Dean Damage Control

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2004-01-22 10:50am

January 22, 2004
Dean's Campaign Alters Approach After Iowa Loss
By ADAM NAGOURNEY and JODI WILGOREN

ANCHESTER, N.H., Jan. 21 — Senior aides to Howard Dean took several steps on Wednesday to overhaul his candidacy, including softening the tone of his speeches and eliminating high-voltage campaign rallies in favor of dignified appearances where he would present himself as a mature ex-governor with a command of health care and the economy.

The moves came as senior advisers expressed concern in interviews that Dr. Dean's candidacy was imperiled after a third-place finish in Iowa and a roaring, raucous concession speech that many opponents have held up as evidence that Dr. Dean is unfit to be president.

The advisers said they had concluded that the portrayal of Dr. Dean as a candidate unhinged would make it impossible, at least for now, to run advertisements attacking their opponents here, a significant restriction for any candidate in a tough race. Dr. Dean and his wife, Judith, have also agreed to do their first joint television interview, which will appear Thursday night on ABC's "Prime Time."

Evidence of a new Dr. Dean was on display Wednesday morning in Manchester, where the candidate, speaking softly and haltingly, highlighted his proposed overhaul of the campaign finance system, in what aides described as their first effort to change the subject of the campaign discourse.

The new steps were mapped out in a series of meetings that continued Wednesday in Burlington, Vt., where the governor went to recover from a cold that left him hoarse and looking beleaguered.

"I don't buy into the notion that somebody did it to us, but somehow we got caught in the mutually assured destruction of a harsh, negative, vitriolic campaign that created very negative images of Howard at the very time that he needed to humanize himself," said Steven Grossman, the chairman of the campaign and a former Democratic national chairman, as he began a seven-hour round-trip drive from his home in Boston for the meeting in Vermont.

Representative Frank Pallone Jr. of New Jersey said that in a conference call with members of Congress and Dr. Dean's staff on Tuesday night, he said Dr. Dean "has to get away from the negative attacks."

"He has to be positive, talk about the future, don't talk about others," Mr. Pallone said. "Don't even defend yourself against attacks by others."

Dr. Dean's advisers said they had been deluged with advice from all the camps that make up the unusual alliance of the Dean campaign — from their young Web-based supporters to senior members of Congress to his growing legion of paid consultants — about what their candidate should do. Several advisers said they were increasingly concerned that he could face a loss in the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday that could be devastating.

"I told him to be a minipresident; not to be so hot, to tone it down," said one of his most prominent supporters, who did not want to be identified as sharing his private advice to Dr. Dean. "I said, `In the future, if you want to stir up the crowd, have somebody else do it for you.' "

Representative Robert Menendez of New Jersey said he had told Dean aides that Dr. Dean "needs to do more of the uplifting, motivational, substantial vision of where he would take America."

"Put him in the type of circumstance where he is not just pumping the crowd, but is engaged in a conversation with the electorate that reflects his intellect and concern for people," Mr. Menendez said.

Dr. Dean's aides said they were taking that advice, and said that would become increasingly clear over the next day. Late Wednesday night his aides noted that despite the disparaging publicity from the loss in Iowa and his exuberant postcaucus performance, Dr. Dean had raised $590,000 in contributions since Monday.

The retooling of the Dean campaign reflects the dramatic turn in fortunes for this candidate, and just six days before the vote in New Hampshire, a contest that just two weeks ago Dr. Dean seemed positioned to win overwhelmingly. Instead, a series of polls have shown his support dropping, putting him in a tight contest with Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts.

On Thursday, aides said, Dr. Dean plans to take his campaign finance proposal a step further by calling for a $250 limit on contributions to an individual candidate, down from the current $2,000. The proposal is timed to come on the day that the Democratic presidential candidates are meeting in a televised debate which Dr. Dean's advisers view as critical to turning around his fortunes.

Dr. Dean went so far as to first schedule, and then postpone, campaigning door-to-door in Newport, about 60 miles northwest of here, in the first bit of retail politicking he would have done in months. Aides said that over the next few days, he would put aside the noisy rallies that have become associated with his candidacy for town-hall-style meetings, and visits to schools and hospitals, all intended to highlight his work as governor of Vermont.

At the same time, an aide said, Dr. Dean will stop talking about the process of his campaign — in other words, his success at using the Internet to recruit supporters — and more about the issues that polls said New Hampshire voters were interested in. Aides said that in effect they were trying to reclaim the spirit of the Dean candidacy that allowed him to dominate this state just three months ago.

"He connected with people here when he was himself; three or for months ago, he drove Kerry from the state," an aide said. "What the guy has to do to win is go back to that and be the doctor-governor who stands up for what he believes in and achieves results."

