On the left, Howard Dean open to presidential bid

[DonViejo]

Source: CNN

San Jose, California (CNN) - Howard Dean, the former Vermont governor who electrified anti-war liberals during the 2004 presidential race, said Thursday he would consider another run for the White House – a statement that will surely be met with mixed reaction in the Democratic Party.

Dean, whose underdog presidential campaign officially launched 10 years ago this weekend, said he has "mixed feelings" about running for office again but added he would consider another bid for the Democratic presidential nomination if he doesn't think the other candidates are adequately addressing progressive issues that are dear to his heart.

"I am not driven by my own ambition," Dean told CNN in an interview at the Netroots Nation conference, an annual gathering of left-leaning political activists. "What I am driven by is pushing the country in a direction that it desperately needs to be pushed; pushing other politicians who aren't quite as frank as I am who need to be more candid with the American people about what needs to happen. I am not trying to hedge, it's a hard job running. It's really tough. I am doing a lot of things I really enjoy. But you should never say never in this business."

Dean, the founder of Democracy for America, a progressive organization that lobbies for causes such as same-sex marriage and expanded access to health care, maintained that the prospect is unlikely. He is well liked and respected by liberals – hence his appearance at this week's conference, but is still viewed with a wary eye by many in the Democratic establishment because of his outspoken nature and frequent refusal to march in lockstep with national party leaders.

Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/06/20/on-the-left-howard-dean-open-to-presidential-bid/

[russspeakeasy]

1. Count me in, sir.

[SammyWinstonJack]

2. rec!

[ladjf]

3. Good! nt

[Schema Thing]

4. I'd go for that.

In a better world, he'd win. In this world, he'd pull Hillary and the entire Republican field into slightly more reasonable territory (left).

[femmocrat]

5. I'm on board!

[Coccydynia]

31. Here here!

[cheapdate]

119. Indeed!

[timdog44]

6. You can rest assured

that the ones who afraid of his appearance are the ones who are bought and paid for.

[leftyladyfrommo]

7. I really like Dean but

he wouldn't have a chance in hell.

[Voice for Peace]

29. but maybe as a poster above said, he would push candidates in a progressive and more honest directio

n

[NewJeffCT]

58. Like Dennis Kucinich did?

or Al Sharpton?

[yodermon]

97. Dean has a bit more cred than them. IMHO.

[NewJeffCT]

100. He should have a lot more

but, I don't think the media has taken him that seriously since they played up the "Dean scream" from several years ago.

[DFW]

137. The Republicans sure took him seriously when he was DNC chairman

After the 2008 election, none other than Richard Viguerie (look him up--politically the Prince of Darkness) asked me to pass on his congratulations to Howard for the impressive election results he achieved in 2008.

Republican strategists were certainly able to see beyond the scream even if the media and many Democrats were not. After all, they were on the receiving end of his effective strategy.

[Cosmocat]

149. They took him plenty seriously

that is why they eagerly engaging in destroying him over the "scream."

Of all the ridiculousness that pols engage in, a "scream" is what did him in?

Really?

[vi5]

101. Yes, maybe he can push them to promise a progressive, liberal administration.

Then when they get elected they can throw it all out the window in order to please Republicans who will never love them.

[Voice for Peace]

104. determined to be hopeful

I am

[DFW]

136. I think you read his intention correctly

He doesn't want to run, but does want to make sure the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party is heard and heeded.

[Coccydynia]

32. Fortunately we don't live in hell

Unless the lesser of two lessers is a winning strategy for the county. I think not.

[mopinko]

44. really? it's the only one i have ever seen.

go doctor dean.

[Hissyspit]

93. And he should, so, if true, what does that say about us?

[Scootaloo]

129. Neither did Obama, if I remember the wags of 2006 correctly...

[quakerboy]

130. 50 state strategy worked once

He has more experience under his belt than last time. I wouldnt underestimate him.

That said, the establisment would definitely pan his attempt, at least to start with.

