Dean Interview with AlterNet - Facing the Pain

[mandyky]

http://www.alternet.org/story/20878/

Howard Dean discusses what he learned from his grassroots campaign – and how, no matter how painful it is, change must happen in the Democratic Party


This interview is excerpted from the forthcoming book by AlterNet, "Start Making Sense: Turning the Lessons of Election 2004 into Winning Progressive Politics." It will be available in March, published by Chelsea Green Publishing.

Another book we need to look at...

[Rose Siding]

1. That's a great interview

Thanks for posting it. I copied it for my husband.

Dean invariably comes up with a head smacker. I liked the nonchalance with which he landed this one:

snip>
...And by the way, the MeetUps aren't progressive, they are reformist.

What's the distinction?

Well, what brings people together is not ideology. There are progressive as well as moderates, McCain Republicans, Greens, and even some evangelicals. They are united because they all feel the need for change. The evangelicals are attracted because they see the hypocrisy of the pro-life people who are pro-life only until the child is born. They don't accept some of the teachings. They are against gay-bashing. We have a powerful moral attraction, because we care about the lesser among us ... our movement empowers those people who have been left out, the young people who have been left out. We are all fighting the fact that religious bigotry is back in favor, encouraged by the president. Our organizations encourage a lot of different kinds of people. We show respect for differences.

[Kolesar]

3. I always thought of "choice" as being Dean's signature issue

Now I see him accomodating prolife people. I would not think anybody prolife would be attracted to Dean or DFA.

[DFLforever]

4. Just because one is 'pro-life' doesn't mean one want s to overturn RvW

In my experience that particularly applies to Catholics, who while they MAY think abortion immoral or wrong don't necessarily believe it should be illegal.

I canvassed for ACT in MN and twice partnered with people just like these: one a deacon in the Catholic Church and the father of 7!(There aren't many RC deacons around but it shows how closely connected he is to the Church).

These are the kind of pro-lifers Dean is talking about. Liberal on most other issues.

One of the Dean Dozen in MN that was successfully elected to the legislature is a nurse, pro-life and an old associate of Paul Wellstone from his labor organizing days. Her campaign director was at our meetup to thanks us for all our help.

Speaking of Wellstone, the three staff people who died in the plane with him were Catholic and 'pro-life'.

[Kolesar]

6. thank you for developing that idea...eom

[Cheswick2.0]

2. I will look for it

[Zensea]

5. United by the need for change & a respect for differences

"Well, what brings people together is not ideology. There are progressive as well as moderates, McCain Republicans, Greens, and even some evangelicals. They are united because they all feel the need for change. The evangelicals are attracted because they see the hypocrisy of the pro-life people who are pro-life only until the child is born. They don't accept some of the teachings. They are against gay-bashing. We have a powerful moral attraction, because we care about the lesser among us ... our movement empowers those people who have been left out, the young people who have been left out. We are all fighting the fact that religious bigotry is back in favor, encouraged by the president. Our organizations encourage a lot of different kinds of people. We show respect for differences."

[madfloridian]

7. Here is the Chelsea Green website...book can be ordered. Pic of cover.

Look at all the great folks taking part in it.
http://www.chelseagreen.com/2005/items/startmakingsense