The change in tactics comes at a time of both gloom and defiance among many of Dr. Dean's supporters, some of whom said he had been unfairly pilloried for his concession speech. "They're writing his obituary and stuff, but I remember when McCain beat Bush in New Hampshire last time, everybody said Bush was dead," said Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa. "Check his address now."

Dr. Dean's advisers said they viewed the debate here on Thursday as a potential turning-point that might allow New Hampshire voters to take a second look at their candidate, and thus move the campaign discussion away from the way Dr. Dean ended his campaign in Iowa.

Saying they were confident of a successful showing by Dr. Dean at the debate, his advisers said they were pouring money and personnel into New Hampshire to make certain they won. In doing so, they are taking advantage of a decision not to participate in the campaign finance system, freeing him from the spending limits. Mr. Kerry is the only other Democrat bypassing the system.

"We're throwing it all into New Hampshire right now," said Paul Maslin, who is Dr. Dean's pollster.

On television here, Dr. Dean's main advertisements show him smiling and surrounded by children and an elderly couple.

The heavy emphasis on that advertisement comes at a time when some Democrats close to the campaign question the use of a commercial in the final days of the race in Iowa that showed Dr. Dean alone on the screen, rather than with people, in a way that might rebut the image of the candidate as a loner.

As Dr. Dean took a break at his home, his aides met in Burlington to plot out some of the steps. "I don't make a seven-hour round trip when I don't have to," Mr. Grossman said.

"This is a business in which you either grow or die," he said. "Howard has got to grow out of the Iowa experience in a way in which he connects with people on their basic, human, guttural needs."

Mr. Maslin said he hoped New Hampshire would change the story line. But, he said, he was not certain what would happen.

"I'm not sure there's any magic here," Mr. Maslin said. "All us smart people here can say is, Do this, or do that. It's all overrated. It all comes down to him."

Michael Janofsky contributed from Washington for this article.

Chardok · Post by **Chardok** » 2004-01-22 11:03am

Hmm. One has to wonder that, given the fact articles like this are being written, why don't the american people latch on to this "Change of tactics" Type report, and say "HEY! He's not really this high-energy guy with pep rally style campaign speeches and all! It was all an act!" why is this not considered an act? why not just act as you would if you were the president? Seems to me this would be the best way to show your demeanor/qualifications, not by acting the fool at a pep rally and throwing a temper tantrum. Although, it would be fun to see him give the state of the Union address like that. Running about the house floor, shouting at the top of his lungs, giving an evangelical-style pep-talk to the american people, quite a nice change from the subdued format of all previous. "THEN WE'RE GONNA GO INTO INDIA, AND PAKISTAN, AND GUATEMALA, AND BRAZIL, AND WE'RE GONNA TAKE OVER RUSSIA, AND GERMANY! AND THEN ITALY AND JAPAN, AND VIETNAM AND WE'RE GONNA OUST KIM JONG IL, AND WE'RE GOING TO THE MOON! AND MARS! AND NEPTUNE AND VENUS AND MERCURY AND ALPHA CENTAURI, AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL, AND DAMN THE COST, WE'LL MAKE MORE MONEY AND MORE MONEY AFTER THAT, AND IF IT TAKES MORE, WE'LL MAKE MORE YEEEEAAAAARGH!"

Nitpick, I thought it was spelled "Advisors" not Advisers...

Col. Crackpot · Post by **Col. Crackpot** » 2004-01-22 11:08am

A day late and a dollar short. Kerry is up 10 points over Dean in New Hampshire now. 10 points ahead, after he was almost 15 points behind last week. That is a huge swing! Kerry is going to humiliate Dean next week. IMHO i see a 2 man race between Kerry and Edwards because Edwards will beat out Kerry in many of the Southern races.

oh and on a side note, isn't Edwards a personal injury attorney? If so would the office of Attorney General be run by Jacobi and Myers? (ahhhh!Jacobi and Myers!!!! Raise the offer and settle!!!)

Straha · Post by **Straha** » 2004-01-22 11:14am

"It's Dead Jim"

theski · Post by **theski** » 2004-01-22 11:23am

I think Katie Couric was going to cry this morning talking about the problems the Dean camp is having.... *points and laughs*

LordShaithis · Post by **LordShaithis** » 2004-01-22 12:36pm

Chardok wrote:"THEN WE'RE GONNA GO INTO INDIA, AND PAKISTAN, AND GUATEMALA, AND BRAZIL, AND WE'RE GONNA TAKE OVER RUSSIA, AND GERMANY! AND THEN ITALY AND JAPAN, AND VIETNAM AND WE'RE GONNA OUST KIM JONG IL, AND WE'RE GOING TO THE MOON! AND MARS! AND NEPTUNE AND VENUS AND MERCURY AND ALPHA CENTAURI, AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL, AND DAMN THE COST, WE'LL MAKE MORE MONEY AND MORE MONEY AFTER THAT, AND IF IT TAKES MORE, WE'LL MAKE MORE YEEEEAAAAARGH!"

