Here is what I think I know. Which is quite different from actually knowing.

[Ninga]

I think that....

Howard Dean has been totally shut out of this administration right from the beginning.

Howard Dean knows health care.

Howard Dean was a successful with his 50 state strategy.

Howard Dean has some nasty enemies in the party.

Howard Dean is not shy.

Howard Dean is not risk adverse.

I think that.....

There isn't anyone close to the President like Howard Dean.

There isn't anyone close to the President like Bernie Sanders.

There isn't anyone close to the President like Sharrod Brown, or Anthony Weiner, or John Lewis, or Russ Feingold or or or or or.

What I think I know is that the President has backed himself into a corner and is risk adverse and is stuck.

None of this I actually know.

[BlueIdaho]

1. I think you are right.

[Popular Front]

2. Howard Dean is a progressive. Obama is a populist.

They have two different ways of looking at the issue.

[Ninga]

4. Ok good. Now do you know this for sure? (just kidding!)

[Popular Front]

8. Yes. I pay attention when the Commander in Chief speaks

:patriot:

[polichick]

6. I wouldn't call Obama a populist at this point. Maybe a corporatist. nt

[Popular Front]

15. Obama is a populist

Bush was a corporatist.

[polichick]

17. By what stretch of the imagination is Obama a populist?? nt

[Popular Front]

18. pop·u·list n. 1. A supporter of the rights and power of the people.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/populist

[polichick]

19. Except he's been a supporter of corporations and the mic, not the people. (At least so far.) nt

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

26. Now go look up progressive and explain to me how your post makes sense. nt

[smokey nj]

25. The same stretch that allows me to say I'm the Queen of England.

[polichick]

3. Agreed. The question I keep asking is WHY he backed himself into a corner...

Is he a corporate tool - or a naive fool?

[Ninga]

9. You know how life goes. One thing leads to another. Besides I think I know that

our President is smart and has a strong belief system which has not been tested on the Presidential playing field.

He was had. Sorry to say. The GOP took Obama's goodwill and snookered him. Just tune into C-Span and watch the laughing hyenas co-opt the process with the reading of Sen.Sanders amendment. Assholes.

[Captain Hilts]

5. I don't know who the progressives are around Obama, if any. With FDR, we knew that

Eleanor, Ickes, Hopkins, Perkins, Wallace, Alexander, etc. were progressive forces. No such line up with Obama.

[uponit7771]

10. and Kennedy?!?! You're kidding right?! FDR also had an 80% dem congress Obama doesn't have even clos

...I get sick and tired of people leaving out facts when it comes to comparing FDR to Obama!!!

[Captain Hilts]

14. I'm asking who the progressives around Obama are. Not about Congress. nt

[BlueIdaho]

24. You are rigth!

There is no possible way you can compare Obama to FDR. FDR was a top tier president responsible for forever shaping America. Obama - not so much.

[Captain Hilts]

7. Reich and Clark are also on the outs. nt

[NYCGirl]

11. You mean this Clark?

http://domesticfuel.com/2009/12/03/gen-wesley-clark-to-speak-at-white-house-jobs-summit/

Ret. General Wesley K. Clark, who is the Co-Chairman of Growth Energy, will be speaking at the White House jobs summit today.

“Green Jobs” has been a hot topic since the new administration took office; yet not much traction has been gained in turning around unemployment rates, which are currently the highest since 1983. The summit was convened by President Barack Obama who took office during one of the country’s worst ever economic recessions. The goal of the forum is to conjugate business executives, economists and labor leaders to discuss ways to improve the economy and create jobs.

According to Growth Energy, Gen. Clark will be making remarks about the Administration’s plans to focus on stimulating the renewable energy industry, in an effort to remake the nation’s economy for more sustainable growth that is less dependent on debt and foreign sources of energy. Clark said that for too long, imported oil has held the nation’s economy “over a barrel.”

“Ethanol is the model for all successful renewable energy industries: driven by technological innovation and with enormous potential for growth and job creation,” said Gen. Clark. “Ethanol is the only viable renewable, sustainable fuel we have in this country that is an alternative to gasoline refined from imported oil. It is being used today. And we can make it cleaner and greener every year – while creating jobs right here that can’t be outsourced.”

[Captain Hilts]

13. Yes. No appointment after working hard. nt

[NYCGirl]

21. Obviously, the WH is not angry at him and he's not angry at them. NT

[MNDemNY]

12. I do not give him that much "benefit of the doubt"

I think he is right where he wants to be. He is 1. Right of Center 2. Somewhat Homophobic 3. very "corporate minded" 4. Somewhat fond of the "Status Quo." This is what I think.

[janx]

16. I had the same sinking feeling this morning.

So the question is, does he KNOW he's stuck?

[Ninga]

20. Hindsight will tell us...I am waiting for that passionate podium pounding heart stopping

line in the sand from him......but it is just not his style.

I don't think the GOP or conservative Dems are susceptible to finesse.

My problem is that I do not like Rahm and thus find it worry some that there isn't a progressive within earshot of Obama on a daily basis.

[damntexdem]

22. Here's a couple of more things to contingently 'know':

1. Howard Dean's 50-state strategy success delivered the majority the Party has (I say 'has' rather than 'enjoys,' since the Party doesn't seem to enjoy it much);
2. Dean's strategy also paved the way for Obama's election.

[Blasphemer]

23. Sounds about right to me... nt