Dean: Divisive Dem Race Harmful To The Party
For the first time, Howard Dean has publicly called on the Dem candidates to make sure that the race doesn't last all the way to the convention.
"There is no point in waiting," Dean said, adding that despite the newly-found superiority in Democratic organization over the Republicans, "that all doesn't make any difference if people are really disenchanted or demoralized by a convention that's really ugly and nasty."
Dean also said he has privately spoken to the candidates and their supporters when the attacks have gotten too rough: "The supporters should keep their mouths shut about this stuff on both sides because that is harmful to the potential victory of a Democrat."
Late Update: Dean is now calling upon super-delegates to make their decisions between now and July 1:
(Via Ben Smith)
Will we make it to PA?
If this encourages enough Supers to endorse now, it might avoid Hillary further embarrasement.
I find that at this point, she is risking her re-election to the Senate...
March 28, 2008 9:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
LOL. You going to run against her?
March 28, 2008 11:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, but Dean is still playing it straight down the middle and saying the race will end in June, when the last primary votes are cast. June. Two and a half months from now.
So much for Harry Reid's idle talk about his recent conversations with Dean, and the suggestion that plans were being laid to wrap this race up quickly. It's all BS.
Party leaders aren't going to step up here and save the day. It's up to us - the rank and file - to mount the necessary pressure to bring this self-destructive race to an end.
March 28, 2008 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you, Gov. Dean! I love his point that both Clinton and Obama people are mad at him, so he figures he's doing pretty well as a neutral referee. I think he's doing a terrific job. I think it's also pretty clear while being carefully diplomatic, and kind to Hillary, he would like Obama to be the nominee and for this to become clear sooner rather than later (Ben Smith et al talk about "by July 1" but Dean actually said "between *now* and July 1").
March 28, 2008 9:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Dean has been doing a good job. Other DNC chairs would of wilted under the pressure. Good for Howard
March 31, 2008 4:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Stop whining Dean and count the votes in Mich. and Florida.
Let the people vote.
March 28, 2008 10:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
Stop gaming the system Hillary and let ALL Democrats and Independents vote in Michigan & Florida.
Let ALL of the people vote.
You're not fooling anyone gotalife. We can read and we understand that the proposals that Hillary's camp offered up in MI was jury-rigged in her favor. And Florida...they couldn't get it together on their own.
I don't think you'll find anyone that's against a FAIR re-vote, but why should Dean or the DNC endorse something bought and paid for by Camp Hillary playing by her rules? Are we electing a President or a Generalisimo?
Isn't that what Jimmy Carter goes around the world making sure DOESN'T happen, but it's ok for the USA???
March 28, 2008 10:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is the Senator Clinton thread hi-jack comment of the week. This thread it took just four comments to get the Michigan/Florida argument up. Imagine if the tables were turned: the anything-to-win Clinton campaign would be saying, rules are rules, suck it up. The same way they say suck it up about pledged delegates changing and super-delegates changing.
March 28, 2008 10:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Anything to win Obama conducted a campaign on the basis of phony charges of racism. I am a life long Democrat in Michigan and if he gets the nomination I am voting McCain.
As to the rules: the rules were applied strictly to Michigan and Florida while New Hampshire was allowed to cheat.
If we are going strictly by the rules the Obama camp needs to stop claiming that the Super Delegates are just there to mirror the popular vote.
And the Obama supporters need to realize that the causcus vote does not always reflect the popular vote -- Texas is a case in point. And that the GE is more like a primary than a caucus. Caucuses reward the candidate with the more enthusiastic and active (read younger) supporters while primary and general elections reward the candidate with the most voter willing to go to the polls.
And, oh, if Obama can't figure out what either Rev. Wright or Rezko were about I doubt he can figure out what's going on in the country.
March 28, 2008 5:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're a "lifelong democrat" and you're actually thinking of voting not just for a republican but one who promises to keep the same disastrous policies of the Bush administration for at least another 4 years if the other candidate from your own party gets the nomination?
March 31, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok, this is annoying, even though I know why the dem establishment keeps saying this. They keep saying that they talked to both sides about "cooling" it. However, the only side that is slinging garbage and causing damage is the clintons. Obama is just responding to limit the damage. By saying they talked to both sides, they imply that obama is doing something harmful, which is completely false. It would be nice if for once they said they talked to the clintons to knock it off and didn't include "talking to the obama campaign."
March 28, 2008 10:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here's what I say, Michael. They should both go at it no holds barred, hammer and tongs. This is a fight for the leadership of the Party. They should get it on. John McCain can't beat either of them. So let the mud fly! Let's go to the convention and fight it out there. This is the year for it. McCain is tied to the most impeachable President in American history. The occupation gets worse every day. The economy is a disaster. The federal government is in ruins. Clinton and Obama could get caught in a love nest and either one of them could still beat McCain in the Fall! This is the best campaign I've seen in 50 years. Dean is the original weak sister.
March 28, 2008 11:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I think there is a major element of politics that none of you clods seem to understand. Let me explain it to you. There are the suckers i.e. you, the people who believe it's all about healthcare and grandma's social security or transforming Our Country. Then there are the interests, who will actually decide the agenda in the areas that concern them. And they will be involved more in the general election than now. But then there are the players, the couple of hundred people in each campaign who actually have responsibilities and are driving hard to win. And they are all expecting cushy and powerful DC jobs. They don't give a flying f*** about the common man, they're eyeing some appointed job at Treasury or Commerce. They've devoted a good chunk of their lives to getting that job, they're not easily going to let Clinton just give up the ghost, even if she wanted to.
