Posted on 02/12/2005 11:21:44 PM PST by Grampa Dave
New DNC Head Dean Hopes to Rebuild Party
2 hours, 47 minutes ago
By WILL LESTER, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - New national Democratic Chairman Howard Dean (news - web sites) promised Saturday to rebuild the party in the most conservative regions of the country, help develop state and local organizations and let congressional Democrats set the tone on policy.
Electing Dean on a voice vote during their winter meeting, Democrats put the party's leadership in the hands of the skilled fund-raiser and organizer whose sometimes caustic, blunt comments can lead to controversy. The physician now must contend with a state-by-state political map in which Republican red overwhelms Democratic blue.
"I'll pretty much be living in red states in the South and West for quite a while," Dean told reporters. "The way to get people not to be skeptical about you is to show up and say what you think."
The normally outspoken Dean appeared to be trying to shift his role from flamboyant presidential candidate to cautious party chairman.
"The proper place for the day-to-day battles is Congress," Dean said in response to a question about his opposition to the war in Iraq (news - web sites). "My views are well known, but most of the policy pronouncements will be coming from the leaders in Congress and not from me."
Dean has plenty of other chores to keep him busy.
President Bush (news - web sites) just won his second term. Republicans are firmly in control of the House and the Senate. And the GOP is gaining strength in conservative states in the South and West.
The former Vermont governor promised to learn how Democrats can communicate positions more effectively.
Dean says that no one is "pro-abortion," but "we are the party in favor of allowing women to make up their own minds about their health care."
And Democrats are not for "gay marriage," but "we are the party that has always believed in equal rights under the law for all people," he says.
Dean is determined to seize the moral high ground from Republicans, arguing Democratic positions on helping the poor and protecting children are consistent with religious values.
The new chairman sounded like a man in a hurry: "Republicans wandered in the wilderness for 40 years before regaining Congress. ... The American people cannot afford to wait 40 years for us to regain control in Washington and put the government back to work for Americans."
Dean has been criticizing Republicans all week and has promised to stay on the offensive, but GOP Chairman Ken Mehlman contacted Dean to congratulate him and then put out a statement describing Dean as "a strong leader for his party."
The kid-glove treatment is unlikely to last. Reminded Saturday that former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich had said Dean would be the perfect leader for Democrats if they have a "death wish," Dean smiled broadly and said: "I'm looking forward to the opportunity to prove Newt wrong."
On Saturday, Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites) of Massachusetts gave the DNC another $225,000, donated by Kerry supporters, for grass-roots development. The 2004 presidential nominee gave $1 million last week.
As Dean takes on his new DNC duties, his brother Jim takes over the former governor's political action committee — Democracy for America.
Howard Dean replaces outgoing party chief Terry McAuliffe, who raised more money than Republicans in the last election cycle, developed a sophisticated voter file and e-mail list, and left the party in the black after the presidential election.
Democrats generally sounded an optimistic tone about Dean, hoping for the best from their new chairman who is attempting to show more restraint.
When Dean was asked about anonymous criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, he quickly brushed it aside, saying, "I'm not going to respond to blind quotes."
___
"I'll pretty much be living in red states in the South and West for quite a while," Dean told reporters. "The way to get people not to be skeptical about you is to show up and say what you think."
ROTFLOL! Yeah! That'll do it.
Remember what he said about God, guns, and gays?
The red states will remember..especially in the South.
"Dean is determined to seize the moral high ground from Republicans, arguing Democratic positions on helping the poor and protecting children are consistent with religious values."
Gramps, the red states didn't buy it last time.
And, I don't think they will buy it this time.
In fact, he may, actually, hurt their cause...
again.
It's good to see you.
I trust that the Trophy Wife is better?
Is this a great article to have fun with, laugh at the rats and then go to bed with a smile on our faces to say, "Thanks for this gift, Lord."
I got a heads up on this via an e mail from a younger relative, who was really excited about this good news. Obviously, another that relative is another republican.
So, he has to rebuild the Dim party. I guess, he's admitting that it has collasped. HA! HA!
I see Dean getting bumped after the mid terms.
Compare this abortionist loser with Condi Rice to get a picture of the real differences.
Sending the Deaniac to the Red states to lie, spin and scream his hatred will be like pouring gasoline on burning fires.
The trophy wife is still recovering.
"So, he has to rebuild the Dim party. I guess, he's admitting that it has collasped. HA! HA!"
If it didn't collaspe, it is close to collasping.
Thanks, that is great. I'm sure that a lot of us will be borrowing it.
"Sending the Deaniac to the Red states to lie, spin and scream his hatred will be like pouring gasoline on burning fires."
That is SO true.
I'd love to see his face the first time
he is required to eat grits. ;o)
I hope the Tropy Wife's recovery is
very short lived from now on.
That's very good!
Congratulations!
An excellent graphic, and all too true. The Democrats have unfathomably decided to run left it appears -- I wonder if Mr. Kucinich will be their next candidate. Probably not, since he is not from the north-east; maybe they will trot the aging warhorse Senator Kennedy out for "one more race."
Of course, their ideal candidate would be Hugo Chavez.
It's interesting that Senator Clinton appears to be taking the opposite tack of running to the right. Perhaps this is their new "triangulation".
They know what you think, thats why we re-elected GWB.
The reason I was impressed is that
I have seen that pic before.
You did an outstanding job. ;o)
ROTFLOL!
Great summary and comeback.
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