[yurbud]

156. Domestic politics works the way the Economic Hitman, John Perkins said foreign policy does:

If you don't play ball by the rules of the rich, you will be met with escalating push back

1. First, you'll be ignored and shut out, a la Dennis Kucinich in 2008.

2. If that doesn't work, character assassination. Dean didn't have any dirt, so they were left with that endless loop of that stupid scream, which only proved he shouldn't be a cheerleader. Bush was an excellent cheerleader, and it didn't see to help his judgment as president.

3. If Dean comes back and he is still an independent actor, and can survive character assassination (a tall order), the next step is the more literal kind, or blackmail with threats to his family or the like.

I wonder if he is consciously aware of that last part, and if not, how far he would go once he realized it.

Even if elected, I don't know if he would have the juice to make the profound changes that our system requires. He would practically have to be Gorbachev and reform himself out of a job.

[Lugnut]

8. I'm in!

I would definitely vote for Dr Dean.

[TexasTowelie]

9. And on the right, the Tea Party is nominating Paula Deen!

They couldn't find a butter representative.

[Coccydynia]

33. I work in a quiet environment.

I can't bust out with guffaw like you just caused

[TexasTowelie]

35. My apologies!

I don't anybody to spew their beverages on a computer monitor. I'll know that you were laughing inside though.

Now get back to work and stop looking at cats on the Internet.

[Dawgs]

10. All in on this one. If he runs I will work as hard as ever to get him elected.

[Berlum]

11. Ayup

[flamingdem]

28. Is this Howard's partner?

I mean the woman mooo

[Berlum]

64. That's a Vermont Ox

Mind your manners now or folks will think you are a digital footsoldier in the Republican War on Women.

[flamingdem]

71. Yes, I thought of that later!

No offense meant to Ox or Woman.

Or Howie for that matter though I heard he's a cow tipper.

[Jerry442]

41. I'm sure Bossie's a sweetheart, but careful around those horns anyway. nt

[monmouth3]

12. Please, please make this come true..n/t

[NorthCarolina]

13. Will Dean be a buffer against the possibility of a Warren or a Grayson run?

Don't get me wrong, I like Dean ok, but of the three..Dean/Warren/Grayson, Dean is left, but still closer to the establishment, than either of the others I would venture to guess. So, I can't help but wonder if he is being put forth as a sort of 'insurance' policy against the other two. I would certainly support him over the likes of another third-way conservative Dem such as Hillary as I believe it is far past time to put the DLC New Dem agenda behind us.

Obama has made me skeptical of everything I guess.

[Larkspur]

17. I don't see Warren running for Prez in 2016

And I doubt Grayson will do so either. He's a US Rep and will be up for re-election in 2014 and 2016.

If Hillary decides to run, she'll be the clear favorite and will suck a lot of the "air" from the media and donors.
I"m not a Hillary fan, but she is the most qualified woman in the USA to be President right now.

I think Dean would find it hard in 2016 to get traction if Hillary runs. I applaud him for attempting to do so, but his message would get drowned out by the media celebrating the first woman President in US history.

The best bet is to try to find and develop progressive Democrats to run of Congress and that means helping each state develop their own state and local level candidates.

[caraher]

45. What Larkspur said

I love Grayson but he's pretty much where he should be, in Congress pushing everyone left and calling out the bullshit. Outside our circles he's not terribly well-known and the RW noise machine has plenty of material from him that will be very effective in scaring off "independents." So if Dean forestalls a Grayson candidacy that's not a bad thing. But I don't think Grayson is interested anyway.

As much as I'd love to see her do it, I'd be shocked if Warren ran in 2016. And based on what Dean said, I think he'd step aside if she did run. After all, his statement was along the lines of "I might do it if I don't see anyone representing my values" running, and I don't think Dean would feel hesitate to support Warren wholeheartedly. And I do think there would be a big advantage to having Warren vs. Dean carry the torch for the left if Clinton is the leading candidate, because that takes the whole "first woman" thing away from the media. That would leave them with beating up Warren on her actual policy recommendations, and that is a kind of coverage we should welcome! (Though, of course, the chattering class would present it through discussions of "electability...&quot

[DRoseDARs]

122. I don't want either of them to run. We need strong liberal voices in both chambers and the WH. n/t

[Hydra]

14. I'll go for it

He's supported some bad policy since he's gotten mixed up in Washington, but he's strong enough that if he took the helm he might just do what he feels needs doing.

