Unfortunately, I think Howard Deans' fifteen minutes are about up. I wish they would keep him around. http://www.falwell.com/?a=p&content=1103229198
Falwell on Dean????? Isn't that a pair. Kinda like pro-wrestling. Each of these gentlemen represents what's objectionable to me about their respective parties. They sort of carry the flag for the loony-tunes elements. But the true-believers are the ones who provide the parties with their necessary activists and cadres. They provide each party with its base. Unfortunately, they also make moderates very nervous, and it's the swing-voters that actually decide elections.
I like Dean's spirit. He's a fighter. Moderation hasn't worked for the Democrats for a while now, so what's the use of keeping on with a losing tactic? Bush and Co. certainly didn't win by being moderates.
Exactly! Exactly! We need a street fighter, not an apologist. I say we stand behind him 100% and stop apologizing. The Reps certainly stand in lockstep, even on things like the ethics rule. They were bent on changing the rules for Delay, then when the public outrage became to much, they backed down. Right or wrong, they stick together like a fighting machine. So Dean said the Reps are mostly White Christians, so WHAT! Abner
Any party that attempts to appeal only to the intelligent few is doomed to extinction. That's why the Republicans need Falwell and the Democrats need Dean with his "I Have a Scream" speech.
AFAIK, Falwell holds no official position within the Republican Party, he's kind-of like the embarrassing uncle that you try to keep in the corner during family parties. Dean, on the other hand, is the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee. I would say that he operates with the blessing of the party, to say the least.
Re: Re: Falwell on Howard Dean Agreed. Now there's some clear-headed thinking. Man! This is like goin' to church: AMEN! Yep! I'm a lifelong member of that party... and he's certainly got my blessing. Watched him live on C-SPAN this very morning and loved every Republican-bashing minute of it! (Actually, it was quite tame. If Republicans would just shut-up and listen to what he's actually saying in his role as DNC chair these days, they'd realize that Bush, et al, is losing support in droves; and that the Democrats are finally on their way to getting it right again! Just watch. You'll see.)
Re: Re: Re: Falwell on Howard Dean If Republicans would just shut-up and listen to what he's actually saying in his role as DNC chair these days, they'd realize that Bush, et al, is losing support in droves; and that the Democrats are finally on their way to getting it right again! Just watch. You'll see.) [/B][/QUOTE] And I say AMEN to that! Abner
I am finally liking Howard Dean. He is sticking to the Republicans without mercy -- just as the Republicans (aka Karl Rove) did to the Democrats. Do you know why the cons hate Howard so much? For the same reason they hated Clinton - because they both could beat the Republicans at their own game. When I see Cheney apologize for lying about WMD's, or his bad behavior in the Senate, then perhaps Howard should do the same. Until that time - the Republicans should shut their mouths and quit crying like the babies they are. (I think Cheney and Bush need diapers -- waa waaa)
Good point. Of course a lot of people would like to make Falwell and others like him into theocratic poster-boys for the Republicans. The liberal press often tries to suggest it, as do some (in my opinion) misguided people on the religious right. True again. Nobody has to stretch to make Dean into an official spokesman for the Democrats. He just is. It's interesting that the Democrats believe that they can scare America with the more extreme Republicans, but at the same time they seem disinterested in the effect that their own radicals have on moderates. But the Democrats will have to appeal to swing voters to if they have any hope of winning a few currently red states. Democrats really need to be thinking about how to broaden their appeal.They can't just concentrate on thrilling their already committed true-believer activist base. Dean seems to be great at preaching to the choir, but I'd question whether an outspoken red-meat politician like him can win over anyone who doesn't already believe with burning faith. He's going to be ineffective at reaching out to moderates who voted for Bush in the last election but who might be persuaded to switch.
Actually, preaching to the choir has its function in politics. That function is to remind your choirboys that they should be among the 50% of voters who get up off their duffs and go to the polls come election day. And, with any luck, maybe the other guy's choirboys will be among the 50% of voters who sit on their duffs and stay home on election day.
