Please, please--everyone should just keep their opinions of

[ncteechur]

Howard Dean to themselves. It is hurting the party, not helping. If you disagree, fine. Email him. Write him a letter. Call his cell phone. But these folks need to STFU when they know it is going to be on the news. Mark Maron had it right on AAR this morning. They should just say, "Yeah, that's Howard." and leave it at that. This bickering within the party is killing us. There is no party discipline. You can believe that the GOP message is very clear and succinct and they don't cross the line criticizing each other much--maybe occasionally. I don't mean that we should be the GOP but we could take a lesson about message crafting. Leave Howard alone--everyone knew he would take it to the GOP when he became DNC chair. Let Howard be Howard.

[Triana]

1. AGREED! (n/t)

[pocket]

2. HELL YES

keep it in-house.

[ncteechur]

3. By the way, I don't mean average people so much as I mean...

those who gets the ear of the media. Biden, Pelosi, Edwards, etc.
If they disagree, just disagree and let that be it. For God's sake, don't over explain their position. Sort of like I just did. hee, hee.

[wtmusic]

4. So what you're really saying is

don't criticize Dean, not "everyone should just keep their opinions of HD to themselves"...

Worrying about how to "frame" the debate is a waste of time, unless you're a strategist working for the party. As Democrats we spend too much time on image and too little time on activism.

[ncteechur]

5. No, but there is no need to air the dirty laundry over the media.

[LittleClarkie]

10. Would have been nice if Reid would have remembered that

before he did the Rolling Stone interview and criticized Kerry. Ditto for Mark Warner.

Or is that allowed?

Actually, I don't have a problem with criticism as long as it is intelligent and has a good point as opposed to snark for its own sake. There is a difference.

So I don't really have a problem with Reid or Warner. Neither do I have a problem with Pelosi, Edwards, Biden, Richardson et al.

In other words, I would say the same if it were Kerry.

[DuaneBidoux]

7. Well that all depends. Do we want to take power?

Then image is the only thing that counts, otherwise how do you explain virtual domination of every hall of power by Republicans?

One thing they are competent as is projecting image regardless of fact.

[Andromeda]

6. Totally agree...

They have a right to disagree with Dean but they should do so privately instead of appearing on Hardball or Inside Politics with their condescending remarks.

A thump on the noggin to those Democrats!:spank:

[marzipanni]

8. Sorry, GOP, you have a big infected boil on your butt

and the Doctor has to lance it.
If it hurts, maybe Rush has some extra oxycontin.

[LittleClarkie]

9. Don't suppose that argument would work for Kerry

If I tried it, I'm pretty sure I'd get "We have a right to our criticisms!"

So, that is my answer. They have a right to their criticisms.

Meow, fttt, ftttt.

[flpoljunkie]

12. Great point! Now Dems need to fix the one-sided bankruptcy bill.

Read today in The Hill that the New Democrats are going to introduce a bill soon to stop predatory lending. This is a good start, along with removing the millionaires protections provisions purposefully left in this egregious giveaway to the banks and credit card companies.

They need to hammer this support for ordinary Americans every day--so that the word will get out to all voters.

[Nimrod]

11. Friendly disagreement

Remember how many people got banned from FreeRepublic for criticizing *'s immigration policy? I believe the absolute last thing we need is any sort of blind faith or line-toeing. Question everything. Hell, question it even if you believe it as gospel, it's good for you.

Honestly. I feel Kerry let me down. I feel the Democratic party as a whole let me down. I like what Dean says and how he says it. At least half the board will disagree with me vehemently on all these points and a gazillion others. I welcome their disagreements. This is a discussion board, after all, and we're here to discuss.

The ability to question our leaders is what makes a free nation - which is why the Busheviks are trying SO hard to take that away. I understand you're not saying we should be like the GOP, but failing to question and voice contrary opinions WILL make us like the GOP.

Just my two scheckels.