The Appeal of Howard Dean -Why he could be Bush's more dangerous opponent

[cthrumatrix]

The Appeal of Howard Dean
From the September 15, 2003 issue: Why he could be Bush's more dangerous opponent.
by Stephen Moore
09/15/2003, Volume 009, Issue 01

SEVERAL YEARS AGO an obscure Democratic governor from the politically inconsequential state of Vermont was the guest speaker at a Cato Institute lunch. His name was Howard Dean. He had been awarded one of the highest grades among all Democrats (and a better grade than at least half of the Republicans) in the annual Cato Fiscal Report Card on the Governors. We were curious about his views because we had heard that he harbored political ambitions beyond the governorship.

Dean charmed nearly everyone in the boardroom. He came across as erudite, policy savvy, and, believe it or not, a friend of free markets--at least by the standards of the Tom Daschle-Dick Gephardt axis of the Democratic party. Even when challenged on issues like environmentalism, where he favored a large centralized mass of intrusive regulations, Dean remained affable.

"You folks at Cato," he told us, "should really like my views because I'm economically conservative and socially laissez-faire." Then he continued: "Believe me, I'm no big-government liberal. I believe in balanced budgets, markets, and deregulation. Look at my record in Vermont." He was scathing in his indictment of the "hyper-enthusiasm for taxes" among Democrats in Washington.

more

This all may
come as a shock to those following Dean's sudden and unexpected leap-frog over the other Democratic presidential candidates. Running sharply to the left, he's become the darling of the angry liberal intelligentsia. For now at least, he seems to have disavowed his credentials as a free-market enthusiast, a tax cutter, and an enemy of big-government excess. Among the real contenders, he favors the most radical governmental takeover of the health care system, and he supports the biggest tax increase. Also, he was the most vocal opponent of the war in Iraq, verging on pacifism. One thing about Dean, however, remains exactly as I remember it from the day I met him--his unapologetic leftist stands on social issues. As a candidate, he boasts of his support as governor for gay marriages, but as one longtime observer of Vermont politics says, "The one issue he cares most passionately about is pro-choice on abortion, even to the point of holding pro-lifers in total contempt

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/003/073ylkiz.asp


Interesting read...the more you learn of the good Dr.. the better.

[On the Road]

1. Dean Connects with People

That's one thing I like about him. Hearing his town-hall meeting on the eve of the NH primary, I was once again deeply impressed and touched.

I can't understand the Dean = leftist mantra. I suppose it came from his quote "I'm from the Democratic wing of the Democratic party." But that wasn't his intent -- he was saying "I'm not a Republican-wannabe, I belong to an independent party."

Dean is an indepedent common-sense centrist. That would serve him well in the general election.

[hey2370]

2. Let's all get it right

Gay Marriage - Dean is/was against it.

Gay Civil Unions - Dean was forced to do something by the Vermont Supreme Court and decided that this was the answer. He says he thinks his decision is ethically unimpeachable.

Defining the real differences between gay marriage and gay civil unions would help the media, the populace, Dean's campaign, and (by extension) the Dem nominee's campaign immensely.

Somebody with knowledge of this issue needs to write it up for the purpose of blastfaxing the media, who are as ignorant of the differences as the public.

[cthrumatrix]

4. Dean on this issue

(Dillon) One of the toughest challenges Dean faced in his 11 and a half years came in late 1999 when the state Supreme Court ruled that the Legislature had to extend the rights and benefits of marriage to gay and lesbian couples. Dean did not support gay marriage. But he did sign legislation that authorizes civil unions for same-sex couples.

There was a tremendous backlash in the 2000 election. On the campaign trail that year, Dean quietly donned a bulletproof vest. He felt the voters' anger, and encountered it one day on the street in Williamstown, population 3,000.

(Protester) "We've seen you down in San Francisco being hugged by all these gays and lesbians."
(Dean) "That's crap, you haven't seen any such thing."

(Dillon) But the acrimony subsided. Dean won that close race, but decided not to try for a sixth term in 2002. By then, he was already campaigning around the country.

snip

http://nhpr.org/view_content/5531/

[LuminousX]

5. The thing you are missing

is yes, Dean opposed it, but when it came time to take ownership of the issue which was a political hot potato, he didn't back away from it. That is how I know he isn't a phoney. People are real, people have beliefs that don't always mesh with doctrine. The real test for that person is which do they choose when they have to, the will of the people or their own personal point-of-view?

[cthrumatrix]

6. I agree..I was just sharing a good link...cheers!

[cthrumatrix]

3. He does what is "right for people"....forget "left/right" etc...he is

trying to help the people.

Balancing budgets..health care...soc sec etc....are huge issues. I want a President who can think and who has done it.

There are always "acceptable criticisms" in what he has accomplished for the people of Vermont.

The country would be better off with "their track record" on budgets, healthcare and education.

[JNelson6563]

7. He's an issue-by-issue kind of guy

I like that because I am the same way. I never apply a particular ideology, I think out each issue on its own.

Julie

[cthrumatrix]

8. he's going to take his message to the "big delegate" states...lets

watch what happens in Mich and Wash.

[Snivi Yllom]

9. put it this way

When the polls show the voters are picking a candidate based on "electability" and not issues we are in deep doo doo.

[cthrumatrix]

10. plenty of time..he has the message ..the delgates and it's a 48 state

race now