HOME | POLITICS | SPORTS | LIFE | SCI/TECH | OPEDS | HELPFUL TIPS
|
Feb. 16, 2005 Howard Dean is no moderate, and he’s proud to say it everywhere he goes. During the 2004 primaries, Dean carried the message of “the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party” until his spectacular implosion in Iowa. Despite his stumbling exit from the 2004 primary, Dr. Dean resolved to keep the grassroots machine he had built going. Now he’s back and stronger than ever, and moderate Democrats ought to be in the front row applauding. Even though Dean’s message has that distinct Populist feel (“liberal” to his enemies), he provides something a moderate like Tim Roemer simply could not: the fire of passion. Left-wing or not, no one can deny Howard Dean’s passion, and Iowa aside, Dean brought hoards of young voters into the fray. He stuck a hand into the ripe grassroots of America to relay his message, and used technology in a way that has forever changed how elections are run and campaign fundraisers are organized. That he is more to the left than a given moderate an afterthought. It was Dean who brought out the armchair analysts to the blogs, and it was Dean who created the great tide of meetups and got people together to discuss the importance of politics in our nation. The level of basic involvement, of Democrats and Republicans from all walks of life participating in the discussion of our policies, owes itself to Dean. Even in Indiana, a staunch “red state,” Democrats were visible for Howard Dean, and remained loyal even after his campaign empire fell. Chairman Dean has no power to change the platform of the Democratic Party, and promised as much to Congressional Democrats leery of a “liberal” running the Democratic Party in such conservative times. I have joined the ranks of moderates who have asked for effective leadership from whoever was able, and Dean is that man. What Dean will simply do what he does best: raise political awareness on a very grassroots level, increase involvement, raise funds for state and local races – the only places Democrats surged in 2004 – and make inactinve Democrats see their party as a Party of the People once again. Even if he is not Presidential material, Dean is popular among the rank and file, and is undoubtedly as charismatic and creative a leader as any. Dean involved himself as much as he did the people during his run for DNC Chair, and never let a day pass without something coming from the great Dean machine. He appealed to the people for the position of DNC Chair, and the people were more than happy to respond in kind. Moderates ought to embrace Dean as a bad Presidential pick but a brilliant choice for Chairman. Dean’s flavor has always been greatest, and his power the most unrivaled, when he is in direct contact with the people. Perhaps Dean’s greatest failure in Iowa was appealing too much to the people and not enough to the state machines, and coming off looking like an inexperienced politician. To the masses, Dean is not a politician, and that is exactly what they wanted in a DNC Chair. Their vote shows it. Dean’s chairmanship will not end moderation in the Democratic Party, but will bring moderates their greatest victory – the ability to appeal directly to the people and plead their cases in much the same way that Republicans have been running their ground game since 2000. The Dean Chairmanship may take some warming up to, but if Democrats toss aside left- and moderate- partisanship and commit themselves to waging a successful grassroots game and getting back to the basics of the party, Howard Dean will have manufactured a formidable machine out of scraps from the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s. Dean provides the “one” of the one-two punch. The Populist, with his common flair and rolled up sleeves, will gather the people together to listen to his sermon. The Moderate will step up second and knock them down with a dose of policy and a flash of the campaign. Democrats must now unite to make it all work. The people demand nothing less of a party that was founded with their interests at heart. ------------ About the author: Max Burns is a 17-year-old Democrat with moderate, centrist ideals. He blames John Kerry's 2004 loss on John Kerry, and is authoring a pamphlet on how to refine the Democratic Party for Victory in 2008 and beyond. For more information, check out The New Democrat. Read the fantasy-fiction novel "Alcardia". Email: DeMBurns@gmail.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
