Southern and Red states....nice words for Dean locally.

[madfloridian]

It is good to see some kind words coming out locally in some areas about Howard Dean as the new chairman. He has always said that local coverage was very important. Here are 3 I found tonight.

Southern Comfort for Dean?
http://www.augustafreepress.com/stories/storyReader$31712
SNIP..."After being (predictably) attacked for his remarks by his Democratic rivals for his remarks, Dean elaborated further, in words that actually could have been spoken by former president Clinton, Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, former North Carolina senator John Edwards, retired general Wesley Clark or Virginia Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine: "We have working white families in the South voting for tax cuts for the richest 1 percent while their children remain with no health care. The only way we're going to beat George Bush is if Southern white working families and African-American working families come together under the Democratic tent, as they did under FDR." Truer words were never spoken."

SNIP...."For starters, Southern Democrats now have an ally in Washington: Someone who understands the critical importance of the South, and someone who believes in the same things that they do - fiscal responsibility, faith and family. They've also got someone willing to fight hard for the South, who has pledged to rebuild the Democratic Party in the most conservative parts of America, and who emphasized all this by stating, "I'll pretty much be living in red states in the South and West for quite a while." Finally, the Tim Kaines and Mark Warners of the world now have someone in Washington, D.C., who believes, as they do, in being a real uniter not a divider - as opposed to certain other politicians in Washington who, it turns out, are all hat and no cattle on this issue.

We here at www.raisingkaine.com would like to congratulate Dr. Dean on his election as DNC chairman, wish him well, and invite him down here to Virginia both early and often. Because, in Howard Dean, what we've got is some serious Southern comfort by way of Vermont.

Welcome to the South, Gov. Dean!"
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Can red grass roots turn to blue?
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_np=0&u_pg=1673&u_sid=1336660
SNIP..."For Nebraska Democrats, it means a minimum commitment of $250,000 in annual support from the national party, a prospect that leaves party leaders giddy.

"Howard Dean is going to transform the Democratic Party into an organizational and fund-raising machine that will rebuild our party in every state, every county and every precinct," said Barry Rubin, executive director of the Nebraska Democratic Party. "

Nebraska Democratic Chairman Steve Achelpohl said Dean spent three hours in his home one night talking of his vision for the party and the nation. "He is one of the most engaging, decent, common human beings I have ever met," Achelpohl said. "He is going to make a great DNC chairman."
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And a view from NC Sanford Herald
http://www.sanfordherald.com/articles/2005/02/15/news/editorial/edit06.txt
SNIP...."Dean knows what he has to do in order to boost Democrats' power over the next four years.

"I'll pretty much be living in red states in the South and West for quite a while," Dean said. "The way to get people not to be skeptical about you is to show up and say what you think."

Reminded that former Speaker Newt Gingrich, a Republican, had said Dean would be the perfect leader for Democrats "if they have a death wish," Dean smiled broadly and said, "I'm looking forward to the opportunity to prove Newt wrong."

Enough said....."END SNIP

[Downtown Hound]

1. I've always believed that Dean had the ability

to connect with disenfranchised rural voters. I think the right knows this and is afraid, and that's why they attack him so much.

[moggie12]

2. Funny how conventional wisdom is so often wrong

I started feeling optimistic the more I heard "everybody" trash Dean the past few weeks. It seems the more people are absolutely certain of something, the less likely it is to turn out to be true.

Dean is going to surprise everybody.......(and a year from now they'll all be saying, "I had a sneaking suspicion he was going to do a great job").

[FreedomAngel82]

3. For republicans who have told me they

were glad of Dean I smiled and just said they'll be surprised by Mr. Dean and how I've heard people he's helped with local offices with his organization have gotten in. I think he's going to be the best DNC chairman ever. I think Mr. McAullife (even though he did good with the money and new headquarters) I think Mr. Dean will take over the title with the actual work. :kick: for Mr. Dean.

[Blue_Roses]

4. Dean's email said it all tonight

after reading it, I found a new sense of power for this party. As he said, it's about us. He's just a voice.

[JNelson6563]

5. Very encouraging!

How I have regretted our ignoring the south! No more. We've got a guy in who doesn't give the Thugs any states on a platter!

:toast:

Julie

[SCDem]

6. My SC Congressman was praising Dean on Diane Rehm on Monday

He knows that the Dems are so very active in his district right now because of Dean. We did not go away after the primaries and we don't just bitch about problems we solve problems :)

[lojasmo]

7. But, but.....

Dean is going to "drive southern democrats away from the party"

Bwahaha.

Thanks for the great quotes, Madfla!