There is already a similar topic in Democratic debate, but the thought crossed my mind that Republicans, Libertarians, Independents and those undeclared, as well as Democrats, might give us some thoughtful and insightful perspective on the subject.

The topic for debate is simple.

Was Howard Dean a wise choice for Chair of the Democratic National Committee? Please give reasons to support your answer.

Note: I have some thoughts on this, but I’m going to hold them for a while and let the thread develop.

Was Howard Dean a wise choice for Chair of the Democratic National Committee? Please give reasons to support your answer.

Dems didn't really have a choice now did they? At least the politicos didn't. The actual people who are the Democrats wanted Dean as i understood it.
There was actual excitement about Dean from his supporters--not the usual "Yeah he's the Candidate everybody applaud for the Cameras!" garbage you see from most scripted political gatherings. Whether you like his politics or not Dean is at the least passionate about his causes--which is a huge separation from other politicos, Look at Kerry--talk about going through the numbers and nothing more.

Dean made the deadly mistake of allowing himself to be framed by the conservatives according to their labels and not framing his own message. He was reactionary instead of on the offensive. He also had to deal with the assault by the competitors for the Dem mantle. He allowed himself to be labeled far more liberal than he really was and could have faired much better than any of the others against the republicans. At the least he would have fought back unlike Kerry--what a wuss.

The Dean scream I felt sorry having been there in that situation. I saw the look on his face as he was speaking and believe just as he was launching into his rally the troops speech he suffered that most horrible affliction where what he was going to say suddenly was mentally erased from his conscious memory--and he was unable to recall any of it. Fortunately I have never had it happen under such pressure--live television while giving a speech to rally the troops in the most important campaign of my life--somewhere in America Scott Norwood went "I feel a lot better now."

I felt pain just watching him go through the list of states as he desperately tried to come up with anything to salvage the moment.

The Dems biggest problem is not going to be a confrontational Chair but their complete failure to accurately FRAME their message or present their beliefs as a cohesive whole. They have allowed themselves to fragment and be COMPLETELY defined by the framework and rhetoric of the conservatives
They need to change the arguments and even the definition that they are arguing and refuse to play into the hands of the conservatives who have created the most effective propaganda machine ever.
Study the style of talking heads like Hannity who design their questions to leave no right answer but the one Hannity wants you to say. Dems walk right into this time after time thinking they can somehow get through it--you cannot--Its a trap and so effective as to make vipers look tame.
Learn to negate the tactic by framing responses that trap him as well. He cannot answer and it leaves a stalemate. if he tries to force the answer he negates his own stand and looks blatantly false himself.

They need to remind Americans why their beliefs are very much in accord with our values and beliefs.

If this is Dean's goal and he is not hamstrung by the Dem establishment he should do very well indeed.

I think the Democrats made a very wise choice in selecting Dean. I believe he has the capacity to invigorate the party. The Republicans painted Dean the "candidate" as far to the Left. Zell Miller, (democrat in exile) described Dean as NOT far to the Left. I think he is right. He is fiscally conservative. Also, as I understand it, although I am not sure of the details, he was able to broaden the reach of healthcare in Vermont for everyone. No small feat.

I think the Democrats underestimated Dean's appeal across party lines. They were too busy buying into the Republicans line that because he came out anti-War, he was far to the Left. He has an extreme appeal because he speaks his mind. I know from personal experience that he appeals beyond the far Left. I am not a Democrat, and am pretty conservative, but I worked on his campaign-- directly, by making phone calls and going door to door. I also went the the Meetups that they had. I just loved the guy.

I am very pleased that he is heading up the DNC. I really believe that the Dems need a shot in the arm and need to make real change and I believe he is the guy to do it.

Howard Dean could go either way. And it really depends on Dean. If he is the DNC chairman because he wants a platform to run for President in '08, then he was a bad choice, because clearly Hillary is the preferred candidate of the Democrats. Many Republicans are already pointing out that Hillary is leaning toward the center more and more. But if Dean tries to rival her, then the primaries could get messy and potentially hurt Hillary's chances and we already know Dean doesn't have a chance anymore.

