Howard Dean says Democrats should not shy away from controversial issues.

[madfloridian]

He was speaking to a group of NJ College Democrats, and it sounds like he was pretty outspoken about the way our party tends to shy away from controversy.

Howard Dean at TCNJ

After speaking for a while about the 50-state strategy, Dean then spoke about message framing and cited the debate over gay marriage. Dean forcefully spoke about how the Democratic party was often too cautious in spreading its ideals, and that the Republican party has been branding our party as the party without values. Using gay marriage as an example, he said that Republicans have for too long controlled the debate, talking about how the Republicans state that marriage should be between a man and a woman, but Democrats do not push back appropirately. Dean said that the Democrats should not go along with the Republican frame, but should instead create the notion that Democrats support equal rights for everyone, and thus support gay marriage. Using this debate, he said that Democrats would then be able to meaningfully debate with Republicans, and that voters would be able to decide which position they would like to take. He also spoke about abortion, and how many Democrats refuse to debate abortion rights, believing that it is too controversial of an issue to debate. Dean proposed that Democrats should not shy away from the "controversial" issues, and should welcome all debate with open arms, citing again the notion that Democrats support equal rights for everyone.

[Aloha Spirit]

1. Obama should be referred to as "Dean 6.0"... lol

[Larkspur]

2. Thank you Howard Dean!

I certainly agree with what he says. All Dem leaders should take note, but they won't.

[mzmolly]

3. He is, of course

absolutely correct. ;)

[Sebastian Doyle]

4. Once again Dr. Dean proves himself to be the TRUE leader of the Democratic Party

with or without the official title.

We should NOT shy away from the issues. Not on gay marriage. Not on health care. Not on the Employee Free Choice Act, or busting up the corporate conglomerates that are destroying this country, or ending these senseless wars that have nothing to do with this country, or any other goddamn thing.

[madfloridian]

13. He needs no title, and since they won't let him be in the national leadership...

he is leading by example and outside the system...though still letting his centrist side show. He is a centrist who is open to the people.

The choice of Rahm shut us out, so it's good to see a spokesperson.

[Kaleko]

5. Right on, brother!

Let me start with a painting a friend of mine contributed to the ongoing Prop 8 fight in Californeah.

Title: Jesus Loves Gay Newly-Married People Kissing





How about that, Rush?

[emilyg]

6. kick

[LiberalFighter]

7. Democrats should explain themselves as to their reasoning on the issues.

Without the debate the people won't be allowed the chance to expand their thoughts about the issues.

[Christian30]

8. He's absolutely right...

I got into an argument with my brother last night. He voted for Obama, but now that he's in the process of buying a house, all his friends are telling him that he'll regret that vote because Obama is raising his taxes. The Dems need to a) sort this banking shit out and b) continue to present paying a "fair share" of taxes as an American value.

[madfloridian]

10. Rght. Our Democrats do not explain themselves clearly.

We still let the other side control the issues.

[BeFree]

9. Yep

And let's not shy away from the issue that Bushco needs to be put in jail.

You see rove, et al, doing their stay out of jail gig on the booby. They are trying to frame this as 'Not our problem, man' and it seems our precious Dean is shying away from that issue? ??

Priorities, people!! We put Bushco on trial, the media has to cover it on the nightly news, the people get educated at last, and we drive a stake once and for all thru Bushco. Half of our problems go the the grave with them.

Do Not Shy Away From This.

[Joanne98]

11. Thank you! K&R

[madfloridian]

15. Welcome. Good to hear him speak out.

:hi:

[Vidar]

12. Dr. Dean belongs in the government, not Geithner, Holder & Emmanuel.

[jesus_of_suburbia]

14. I would support Howard Dean in any attempt he ever makes at being President again.

I only wish I had been more into politics before 2004.

I'm learning slowly but surely. I even learned SO much from this past Primary election.

[polichick]

16. He's dead on about this!