Howard Dean and his "Messiah Complex."

[madfloridian]

I see even some of the major bloggers are not sure how to take this column by Noam Scheiber at The New Republic. He quotes some insiders who are alarmed that Dean is not catering properly to the big donors. Sounds like Scheiber is forced to give grudging credit to Dean on this issue.

One of the insiders describes the new folks at the DNC as "fucking hippies." Oh, come on guys, we are not really that bad. Sounds like a lot of noses are out of joint in the power circles. I have a feeling they are not going to let him keep going with the 50 State Strategy.

I disagree with the statement that Dean has turned the DNC into a weapon against the rest of the party. I think he is using it as a method of changing. I am on board, holding on tightly for a very rough ride.

HOWARD DEAN'S MESSIAH COMPLEX.

Last year, a major Democratic donor from the 2004 presidential campaign received a call from some operatives at Howard Dean's Democratic National Committee (DNC). Dean was coming to town in a few days, they told him, and they wanted to schedule a meeting. Political fund-raisers normally make such calls a month in advance, and so the seat-of-the-pants approach didn't go over well. "You can't call me the week before and say, 'Hey ... we'll be there Monday, want to hang out?'" says the donor. "They had all these fucking hippies.... These are people that are great to raise a few $500 checks, plan a party at a nightclub. But they're not the folks you need to give you to do the things you want to do."

...."But, of course, we all knew Howard Dean wasn't going to spend his afternoons sipping Bloody Marys with the Diners Club set. In a sense, that was exactly the point. This was a man who, after all, based his insurgent presidential campaign on bashing the party's Washington mandarins. What's so remarkable about Dean's brief tenure at the DNC is not that he's stayed true to his populist roots. It's that he's actually turned the most insider institution in all of Democratic politics into a weapon in his battle against the party establishment.

As I say, I disagree with the last statement, I just think he is working for change. And the fact that Howard Dean has his roots outside of DC keeps him better focused on what real people want.

A big part of the problem is Dean himself. Unlike McAuliffe, Dean had little entrée into the world of big-time Democratic donors when he took over as chairman; most of the money he had raised for his presidential campaign had come from small, online contributions. Culturally, too, Dean remains the antithesis of a Washington eminence. He still resides in Vermont, and, unlike McAuliffe, who owns a home in McLean, Virginia, Dean stays at a hotel during the night or two a week he's in town. You could stake out powerbroker haunts like the Capital Grille or the Caucus Room for weeks before ever seeing him."

Then Noam gets to the bottom line.

One way or another, Dean's moment of truth will come in March 2008, when a Democrat effectively locks up the presidential nomination. If the past is any indication, the nominee will insist on boring in on the 20 or so states most likely to clinch 270 electoral votes. But Dean, according to those who know him, will continue to insist on funding his 50-state strategy. "Any Democrat running for president needs to understand that ... Howard is not going to throw that over the side of the ship," says Steve Grossman, a Dean ally and former DNC chairman. And if they don't? "It's going to be a tough conversation."

I think Scheiber needed to include some "outsiders" as well as "insiders" in his interview. But as I say, at least he shows a grudging respect.

[WilliamPitt]

1. Real change always causes strife

The old bulls don't just leave. They have to be run off by the young bulls.

The proof will be in the pudding, of course. But I think Dean is doing an excellent job.

[madfloridian]

2. You are right.

I think we can expect more stuff like this.

[jedicord]

3. Dean realizes there are 50 states in the US

That's my favorite thing about him. Living in Texas, I've learned that most independents voted for Bush* mainly because they knew nothing about Kerry. Of course, they could have found out on their own, but all they heard was he was an elitist snob who was a fake hero who protested against the Vietnam war.

All we had were yard signs.

[crispini]

25. We printed our own damn yard signs.

We never saw a scrap of campaign literature. We never saw the candidate ONCE.

And I'm tired of these people giving up on Texas. Giving up on this state is damn bad strategy.

[jedicord]

27. Especially now.

Can't tell you how many of these independents (and even some Repubs) have started coming to me with opinions negative toward Bush*, and questions about Democratic candidates.

We've got a HELLUVA lot of electoral votes here (and Latinos).

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

4. Fine by me. As long as he can"Git R' done" (Man, do I hate

that stupid phrase).

[WI_DEM]

5. anyone who is under 40 and has hair down to their ears is a hippie

Dean is a breath of fresh air.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

6. Is this supposed to surprise us?

I mean, you've got to be the most staunch supporter of Dean on this board. I don't think I've ever seen you say anything bad about him.

I'm not disagreeing with you or Dean, for the record, just saying that your "endorsement" is hardly a surprise.

[madfloridian]

7. Then I will change the subject line ...

so as not to offend you.

[WilliamPitt]

11. You didn't have to do that

[madfloridian]

12. It is easier than arguing, trust me.

.

[LSK]

13. i dont see a point to arguing in this case

Just let it go...

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

14. It doesn't offend me at all.

Alls I'm saying is that no one is going to say "Oh wow, Madfloridian is endorsing Dean's plan! Maybe I should give it another look!" And that is the case simply because you are always endorsing Dean's plans. In other words, you're marginalizing yourself severely.

Listen, I think Dean's doing a hell of a job as DNC chair even though I don't agree with everything he's done, so don't take this as criticism of your message.

[madfloridian]

17. Aw gee, thanks for another one. On top of the other one.

:banghead: :banghead:

Shall we try for three of them?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

21. Three of what?

Do you find it insulting to be called the most staunch Dean supporter on DU?

And saying that you are marginalizing yourself isn't really an insult either, unless you can't take minor criticism.

[madfloridian]

8. As a matter of fact....

I was/am/will be a "staunch supporter."

I don't trust very many people in the Democratic Party anymore. So yes, I am, and proud of it.

I may not agree with him on every issue, but I trust his instincts and believe he will think a lot about the people and not so much about the very rich.

I am not ashamed of that. I think you meant it as an insult, but I just don't care anymore. Too much is at stake.

[ecoalex]

10. Flush the DLC power brokers, how Scalito got in unapposed .

[xxqqqzme]

9. I am so tired of Dean bashing.

For years the DNC has been controlled by the dlc. As a result the DNC base has been ignored and taken for granted.

'...turned the most insider institution...into a weapon in his battle against the party establishment' THAT'S been the problem! Dean is actually trying 2 turn that around so the base feels like they have a voice again.

"I want my country (& my party) back!"

[TayTay]

15. This is the 50 State Strategy as I saw it explained at a

training session in early March in Worcester, MA.

What is the 50 State Strategy?  
 I had it explained to me on the weekend.

Think of a tic-tac-toe grid. On the top columns you write:

              Democrat     Swing Vote   Republican
            |            |            |            |
Always Vote |            |            |            |
            |            |            |            |
          _____________________________________________
            |            |            |            |
Some Vote   |            |            |            |
            |            |            |            |
          _____________________________________________
            |            |            |            |
Never Vote  |            |            |            |
            |            |            |            |
          _____________________________________________


In the past the Dems filled in the column marked Republican
and threw those people away. (Never contact them.) Then you
look at the Always Vote/Democratic and throw them away,
because, ahm, they always vote Dem, so what's the point. And
you throw away the Never Votes, because they never vote. So
you have left
Always Vote:  Swing Vote
Some Vote:  Democratic
Some Vote:  Swing Vote.

We have been planning elections around this 1/3rd of the
perceived electorate.  This explains the last Presidential
election and the emphasis on the 'Swing State' because that's
where the consultants believed the Dem voters were hiding and
those are the ones we had to roust from their caves and
persuade to vote Dem. This is what Pelosi and Reid are
arguing: Go after the voters who our consultants have said we
might be able to get. (This does make some sense, no?)

The Fifty-State strategy says, no this doesn't make any sense
at all. You are throwing away 2/3rds of the voters. First of
all, this model tells you to forget about your base. (Always
vote Democratic) and to ignore them. This is dumb beyond
words as they are your energy and your people on the ground.
You can't ignore them, you have to embrace them fully and
bring them into the party as fully functioning people. (Ahm,
they are your base.) 

