Gov. Dean Borrows Page from Clinton, Plays Blues

[Khephra]

DES MOINES, Iowa (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean pushed aside his lectern Thursday and picked up a guitar and harmonica for a performance at a Des Moines blues bar.

"I just want you to know that if I make a fool of myself, the campaign staffer who suggested this gets fired," Dean joked before he had played a note.

Taking a page from the 1992 campaign playbook of Bill Clinton, who donned sunglasses and played saxophone during a televised appearance on "The Arsenio Hall Show," Dean played a borrowed amplified acoustic guitar and a harmonica, then sat on stage and soulfully bobbed his head to the beat.

His stage costume was his usual buttoned-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up.

more...........................

http://asia.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=3282035

[MoonAndSun]

1. I didn't know he was musical, too.

I wonder which talk show host will now ask The Doctor to come on their show and lay some jams down?? Any guesses who will? I'd love to see him on Letterman.

[Merlin]

2. You go Uncle Howard!

Everything is reported except how he sounded!

He's looking awfully damn good these days. He has the kind of image about him that JFK had -- minus the charismatic aura. What I like most about him is his terrifically focused and alert mind.

[PartyPooper]

12. Au contraire!

<"He has the kind of image about him that JFK had--minus the charismatic aura."> Surely you jest?!?

Although I haven't been fortunate yet to personally meet Dr. Dean, an awful lot of folks have (and, plenty of DU'ers!)...all have reported the "charm and charisma"...and, powerful and contagious "electricity" of this wonderful man! I was around in 1960 when JFK ran for president. That was the first national election I followed. And, to me, Dean is extremely similar to JFK as far as "charisma" is concerned!

Go Dean!

:dem:

[Merlin]

17. I don't mean anything negative by saying he lacks JFK's aura

I suppose it depends on one's interpretation of "charisma."

JFK, though I love him like a brother, projected a Hollywood mystique which generated an aura of glamour that was supported mostly by exceptional PR and by JFK's extraordinary capacity to play his part to perfection.

Howard, however, does not in any way come across as anything other than what he truly is. There is no mystery about him. His persona is as earnest and genuine as any I've ever seen in a politician. In fact, the word "politician" seems inappropriate to describe the man.

Though he thinks like JFK, and has Kennedy's wit and sensibility and compassion, Dean's style is vastly different and way more appropriate for our time.

[tlb]

22. Frankly the only one of the 9 with charisma

is Sharpton. Sadly Sharpton lacks the good character to make it mean something.

Of the others , Dean included, one may eventually win the presidency. but he won't do it on the basis of his personality. They are each as bland as Gore or Dukakis.

[Bandit]

27. Yawn.. Capital Grilling got you bored?

You are right the only one with charisma is Bush*..... Ho hum.

[hippiechick]

3. aaaaawwwwwww..... man !

The Freeps are gonna be on this like flies on shit !

He's an incredibly smart and fabulous candidate and will make one HELL of a Prez, but he's gotta stop his crew from trying to make him look like the Second Coming of Clinton ... it's gonna backfire, IMO.


:hi: Kef !!


:hippie:

[Khephra]

4. Heya!

:hi:

[Cha]

6. Dean is what he is! I don't think he should hide his music

ability because of what we should be afraid of what the freakin' freepers think! Ya know?

[Cha]

5. Dean is too Cool for School!

[MoonAndSun]

8. Great picture, zidzi!!

thanks :hi:

[Dudley_DUright]

11. I would love to hear him play

something appropriate to the campaign. Something like the "We've Been Bushwacked Blues" (I will have to get writing it ASAP, electric version of course). As one of DU's blues fanatics, I have to say that this just confirms that Howard is my guy! I hope the Dean blog posts an MP3 file of his jam session. I would love to hear it.

[babzilla]

28. Dean on harmonica audio link

you can listen here:
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/audio/caucus2004/030814-dean-blues3.html

[stlsaxman]

15. hey he's got finger picks on like he knows what he's doing!

the way the article stated it i thought he just grabbed a guitar and pretended
to strum along. like Pappy O'Daniel dancing onto the stage in "O Brother"

wonder what they're jammin' there? by the look on his face they're up to some
way cool shit!

[PennyLane]

20. Cool!

Oh Wow! He's lookin' better to me every day!!!!;-)

[Lisa]

7. given that Bush doesn't seem to have any musical talent ...

... his role in one of the Andover student bands was "clapping" ...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/wh2000/stories/bush072799.htm


Dean looks like a virtuoso by comparison.

[Cha]

10. I know! I really admire it when someone can play a musical

instument! And Dean can play at least two that I know about!

[Lisa]

14. has anyone noticed that the Dems seem to have more creative candidates?

Looking at the past few decades -- there was Jimmy Carter (who makes furniture, wine, and can do carpentry and ironwork). And Bill Clinton, who not only plays the saxophone but has a bunch of hobbies including coin collecting. Al Gore plays harmonica and guitar, and is reportedly a pretty decent painter (studied fine arts all the way through school).

It's always been puzzling to me, how George W. Bush doesn't seem to have any creative instincts or hobbies besides golf, running, and watching baseball on TV. I looked at the photos of the press briefing held in his garage, to see if there were any signs of a workshop or handicrafts. Nada.

I also post on a metalworking forum ... a lot of the guys there are conservatives, some quite rabid pro-Bush. When I mentioned that I was unable to find any evidence that Bush built things, or even tinkered with cars or did home repairs (his biographers claim he could barely replace a lightbulb) -- that was the one fact that led some of them to question who Bush was, whether he knew what he was doing, and whether he could be trusted.

[madrchsod]

9. he played at the

blues on grand club from 5-7 tonight. the "backup band" was hawkeye herman. interesting to see if he was any good..

[rucky]

23. Okay, so we've seen the talent part of the competition...

...When do we get to the swimsuits?

[MostlyBlackCat2]

26. I wanna see the evening gown portion!

</sarcasm>

[Cocoa]

13. Excellent!

This looks very good against Bush.

Kerry was also playing the guitar at an appearance in N.H. It looked a little phony, just a little, but it didn't matter, it still looked good.

[ProudToBeLiberal]

16. Awesome

This will definitly go well with the younger generation includng me

[Zuni]

18. Kerry was decent

he was playing some decent classical guitar, though he was quite rusty.

[yorgatron]

19. kerry vs. dean guitar showdown?

it could be like that (awful) movie "crossroads" where ralph machio has to play against steve vai (satan) for his soul.this time the stakes are much higher,the future of the U.S.A is at stake!!!

[sujan]

21. Dean leads, other follow

[emad]

24. kiss of death, deany baby....

...things must be pretty desperate to resort to that old six string number (just ask tony blair who started using this one when his hair began falling out)...

[farmbo]

25. One more reason to elect him President...

...He'll have to abandon his musical career!


:nopity:

[Arugula Latte]

29. I think I'm in love!

:loveya: :loveya: :loveya: