Howard Dean: Obama primary challenge would be ‘a bad thing for the country’

[jefferson_dem]

Howard Dean: Obama primary challenge would be ‘a bad thing for the country’
By Sahil Kapur

Progressive luminary Howard Dean on Sunday warned disenchanted liberals not to push for a primary challenge against President Barack Obama in 2012, arguing it would be "a bad thing" for the Democratic Party and for America.

"I don't think he's going to face an opponent in the Democratic primary," Dean said on CBS' "Face the Nation." "I think that would be a bad thing for the country and I think that would be a bad thing for the Democratic Party."

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/12/howard-dean-obama-primary-challenge-a-bad-country/

[mikekohr]

1. Respect the Good Doctor's Opinion

[dhpgetsit]

47. Of course it's true.

Whenever there is a primary challenge for a sitting president, the other party wins the election. And Obama is way better than any Republican opponent we might have.

And think about the Supreme court.

This tax deal sticks in my craw, but I'm not going to turn against Obama over it.

[niceypoo]

2. So is more supply side

Pick your poison

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

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[phleshdef]

10. Middle class tax cuts are not supply side.

[niceypoo]

12. Tax cuts as the cure all for everything is

Extending tax cuts for the rich is. Tax cutting got us where we are today. Almost 100% of the national debt stems from tax cutting. Now Democrats are pushing RW tax memes, it's basically over.

Obama is ruining the Democratic party.

Resistance is futile

[phleshdef]

13. Actually no. Expensive foreign war endeavors got us where we are today.

People have forgotten how this conversation even started.

Bush came into office and had the luxury of experiencing the surpluses that Clinton gave him. He pushed to cut taxes for the wealthy and managed to pull it off. If thats ALL that had happened, it wouldn't have been that big of a deal. But then he started the wars. And everyone was saying "you are gonna go to war, you need to raise taxes, never in this country's history have we gone to war without raising taxes to pay for it". But he didn't do that. And the deficit soared because of it.

Had we never engaged in all the obscenely expensive war on terror BS, the Bush tax cuts may have been something we would still be arguing about, but the argument wouldn't be nearly as important as it is now because our deficit problems would be considerably less powerful.

[zipplewrath]

18. Not exactly

Even without the war spending, the tax cuts, and Medicare Part D would have us in a huge deficit. The wars just made it worse. The republicans spent like drunken sailors, even without the war spending.

[phleshdef]

22. Medicare Part D too. But if all Bush had done was just cut taxes...

...I don't think we would be having this deficit conversation today with the same tone of urgency.

[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

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[Aramchek]

28. You don't even know what Supply-Side Economics is, do you?

I paid a visit to that sad little board where you guys conspire and come up with all your funny little memes.
And what did I see all over the place but "Supply Side This" and "Supply Side That".
I laughed out loud, because at that moment I realized your argument wasn't your own well thought out conclusion,
but was instead just a lame parroting of what you had been bathing in there.

Face it.
It is you who have been assimilated.

[lillypaddle]

40. "sad little board"

:rofl:

[dhpgetsit]

45. Supply side economics is largely what got us into this mess.

George H W Bush originally referred to it a voodoo economics. It is the biggest con of the last century. Immediately after it was implemented by Reagan, the economy went into a deep recession as the deficits began to expand. Supply side policies have led to a destabilized economy. riding a roller coaster of financial bubbles and recessions. And the very wealthy became much much wealthier while the other 95% became poorer. We lost most of our manufacturing through "free trade" agreements, and people who used build wealth through manufacturing are now lucky to be serving up fries.

Get a clue, Aramchek.

[niceypoo]

54. I am part of a conspiracy?

LOL

[Aramchek]

57. I wouldn't call it that. Let's just say you're unoriginal in your talking points.

[ClassWarrior]

3. Actually, a President weak enough to draw a primary challenge is what's bad for the country.

NGU.

[BklnDem75]

32. Does that include FDR and LBJ?

Or were you simply looking to bash Obama? Carry on.

[ClassWarrior]

43. FDR's challenger was a plant. And LBJ hadn't been elected in his own right yet. Are you sure...

...you want to identify with the people who ran FDR's challenger? Hmmm?

NGU.

