Howard Dean and the Last Laugh

[babylonsister]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0307/3192.html

Howard Dean and the Last Laugh

By: Roger Simon
March 19, 2007 05:04 PM EST


When Howard Dean began running for president, some in his campaign imagined he would play the role of Josiah Bartlet, the sometimes ornery but brilliant and lovable president on "The West Wing."

In fact, Dean's campaign style was more like that of another fictional character: Howard Beale, the angry prophet from the film "Network," who was mad as hell and not going to take it anymore.

Dean's anger was directed not only at George W. Bush, but also at those Democrats who were backing Bush's Iraq war, tax cuts and No Child Left Behind legislation.

"I'm Howard Dean and I'm here to represent the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party!" Dean thundered in February 2003 as he began his race for the Democratic nomination.

He still represents that wing, but now as chairman of the party. And he has not really changed his tone much.

more...

[Jackpine Radical]

1. His use of that Wellstone quote

is one of the things that converted me into an early Deaniac. Until that point, I was afraid he'd be too conservative for me to support wholeheartedly.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Dean has been brilliant with the 50-state strategy

He'll be one of those people who history asks, "Why wasn't HE elected president?"

[cassiepriam]

4. Americans won't elect smart people who tell the truth.

[Dr Fate]

3. He was 100% right about the war. The DLC was 100% wrong on Iraq.

Unless you believe that outrageous new meme that Hillary & the DLC "never were for it."

It's just that simple- Dean was 100% right, the DLC, GOP & media were 100% dead wrong.

[Cha]

5. Along with having well placed

"anger" at the republicons destroying our Country and the dlc dems who are enabling them..Dean has a gift of diplomacy that he used as Guv of Vermont and has put to extraordinary use as Chairman of the DNC.

Reid and Pelosi didn't want him..too bad..the Peeps did!

[madfloridian]

6. This part....

"I got the impression you were being set up to take the fall, I said to Dean last week.

"Oh, it's probably true," he said. And then he laughed again."