We can't afford to not talk to voters. Parag Mehta, 
Director of Training at the DNC presented this. He told us 
he went home over Christmas to Texas and decided to canvass
his old
neighborhood where he grew up. So, he went to 40 houses and
chatted with about 50 people or so to see where his
neighborhood stood.  He asked them what they thought of the
Democrats, and what they liked and didn't like about them.
This being Texas and all, a few people said, 'Ah Demoncrats'
and sort of shut down. Mark those folks down as, ahm, 'no's.'
 (It's as simple as that.) Also, one of his neighbors is an
elected Repub who gives money to them. Ahm, another definite
'no.'  But the other people were happy to be contacted and
asked what they think. Parag discovered that one neighbor has
deep concerns about education. She was able to pay for one
child's tuition at State College. The cost has risen so much
between the time one kid graduated and the next one started
college that she can no longer afford tuition and the kid has
to take a job to help out. This mother is ashamed that she
can't pay for her kids education.

Parag went to another house. Repub leaning, but glad to be
asked what they want and think. Their concern was the fear of
not being able to retire because the benefits and health care
coverage is not good enough. The next person was worried
about jobs being outsourced. And so forth. So Parag, good
little wonk that he is, collected this info and sent it to
the State Party. Now, the State Party can ask Parag or
someone else, but Parag likes having his 'feet on the ground'
to go back in two months and re-canvass the neighborhood. What
has changed? What are the concerns? What do you hear on the
ground? Report back. The State Party, facing a bruising
general election, then understand, from the ground-up, what
the concerns of citizens in it's state are and can target
advertising, candidate visits and message to that area and
talk about what people really want to talk about. The
canvasser, as much as possible, stays the same and develops a
little rapport with the voter.

That's it in a nutshell.  The Fifty-state strategy. Talk to
people. Don't write anyone off until you talk to them. Try
and become a presence again in people's lives and try to make
it more personal. You never know, it might work.  

That was my impression after the training session.

 See Will Pitt's post on how this was used in NH in the '04
election:  http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/030606J.shtml

[madfloridian]

18. Nice post.

Thanks.

[Seabiscuit]

16. If you're going to DNCcisco be sure to wear a flower in your hair ....

I have to say I think Dean is doing an excellent job! Judging by his support for Francince Busby in the 50th district I can only say if he is working this hard for other local and congressional candidates Bravo! When Francine needed help, Dean sent in experienced members of the DCCC and many volunteers. When Francine needed cash and fundraising efforts, Dean was there to help with fundraising and help the campaign with cash for internal expenses again through the DCCC. When Francine needed higher profile figures to rally the democrats in the 50th district, in came Clinton and Kerry (I'm sure at Dean's urging) to help. We are going to have an outright brawl by June with the republicans in this district and Dean's help to keep the republicans in check will be needed. The point is to win and I'm tired of losing. You go Dean ... you long haired pinko commie. :hippie:

[SeattleRob]

19. Real Democracy scares the hell out of the Washington Elites. N/T

[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[madfloridian]

22. Atrios has his say.

http://atrios.blogspot.com/2006_04_09_atrios_archive.html#114494498641137027

"The Constant Whine

"Another day, another article from Joe Lieberman Weekly about how Howard Dean isn't sucking up to rich people enough. DAMN DIRTY HIPPIES!

Last year, a major Democratic donor from the 2004 presidential campaign received a call from some operatives at Howard Dean's Democratic National Committee (DNC). Dean was coming to town in a few days, they told him, and they wanted to schedule a meeting. Political fund-raisers normally make such calls a month in advance, and so the seat-of-the-pants approach didn't go over well. "You can't call me the week before and say, 'Hey ... we'll be there Monday, want to hang out?'" says the donor. "They had all these fucking hippies.... These are people that are great to raise a few $500 checks, plan a party at a nightclub. But they're not the folks you need to give you to do the things you want to do."