He gets my primary vote if he does

[JDPriestly]

15. Great!

He already has an organization. We will all be watching this.

But it's really time for a woman.

I'd like to see Howard Dean manage Elizabeth Warren's campaign or run as her VP.

[caraher]

48. I agree

This is a good thing, but I'd also prefer Warren at the top of the ticket. I think Dean would be better running the campaign; he's stuck with that idiotic "Dean scream" smear which would be a distraction if he were the VP candidate, but meanwhile he's proven his genius at running national campaigns.

[DonCoquixote]

56. "But it's really time for a woman. "

No offense, especially as I would like to see a woman president, but NOT one whose right wing tendencies do more damage than good.

Hillary may be no Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachmann, Connie Rice, or any of the right wing Valkryies that no self respecting Duer would vote for, but she is right wing, and will continue the same "waltz to the right via the center" that we have already had WAY too much of, especially as she has shown herself to be a war hawk in the Mid-east. It would be a sad irony if the war with Iran, the one that could easily involve both the Chinese and the Russians, was started by someone who ran on being more nurturing than a male rival.

[bvar22]

95. I concur with your analysis.

Hillary has never recanted or apologized for helping Bush-the-Lesser invade Iraq.
She has never even admitted that her support for the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq was a mistake.
THIS will haunt her if she tries to run in 2016.

Howard Dean is not my favorite choice.
Despite the delusions of some supporters, he isn't even close to being a Liberal Democrat.
Howard Dean IS a Big Business Centrist who only looks Liberal standing next to Obama or Clinton,
but I would definitely support him over another Clinton.

[JDPriestly]

132. I agree. Note my signature line.

[glinda]

124. The two of them working together would be great.

[4dsc]

138. Warren/Dean in 2016

nice rhyme to it.

[glinda]

147. Yes.

[snot]

16. K&R'd!

[WillyT]

18. K & R !!!

[sarge43]

19. Reporting for duty, sir. nt

[bemildred]

20. All right Mr. Dean.

[watoos]

21. Dean - Castro - 2016

[Triana]

22. And Elizabeth Warren as VP

Got my vote. Or Grayson anywhere in the mix, too.

[Johnny Noshoes]

23. Count me IN

I stood in the cold and snow in New Hampshire for Dean the weekend before the '04 Primary and I would do it AGAIN in a New York Minute. It was the weekend before my 50th birthday if he were to run again I would drag my then 62 year old ass into the cold again YEEEEAARGH! I had a Dean sign in my apartment window long after his bid was over - it was in the window so long it turned from that pretty sky blue to a pale barely blue.

[DinahMoeHum]

24. Waiting for the call-up, Dr. Dean. . .

. . .still a "Democracy Bond-Holder" and "DFA Trust" member.

[flying rabbit]

25. He has my support!

[Auggie]

26. Corporate interests are much more powerful than ten years ago ...

Governor Dean would face a huge effort against him.

But the electorate is different too. And the mood of the country.

I'd love to see a Dean bid.

[elleng]

76. Yes they are, I agree,

and so are 'other' interests more powerful.

I like him A LOT, but see no chance. What he might do would be to interject/energize progressive ideas, which Hillary would then have to address/face.

[morningfog]

27. Recommend!

[demwing]

30. Howard Dean represents the Democratic Wing of the Democratic party

and so he represents me.

If he runs, he'll have my vote, and dollars.

[rsmith6621]

34. DEAN. More Democrat Than Clinton and Obama Combined.

..Ill hop on board this train in a heartbeat.

