YEAAAAAAAAAARGH is back!

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2005-02-02 08:04pm

From the NYT:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 - Howard Dean emerged Tuesday as the almost assured new leader of the Democratic National Committee, as one of his main rivals quit the race and Democrats streamed to announce their support of a man whose presidential campaign collapsed one year ago.

Dr. Dean’s dominance was secured after Martin Frost, a former representative from Texas, whom many Democrats viewed as the institutional counterpart to Dr. Dean, dropped out after failing - in what had become an increasingly long-shot effort - to win support from national labor unions. The A.F.L.-C.I.O. announced instead that it would remain neutral, freeing its affiliate members to do what they wanted, which proved in many cases to be boarding the Dean train.

“It’s a fait accompli, it’s over: Dean’s going to be it,” said Gerald McEntee, head of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, who runs the umbrella political organization for all the unions in the A.F.L.-C.I.O.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2005-02-02 08:10pm

DEAN SCREAM!

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2005-02-02 08:10pm

Darn, and I was hoping the Democrats would make some headway in 2006; not healthy for one party to dominate the federal government, you know. Oh well.

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » 2005-02-02 08:11pm

I just heard the whole bloody Midwest bolting itself to the GOP. Has such I'd like to take a moment to say... Fuck!

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2005-02-02 08:13pm

Rove denies involvement

(2005-02-02) -- Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, whose failed presidential bid in 2004 established the power of the Internet as a campaign tool, seems poised to assume the leadership of the Democrat party, according to a report in The New York Times.

As the news broke, White House political advisor Karl Rove released a statement denying any role in Mr. Dean's election as DNC chairman.

"I have no ongoing contact with Mr. Dean, nor influence with anyone in the Democrat party," said Mr. Rove.

Asked to explain how the opposing party could rationally choose a man who dropped out of the White House race after one of the earliest primaries, Mr. Rove said, "It's not like they have a slate of winners from which to choose. Dean's probably the best candidate and he may do a good job if he can overcome his name recognition."

The DNC chairman is primarily responsible for transferring millions of dollars from wealthy Democrats and labor unions, to advertising agencies, political consultants and delicatessens. The chairman also does frequent media interviews explaining why Americans overwhelmingly support the ideology of candidates who lose elections.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2005-02-02 08:20pm

I love the fact that the Republicans' biggest argument against Kerry was that he was a "flip-flopper", and they are similarly contemptuous of Dean because he so righteously sticks to his guns. Whatever meaningless reason it takes, I guess.

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2005-02-02 08:28pm

*begins channeling spirit of Scoop Jackson, the Senator from Boeing*

"How do I save the Democrat Party?"

*Young Padawan, to save the party, you must first destroy it."

Nieztchean Uber-Amoeba · Post by **Nieztchean Uber-Amoeba** » 2005-02-02 08:32pm

Bah to you all. I always liked Dean. Seemed an honest guy. I'd vote for him over 'Haunted Tree' Kerry.

Perinquus · Post by **Perinquus** » 2005-02-02 08:56pm

Darth Wong wrote:I love the fact that the Republicans' biggest argument against Kerry was that he was a "flip-flopper", and they are similarly contemptuous of Dean because he so righteously sticks to his guns. Whatever meaningless reason it takes, I guess.

But the real problem is that both those candidates are perceived by most republicans, and by many swing voters as well, as being too far to the left. The only two times since Johnson that the democrats have won the presidency, their candidates ran as moderate centrists. Now, faced with a defeat of the candidate they ran against the most vulnerable republican president since Gerald Ford, they are apparently moving to the left, rather than to the center. This will drive many swing voters into the arms of the GOP. In 2008 the democrats really ought to run a candidate like the current governor of my state, Mark Warner. I have to admit, he's done a pretty good job. He's displayed fiscal responsibility, and his stance on social issues are mostly left leaning, but pretty moderate. He'd be a great candidate. I think he'd make a good president. And to be honest, I'd actually like to see a moderate democrat in the White House after Bush, because I honestly don't think one party should stay in power too long.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2005-02-02 10:39pm

If Dean were to act like he governed rather than how he run, this could benefit the Democrats immensely. As has been noted, the Democrats only get anywhere with a relatively moderate canidate. If Dean sticks to his financial discipline and social moderation he might do well; if he goes with his campaign of big spending programs and a less moderate social stance he take them down in flames.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2005-02-03 02:48pm

You know after that flaccid Democratic Response to the SoTU last night I'm thinking what the hell, give Dean-o a chance. He may more than likely end up being a disaster but at least he's got a fucking pulse.