If he is now a foot soldier marching to the beat of the Clinton drum, then he is an excellent choice for DNC chairman. He can raise funds like no other, save Bush, he can set a clear agenda, his agenda was clearer than Kerry or Edwards, which was were against Bush yet we backed him all the way. Unfortunately, he is not much of a speaker; neither passionate nor eloquent.

A better question may be, "What are Dean's goals?"

Was Howard Dean a wise choice for Chair of the Democratic National Committee? Please give reasons to support your answer.



Treading softly here so as to not invoke the wrath of my friends(?) on the left by using terms like the dreaded "L" word or referencing their past candidate for VP's profession.....

I think Howard Dean is a fine choice for the DNC chair. His anger certainly seems to energize the party faithful and with comments like "I hate Republicans", he's sure to be able to convince some of those on the left to pry open their wallets and donate to the cause. And, from my side being hated by Howard Dean isn't all that bad to tell the truth. He will be if nothing else, entertaining for the next couple of years. I give him a thumbs up!

My touchy-feely sensitive side has taken over my keyboard….
Well I actually thought he would have been a better choice over Kerry in 04. I thought the “Dean’s scream” was blown completely out of proportion equal to Rummy’s speaking on vehicle armor in Kuwait. Dean did a pretty good job as governor and held a position near the center. Yes, he balanced the budget and did some good things, yet he wasn’t faced with terror attacks on his state, recession, NASDAC bubble pop, nor corporate scandals as he did it.

Iowa brings out the extremes in politicians I suppose? Dean and Dennis K. were about the only candidates with some sort of integrity on their position toward the war and shared popularity for the position from a key element of the Democratic Party.

I think as DNC Chair he could become a double-edged sword. As I mentioned earlier he is passionate on issues and I back that 100%! But, he has a big mouth and opens it pretty fast and lets stupid stuff fall out, like “I hate republicans and everything they stand for.” Those are strong words the Republican Party will use against the Democratic Party. Neither party can be all bad so those who like him and the party will forgive him but those who have a pony in the race in opposition will use his words to distract from their opponents message. If a democratic candidate is asked to defend Dean’s statement as the leader they will be eaten alive and if the candidate doesn’t he or she will lack creditability. That was a very polarizing statement and very hard to defend!

Last week again he opened his rich white mouth and said “I bet the republicans couldn’t get this many black people in the same room at one time…(spontaneously) unless they invited in the hotel cleaning staff”. And, BoF you thought I was insensitive?

Was Howard Dean a wise choice for Chair of the Democratic National Committee? Please give reasons to support your answer.

Democrats hate losers! Gore and Leberman won popular vote in 2000 but couldn’t muster 12% backing combined for their position(s), which were very different in the primaries in 03? I’m new in politics and simply couldn’t comprehend how Dem’s could call in to CSPAN saying Bush stole the election and the true president and VP were Al & Joe and at the same time polls reflected 100% of Dem’s disliked Bush-Cheney but only 11% supported Joe & Al combined. To make it even more hilarious Bush and Cheney were still friends and have like policy thought and had a higher public approval rating. I think when “first doubt” strikes the Democratic Party in 08 the democratic voters will divorce their former loser, Dean and blame him for the loss of whoever is on the ticket.

Let me take this opportunity to apologize for any feelings I may have hurt while attempting to make posts on similar topics recently. My intent was to cause you to agree or disagree with what I posted on your party because that is what the Republican Party will do to your candidates in this polarized political field in upcoming races. Divorcing any splinter in the party of combined small groups weakens the core and folks will stay home on Election Day if not included.

Was Howard Dean a wise choice for Chair of the Democratic National Committee? Please give reasons to support your answer.

Dean was painted at too liberal by everyone, yet is record in Vermont does not add up to far-left Liberal.

Dean is energetic, knows how to motivate people, knows how to work grassroots elements and is marginally left of center.