Political campaigns are basically competing armies out for spoils. And certainly not the noble crusades you morons think they are.
March 28, 2008 10:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for you edifying remarks. As a moron I always enjoy the company of brilliant minds. Too bad your post does not qualify. I am not referring to the points you make, but your total lack of class in making them.
March 28, 2008 11:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'd say that's much less cordial than the Obama echo chamber is used to. ROFL.
March 28, 2008 11:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Dean is a wimp. Either of our candidates will beat the hell out of McCain. The occupation gets worse every day, the economy and federal government are in a shambles and McCain is tied to the most impeachable President in American history. Adrenaline is great. It cleans the blood. Let the mud fly all the way to Denver!
March 28, 2008 11:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's not in the plan, Billy. The plan is for the races to conclude with both Hillary and Obama in the race; then the supers provide their support to ??; the rest of the summer is spent resting up and choreographing the convention; and then the convention becomes the first big ad to start up the general election campaign.
This seems to be a very clear passing of power from one generation to another. And that's always an anguishing event since party leaders (who may or may not be elected through a political campaign) are facing jeopardy in their lives--even to losing their jobs. Think corporate upheaval and we get closer to how folks in the party structure are reacting to events.
It's hard to say definitively if the party plan will be followed since the ground is shaking so much with the upheaval.
March 28, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're right about one thing, Billy: Dean is a wuss.
March 28, 2008 1:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Howard Dean -- you are losing the BASE of this Party by allowing this to continue.
I wish somebody would ask you this simple question: If the situation were reversed, would you be saying the same things? Would Obama be given the 'benefit of the doubt' and allowed to continue harming the Party?
We all know the truth to that.
March 28, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't believe this is a generational thing at all. Scratch beneath the surface and you will find all the grey haired establishment and losers from past Pres elections as the driving force behind the shiny new image projected by Obama. It's all cosmetics.
They should both stay in the race. IMO, For all intents and purposes and considering McCain's chances are remote at best the Dem Primary IS the election. I'd like to hear from the states who have not held their primaries yet. Do they want Clinton to back out? Shouldn't they have a voice? Why not just cancel the rest of the primaries? For that matter, why have Denver at all?
March 28, 2008 1:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. And Howard Dean should try to stick his head up his ass and see if it fits.
March 28, 2008 2:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wonder if this will satiate the Clinton backers who have been calling for Dean to show "leadership" on this.
March 28, 2008 2:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
The negatives are obvious, but thanks for offering to risk splitting the party, and the GE chances, for your 5% candidate. We must be very lucky to have you fighting such long odds to save us from ourselves not wanting your wise (only the only possible right) choice. Interesting the ego needed to accept this hero logic, yet all you muster is a Bill Clinton parroting.
March 28, 2008 2:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love the way the little triangle is over Dean's mouth in the video . . . Think I'll leave it untouched for a while
March 28, 2008 3:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Chris in NY
"I don't believe this is a generational thing at all."
Then you weren't at Jefferson/Jackson days in Des Moines.
I WAS there,as an Edwards supporter and I still have the video of Obama's VERY YOUNG army of new blood, marching up the street by the thousands, their sincere cheering drowning out all the drums, the horns and every artificial noisemaker Hillary's people could muster.
Sure, there were a lot of older people in that crowd, but the vast majority were young, cell-phone-using ENTHUSIASTIC supporters. Which is why their numbers aren't showing up in the latest polls.
And it had very little to do with Obama's big-money contributors, you couldn't BUY that kind of enthusiastic reality, with a billion dollars..
So take it from someone (a former Edwards supporter) who has already been steamrolled by those new, young voters, IT IS A GENERATIONAL THING.
You, like so many Clinton Dems, need to decide whether to be a part of that new generation, or get steamrolled by it. Not much wriggle room in between those two options.
March 28, 2008 3:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just had a thought... why not let the delegates vote NOW on whether Florida and Michigan should be seated as-is?
March 28, 2008 3:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Please, no more Dean bashing. I would like to see any of you naysayers manage this mess an y better than Howard has.
Howard's not perfect, but he is sure worth better than you posers give him.
Dean bashing has become the hallmark of simple-minded people.
March 28, 2008 3:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well said. Given the difficulty of his situation, I think that Gov Dean is handling things very well.
March 28, 2008 4:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
OK, maybe I'm selling him short, but I haven't seen any management of any situation. I guess he may be machinating behind the scenes, but I haven't heard anything. So how do we know whether he's 'managing' things or just sitting around dithering?
BTW, I liked Dean as a candidate and felt bad that he was so easily deflated. I'm just frustrated. I'm not saying he should tell Clinton to quit; I'm saying let's hear someone calling both candidates out to address issues and stop pissing all the voters off.
March 28, 2008 8:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
...if only the Democratic Party held some sort of big meeting, where all the delegates could get together at once to decide these things.
Really, if they wanted to hold the convention in July, they should just have done that.
March 28, 2008 5:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dean needs to resign and allow the party to put a leader in place at the top. If this nomination process hurts the democrats, they only have Dean to blame.
March 28, 2008 11:38 PM | Reply | Permalink