Why Howard Dean? Because he can mobilize an army of activists to garner support!

[mod mom]

The Republicans are going to attempt to undermine anyone Obama chooses so why not find a Democrat with the ability to mobilize an army of supporters? Obama will need a leader who can inspire folks to get active in lobbying their elected officials The strong support for Howard Dean is not limited to DU, but can be found around Democratic internet sites and Democratic clubs around the country. So why not turn to the good doctor?

[karynnj]

1. Interesting and very true point

There are arguments to be made that it might be as important to have someone who could lead a movement as it is to be able to work easily with Congress. (If you want both, I can't think of anyone likely to take the position - Kerry is the only one I can think of, but he would likely would not want to give up his Senate seat, where he is SFRC chair. Bradley would be able to handle the Senate piece, but he hasn't really been an activist.) Even if Dean is not nominated, it does suggest that no matter who is in and who leads in the Senate and House, we really should channel the energy and enthusiasm for universal health care - and Dean and others with the ability to reach people through any means to line up support to pressure Senators on the fence will be needed.

Since 2005 (and possibly before) Kerry has used the example of the mobilization of people in the 1970 for the first earth day and how that movement led by efforts like the LCV designating the dirty dozen led to the creation of the EPA and much environmental legislation. (Kerry has used that in speeches at graduations recommending that people become or stay involved in politically fighting for things important to them)

At Take Back America, there was a panel with MLK's biographer, Roger Wilkins (who worked in the JFK administration), and Jesse Jackson - one point they made was that without the movement with people demanding civil rights, the people on the inside writing legislation would not have been able to succeed.

Watching TV cover the stimulus package and seeing how many shows repeat the Republican talking points, we likely will need Obama and a very good HHS secretary, good leadership in Congress and people making people to people contact to get people enthusiastically backing a bill. This is a case where polling is not even close - most people in this country agree that we need at least universal access to healthcare insurance.

[harun]

2. Exactly, pick Dean and start an H.R. 676 group in every town in this country.

[mod mom]

3. He's built the groundwork w DFA's around the country, this coupled with unions &

other healthcare advocacy groups can build a force more powerful than any insider corporate types that Daschle might have inspired.

[harun]

7. Totally AGREE.

[DrDan]

4. not gonna happen

[mod mom]

5. Just the day before Daschle as HHS Sec looked like a done deal, didn't it?

I'm not giving up hope or ending my efforts (writing to elected officials) until I hear someone sworn in.

[DrDan]

6. I just don't think Obama sees a place for Dean in his administration

if he did - we would have seen something before

[Life Long Dem]

8. MSM is scared of Dean. They will sometimes start screaming if they get too nervous

They might even scream to spite this intuition.