Home > The Dean Decision
Edito Governments USA Wayne Besen
by Wayne Besen
I haven’t written much about the Democratic Party since Election Day, because I never aspired to be an obituary writer. But up from the Democratic dead floats the political poltergeist Howard Dean, who has risen to the helm of the graveyard known as the Democratic National Committee.
As one of the foremost critics of Howard Dean during his ill-fated presidential campaign, it might surprise some people to know I applaud his resurrection as good for Democrats, gay people and America.
In July 2003, I wrote a scathing column, "The Dean Delusion", that predicted a Dean implosion at a time he was riding high as the clear Democratic frontrunner. According to my column:
"Dean seems unable to control his emotions or his mouth on the campaign trail....Any honest appraisal will show that Dean so far is a gaffe-prone politician who has shown a penchant for self-destructive comments that may ultimately prove his demise."
My reward for such brutal honesty was a ton of nasty e-mail from Dean sycophants that questioned my political savvy. Of course, the history books are closed and we all know Dean crashed and burned in Iowa, punctuated by his infamous "Scream". I don’t mean to gloat and sound prophetic, but pass the swami hat and crystal ball, baby, and let me savor my Nostradamus moment!
Now that my Homer Simpson end zone victory dance is over, let me explain why I now support Dean.
I admire his determination and perseverance. Most politicians would have quietly slipped away and moved to Mozambique after they became a punch line for late night comics. The next time I expected to see Dean was on VH1’s "Where Are They Now". Or maybe in a decade some rapper might have used his "Scream" as a sample in a hip-hop song.
However, while critics were counting on Dean’s demise, he was counting the number of ways he could stage a comeback. Following his loss, he helped raise a whopping $3.5 million for Democrats across America. He even raised an estimated $250,000 for a recount in the governor’s race in Washington State that led to a Democratic victory.
Dean is clearly a scrappy pit bull, which is exactly what the Democrats need to battle the ruling demagogues in the Republican Party. More than anyone else, I think he will stand up to Republican excess and clearly articulate the difference between the two parties.
During Dean’s presidential bid I suggested that he might have an immutable character flaw where he was unable to control his emotions. Here is what I wrote:
"At times, Dean seems to suffer from logorrhea - which is defined as the inability to shut up. He has had to offer apologies at least five times in recent months for either reckless statements or for insulting fellow Democratic presidential nominees."
Since I wrote this, I think Dean has shown maturity and the ability to learn from his mistakes. I caught him on television a few times and he appears more thoughtful and deliberative. The big challenge for Dean is to keep energizing the Democratic base by speaking his mind without mindlessly speaking.
In recent months, Dean has also learned to smile and appear more affable on television. His angry-man routine during the Democratic primaries appealed only to angry people. If voters were generally content, or at least well medicated, Dean’s fury fell flat. We can only hope that Dean stays optimistic and remembers that "sunny sells" in American politics.
Dean also has won me over with his loyalty to the gay community. Sure, it was easy for the Vermont Governor to support gay rights during the presidential campaign when the gay community was showering him with money and manpower.
But how would he react after 11 states passed Constitutional Amendments prohibiting gay marriage? Would he abandon a minority group that was largely responsible for his mercurial rise as a national figure?
"I was sickened in this election when on the ballot in 11 states, there was an amendment that was completely unnecessary - every single one of those states already outlawed gay marriage," Dean said. "The only reason to put gay marriage on the ballot in those states was to scapegoat a minority that was unpopular in order to win an election."
These are words from a man who clearly understands the value of friendship, trust and loyalty - rare commodities in the dirty game of politics.
Finally, the charge of Dean being too liberal is a conservative fabrication - much like Saddam’s stockpile of WMD. As Vermont’s governor, he was pro-gun, cut taxes, reformed welfare and balanced budgets. George W. Bush could only wish his record was as fiscally conservative as Dean’s is.
It is too soon to tell if Dean, the ghost who wouldn’t fade away, will help or simply haunt the Democrats. Based on his resilience, personal growth, allegiance and toughness, I believe Dean has earned his shot to lead the Democratic Party.
Forum posts
9 February 2005, 17:02
Dean’s resurrection is good for the Dems. It’s like resurrecting Nixon! Let’s Nixon Bush!
9 February 2005, 23:39
Dean is a human. Politicians should act as humans.
So Bush has more control about himself? As a Govenor he murdered 154 deliquents in Texas -
none of them was given pardon.
The ill-fated campaign was run by Kerry. This phony "...I report for duty", everybody instantly
knows that this guy could never make it.
10 February 2005, 04:13
Dean as D.N.C. is EXCITING!
He is not an everyday "Party Democrat" and he will say what he feels and show some emotion. We are all human, we all have emotions, and Dean is willing to show them.
He is a caring MD who wants everyone to have health Insurance, a decent job with good wages, an opportunity for education,.
The Republicans get upset when they hear Dean’s name because they know he won’t stop coming at them and exposing them for what they are. They fear him ALOT, as they should, because they have so much to hide.
Dean is a REAL PERSON, W. is a PHONEY!!