[AgingAmerican]

36. True that

n/t

[michigandem58]

37. AAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[democrank]

38. Howard Dean is a rare political bird.

He says what he means and means what he says. He has backbone, common sense and courage. I totally trust that man and will vote for him if I have the opportunity.

[lumberjack_jeff]

39. YEEEAAAAAGH!

That's an affirmative.

[cantbeserious]

40. Dean - Warren In 2016

eom

[rhett o rick]

68. Dean yes but I think Warren would be wasted at VP. We need her in the Senate and Grayson in the HOR

[cantbeserious]

77. Yes - You Are Right - Still Fun To Think About

eom

[wtmusic]

42. Deaniacs, reunite!

Great news.

[MrMickeysMom]

154. This melts my butter whereas the more talked about do not

I'll reunite the minute he thinks the bid is appropriate.

Once a Deaniac, always a Deaniac, I say. Yee-aahh!

[wtmusic]

43. He should embrace "The Scream" - turn it into a talking point. nt

[Cleita]

49. Yes, and he should point out how he was railroaded by a biased media of

right wingers repeating it over and over again just like they did to him.

[penndragon69]

112. Not to mention

the Kerry / Gephart conspiracey to
derail his campaign....since he was kicking their asses.

[Cleita]

113. All of it. He's got to come out on the offensive. n/t

[Cleita]

46. Great. Others I would like to see throw their hats in the ring would be

Elizabeth Warren and Gavin Newsome. Either would make fine Veep candidates to run with Dean should he win the primary.

[mopinko]

47. got my checkbook right here, sir.

i will write you the max the day you put up the bat.

i love howard dean. i have had the pleasure of meeting him several times, and i would kill for a president dean. that said, he is kinda short.

[silvershadow]

50. Now that's something I didn't expect to wake up and hear. Count me in! nt

[AnotherMcIntosh]

51. Dr Dean, I may vote for you anyway, but if you tell me that you'll go after war criminals, I'm in.

[still_one]

52. I would really like that, but I have no illusion that the media and political machine will

will be ruthless

I think he won't just take that though

He could be a populous candidate, and I would not rule him out

[railsback]

53. The Left screwed Dean over good in 2004

Hopefully a good dose of guilt trip won't let that happen again. One things for sure: With Howard as the nominee, there won't be any gray areas between his opponent on the Right.

I'm for Howard

[Demeter]

54. Howard, Howard, Howard

You had my total support -- and then, you got owned. You started to back and fill. You deviated off the path of the People into the Corporate Borg hive mind.

No, I'm afraid I don't believe in you any more. Even if I wanted to, Obama cured me of that naiveté of youth.

[Phlem]

55. Hell Yes!

I am all for that!

-p

[mimi85]

57. I think we should be concentrating on 2014 first.

How the mid-terms turn out will have a large bearing on 2016.

I admire Dean however I'd be a bit nervous if he ended up running against Chris Christie - I think a lot of DINOs admire him. I'm not for Hillary either mainly due to having the Big Dawg hanging out in the WH. I really don't know at this point. I like Warren, but I think it's far too soon for her to go down that road. I don't see Grayson ever getting the nomination. I could be wrong though - it wouldn't be the first time.

I think I still have election fatigue and would like some time to think about something else.

[treestar]

83. This ^^^^^

the Presidency is not the only office that matters.

[Doctor_J]

155. Probably a lost cause

between the spying issue and Obama offering to cut SS benefits, which will be tied around the necks of the entire party, it will not be a great year. Not as bloody as 2010, but not good.

[marsis]

59. Dean/Warren/Grayson

The best of the best in the modern Democrat party. Not saying much as the party has moved miles to the right but none the less, I'd vote for any of those three in a heartbeat.
If only it had a snowball's ch.....................

[Tarheel_Dem]

67. Ugh. It's the Democrat-(IC) Party. "Democrat Party" is a rightwing slur. Since you're relatively

new, I thought you should know that.

[marsis]

102. I did know that and stand corrected.

Thank you.

