Why did progressives support Howard Dean??

[JonLP24]

30. The debate was over the "confederate flags on pickups"

I understood what he was trying to say his opponents took advantage of the gaffe though it did also raise concerns of pandering to those who don't support us because of civil rights.

You're correct though about the considerable debate as the context was growing criticism from his opponents for not supporting the assault weapons ban (on the list of things I support, gun control is very law. The AWB is even lower because it prohibits weapons while weapons that have more power or range weren't banned) but the context was lost with the confederate flag remark.

Also the remark came across as pandering rather than a message. I do think he was pandering but to the base instead of explaining his differences on those issues - like I support these issues such as opposing in AWB 1994 to appeal to Southern voters in 2004.

The confederate flag remark clouded whatever message it was (I dug for the context because context is important) and people had a right to call him on it (not referring to opportunistic opponents) such as the NAACP.