February 15, 2005
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TUESDAY POLITICSIf you’re not sure how you feel about Michael Moore’s proaction, you’ll probably really feel stressed about this development. Meet the new Democratic National Committee boss. In my opinion, one of the worst dirty tricks pulled by the conservative media during the campaign season was to plunge like a hawk upon the moment when Dean got overenthusiastic during that one speech and shouted just a little too loud and long for some people’s taste. Then cleverly (thanks to Karl Rove no doubt) they played it over and over and over again. Guess what – now that Dean is in at DNC Chair, they’re playing it again – over and over and over. I was really kind of surprised he won the position, because most of the party stalwarts are falling over themselves to appear more conservative than they probably are in order to impress the Red States. But in the end they must have realized that Dean has some qualities that are sorely needed to rebuild the base (I heard Bill Maher refer to it as needing a defibrillator) – namely, organizational moxy, vigor, the balls to speak out against the war in Iraq, smarts, and a proven track record for running his own state in an admirable way as Governor. Stand back worrywarts, hold on faithful, we’re in for a ride.
Deep Thought: “To me, clowns aren’t funny. In fact, they’re kind of scary. I’ve wondered where this started and I think it goes back to the time I went to the circus, and a clown killed my dad.”
Today I am grateful for: Chocolate
Guess the Movie: “We all lived in the neighborhood for a couple of more years-mostly through junior high school-and every summer was great. But none of them ever came close to that first one. When one guy would move away, we never replaced him on the team with anyone else. We just kept the game going like he was still there.” Answer: The Sandlot, 1993.
Winner: thenarrator.
Meet The New Boss
by Bob Burnett
If you’re not active in Democratic politics, you may wonder why there has been so much interest in the election of Howard Dean as chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Indeed, you may ask why it is better to have Dean in this position, rather than as an early contender for the Democratic Presidential Nomination in 2008 (Dean promised that he would not run for President if he was elected DNC chair.) (Rest of article here.)
End of Day: Eeek forgot to sign out last night.
+ = Nice day at work.
- = Leaking toilet running up ghastly water bill – crappy plumber working on problem (pun?)
Comments (17)
Yeah, Dean was speaking to a room of disheartened young volunteers after he lost the nomination, so he used a pep ralley tone. I thought he handled it perfectly.
Paul Krugman has a great column on this today in The Times. I’ll just say that I’d rather have a screamer than (and they can take their pick) a liar or a fool.
The Sandlot (I’m pretty sure)
Very good! Sandlot is right. I’m going to have to register for the Times since you quote it a lot.
Dean will be a factor and is the only direction they can go in now…
“Stand back worrywarts, hold on faithful, we’re in for a ride.”
This is why it kills me that you don’t write more here. And I know you have your priorities and you are a disciplined person. That’s all good, I just wish maybe one day a week you could write a paragraph for us. Pleeeeeeese?
I’m thrilled with Dean. I think he is the right person for the job.
I may be the only person on earth who adored the scream and thought it was very sweet. I do cringe a little when they play it, because politicians have us so used to varnish. But I’ll take a good honest cracked voice with some real hope in it any day.
******New Poem******* Check it out and tell me what you think, just comment.
David
Nice Site
Yikes, register for The Times already. The world’s best newspaper available free every day? Might as well. Plus the Washington Post and The Guardian too.
Will do.
Dean will be interesting. I would prefer Hubert Humphrey, but well…. that might scare a few.
He has a voice, if he uses all the energy he has, I think he might end up being pretty effective.
Dean will be the best thing that’s happened to Democratic party leadership in 30 years. McAullife and his ilk are the reason so many folks chose Nader in 2000. Dean picked those folks up with his emphasis on grassroots and actual effective opposition to the Republicans.
As Atrios says: Reward good behavior.
Wisdom, humor and dedication will go a long way towards sending those who cater to the special interests in the current administration, packing in 2008! Great article and lets keep supporting Dean!
Goodness…. your political system seems as mucked up as ours….I was impressed by the media coverage of the movement to get people out to vote in your country….was that all hype? As we watch as our leaders go to vote on what should be a dead horse issue (wasting our money yet again) I wonder if perhaps all governments are the same no matter the philosophy behind them…interesting post! ’til the next
I am excited about Dean! I think there is little point in trying to pretend that the DNC is just like the republicans. I was pretty interested in Dean as the presidential candidate but sadly he didn’t pull it out. That whole scream thing just goes to show what sort of silly garbage can influence an election here. Pretty sad really.
I’m from Iowa and people who were at the Dean scream say it was totally overplayed by the media. They could barely hear it and the media modified it to make it sound like a huge scream.