[cadaverdog]

90. Amazing no one has mentioned

Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, who is a proven winner, having crushed the heavily bankrolled repuke candidate in the last election. I would love for Dean to run, but logic tells me a Brown candidate may be the more viable candidate.

[totodeinhere]

60. I'm not sure if he would be my first choice but I would gladly vote for him. n/t

[Myrina]

61. I really wish he would, but fear the MIC-corporate reaction

It's not safe out there for Progressives.

[Enthusiast]

62. I'm in.....nt

[KoKo]

63. Good to see him considering it...and this early for him is wise

because we are being told it's pretty much Hillary, Biden, Warren vs. Jeb Bush, Christie or any number of other Repugs.

He would bring some enthusiasm forward from those of us who supported him before.

[JohnnyRingo]

65. A big scream for Howard Dean!

Love to see him run!

[HelenWheels]

66. Howard's my main man

He would be my first choice for any thing. I'm still mad at Obama for not giving him any office. Dean said he would like to be head of Health and Social Services and as a doctor would be an excellent choice. But Obama snubbed him after Dean practically won the presidency for him with his 50 state policy. Made Obama a smaller man in my opinion.

[Uncle Joe]

69. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, DonViejo.

[rhett o rick]

70. Good. And he has an organization outside the conservative controlled Party to help him.

But corporate money will back Ms. Clinton. Although dont rule out Chris Christie switching parties.

Can you imagine a presidential race where Christie (D) runs against J. Bush (R)? The corporatists will be apoplectic.

Christie would certainly get all the corporatist apologist's votes.

[on point]

72. Much better than Hillary or any other fake third way type dem.

[onecent]

73. I LOVE HOWARD DEAN...He gets my vote

[LongTomH]

74. Yes! He should run, even if there is little chance of his getting the nomination!

As the Lone Progressive in a primary field of DLC candidates, he could address the issues that both the media and most of the party are ignoring: globalization, the disappearance of middle class jobs, drones, increasing surveilance, etc.

Of course, the media won't miss any opportunity to bring up the "Dean scream," just as they kept bringing up the comment that Al Gore never made, you know the one about "inventing the internet."

[Mr. David]

75. I'm in, 100%. If Dean decides to run again.

This time, we will not be fooled by the Third Way Democrats/DLC/conservative morons.

Bring on the bats. It'll be filled every day with money from us grassroots people.

[BeyondGeography]

78. Really hope he runs

The deeper the field the better. And Howard remains one of the most articulate and effective Democrats out there, which gives him a puncher's chance. He will energize people and keep his opponents on their toes.

[SoapBox]

79. Yes....but...

"x" years ago I would have jumped on the Dr. Dean bandwagon.

However...my first thoughts now are...Can he win? and...How will the TeaPukeConservaturdBaggers try and slaughter him in a campaign? Can he get past the lies, lies, lies (ya know, he fathered a black child and such?) and how will the impotent "media" treat him?

I used to love him, etc...but did see some stuff on MSNBC in the last few years that I did not agree with what he said.

[TheProgressive]

80. He would get my vote....!

[bunnies]

81. Damn skippy Id support Dr. Dean again.

In a heartbeat!

[meegbear]

82. And I, for one, am looking forward to all the "Hillary is a _________" posts

[totodeinhere]

84. Especially if Clinton runs I do hope that someone to her left will take

her on in the primaries whether it be Dean or someone else who is qualified. This would be a win-win situation. Perhaps that person could actually defeat Clinton and we could have a chance to finally have a bona fide progressive in office. But failing that, at least if Clinton is facing a challenge on her left it would probably force her to move to the left herself. Either way the country wins.

[RILib]

88. talk is cheap

Hillary might talk the talk, but, like Obama, once elected she wouldn't walk the walk.

We need genuine progressives in office.

