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Well, they did it. The Democrats elected Howard Dean as the chairman of the Democratic National Committee on a voice vote last Saturday. Dean promised to work closely with congressional Democrat leaders Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid during the new congressional session. Dean promises to bring the red states, particularly in the south, back into the Democrats fold and win back the White House in 2008. While discussing his strategy Dean stated, "The way to get people not to be skeptical about you is to show up and say what you think" (New chairman Dean to focus on red states, Chicago Sun Times, 2/13/2005). If the Democrats want to win southern red states during an election cycle, the last thing they should do is say what they think. By choosing Dean, the Democrats have chosen to move the party further to the left and further from the White House. So, let's take Howard Dean's advice and look at what happens when the leaders in the Democrat party say what they think.
Howard Dean is no stranger to controversy. During his failed bid for the 2004 presidential nomination from his party, he constantly dined on his foot. In November of 2003 Dean said "I still want to be the candidate for guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks" (Dems battle over Confederate flag, CNN, 11/2/2004). This may give us a sneak peek at his red state strategy. On the subject of religion Dean states "If you know much about the Bible - which I do - to see and be in a place where Christ was and understand the intimate history of what was going on 2,000 years ago is an exceptional experience" (The 2004 Campaign: The Vermont Governor, The New York Times, 1/04/2004). After making this profound statement he cited the book of Job as his favorite book in the New Testament. This, after all, is coming from a man who changed his denomination from Episcopal to Congregationalist in 1982 supposedly over a dispute regarding a bicycle path. I am sure the southern states have forgotten about that whole civil union thing in Vermont by now.
After the stinging defeat of Tom Daschle in the 2004 South Dakota Senate race, one would think that the Democrats would have chosen a replacement Senate minority leader who more cooperative and less partisan. After all, Daschle became widely viewed as an obstructionist in the Senate and placed the blame for the war in Iraq squarely at the feet of President Bush when he said " I'm saddened, saddened that this president failed so miserably at diplomacy that we're now forced to war" (Daschle: Bush diplomacy fails 'miserably', USA Today, 1/19/2003). Apparently, common sense did not factor in to the decision making process. The Democrats selected Harry Reid from Nevada to lead their minority in the Senate. Soon after assuming the position of Senate minority leader, Reid was asked about the President's proposal to reform social security and how the Democrats would work with the administration in which he responded "It will not happen -- and the sooner he comes to that realization, the better off we are" (Top Democrat pledges Social Security fight, CNN, 2/1/2005). So much for the spirit of bipartisanship in the Senate. When speaking about the subject of abortion, Reid claimed that "Senator Barbara Boxer of California is the closest thing he's ever had to a sister" (When Harry Met Roe, The Weekly Standard, 12/27/04). I am sure the southern red states will love another obstructionist Senator who hangs out with ultra-liberal Californians.
And speaking of ultra-liberal Californians, when Dick Gephardt stepped down from the position of House minority leader after losing even more seats to the Republicans in the 2002 mid-term election, the Democrats had to choose between Harold Ford, a moderate from Tennessee, and Nancy Pelosi, a liberal from San Francisco. The House chose Nancy Pelosi to lead them and hopefully reclaim the House of Representatives from Republican control. Unfortunately for the Democrats, Pelosi is out of touch with mainstream America to the point of making conspiracy theorists look normal. After voting for a resolution supporting the US troops at the onset of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Pelosi referred to the experience as a "bitter pill" and went on the floor of the House before the vote to disagree with the wording (With Democrats Divided On War, Pelosi Faces Leadership Test, The New York Times, 4/1/2003). Pelosi believes that ignoring someone burning an American flag is patriotism. Incredibly she said that "Simply turning away from even such objectionable behavior as the burning of the flag is, then, a true test of our tolerance, a measure of our patriotism, a demonstration of our Americanism" (That's Some Star-Spangled Debating!, The Washington Post, 7/4/1999). As if that wasn't enough to win southern votes, Pelosi spoke out against Wal Mart after a sting where federal agents apprehended over 240 illegal aliens working for the discount store headquartered in Arkansas. Pelosi angrily stated " We think there might be a better way to go about this because the fact is that it is against the law for the employer to hire these people so there should be more focus on the employer and less in these terrorizing raids" (Pelosi Criticized for Calling Raids on Illegal Aliens 'Terrorizing', News Max, 10/29/2003). Did I mention the fact that she made this statement, basically calling federal agents terrorists, during an official trip to Mexico? Yep, I think those 34 electoral votes from Texas are in the bag!
Obviously, Howard Dean is wrong, the very reason southern voters are skeptical of the Democrats is because they have heard what they have been saying for years. We will see if Howard Dean can reverse the trend of losing power in Congress for the Democrats that Terry McAuliffe seems to have perfected in previous elections. During an appearance recently at a trendy Washington DC night club, Dean made the following comments about his new position:
"I'm trying to be restrained in my new role," Dean said with a mischievous grin. "I may be looking for a three-piece suit ... He paused and then burst out laughing. "Fat chance!"
Howard, we are counting on it.
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