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2005-02-03 02:52pm

Joe wrote:He may more than likely end up being a disaster but at least he's got a fucking pulse.

True. YEAAAAAAAAAARGH! shows that.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2005-02-03 03:06pm

Joe wrote:You know after that flaccid Democratic Response to the SoTU last night I'm thinking what the hell, give Dean-o a chance. He may more than likely end up being a disaster but at least he's got a fucking pulse.

So it's all a matter of whether the Democrats will make a futile protest before being bent over and "gay marriaged" till they're raw and bleeding or if they'll just sit there weeping silently as they sell their souls to the Dark Prince Dubya? My what a cheering thought...

Jason von Evil · Post by **Jason von Evil** » 2005-02-03 04:12pm

I never understood how his post-Iowa speech was so bad.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2005-02-03 04:14pm

Aya wrote:I never understood how his post-Iowa speech was so bad.

I think it had to do with the red-faced screaming. Makes you look a little crazy to be doing that.

The Duchess of Zeon · Post by **The Duchess of Zeon** » 2005-02-03 04:15pm

Aya wrote:I never understood how his post-Iowa speech was so bad.

The President controls the world's second largest nuclear arsenal.

Post by **Zaia** » 2005-02-03 04:16pm

Stormbringer wrote:
Aya wrote:I never understood how his post-Iowa speech was so bad.
I think it had to do with the red-faced screaming. Makes you look a little crazy to be doing that.

I thought it was great, personally. Someone in the running with a little life and ethusiasm was rather refreshing.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2005-02-03 04:20pm

Stormbringer wrote:
Aya wrote:I never understood how his post-Iowa speech was so bad.
I think it had to do with the red-faced screaming. Makes you look a little crazy to be doing that.

No, it was "so bad" because it was an excuse to make fun of him. That's modern politics for you: a five-second video clip invalidates an entire political campaign.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2005-02-03 04:22pm

Zaia wrote:
Stormbringer wrote:
Aya wrote:I never understood how his post-Iowa speech was so bad.
I think it had to do with the red-faced screaming. Makes you look a little crazy to be doing that.
I thought it was great, personally. Someone in the running with a little life and ethusiasm was rather refreshing.

The fact that he wasn't another wooden faced politician with fake enthusiam for it all was nice. The problem is by the end of that speech he placed himself firmly into the other extreme. He would have been fine were it not for the famous scream.

Jason von Evil · Post by **Jason von Evil** » 2005-02-03 05:00pm

Zaia wrote:
Stormbringer wrote:
Aya wrote:I never understood how his post-Iowa speech was so bad.
I think it had to do with the red-faced screaming. Makes you look a little crazy to be doing that.
I thought it was great, personally. Someone in the running with a little life and ethusiasm was rather refreshing.

Preach to the choir, sista!

Dean was the guy who actually got me interested in the whole election. He showed more energy and ethusiasm than I'd seen in a long time. His Iowa speech reminded me of a Teddy Roosevelt speech.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2005-02-03 05:09pm

The irony of watching the frantic Republican propaganda here of 'OMFG SCREAM BAD NO BAD BAD BAD LISTEN TO ME' and actually having been paying attention to the leadup to this DNC stuff is truly hilarious. I wonder if any of those so frantically trying to convince the world Dean is the end of two party politics know the nickname of his speech to the DNC, and why it was named that?

CaptainChewbacca · Post by **CaptainChewbacca** » 2005-02-03 07:03pm

I think Dean has greater pull with moderate republicans or the less-religious ones. I know I was considering voting for him before his party hung him out to dry in favor of John "the paragraph" Kerry.

Utsanomiko · Post by **Utsanomiko** » 2005-02-03 07:13pm

frigidmagi wrote:I just heard the whole bloody Midwest bolting itself to the GOP. Has such I'd like to take a moment to say... Fuck!

Let's hope the Democrats finally grow some goddamn backbone.