[NorthCarolina]

141. Forcing Clinton to the left in the campaign

just amounts to "campaign rhetoric" with no real life actions. Recall that Obama, another third-way 'dem' like Clinton, also ran to the left during the campaign. Recall how he hated the Patriot Act, thought (as a campaigner) that NAFTA was bad policy, and that citizens deserve a Public Option in healthcare? Clinton could, and likely would, spout those progressive themes in campaign mode. That's what DLC New dems do...run left, govern right, standard MO.

[Skidmore]

85. Yes!

[grahamhgreen]

86. Where can I send $$$???

[RILib]

87. Yes! Run, Howard, run. And bring Joe Biden with you, in either order.

[bike man]

89. Perhaps, if he has taken some sensitivity training and doesn't endorse cookware

http://www.motownsports.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-25164.html

While running for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2003, Howard Dean uttered this beauty: "I still want to be the candidate for guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks."

"You think the Republican National Committee could get this many people of color in a single room?" Dean asked to laughter. "Only if they had the hotel staff in here." At least he said "people of color" instead of "colored people".

[ForgoTheConsequence]

92. The first comment was stupid, but I get it.

I don't think the second was out of line. Smear away though.

[TinkerTot55]

91. I would truly vote for Dr. Howard Dean......

I'd vote for a REAL Democrat.

After President Dean's eight years, Ms. Warren should be more than ready to take the helm........

As for the "Democratic Establishment," #$%^%$ 'em.

( And yes, that includes you, Hillary. )

[HooptieWagon]

94. I would like to see him run again.

I would probably support him, but need to see who else is running in the primaries. A progressive voice would be most welcome.

[MissDeeds]

96. Run, Howard, run!

K&R

[awoke_in_2003]

98. Do it, Howard...

we don't need another DLCer.

[YOHABLO]

99. Hillary is determined to be the first woman President .. make no mistake about that.

Howard is so likeable and cuts the B.S. Hillary is going to run and don't you know her ''people'' will tell Dean's ''people'' that ''no, no, this is Hillary's; back off'' and Howard probably will. I am more interested to see who the Repugs will run. Christie?, Rubio?, Bush?

I'd love to see Howard out there .. I really like him. I think is he's not intimidated by the Military nor Corporate America. I don't know, it seems the presidency ruins all of our ''Hopes'' and dreams. Obama has had good intentions, but in many ways he's been such a disappointment. I can't help but think that no matter who is in the Office of President, that the Military and Corporate American let's them know very quickly who's running the show. You want to believe that Howard would be impenetrable.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

103. He'd get my vote.

[carolinayellowdog]

105. I have long regretted not voting for him in the 2004 primary

and welcome the chance to vote for him in 2016

[blkmusclmachine]

106. If he intends to be another sell-out DINO like Obama, don't waste our time!!!

Bipartisanship sucks

[Phlem]

109. I've never know Dean

to be a sellout. Also have you heard him talk to Republicans? From what I've seen he doesn't take shit and calls it exactly what it is. Since his loss he doesn't put up with Republicans. He is definitely NOT OBAMA.

Wish I had some links, I'll send them when I find them.

Bipartisanship is a lie at this point, pure bullshit.

-p

[blackspade]

107. If he runs, he has my vote.

[DCBob]

108. If its between Hillary and Howard..

I gotta go with Howard. I was a former Deniac and I think he could be a great President.

[KamaAina]

110. And we're gonna go to Iowa! And we're gonna go to New Hampshire!

And we're gonna go to South Carolina!...

[penndragon69]

111. You got my vote...AGAIN !

President Dean, that has a nice ring to it !

[madrchsod]

114. dean- warren or warren- dean

does`t matter to me...

[Number23]

115. Go Howard go! I always liked him and thought he got a bum rap

[emsimon33]

116. This is great news!!!!!

I had dinner with Howard Dean about 10 days ago (was one of two winners of the DFA dinner with Howard Dean). I asked him this very question and he applied in the negative. I am so glad that he has reconsidered. He is the leader that this nation needs now more than ever!!!!!

As for the nay sayers: Think of what he accomplished was head of the DNC in a very short time and then reconsider how impossible such a candidacy would be.

