NY Times: As the Race Turns Hot, What About Dean's Collar?

[La_Serpiente]

As the Race Turns Hot, What About Dean's Collar?

The closest that Howard Dean has come to truly exploding in public anger during his presidential campaign, top aides say, was at a network television interview after a rally in Boston this fall. When a local news crew tried to muscle its way into the interview, its cameraman banged into someone in the network crew.

Dr. Dean "stopped the interview and started yelling at the guy," said Bob Rogan, who was deputy chief of staff when Dr. Dean was governor of Vermont and is now a top official in the campaign.

That Howard Dean has always had a temper is beyond dispute. He mentioned it himself in an essay he wrote for his high school yearbook. And stories abound from his days as governor of his snapping at Statehouse reporters or blowing up at political opponents.

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As the Race Turns Hot, What About Dean's Collar?

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[BootinUp]

1. One of the few

articles that let you learn a little about who Howard is. Nice read.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Harry Truman was criticized for his salty language

but he got a lot of good things done. I think Howard Dean will make a great president who will tell it like it is, just like Harry did.

[Alice Franken]

4. There are miles to go

from 'salty language' to temper tantrums just as there are miles to go from Truman down to Dean.

[buff2]

3. What about bu$h's collar??

What about bu$h's temper? Why is it always Dean? Bu$h is the one that needs to be bashed,not one of our own.I've never said who I am supporting for the nominee,but I am saying it now loud and clear. HOWARD DEAN. He is a fighter and we need that to fight against Rove and the rest of the GOPerverts.....and especially that freakin idiot who thinks he was elected by the people for President. Dean will be the nominee so we all need to get behind him and support him.....and get that insane bastard out of the Whitehouse while we still have a small chance of turning this country around and get it back on the right track. Another 4 years of bu$h we will ALL be phucked. GO DEAN!!

[MaineDem]

5. The opponent isn't Bush right now

When we have a nominee we can bash Bush...and we will. Until then Democrats have a choice and the primary season is all about one candidate vs. the other.

When one Democrat has been elected as the nominee we will work together to beat Bush. Until then Howard Dean and all the candidates are fair game.

I actually thought this article says a lot about Governor Dean. I don't like the guy but I will support him if he's the nominee.

[Bucky]

13. Then you, madam, are a yellow dog

Congratulations

[Jerseycoa]

25. Nice graphic :) nt

[bearfartinthewoods]

6. has there ever been any public display of bush's temper?

it maybe the media isn't reporting it but can we count on the same "discretion" on behalf of dean?

i think not

[midnight armadillo]

18. It's the "Dean Story" you see

The media "storyline" on Dean is that he's "angry". Therefore, anything he does that's remotely related to this image will be pushed, and pushed hard.

Remember Gore the Liar? Any statement he made that wasn't 100% fact checked - including those that any person would make - was torn apart as evidence that he was untruthful and untrustworthy.

Dean will be presented as angry, dangerous, and as an out-of-touch elite liberal by the media and the Bush campaign. Bush's temper isn't part of the narrative. His narrative is that he's a leader, a good Christian, and an ordinary type guy you'd want to BBQ with.

Media stories like this are very, very, very hard to shake.

[Armstead]

7. Bill Clinton had a horrible temper

He was known for that. I saw something on CSPAN around the time he was inagurated when he lost it at an aide who had made a mistake and Clinton started yelling like a madman.

Hillary is not supposed to always be a charmer either.

Didn't seem to hold them back.

[spooky3]

15. Yes, and you could see it coming out in several public statements

too. But he seemed to be able to control it when he needed to and anyone who has held public office as long as Dean has probably can also.

I worry about people who NEVER show anger. What kinds of passive-aggressive stuff are they going to do instead?

[killbotfactory]

8. Do other candidates never get angry?

I don't get it.

Anyway, sounds like Dean is a pretty good guy, despite his "anger".

Dr. Dean himself said: "I don't hold a grudge, although I try to sometimes. In the end, it's more trouble than it's worth to keep one. Of course, I have Kate here to remind me."

Kate O'Connor, his closest aide, smiled and held up a small black bag riding beside her on yet another chartered campaign plane. "Yes," she said, "I am the keeper of the grudges."

[ozone_man]

12. I hear Kerry uses the F word inappropriately.

Very unpresidential. Actually, if it was only directed at his voting for IWR and not Bush, I think it would be appropriate.

[Rose Siding]

26. And Clark threatens to Kick the XXXX out of them but

the objects of ire are never present when the remarks are made.

It sounds like the offending media member was actually *there* when Dean called him on his rudeness.

[Rose Siding]

9. High time rudeness in the press was addressed

He shows good leadership, even at an interview. Good for Dean.

[spooky3]

16. Yes, I agree. If they focused more on getting the truth out

and less on provoking a sound bite that will attract attention from the reality TV fans, we would all benefit.

[madfloridian]

10. This should have made him angry.

SNIP..."When a local news crew tried to muscle its way into the interview, its cameraman banged into someone in the network crew.

Dr. Dean "stopped the interview and started yelling at the guy," said Bob Rogan, who was deputy chief of staff when Dr. Dean was governor of Vermont and is now a top official in the campaign..."

Sorry but that was wrong of the cameraman. Maybe Dean should never get mad, and just hush up? Kidding.

[Rowdyboy]

11. I want a president with a temper

Too many politicians are complete pushovers, whose every remark is composed by "handlers". Screw that. Give me a real person any day.

[Fleshdancer]

14. Anger comes in many different forms

Some people have short outbursts and then it's over with no bad feelings the next day. Other people are much more passive aggressive about it and would rather not speak up about what bothers them but then hold the grudge for months if not years. Then there are those who internalize everything and blame themselves when someone else makes them upset.

Then there are evil people who take every hint of critisism as a sign of war and spend large amounts of time and energy "getting even" at the person they're upset at. For example, the nuerotic, dangerous way the WH dealt with Joe Wilson...by going after his wife. Predetory anger. Now you tell me how Dean is worse than this when it comes to anger management.

[spooky3]

17. well said!

[SheilaT]

19. Once again something which has absolutely

nothing to do with the campaign or the need to rid this country of George W Bush is being treated as if it's important. And every single one of us needs to understand that even if at the moment the "enemy" is the other men seeking the nomination, the real goal for all of us is to defeat Bush next November, and we don't want anything at all to stand in the way.

[seaglass]

20. Oh please, I just sat through a kid's hockey game this week

with parents yelling at refs, cheering when 12yo kids on the opposing team got penalties...

I have seen so many posts on this board about parents getting carried away at sports games, just last year a hockey dad killed a guy over a kids practice.

Now that Howard Dean does it, it's OK?

For shame Howard Dean, for shame!

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

21. "Corporate Media Avoids Issues, Focuses on Personalities"

"New York Times has decided to focus on Howard Dean's personality instead of import Democratic party issues. Hopes to avoid serious discussion, previews new 'Angry Democrat' caricature. Takes strategy from anti-Gore attacks in 2000"

What do you think? I like my headlines better.

[seaglass]

22. So you don't think temperament has anything to do with

leadership style?

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

23. It's a 100% Pure B.S. Issue

I don't give a crap about Dean's leadership style - it's his ideology and record that concerns me. I'd like to hear a lot LESS about his tempermeant and a lot MORE about how he's going to deal with outsourcing and jobs.

[seaglass]

24. Well, I understand that different things matter to different

people. I'm embarrassed by Bush's leadership style and the last thing I want is another president who lashes out, speaks first and thinks second.