I just got off the phone with a friend who interned at the DNC in Washington last semester!

[XemaSab]

First of all, he said everyone there is a crook except HOWARD DEAN. He loves Howard and said that Howard will save the party. He hasn't heard any rumors about the good doctor's health, and he said Howard has refused point blank to state which candidate he supports for the nomination.

My friend also said that most people at the DNC have been big Hillary fans, but in the last couple months there's been growing excitement about Obama. He also said that many people at DNC headquarters have worked for Edwards, and the word on the street is that he's a bit of a prima donna and can be a jackass to staffers, so not many Edwards supporters at the DNC.

My friend was really, really fired up about Obama and he said "I think Obama's going to be our next president!" :woohoo:

(Oh, and on edit: Howard thinks their health care plans all suck. :P )

[JI7]

1. are there rumours about his health ?

i haven't heard any but yesterday he looked fine to me.

what you describe concerning the primary fits with what i have been reading and seeing.

[XemaSab]

2. Some people here who saw him on MSNBC thought he looked ill

I didn't see the video, so I can't be more specific. :shrug:

[calimary]

3. He looked thinner than usual.

I hope he's okay. We need him!!!

I still love my "Hollerin' Howard."

[JI7]

4. it's probably just working more than usual these days

in preparation for this years elections. with all the fundraisers and things. he seemed a bit tired but nothing too bad. i do hope he is ok.

[ellisonz]

11. He's lost weight, he's overworked, he's 60...

And I don't think he was wearing makeup. x(

[madfloridian]

17. 59, and I think the interviews were at the DNC HQ,,,,he needs a new make up guy

or gal. I did not watch last night so can't say, but he looked good on C-Span tonight.

[IndianaGreen]

13. I met Dean in person back in 2003, and I thought he looked kinda ill on MSNBC

He has definitely lost a lot of weight, and I wonder if this is health related, or is he on some diet/exercise program.

[calimary]

24. I had the GREAT fortune to shake his hand at the state party convention

in April 2005. He was shorter than I expected, but crackling with electricity, energy, and exuberance. I was in heaven for the rest of the weekend.

[XemaSab]

27. Howard is AWESOME!

[Tennessee Gal]

5. Tell your friend this ..................

Neocon William Kristol gives the 'thumbs up' to Obama

Nuff said.

[kelligesq]

7. Agreed - if Obama is the dem candidate, a republican will be president n/t

.

[TheDebbieDee]

8. The repuke love for Sen. Obama scres the hell out of me, too!

[melody]

6. It wouldn't matter to me if I found out John Edwards was a philandering jerk -- WHICH HE IS NOT

I care what his policies are. He's the only one even close to being a progressive.

Edited to be absolutely explicit.

[Inspired]

9. What?

Philandering jerk? I've seen Edwards in action around his staffers and 'jerk' is not the word I would use to describe him. I don't know where you got the word philandering from.

[melody]

10. I said *I DON'T CARE --IF-- HE'S A PHILANDERING JERK* - I like John, I'm voting for him

My point was, I'm not voting for personality, I'm voting for someone who'll get the job done.

I just edited the message to be much more literal.

[Cha]

12. Why would Dean have a

bunch of "crooks" workin' there? I didn't see Dean on the tube yesterday but the last time I saw him he had lost some weight and looked really good. You know he's working 17/7 to get all 50 states cookin' with a solid foundation. Dean's a Dr..he better be takin' care of himself as well as keeping up with the necessary work. We always did think he was Superdude!

[XemaSab]

14. I think he was talking more about the power brokers in DC than the staffers

:shrug:

[Cha]

15. That would make

a lot more sense. Thanks for your report, Xema~

[madfloridian]

16. Dean looked fine at the NH dinner tonight and gave a great speech.

It replays at 12 I think. On C-Span 1.

[XemaSab]

18. 12 Eastern time?

:shrug:

Yeah, it's been a while since I've seen my Howard. :)

[madfloridian]

19. Last I checked 12:10 Eastern.

Dean's speech about 12 or so minutes at the beginning.

Here is part of what he said...

"I always knew this was a blue state."

"I am so proud of 228,000 Iowans who went to the caucus last night because they want change in America and they want it back to what it was before the Supreme Court took it away in Florida in 2000...And on November 4th, you are going to send the first Democrat to the US Senate in 32 years."

He really took pride in the candidates. Very classy.

[XemaSab]

20. Suweet

I am so there.... :D

[madfloridian]

26. If you want to DVR it, the dinner replays at 4:48 am this morning.

C-Span 1.

[itsrobert]

21. More inside the Beltway crap

But thanks for posting.

[XemaSab]

22. I'm not sure what you mean...

My friend's about 24 and is a lifelong Texan. He's also a hardcore Catholic, and very values-oriented.

So he's not exactly a career wonk. :shrug:

[madfloridian]

23. Robert's not sure what he means either.

So don't fret about it. Thanks for the post, BTW.

[annie1]

25. thanks for posting. it's cool to see that the peeps at the dnc ....

actually like hil (even tho now they're into obama.

very interesting about the healthcare plans!

[MaineDem]

28. I find fault with "everyone there is a crook except HOWARD DEAN"

I know many people at the DNC and I strongly dispute this statement.

[XemaSab]

29. I think he was referring to the upper-level politicians in Washington

:shrug:

[rucky]

30. Howard has a thankless job.

God bless him.

[wishlist]

31. Per Secret Service agent friend, Edwards and family are great to work for

I have met Edwards on several occasions and observed he was always gracious and accommodating and seemed considerate of staffers. I also spoke to a Secret Service friend recently who has provided security to several Pres candidates, including a long stint with the Edwards' during the 2004 VP run . He stated that in his opinion John Edwards and family were the the most down to earth, considerate and 'normal' of the politicians he has known. But I am sure Edwards, like all of the top candidates under pressure can be demanding and expect top notch performance from staffers.

[bridgit]

32. Fair enough, though in spite of what - 'your friend' - has to say to you...

I'm still glad there's plenty of time to see what happens next.