Dean saved the Democrats

[adamrsilva]

Dean probably won't be the nominee now, but he will still be the best thing to happen to Democrats in a long time. Believe you me, we would not be talking about the Iraq war now if it weren't for Dean. Most of the other Democrats would be stumbling over themselves to be Bush-lite and we would not have seen the record turnout we saw in Iowa. Furthermore, Dean showed that you can build a strong base at the grassroots level and raise money to compete with corporate-backed Republicans. Dean lost because he was the front runner for too long and was crucified the past few months because of it. But in the end, because of him and his campaign, he will be the sacrifice that saved the Democratic Party from the brink of destruction.

[oasis]

1. Dean brought in new voters and energized the party. He will always

be remembered for that. The pressure of being in the national spotlight finally got to him.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

5. how many new voters did Dean bring in?

I keep hearing that, but I haven't seen *any* results - not from Iowa, not from DC, and not from the off year elections ... so where are all these new voters?

[sangha]

9. I see as much evidence for "Dean brings new voters"

as I see for "the new voters won't vote for the other (pro-war) candidates"

[Guaranteed]

10. 300% increase in turnout in Iowa.

You don't think that had anything to do with the way Dean has framed this campaign?

[sangha]

18. No, I don't

Seeing as how they voted for "the other guy", I suspect Dean's contributions have been exagerrated. I also suspect that the Election2000 may have something to do with the increased turnout.

[oasis]

17. The new voters decided they didn't like his style and voted accordingly.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

2. yes and no

i think he saved the party from falling apart in fear and i also think that he will win the nomination

[jonnyblitz]

3. interesting post adam!

:hi:

[joefree1]

4. Dean and the Internet is the start of real populist power

Thank the Gods Gore invented the internet!


Images from Dean Rocks the House of Blues, Hollywood
From wtmusic http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=919849
From Joefree1 http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=921300



"If you have no enemies, it is a sign fortune has forgot you."
- Thomas Fuller (1608 - 1661)

[StClone]

6. Dean also screwed with Karl's plans

I really think that stringing out the drama is drawing attention to the Dem candidates due to the tight campaign and Buzz he's created. Also, having four viable candidates keeps the Publicans from their attack mode big money grind.

[never cry wolf]

7. I believe you are correct

He was the first loud voice to really attack the boy king and his success in organization, fundraising and polls forced the others to follow suit. IMHO...

[Democrats unite]

8. Taking credit for sometning you didn't do...

Will explain 3rd place & 18%.

[leyton]

11. I wouldn't count him out yet

but I agree with your general analysis. He gave the Democrats voice.

[bhunt70]

12. I dont think he saved the party.

No one person is bigger than or the saviour of the democratic party.

[democracyindanger]

13. LOL

"Believe you me, we would not be talking about the Iraq war now if it weren't for Dean."

Oh brother. Pssst: Dean is not Jeebus.

"Dean probably won't be the nominee now,"

Cripes, I'm not anti- or pro-anybody, and even I see that all Iowa did was tighten the race. Dean's not out of it by any measure. Yet lots of self-identified Dean supporters are moaning doom and gloom.

Go ahead and give up. Quite honestly, it could only strengthen the Dean campaign, because they'll have a more accurate read on how deep, rather than broad, his support is.

[onecitizen]

14. I'll drink to that!

:toast: :beer:

[AP]

15. I agree with this. I never thought I'd be debating progressive taxation

and the Cato Inst, and affirmative action in the PRIMARIES, but I guess, in a sense, I'm glad that we have.

[Mr_Scarecrow]

16. Dean didn't save anything

if he doesn't win because no one else can beat Bush. Conservatives didn't bother with the hypothetical swing voters in 2000. They stuck to their base and they won. Bush lite won't win and everyone else is precisely that.

[sangha]

19. Sharpton and Kucinich are Bush*-lite?

Bush lite won't win and everyone else is precisely that.

[concord]

20. It's not over

I wouldn't count Dean out just because of what happened in Iowa. Over the past year, I've noticed Dean learns from and adjusts quickly to set-backs. It's one of the things I like about him.

[alcuno]

21. I not for Dean, Gephardt would have never called * a miserable failure.

Dean got totally bashed by our media. Now they have to look for other prey.