The Dean Disappointment: I want to like him. I really do

OpinionJournal ^ | January 8, 2004 | Peggy Noonan

[billorites]

I want to like Howard Dean. I don't mean I want to support him; I mean I want to like him, or find him admirable even if I don't agree with him. I want the Democratic Party to have a strong nominee this year, for several reasons. One is that it is one of our two great parties, and it is dispiriting to think it is not able to summon up a deeply impressive contender. Another is that democracy is best served by excellent presidential nominees duking it out region to region in a hard-fought campaign that seriously raises the pressing issues of the day. A third is that the Republican Party is never at its best when faced with a lame challenger. When faced with a tough and scrappy competitor like Bill Clinton, they came up with the Contract with America. When faced with Michael Dukakis they came up with flag-burning amendments. They need to be in a serious fight before they fight seriously.

[Guillermo]

When did I ever call him a coward?

[Friend of thunder]

Sorry, Peggy. The only thing that's lame around here is this idea you have that the country "needs" a strong RAT nominee.

With all due respect, I think you are mistaken. Even if the Republicans were always and in all things right and the Democrats were always and in all things wrong, the mere fact of repeating the debate would keep Republicans honest. In fact, a strong center left party would keep a strong center right party honest; and vice versa. When you have the truth on your side you should never be afraid of honest debate.

[lainde]

bttt

[samtheman]

Sometimes it's better to move forward and make changes than to go round-and-round with endless debate. On some issues, the debate should end, the change should be made, and we should move on. Example: Capital gains taxes. I look forward to the day when the debate is essentially over on this issue, that the tax is eliminated, and that we don't talk about this issue anymore.

[goldstategop]

Peggy Noonan's right in her conclusion and Dean's biggest problem, apart from his shortcomings, is that let's face it: he's an average guy. I am 5'7" myself and when you're up against a 6'2" President, its no contest. Americans will never vote for the smaller of two guys; its just human nature. And the reason I can't bring myself to like Dean has nothing to do with his politics. There's such a personal cockiness about him that simply has me repelled. And this isn't cause I'm a Republican but cause I am a human being who wants to like someone who has personal warmth and optimism. Dean projects neither and that's why he will lose in November.

[JimVT]

Would you believe................pee pot!

sorry...couldn't control myself