Is he a good choice? If we see the Dean of Vermont and he manages to keep control enough to avoid extreme emotional outbursts that will be used against him then yes he is.

As for the outbursts. The man's passion and emotion made him engaging and energizing to many. It was when he crossed the line to over the top that it became a liability. He is a smart man, and I think he probably learned his lesson on that one so I doubt it will be a real issue (though some will try to make it one anyway).

However, he will have to learn how to play the game a little better with what he says and how he says it in the future if he wants to draw in independent voters.

A side question: What will this do to his chances of running in 2008?

Edited to add:

I Had to come back to this one. After thinking on this one for awhile I just don't think I can see Dean as more having a better then a 50-50 shot at being a good choice for the Democrats. The bottom line is, though I think he knows his outburst are damaging, I am not entirely sure he can help it. If this is correct, and we see regular "Dean-isms" on the air, then his skills with people and his ideas won't do enough to counter his own mouth. Dean could be a major liability to the Democratic Party. Comments like his most recent gaffs will do nothing but turn away the moderate centrists and independents who want solutions and vision, not more rhetoric and partisanship.

Dean is a mixed bag.

On one hand, he is very passionate about what he believes. This is a positive.

On the other, he can't seem to control his mouth. This, I think, will ultimately be very costly to the Democrats as a Party.

Dean is not as liberal as he has been painted. In Vermont, he had a balanced position. However, the 2004 Democratic primary showed that Dean is not effective at campaigning. He lost what seemed to be a sure thing.

Dean is not very popular among Democrats, who associate his name with the crash-and-burn that occurred before, during, and after the Iowa caucus. According to a Wall Street Journal poll, only 27% of Democrats view Dean positively.

Dean needs to reshape his image and control his emotions.

Was Howard Dean a wise choice for Chair of the Democratic National Committee? Please give reasons to support your answer.

Yes. Howard Dean may do some crazy things, like that crazy speech after the Iowa caucus last January. lolz. Howard Dean has had a pretty successful political career. I mean, he was governor of Vermont for a while, and ran for president. That would be some people's dream. Howard Dean will work with Dems to get the party back on it's feet, and to get Obama president in the 2008 election.

Howard Dean: "Republicans are Evil"

Man I’m glad this guy is on my team! I can hardly wait for the 06/08 election cycle to see what other stupid stuff falls out of this guys mouth every time he opens it!

Check out this most recent (I think) discharge of brilliance. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1352367/posts You owe it to yourself to read the posts on this one below the entry!

IMHO Howard Dean is an excellent choice for Chairman of the DNC.

For 70 years or more, the Democrats have been violating the Constitution, abridging citizens' rights, expanding government hugely, and spreading unworkable legal and economic doctrines in the country. It's gotten so bad that even the Republicans are starting to do it. But the Dems have been leading the charge since before the Great Depression.

In recent years, the Democrat leadership has gotten so extreme, that they have outpaced even the desires of the rank-and-file of their own party. The result has been gradually lower turnouts of Democrat voters in election after election. Some Dems have stayed home, and an increasing number have voted Republican. As a result, the Democrats have a nearly-unbroken string of election losses. And their desire to expand government and spread socialistic economic policies has dwindled. Such dwindling is good for the country.

The election of Howard Dean, who was one of the most vociferous of the leftists, assures me that the Dems have not yet figured out what they're doing wrong, and that they intend to keep moving to the left despite their consistent failures and defeats. Though the Chairman of the DNC (or RNC) does little to actually set his party's direction, the fact that he was elected at all, tells me that the people who sill do set direction, like his agenda and politics just fine.

I'm happy to see Dean elected to the Chairmanship of the DNC. It tells me that the Dem leadership will keep moving left and keep losing elections by bigger and bigger margins. This will be very good for the country as their big-government agenda loses support. Hopefully they will move so far left, that the Republicans will gain big enough margins that they can finally start returning to their conservative roots and obeying the Constitution. It will be a welcome change from the go-along-to-get-along agenda that has seen even them expanding government, enacting new entitlements, and other such Democrat-like abuses of government.