[BklnDem75]

46. So you're saying LBJ was weak. Gotcha

I'm not calling for a primary challenge. That would be you. The challenger would sure enough be a plant. By people who have no interest in keeping Democrats in power. I guarantee that person will have tremendous support by both conservatives and corporations.

[bluestateguy]

5. I like this guy

He's a team player.

[no limit]

6. The right wing policies this president keeps embracing are also bad for this country

[Jefferson23]

8. Of course he is correct, and it is interesting that he is not asked

nor discusses if Obama should decide not to run at all in 2012.

[cowcommander]

9. "He may be a bastard, but he's still our bastard."

As much as I'm disappointed with Obama, he's still got more power and more support over any other democrat. It's a painful pill to swallow.

[ladjf]

11. I've seen enough to know that he isn't on my family's side. nt

[cowcommander]

15. Neither will republicans

Obama is still the lesser evil.

[ladjf]

16. I hate to say it but, I can't agree with you. While posing as the

leader of the Democrats, as he embraces the policies of the uber rich disqualifies him as "the lesser of two evils".

[Hawkowl]

53. +1000

Personally if someone is going to try and stick a knife in me, I'd rather they come at me from the front. It'd be much worse if they put there arm around me, said they were my friend, and then stuck me when my head was turned. And then told me to stop whining about it.

[Beacool]

14. A bad thing for the country or for Obama?

:eyes:

[niceypoo]

21. It would be a good thing for the Democratic party

The Democratic party is being hijacked by neocrats, Democrats who identify more with the GOP than the left.

[Aramchek]

30. you do not speak for the Democratic Party. The Party of which Barack Obama is the Head.

You speak for the fringiest of the fringe. If that.

[niceypoo]

55. I have eyes

I dont wear blinders.

You are making the 'liberals are communists' tea bag argument now.

'Change' is the new pony, resistance is futile, you have been assimilated.

[Aramchek]

29. Obama is the only one who has a chance against the Repukes

so if you think a Repuke President is a good thing, then of course you want a Primary.

but a Repig President would be terrible for the Country.

[whosinpower]

33. It makes no difference

If Obama gets his talking points from republicans, or if a republican gains the presidency - they are two sides of the same coin.

Only worse for the democratic party - because they are fast becoming a party that does not oppose republican ideology.

At least if it were a republican in the White House, and republicans in Congress and Senate - at least they would have to OWN their poison. Instead, they are still making their poison, but forcing the democrats to shove it down our throats, and putting Obama's name on it.

Another article posited that they felt they already had enough seats in the Senate to pass the bill - and were working on the 52 democrats who are scheduled to leave to vote for this in the house - along with the republican congressmen - it would give enough votes to get this done in Congress.

[totodeinhere]

17. Obama's right wing policies are a "bad thing for the country." n/t

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

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[stevenleser]

23. K&R - Dean gets it. Since many here were hoping he would challenge Obama...

I hope they take his opinion to heart.

[zipplewrath]

27. Same logic was used against him

He wasn't suppose to challenge Hillary because it would tear the party apart. The party leadership always wants to avoid primary contests. But just like a black man wasn't suppose to be able to get elected, a primary challenger will some day successfully challenge an incumbent and win in the general election.

A sitting president gets a strong primary challenger because they earn them. It will just take a president that "earns" it enough to actually lose it, and a lousy general election challenger.

The only particular reason I "agree" with Dean in this case is that I don't see the challenger strong enough to take him on. Not alot of Bobby Kennedy's in the world. Pelosi, Grayson, and Feingold are all damaged goods right now. Don't think Bernie is up to it.

[GSLevel9]

24. I'm usually a big fan of Dr. Dean...

but what the fuck is wrong with him? Administration must have a carrot or a stick hanging over him.

[stevenleser]

25. He gets it. That's what's going on. n/t

[GSLevel9]

26. oh hi Steven, how can I disagree with a guy who goes on TV? ;)

one quick question... why is Shep Smith at FOX? Is he really a cool underground progressive?

[EndElectoral]

31. disagree with Dean. Our duty is to put the strongest Dem out there who represents our views.

Obama in no way shape or form has represented my positions. I beleive he has little chance to win unless the economy rebounds dramatically and with his policies I see more of the same in his taxes approach and little chance for significant economic change.