ROFL!!!

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2004-01-22 12:45pm

Howard Stern is playing that Dean rant on a daily basis and it gets funnier everytime with the various background music and noises he adds to it. YOu always know when it's coming he goes "OK, where are we going?"

If Dean has done any good for this country it's this comedy gold rant.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2004-01-22 12:57pm

GrandAdmiralPrawn wrote:
Chardok wrote:"THEN WE'RE GONNA GO INTO INDIA, AND PAKISTAN, AND GUATEMALA, AND BRAZIL, AND WE'RE GONNA TAKE OVER RUSSIA, AND GERMANY! AND THEN ITALY AND JAPAN, AND VIETNAM AND WE'RE GONNA OUST KIM JONG IL, AND WE'RE GOING TO THE MOON! AND MARS! AND NEPTUNE AND VENUS AND MERCURY AND ALPHA CENTAURI, AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL, AND DAMN THE COST, WE'LL MAKE MORE MONEY AND MORE MONEY AFTER THAT, AND IF IT TAKES MORE, WE'LL MAKE MORE YEEEEAAAAARGH!"
ROFL!!!

This picture is even better.

http://www.allahpundit.com/FatahDean.jpg

theski · Post by **theski** » 2004-01-22 01:02pm

Tin foil hats at the ready......

DEAN'S BALLOT-BOX CONSPIRACY THEORY

January 22, 2004 -- MANCHESTER, N.H. - Howard Dean unleashed a new line of attack yesterday by hinting at Republican corporate conspiracies to steal elections.
Discarding his old stump speech, slipping-in-the-polls Dean took an Oliver Stone-ish shot at the GOP hierarchy, telling New Hampshire voters about his fear that new high-tech voting machines will be programmed to steal ballots from Democrats.

Whooooooooo I think that is the Abyss, Dean is looking into.....

http://nypost.com/news/nationalnews/16415.htm

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2004-01-22 01:06pm

theski wrote:Tin foil hats at the ready......

DEAN'S BALLOT-BOX CONSPIRACY THEORY

January 22, 2004 -- MANCHESTER, N.H. - Howard Dean unleashed a new line of attack yesterday by hinting at Republican corporate conspiracies to steal elections.
Discarding his old stump speech, slipping-in-the-polls Dean took an Oliver Stone-ish shot at the GOP hierarchy, telling New Hampshire voters about his fear that new high-tech voting machines will be programmed to steal ballots from Democrats.

Whooooooooo I think that is the Abyss, Dean is looking into.....

http://nypost.com/news/nationalnews/16415.htm

Alright now we know this is fucked up and I can heart the Bugler's paying taps. It's so sad to see him go down like this......

NO it's NOT. I haven't gotten such perverse joy from seeing a candidate self destruct since Mondale's electoral ass raping by Reagan.

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2004-01-22 01:08pm

theski wrote:Tin foil hats at the ready......

DEAN'S BALLOT-BOX CONSPIRACY THEORY

January 22, 2004 -- MANCHESTER, N.H. - Howard Dean unleashed a new line of attack yesterday by hinting at Republican corporate conspiracies to steal elections.
Discarding his old stump speech, slipping-in-the-polls Dean took an Oliver Stone-ish shot at the GOP hierarchy, telling New Hampshire voters about his fear that new high-tech voting machines will be programmed to steal ballots from Democrats.

Actually I've seen a lot of concern on Slashdot that the system is incredibly not secure. I wouldn't say this particularly benefits either party, but it's not good.

Whooooooooo I think that is the Abyss, Dean is looking into.....

http://nypost.com/news/nationalnews/16415.htm

Col. Crackpot · Post by **Col. Crackpot** » 2004-01-22 01:38pm

theski wrote:Tin foil hats at the ready......

DEAN'S BALLOT-BOX CONSPIRACY THEORY

January 22, 2004 -- MANCHESTER, N.H. - Howard Dean unleashed a new line of attack yesterday by hinting at Republican corporate conspiracies to steal elections.
Discarding his old stump speech, slipping-in-the-polls Dean took an Oliver Stone-ish shot at the GOP hierarchy, telling New Hampshire voters about his fear that new high-tech voting machines will be programmed to steal ballots from Democrats.

Whooooooooo I think that is the Abyss, Dean is looking into.....

http://nypost.com/news/nationalnews/16415.htm

Hey Howie, don't bogart that joint man! 'cuz i wan't some of what you're smoking!