10 February 2005, 19:56
People, wake up will you. Stop being led by the nose by the corrupt parties that are duping you LEFT and RIGHT.
http://nhindymedia.org/newswire/display/1793/index.php
Federal Court Finds DNC Chair Howard Dean’s Judicial Appointees Guilty
In a 1997 Vermont Press Bureau article, Howard Dean expressed his desire to appoint judges that were not so concerned about the Bill of Rights — or in Howard Dean lingo "legal technicalities".
Howard kept his aim true. Within two months of his proclamation, he appointed Nancy Corsones and Patricia Zimmerman to the Vermont bench.
Shortly afterward, Vermont prosecutors set their sites on a local activist. Judge Corsones chose to advance justice in Vermont by violating the activist’s rights against double jeopardy, his right to counsel and his right to due process. Later, the Vermont Supreme Court sided with the activist and threw out the bogus criminal charges.
One spring morning in Rutland Vermont, the activist appeared at Judge Corsones’ courthouse with signs on his van that detailed the Judge’s problems with the Bill of Rights. The signs correctly labeled the Judge a "Butcher of the Constitution".
Judge Corsones’ solution - banish the activist from the courthouse - for life.
In January of 2005 the United States Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan found that judgment should issue against Judge Corsones and her colleague for violation of the First Amendment rights to free expression and to courthouse access.
Kudos to Howard Dean for truly accomplishing his proclaimed goals of subverting the Bill of Rights, or in this example, subversion of the First, Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the United States Constitution via judicial appointments. Sympathy to the Democratic Party for choosing such an arrogant and ignorant leader.
Scott Huminski
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/commentary.aspx?id=14208
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/commentary.aspx?id=2375
http://www.rcfp.org/news/2004/1012humins.html
11 February 2005, 03:13
You are so right. It’s all about HONESTY—an important and necessary attribute with which everyone, including our leaders, should be endowed.
Alas, it seems in our America today, one is chastised for being honest and guileless, but awarded for blatant dishonesty and treachery.
10 February 2005, 04:14
GO HOWARD>>>>WE ARE WITH YOU ALL THE WAY!
10 February 2005, 12:49
Hey Wayne, I’m going to try and be as nice as I can.
It’s because of hit pieces like yours he crashed and burned...swami, how immature, reminds me of pee-wee’s playhouse..."THE SWAMI". Please, tell us something we don’t know. Is this a follow up hit piece disguised as an ego-stroke? How’s it feel? good? keep stroking, and take that publicity picture down, noboby cares what you look like. More ego stroking I guess.
do you know anything about the bought and paid for, censored, and lying US media and how they initiated a smear campaign, that it seems you were happy to jump in on? Get it through your head, Dean lost to kerry the same way kerry lost to bush and then political opportunists ran the smear campaign with the help of the corporate media. Got it? I’m not a republocrat and even I know that.
Let me guess, you think the election was on the up and up...so that means, the primary with Dean was straight too right? No wonder we’ll get what we deserve, don’t come crying when the gays are not only silenced, but persecuted. "no it can’t happen"....yeah, and we’re in Iraq to bring them freedom you clod. With friends like you who needs enemies.
I hear you talking about gay rights, yet why is it you grace us with more mental midget manure? Why don’t you tell us about all the gay republicans in congress, why don’t you talk about the hypocricy of christians who support gays and don’t even know it. Scared of the establishment? Or are you trying to get a shot on Fox News as the "gay democratic voice"...is that why your head-shot is up there? I guess that 15 minutes of fame has turned into a permanent delusion.
I’ve got a miss cleo for you too, ready? We’ve got an economic shitstorm coming, get your head out of politics, and start getting louder about what really concerns americans. You are either playing the cards they want you to...or your just another political opportunist with nothing good to say. George Washinton warned us about political blowhards like you.
We’ve got bigger things to worry about then, "is Dean cool now, according to wayne besen?". I don’t know, are flip-flops still in? Cause that’s what you sound like to me.
Take a look at this, it can happen here too, stop trying to divide and get with the program before it’s too late. The laws are coming in left and right, wake up. Dean may be a "crazy guy", but he’s not a criminally insane psychopath on a mission from God. I didn’t vote for Dean or Kerry, because guess what? *looks into crystal ball*, the same way you said curtains for dean, I said it for kerry...guess I should be the one paid for fortune telling. Maybe you’ll listen this time.
Support our troops and christian youth camps, we’re coming Iran!
11 February 2005, 03:54
If Dean is so great, why isn’t he speaking out about the lies Bush keeps telling on Social Security? He has said very little. Why isn’t he demanding an end to this futile war in Iraq? He is supposed to be against the war, but now he thinks we can’t cut and run? Why can’t he speak the truth as everyone else knows it...no amount of our staying will help. Is he blind or a stooge for the elite? I keep hearing how he is the great dem leader standing up to Bush, but it seems to be all talk, no action.
12 February 2005, 06:58
One Dean does not make the summer. America accused of war mongering will stand united
together against the world. There is little hope. Sorry!