"Dean: Liberals in dire need of conviction" The Oregonian today.

[madfloridian]

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/steve_duin/index.ssf?/base/news/1093521326261850.xml

SNIP..."All too often, Howard Dean argues, the Republicans are divisive social Darwinists, and the Democrats a bunch of aimless cowards who have abandoned the common man.

The media that would keep both parties honest is a "failing institution."

SNIP...."Six months after raising the white flag over his presidential campaign, Dean will swing through Portland on Monday armed with his new book, "You Have the Power." He will sign copies of the book from 1 to 2:30 p.m at Annie Bloom Books in Multnomah Village. While he still takes no prisoners in deriding the party that runs on "guns, God and gays," he saves his most insightful shots for the Democrats."


SNIP..."After Jimmy Carter's defeat in 1980, Dean writes, "the Democrats, out of favor and on the defensive, lost not only our hold on the presidency but our moral anchor . . . We dropped the ball on education. Labor rights. Child care. Even the environment. After crippling ourselves through the rigidity of (conflicting) principles, we stopped having any principles that anyone could discern at all, other than that of getting re-elected."

It's no surprise, then, that "the Republicans have beat us at every turn in the battle for Americans' hearts and minds," Dean argues. Bill Clinton's charisma allowed liberals eight years to regroup and reassess their priorities, but the Republicans proved much more resourceful in defining the goals of both parties....." END SNIP.

He then begins talking in a phone interview with the author about how Ralph Reed took over the Republican Party while we sat on our butts...first laughing at him, then being afraid to stand up.

[JDPriestly]

1. Thank God for Dean!

He's no wimp.

[xxqqqzme]

2. 'Give 'em Hell Howard'

my favorite button from the campaign, which I still proudly wear.

[napi21]

3. Thank God Dean stayed around!

I've seen him on quite a few news shows, and he's still keeping some stiffness in the backbone of the Dems.

[AspenRose]

4. I would love to see him in Terry McAuliffe's place

eom

[madfloridian]

5. More about the book and keeping the power.

It is good to have someone reminding up not to give up on beliefs and principles. I am afraid we have done a lot of that.

You Have the Power can be preordered now

[Nordic]

6. thank God somebody's saying this out loud

so many Dems are afraid to speak up because they "wouldn't want to offend anyone".

Fuck that. Tell the truth. This country needs it.


Slap that baby on the ass, Dr. Dean!

[Jacobin]

7. Wonder what Howard thinks of the party's strategy

Like the events of today I'm reading about in GD2004. Sounds like capitulation to me.

[madfloridian]

9. I am staying away from GD 2004 today.

:evilgrin:
So I don't know what it is about. The most important issue in my mind today is Najaf and what we are about there.

[madfloridian]

23. I heard him say in one interview....

when he was asked about a stance Kerry took on Iraq, one of those days when the rightwing was attacking from all directions.....he started to answer, then he stopped. He just said to ask Kerry.

[THUNDER HANDS]

8. and what's Dean's solution?

hmm?

[madfloridian]

10. It may be too late for a solution now.

.

[Selwynn]

12. Not having a solution <> failing to correctly identify the PROBLEM.

Not having an answer doesn't make the current action RIGHT. It just makes it what is.

I don't have an answer right now to every problem I see in the world. That doesn't mean they are suddenly "not problems" nor does it mean I shouldn't keep striving to find answers to those problems. If we work together we can do it.

Finding solutions will be hard. But the FIRST step is for there to be agreement that the current trend is WRONG and not working - right now there is no agreement on that, so we need people like Dean and others to keep bringing the ugly issues of our problems front and center. Once we start getting a wider range of agreement, then it won't be Dean's responsibility alone to find the answers - it will be OUR responsibility as a party to work together along the difficult path toward the CHANGE WE KNOW is morally right and necessarily must be for a brighter future.

Sel

[Jacobin]

14. To stay on the offensive

But, I thought all DUers knew that by now.

Before Dean started his campaign, few democrats would do anything but worship at LordGodBush's feet. Dean spoke out and called Bush out for his bullshit and said the emporer had no clothes. Unfortunately, Gephardt ad blitz and the wonderful people of Iowa put an end to that.

We are now reaping the results. Playing nice, listening to McCain, staying defensive.

[madfloridian]

16. Recognizing there is a problem is the first step.

Dean has not been given the option of presenting solutions. Others now have that job, and it is their place to offer solutions.

One good thing would be to start taking it to Bush about Iraq and Najaf and Fallujah and Afghanistan. Some of that has been done, but there is too much shyness about mentioning it.

Someone should be on TV every day pointing out how Bush is destroying the environment. And Medicare.

There are many problems, but we are only talking about Vietnam and swift boats.

[Eric J in MN]

18. "Democracy for America," Dean's organization, is part of his

answer.

Howard Dean is asking people to support candidates who are fically conservative and socially liberal.

www.democracyforamerica.com

[Selwynn]

11. Fabulous. It's so comforting that Dean continues to speak courageously

[madfloridian]

15. Agreed. The solution is for us to start being on the offensive.

It is a simple one, really. It is possible.

[goforit]

21. It is truely the only way out of this disaster!!!

[madfloridian]

22. I agree.

Quit talking about a war over 30 years ago, and start addressing the Iraq issues NOW!

[hang a left]

13. "Liberals in dire need of conviction"

Actually we are in need of several convictions.

:evilgrin:

[madfloridian]

17. That was funny. Just caught on.

:evilgrin:

[madfloridian]

19. From the inside cover, more about the book

From the blog:SNIP..."Here is more information about Dean's new book, "You Have the Power: How to Take Back Our Country and Restore Democracy in America."

From the inside cover:

If you are worried about the way America is being governed and want to reclaim the country you know and love, now is the time to take it back. Governor Howard Dean argues that you have the power not just to defeat George W. Bush in this election but to change the future course of America.

You Have the Power is an energetic and detailed guide to restoring American democracy. It exposes the radical extremism of today's "mainstream" Republicans and shows Democrats how to be Democrats again. By reigniting hope, by tapping into the energy and ideals of the American people, Dean writes, the Democrats can restore America's strength and standing at home and abroad.

Drawing on his experience in the 2004 presidential election and the hope and inspiration of the people he met on the campaign trail, Dean shows how real people -- ordinary Americans like himself -- can come together to take their party, the political process, and their country back..."

http://www.takeyourcountryback.com

[goforit]

20. WOW!!!!..Bring it on!!!!....Conviiction!!!!..Now Dean is a leader!!!

Carry forward!!!