(Lots of comments there about the lack of appreciation for $500 checks)

[Mass]

24. TNR = Joe Lieberman Weekly - Atrios has that right.

I have stopped reading what they say because they are so irrelevant.

Dean is doing well and I like the 50 state strategy.

[Kurovski]

23. Message to Dems who expect quid pro quo

or special treatment beyond a thank-you for their donations: If you want to BUY something with a political donation then join the fucking Republican Party and be done with it.

[madfloridian]

29. TAPPED's Ezra Klein weighs in on this. Pretty fair overall.

Even Stoller who was not for Dean to be chair has been pretty fair on it.
http://www.prospect.org/weblog/archives/2006/04/index.html#009824

But I noticed on CNN today he was not his usual self. Tired or something. Guess so much going on. Of course pretty Heidi was pretty awful.

[Kurovski]

31. The link isn't working. Is the following what you referenced?

http://matt_stoller.mydd.com/

"Memo to Noam Scheiber: Dean was Elected"

"...The piece, though, is just ill-informed. Scheiber clearly talked to a bunch of insiders mad that Dean isn't a 'traditional' party chair. Well why should he be? The DNC Chairman is actually an elected position, and Dean made campaign promises to the people who elected him. "

EDIT: Oops! no, you were pointing to Ezra Klein...but I'm not seeing anything on Scheiber's whining hissy-fit there, nor anything on Dean. But my splitting headache may be partly at fault. :-)

[madfloridian]

33. Okay, I found it retrieved at the DNC blog.

I don't see it at Tapped right now. Here you go.
http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/04/selective_decla.php
"And so I decided to declassify the NIE for a reason. ... I thought it was important for people to get a better sense for why I was saying what I was saying in my speeches." -- President Bush on April 10, 2006
It's either dangerous incomepetence, or deliberate deception. Since the case was made to invade Iraq, we've seen a bit of both from the Bush Adminstration, but it's pretty important that we find out which category this fits in:

On May 29, 2003, 50 days after the fall of Baghdad, President Bush proclaimed a fresh victory for his administration in Iraq: Two small trailers captured by U.S. and Kurdish troops had turned out to be long-sought mobile "biological laboratories." He declared, "We have found the weapons of mass destruction."
The claim, repeated by top administration officials for months afterward, was hailed at the time as a vindication of the decision to go to war. But even as Bush spoke, U.S. intelligence officials possessed powerful evidence that it was not true.


Governor Dean made some remarks this morning on the topic:

The onus is clearly on the President to clarify the situation surrounding this report. Was this incompetence, meaning that he did not know something that he clearly should have known, or is this instance of dishonesty where information was misused or withheld to support a political agenda."

The president is quick to declassify documents when it comes to protecting his political future and retaliating against those he perceives to be ideological opponents. If anything appropriate to today came from the president's role in the Valerie Plame leak scandal, it's that we know he should unilateraly choose to declassify the relevant documents in this case as well. As noted at the top of this entry, there is about a two day old precedent set by the president for when and why he feels the move is necessary. In this instance, it's imperative that we get a better sense of why he was telling the world we found the weapons of mass destruction.

The American Prospect has more on Governor Dean's remarks."

But the link is dead at Tapped, so this should give you a good idea.

[XemaSab]

26. If the fat cats are pissed off

it just shows he's doing something RIGHT! :woohoo:

[madfloridian]

28. He is going to be on CNN this hour, said they will talk about it.

Said they would talk about Bush and about the party's attitude toward Dean and the midterms.

[KyuzoGator]

30. The whole point is that the Democratic establishment WASN'T WORKING.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result.

[LiberalPartisan]

32. Dean is correct in his strategey and the big money

hates their influnece is waning and they are not being courted.

And does anyone give any credence to the New Republic anymore? That magazine is the best example of 'finger in the wind' opinioneering around.

[WhiteTara]

34. does the article mention that Dean and Clinton met

last week and Clinton says he's on board with the 50 state plan? Sounds like another plant to forge a wedge in the dem party. I know that Howard has problems with the McAuliffs (POS that he is), but I think the party will end up energized in a way that it hasn't been for a long tim.