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2004-01-22 01:43pm

Damn, I goobered the quote.

I'm not sure if this is the same election system thing that I've heard about, but there is some concern over a computer-based system that could be prone to hacking (inasmuch as you can't hack a sheet of paper).

Master of Ossus · Post by **Master of Ossus** » 2004-01-22 01:47pm

Howedar wrote:I'm not sure if this is the same election system thing that I've heard about, but there is some concern over a computer-based system that could be prone to hacking (inasmuch as you can't hack a sheet of paper).

You gotta be kidding me. During the last presidential election, Democrats cried bloody murder because the "high-tech" voting machines were concentrated in Republican areas of Florida. Now they don't WANT those machines? I'm sure that there's concern over hacking the booths, but frankly it now seems as though people are going to complain regardless of what you give people. This is ridiculous.

Chardok · Post by **Chardok** » 2004-01-22 01:48pm

That is SERVE and is intended for use by soldiers stationed overseas and their families in lieu of absentee ballots, especially if the soldier is very difficult to obtain a ballot from. It's a pentagon proggie that is only being tested in certain states this go around, IIRC. Was on NPR this morning. the pentagon, however, writes off the hack claim as preposterous. One spokeswoman says about the security risk: "If they are going to cheat the system, they are going to cheat the system, no matter what we do. this way, they got alot more people to bribe."

whatever the fuck that means. At any rate, I'm inclined to think this could be a good system, given stringent enough security.

Chardok · Post by **Chardok** » 2004-01-22 01:49pm

Sorry, forgot to hit the quote button, that post was directed to Howedar's comment. My bad.

Master of Ossus · Post by **Master of Ossus** » 2004-01-22 01:51pm

Joe wrote: This picture is even better.

http://www.allahpundit.com/FatahDean.jpg

1. The link doesn't work. The site doesn't allow hot-linking.

2. The main site there is ridiculously funny in a horrifically offensive sort of way. I strongly recommend it!

Col. Crackpot · Post by **Col. Crackpot** » 2004-01-22 02:23pm

Master of Ossus wrote:
Joe wrote: This picture is even better.

http://www.allahpundit.com/FatahDean.jpg
1. The link doesn't work. The site doesn't allow hot-linking.

2. The main site there is ridiculously funny in a horrifically offensive sort of way. I strongly recommend it!

that rewrite of 'sound of silence' must have been why Art Garfunkel needed the pot he got busted with.

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2004-01-22 02:34pm

Stravo wrote: NO it's NOT. I haven't gotten such perverse joy from seeing a candidate self destruct since Mondale's electoral ass raping by Reagan.

Let me guess, this is because of a certain person's shameless whoring of
him in every election thread?

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2004-01-22 04:04pm

Master of Ossus wrote:
Joe wrote: This picture is even better.

http://www.allahpundit.com/FatahDean.jpg
1. The link doesn't work. The site doesn't allow hot-linking.

2. The main site there is ridiculously funny in a horrifically offensive sort of way. I strongly recommend it!

Noted, and praise be to Allah. It's a great blog.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2004-01-22 08:35pm

link

Here's his latest damage control. He's going to appear on Letterman tonight to make fun of himself.

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2004-01-22 08:40pm

MKSheppard wrote:
Stravo wrote: NO it's NOT. I haven't gotten such perverse joy from seeing a candidate self destruct since Mondale's electoral ass raping by Reagan.
Let me guess, this is because of a certain person's shameless whoring of
him in every election thread?

*DING DING DING DING*

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2004-01-22 08:55pm

Stravo wrote: *DING DING DING DING*

*sound of a window shattering as a rock is thrown into the thread. Sheppard
picks up the rock and notices there's a note tied around the rock - he unwraps
it and reads it*

Stop this trolling both of you

theski · Post by **theski** » 2004-01-22 08:59pm

The shameless begging and apologizing begins in 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1

LEBANON, N.H. (AP) - A humbled Howard Dean said Thursday, "I have my warts. I sometimes say things that get me in trouble," but argued Thursday that voters will see through the flaws and rally to his troubled presidential candidacy

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040122/D8080M9G0.html

and continues

‘I’m a Human Being’
Howard and Judy Dean on Their Marriage, His Supposed Temper, and That Yell

Jan. 22 — At a critical point in his presidential campaign, Howard Dean and his wife, Judy Steinberg Dean, spoke to ABCNEWS' Primetime's Diane Sawyer about the future of his campaign, their relationship, and his often-discussed anger

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/Primetim ... 122-1.html

Pu-239 · Post by **Pu-239** » 2004-01-22 09:12pm

Gah... I feel both Kerry and Edwards are worse than Bush... sigh...

Well, if either wins, I'm rooting for Bush.