As someone who voted for Obama, I am deeply dissapointed, and I beleive in discussions with others, that many will simply stay at home rather than vote for more of this capitulation approach he has adopted. I know, he's better than Bush, but his tax policies are essentially the same. I want someone who really is determiend to fight strongly for progressives. He simply will not. I can't just give him my vote as the lesser of two evils. I will not vote Republican, but a primary allows me to have a vote/say on who I want my Democratic representative will be.

Despite LPJ's magnificent social contributions in the Great Society, Vietnam was his downfall. These tax cuts for the wealthy and the borrowing from Social Security to pay for them, is a watershed moment for him, a moment that to me demands we put him to the test via a primary to defend these choices against other democrats who have a very different outlook on how to move forward.

If he's done so well he should welcome a primary to defend his actions and policies rather than feel entitled to the democratic party's nomination. Former Gov. Dean is loyal to the party, but wrong because it sends the wrong message about what the Dem. Party represents.

[Imajika]

34. Uh oh, Dean going under the bus in 3....2....

Those screaming for a primary challenge to the President are deluded.

No actual, viable candidate is going to run against Obama in the 2012 Democratic primaries. Oh sure, some fringe types like Mike Gravel or unelectable types (on a national level) such as Dennis Kucinich may run, but no one who can pose an real challenge will do so.

[CakeGrrl]

36. Anyone who would be a truly viable challenger knows it's a bad idea

Dean has campaigned before on national level. He knows what goes into it.

It's odd that the same people who suggest politicians like Dean be the challenger don't want to hear what he's saying when he speaks out against the idea.

[Uzybone]

35. Maybe Nader will join the Democratic party just so he can primary Obama

[Arkana]

37. THIS IS INCONTROVERTIBLE PROOF THAT DEAN IS RUNNING!!!

DEAN 2012! WHO'S WITH ME?!

[AtomicKitten]

41. LOL.

[JoePhilly]

56. Yup ... he's chasing off all of the rivals!!!!

He's tricky that Howard Dean ...

[wisteria]

38. Good words and advice from Howard Dean. n/t

[Meshuga]

39. I agree with Howard Dean and he is being smart

Face it folks, whether you like Obama or not he is our guy and if we want to see long term progressive change we need to think 2016 as opposed to 2012.

Obama needs everyone's help and he is getting my help in 2012 regardless. But I know how I am going to vote in the 2016 primaries. I am voting progressive as opposed to the candidate people perceive as "having the better chances to beat a Republican" for being a centrist.

We need a progressive revolution in the Democratic party in 2016 and be smart about it as opposed to reacting too emotionally about it. 2012 is a done deal. The fact is that we need to keep the presidency in 2012 away from the Republicans even if some of you are disappointed with Obama. It sucks but that is the reality we have to live with.

Not voting or voting Green will just make things worse and it won't change Obama. And it won't show him anything either.

[DemocraticPilgrim]

42. GOID FOR DEAN!! If people consider him a good former chair then you know he's right on this.

[DemocraticPilgrim]

44. Good*. That is.

[BlueIris]

48. It's easy for them to say he won't face a primary challenger when they know

he won't be running again.

[CakeGrrl]

50. Way to read what you want into Dean's words

WHO knows the President isn't running again?

The only ones who have convinced themselves of this are on DU because this place increasingly operates on wishes and dreams rather than realities with which some here would rather not deal.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

60. That poster is perpetually bitter.

Even by DU standards. :rofl:

[derby378]

49. I respect Dean's opinion, but I strongly disagree

I'm wearing a "Howard Dean for President" button at this moment, actually. Granted, it'll take a miracle for him to run at this point, but Dean's the reason I'm a full-fledged Dem.

[eridani]

51. Probably not smart tactically

I can't think of anyone who would do it who could run such a campaign and win. Otherwise I'd say "Go for it."

[Hawkowl]

52. Only if Obama won the primary

If Obama loses New Hampshire and Iowa and then withdraws and throws his support behind the nominee, I think Democrats could kick the Rethuglicans ass.

[keepfreespeechalive]

59. Didn't work in '68

but at this point I don't really care. The great irony is that if McCain had beat Obama, we wouldn't be in this position right now. The Democrats would have never agreed to this deal under a Republican president. It's time to fight for the soul of the party, the consequences be damned.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

61. I think you should lower your dosage.

[zulchzulu]

58. The word "duh" comes to mind n/t