Dean says attacks getting too personal, favors June resolution

[BeyondGeography]

By NEDRA PICKLER

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic Party chief Howard Dean says Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton and their supporters should beware of tearing each other down, demoralizing the base and damaging the party's chances of winning the White House in November.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Dean also said he hopes the Democratic nominee will be determined shortly after the voting ends in early June and that he will encourage the superdelegates who will play a role to make up their minds before the August convention in Denver.

Dean said the charges and countercharges between Clinton and Obama have gotten too personal at times. He declined to say how they have crossed the line, but he said he's made it clear privately when it has happened.

``You do not want to demoralize the base of the Democratic Party by having the Democrats attack each other,'' he said Thursday during the interview in his office at Democratic National Committee headquarters. ``Let the media and the Republicans and the talking heads on cable television attack and carry on, fulminate at the mouth. The supporters should keep their mouths shut about this stuff on both sides because that is harmful to the potential victory of a Democrat.''

Superdelegates - the nearly 800 party and elected officials who can support whomever they choose at the convention, regardless of what happens in the primaries - should make up their minds before August to avoid a fight at the convention, Dean said.

``There is no point in waiting,'' he said. The Democratic political organization ``is as good or better as the Republicans,' and we haven't been able to say that for about 30 years. But that all doesn't make any difference if people are really disenchanted or demoralized by a convention that's really ugly and nasty.''

...Dean's supporters say he's working behind the scenes to resolve some of the issues. He's been consulting with party stalwarts about how to wrap up the nomination quickly after the voting ends in June, including former Vice President Al Gore, former presidential candidate John Edwards, former Sen. George Mitchell, former President Carter, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, civil rights activist Jesse Jackson and former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo...


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/7418840

[democrattotheend]

1. I just hope whichever candidate loses does what Dean did in 2004

Even though Dean's support had pretty much collapsed by the time he dropped out, he still had a loyal following of supporters and activists who were bitter and depressed about the way he was brought down. He worked hard to get us on board and made an active push to encourage us to support Kerry. I hope whichever Democrat loses does the same this year. An active push, not just an endorsement but a real push, from the losing candidate to his/her supporters to support the nominee could go a long way towards mending fences.

[waiting for hope]

2. Then if that's your stance,

then everyone should start playing nice.. :evilgrin: