion in politics.

Go Dean!!!

[mandyky]

16. We're going to FL, NY, CA, OH, and MI!!!

YeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeHaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw!