by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright January 28 2005
All Rights Reserved.

ince his meltdown in the Iowa caucuses Jan. 19, 2004, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean sat patiently from the sidelines, watching Sen. John F. Kerry and the Democratic Party take a beating on Nov. 2. Not only did Kerry lose the popular vote by nearly 3.5 million but the House and Senate lost more ground, signaling a shakeup at the Democratic National Committee. Over the last four years, DNC chairman Terry McCauliffe allowed the GOP to consolidate conservative trends, leading to the stinging defeat at the polls. Supported by the popularity of Fox News and right wing radio around the country, Republicans won the war of words leading up to the election. Democrats had momentum until Dean went down, handing the reins to Kerry. Miscalculations inside the DNC and Kerry campaign short-circuited growing doubts about Bush and the war in Iraq.

      Watching Dean's rise from obscurity to frontrunner before Iowa caused shockwaves inside the party establishment. Dean didn't fit the Clinton mold of politically correct schmoozer. What exited Democrats about Dean was his no-holds- barred approach, going after Bush on virtually every issue. When Kerry took over, he was too worried about triangulation to take decisive positions, especially on the war in Iraq. Appealing to moderates and crossovers backfired, leaving Kerry less appealing to his own base. Dean's antiwar rhetoric was suddenly replaced by equivocation, appealing to undecided voters worried about terrorism. Dean's feistiness and willingness to take on the president resuscitated the Party after Gore's bitter loss in 2000. Now seeking to takeover the DNC, Dean promises to resurrect the Party, still reeling from Bush's stunning victory.

      Concerns about Dean's flamboyant personality have to be weighed against the Party's current failures. It's difficult reversing popular cultural trends. Electing Dean to head the DNC won't stop Rush Limbaugh or Jerry Falwell. But it does give meaning to an otherwise banal corporate voice, more concerned about shuffling the deck than dealing the cards. Dean offers charisma, passion and enthusiasm to better define and sell the Democratic Party. He often talks about representing the “Democratic wing of the Democratic Party,” getting the Party back to greatness that allowed John F. Kennedy to wow the nation for 1,000 days. In the last election, the GOP succeeded at defining Democrats as the party of weakness and appeasement. With Dean at the helm, the Party has a chance of redefining itself and widening its base. Dean offers clarity to a clouded Democratic message.

      While there's a ways to go before the midyear elections, Democrats can't afford to feud for too long. There's plenty of finger-pointing to go around after the dismal results on Nov. 2. Despite his wild streak, none of the other candidates for DNC chairman offer Dean's celebrity appeal. “What hurt him is what's now helping him,” said an unnamed Democratic strategist, referring to Dean's flamboyance. Former Texas Rep. Martin Frost, Democratic activists Donnie Fowler and Simon Rosenberg, former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, Former Indiana Rep. Tim Roemer and former Ohio state chair David Leland all have impressive credentials but none have national name recognition. Ordinarily it wouldn't matter. But Democrats need high octane to reverse disturbing trends and remain competitive. Over the next four years, Democrats must redefine the Party or face extinction.

      Considering his own run for DNC chairman, former Clinton aid Harold Ickes threw his support to Dean. "I think all the candidates who are running have strong attributes but Dean has more of the attributes than the others,” said Ickes, setting up a potentially sticky conflict with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), the presumed frontrunner for the 2008 race. Dean is generally considered a blow to the Clintons' lock on the Democratic Party. “Senator Clinton is neutral in the race for DNC chair,” said her spokesman Phillipe Reines, signaling quiet resignation to the inevitability of Dean's chances. Even Bill and Hillary couldn't ignore the last election. Without a dramatic change of direction, history could easily repeat itself. While the GOP thinks Dean helps their cause, he's an unknown quantity. Like Arizona Sen. John McCain, Dean isn't easily stereotyped or ignored.

      Closing in on DNC chairman, Dean promises to rattle the Party establishment. Tough, smart and aggressive, he signals a new beginning for Democrats, hoping for better days in two years. Putting Dean at the head of the DNC keeps him off the short list of possible Democratic candidates, paving the way for Hillary's run in '08. “We will empower you to do the things you've already done in your states,” Dean told DNC members in Sacramento. Dean won't turn back the clock on abortion or blame the Party's failures on progressive ideas. Instead of wallowing in self-blame, Dean renewed his faith in traditional Democratic causes including, Social Security, Medicare health care and education. With Dean on top, he won't stop attacking Bush's policies, or, worst yet, try to sit on the fence. Dean's rise to the top of the DNC signals that the Party plans to take off the gloves and compete.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

©1999-2002 Discobolos Consulting Services, Inc.
(310) 204-8300
All Rights Reserved.