Molly Ivins: Life without Dean

[Dudley_DUright]

Oh boy, a close race in Wisconsin. This is swell! Go, Democrats. A few days ago, a Respected Party Elder advised me to stop dissing John Kerry on account of, "He will be our nominee." He may be "our nominee," but he'll still be a boring stiff. OK, sort of an impressive boring stiff.

I say we're in for a terrific two weeks if both Kerry and John Edwards do the issue stuff they're both well-placed to do. Kerry has a strong, well-thought-out health-care plan, and he should make it his signature issue -- and put some passion into it, if he's got any. Edwards, with his populist riff, is perfectly placed to take on globalization directly.

I recommend that everyone take another look at John Edwards, especially if you wrote him off as too pretty and too light the first time you saw him. I did, too, and I was wrong: I know for a fact he's a much better candidate than he was a year ago. Ever since his speech at Georgetown University last summer, Edwards has shown he knows how to take that old time populist gospel and update it for the 21st century. Of course, the Bushies keep making that easier for him.

One of the best political races I ever saw was Kerry against William Weld in Massachusetts a few years back. Their final debate was almost enough to restore your belief in democracy -- two intelligent candidates both talking good sense. So I know Kerry can get crisper than he has been. Is anyone doing medical research on a humor transplant?

more...

http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?itemid=16463

[eileen from OH]

1. Damn, I love this woman.

That's all.

eileen from OH

[Ninga]

3. Molly is right on, and we haven't heard the last

from Howard Dean.

I am from Ohio, too. NEOhio, just east of Cleveland.

[eileen from OH]

5. So am I!

South of Cleve - Akron area.

eileen

[Rowdyboy]

2. She does have a way with words

and an instinct for the truth. I didn't agree with her choice of Gov Dean, but I certainly understood her reasoning.

[Dover]

4. Kerry certainly doesn't inspire heartfelt "Yeeeeeeeahhhs"

Makes Dean's spontenaeous off-the-cuff expression seem soooooo refreshing. Someone should take Kerry's pulse.

[sonias]

6. Thank you Molly

And a bigger thanks to Dr. Dean. You were my rock when this ship was very shaky. I know now that we will get that regime change in Nov. and I think the big push Dr. Dean gve us is what will get us there.

Sonia

[wabeewoman]

7. Imagine

what this election might have been like without Dean?? If noone had been first to speak up and say what he said. They might still be playing footsie with bush. My blood pressure would have shot a hole right through the top of my head!!