Happy Birthday Howard Dean and Ruben Gallego

[DFW]

One saved our party 20 years ago, and one is starting out to hopefully be a member of a new generation of "heartland" Democrats who shore up our ranks in the Senate for many years to come.

I'm proud to call both friends. I hope both have great days!

[GiqueCee]

1. My blood still boils...

... when I recollect how Dr. Dean was sandbagged for his enthusiastic cheer for his dedicated campaign workers. Some malicious skidmark dubbed it the "I have a scream" speech, and not one Democratic Party leader came to his defense, with some saying, it wasn't his turn.
Howard Dean was my governor, and he was a better man than any of those over-paid "consultants" that sank his campaign.

[DFW]

2. I quite agree, and it's not just the personal relationship.

Last edited Mon Nov 17, 2025, 02:27 PM - Edit history (1)

Howard had the energy, the idealism and the dedication. Rahm’s denying him the HHS position as revenge for being right about the 50 state strategy was one of the most shameful moments in 21st century Democratic history. In the nearly 17 years since what SHOULD have been Howard’s cabinet post was given to Gov. Sibelius of Kansas, Howard never ONCE trashed Rahm for it publicly. Years before that, Howard never once publicly trashed Bernie Sanders over their dispute over whether or not to turn some park land near the Lake in Burlington over to some housing developers, or leave it as parkland for the city. That discussion got rather heated, too, and Bernie wouldn’t speak to Howard for four years afterward. But Howard nrings it up. Water flowed into lake, of you will.

[MustLoveBeagles]

5. It pisses me off too

[Halicarnassus]

3. "Saved" is a bit much.

Rahm Emanuel did just as much saving.

And uh, look at our status now. Course we can change it in 2 years.

[DFW]

6. I was there in DC when Rahm came out of the meeting with the "50 State" confrontation with Howard

His face was as red as a beet, and he looked like he was ready to kill just about anybody. If Rahm was saving anything other than beet preserves, he hid it well.

[MustLoveBeagles]

4. Happy birthday 🥳🎂

[LetMyPeopleVote]

7. Happy Birthday to both of these Democrats

[shanti]

8. It's mine as well :)

It's a milestone birthday too, 70! (Sorry, didn't mean to hijack your thread, DFW)

[DFW]

9. No sweat--the more the merrier!

You are in good company, too.

I was 70 once. Dinosaurs roamed the earth once, too.

[Starbeach]

10. People-powered Howard

Grateful for your energy and optimism during the dark Bush days.
Happy Birthday!