[pscot]

117. I'd love the chance to vote for Dr. Dean

[Gore1FL]

118. Where do I volunteer? n/t

[DCBob]

142. Democracy for America | PO Box 1717 | Burlington, VT 05402.

Democracy for America | PO Box 1717 | Burlington, VT 05402
Phone: [phone] | Fax: [phone]

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/contact

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/

Lets get a "Dean for America" movement started!

[RiverLover]

120. Yes!!! We haven't had a true Progressive in the White House since FDR

and wow, we need one. Desperately. I second Elizabeth Warren for VP too!!

[myrna minx]

121. K&R!

[snappyturtle]

123. YES! YES! YES! YES! (Yes, I know I'm raising my voice!)

[Iwillnevergiveup]

125. How well I remember this

Governor Dean and Bill Maher were a great team that night.

[MrSlayer]

126. I can get behind Howard Dean.

He doesn't seem to be a Reaganite.

[sueh]

127. Oh, yeah. I'd vote for Howard!

[Scootaloo]

128. YEEEEAAAAAAH!

Sorry, I had to... But I'm being honest, hell yeah, I'm with Dean. Hell. gimme a ticket with some combination of Dean, Grayson, and Warren, and i'd be all over that.

[Beartracks]

131. Or - nat'l party leaders refuse to "march in lockstep"...

... with Dean.

Just suggestin'...

==================

[SleeplessinSoCal]

133. We need to see and hear more from Dean so I hope he runs

I don't think he could win, but his voice is sorely missed in politics.

[rury]

134. And when he wins and doesn't deliver ponies

and unicorns because he has to deal with a recalcitrant, obstructive Republican Congress you will call him a sell-out and start looking for his "progressive alternative."
Or maybe he will get more cooperation ( from DU and/or Congress) because he's white.

[Earth_First]

135. This "DU doesn't fully support Obama because of inherent racism" is bullshit

It's a tactic by Democrats recently that is just as sleazy as a FoxNews anchor.

[PassingFair]

139. I would absolutely do whatever I could to make this happen.

He has a talent for exposing people like Joe Lieberman.

He turns over rocks and lets us all see the slimy things that live underneath.

[mainer]

140. He was always my man.

And he would be again.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

143. Howard would have my support and vote from Day One. Only Sanders, Grayson or Warren

would pull me from Howard.

[Dustlawyer]

144. Hell yea!!!

[brooklynite]

145. So, assume you're okay with the NSA spying program?

Like Howard is?

[MelungeonWoman]

146. I hope the responses to his comments are causing the reaction he's looking for.

Run Howard, run!

[bklyncowgirl]

148. YEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! You go Doc!

Howard Dean has street cred both as a successful multi-term governor and as a highly successful DNC chairman. I'd vote for him in a heartbeat.

[Doctor_J]

150. prepare to be pilloried by the pragmatists

The New Dems are already getting ready to Naderize any liberal who has the temerity to run

[graham4anything]

151. Hillary can pick him for VP. That way we don't lose a sitting senator.

Don't understand why people think the senate is unimportant.

Ted Kennedy stayed in the senate for 40 years, and the world was a better place than if Ted up and left in 1980.

Besides, Howard is on good times with both the President and Hillary.

Hey, what happens if Howard and Warren both run who would the folks vote for?
I know who I would if there was that choice. (but it won't happen IMHO).

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

152. Dean left of Clinton = Obama

WTH left of Clinton, too.

I'm with Dean (unless, in the unlikely event that Warren runs).

[Warpy]

153. His record shows him to be quite centrist on most issues

which is why mass media will twist themselves into corkscrews trying to paint him as an unrealistic leftist. Expect a replay of the "scream."

He's been right about so many things that I'm quite excited about his campaign. I don't want another "first ____" in the White House, they have to tread too carefully. A white male like Dr. Dean can go ahead and stomp on toes if he has to.

His stewardship of the party with its 50 State Initiative was brilliant. I have to think his stewardship of the country would be equally as brilliant.