Crossposted at Howard-Empowered People
I’ve been having a hard time trying to think of what I wanted to write on the first anniversary of Howard Dean becoming chair of the DNC. Corinne has a great post ready to go live at midnight, talking about what Howard Dean has accomplished this past year. But I feel like there’s something I need to write, and I just realized what it is. It’s the same thing I was struggling with when I was trying to write up something about the Democracy Bond event in Columbus last month.
In addition to the challenge of finding the distraction-free time to write something up, there was another hurdle to overcome. Throughout the events I attended on that day, I had these periodic flashes of, “Oh my gosh, I am soooo out of my element here. These other bloggers know infinitely more about what’s going on in Ohio politics than I do, so they have good questions to ask all these Ohio politicians.” And truthfully, I had the feeling that some of those politicians didn’t think I needed to be taken as seriously as the other bloggers there. In other words, a significant part of the reason why it was hard to do my writeup is that there were feelings of inadequacy involved. Eventually, I just handled it by leaving that part out.
But the more I think about it, the more I realize that’s an important part, and it speaks to what’s special about Howard Dean compared to a lot of other politicians. So, here goes–following up on some of those thoughts I had last month, and answering them.
Of course I don’t know everything about Ohio politics. Where the hell would I find the time to do that with everything else I have going on in my life? It’s a freaking miracle that someone like me knows as much as I do about politics, let alone that I feel so strongly that I must stay involved and keep working to make a difference. In spite of how hard it can be to find the time and energy to keep at it. That, my friends, is Howard Dean’s fault. I first got involved in politics, in spite of my overall aversion to it, because Bush was so bad, that extreme measures were called for. But Howard Dean is a big part of the reason I didn’t just fall back into my normal level of political involvement–pretty much just going to the polls on election days–after the 2004 election was over.
But, you know what was amazing about the Dean campaign? The fact that someone like me–someone who doesn’t do any of the traditional political “stuff” like canvassing, making phone calls, etc., was able to somehow create my own niche and feel that I had a valuable contribution to make.
Small digression here… You may or may not know that Demetrius had created the “Flat Howard” graphic. For a long time, we had a printout of that on one of the walls in our house. So, at least a 2D version of Howard Dean lived with us for quite some time before we had our chance to meet the real Howard Dean. (In November of 2003, we got quite a kick out of watching a CBS video of the real Howard Dean reacting to Flat Howard in the hallways of campaign headquarters.)
Different people notice different things about Flat Howard. Some people noticed right away that he is wearing the infamous J. C. Penney suit. What we noticed was that he looked like he was in the middle of saying, “No, thank you!” And that, to us, is classic Howard Dean.
In a post entitled Thank you, Howard Dean, written in June of 2005, I put into words some of the things about Howard Dean that have earned my loyalty and support. Those things still ring true, so rather than repeating them here, I can refer you to that piece. Today there are just two things I’d like to focus on. The first is that “attitude of gratitude” I just mentioned. It’s pretty important. When you’re working hard just to “put food on your family”, and add to that any other challenges your particular family is facing, well, yes, it is a big deal to fit political involvement into all that. Especially now that it’s turned out to be a marathon rather than a sprint.
The other thing I really appreciate is that, again and again, Howard Dean has demonstrated that he “gets it”–in the sense of being able to look at root causes and think long term rather than succumbing to the “quick fix” mentality. While I, like many Dean supporters, appreciated his willingness to be blunt and “tell it like it is”, his ability to be thoughtful issues was just as important. I recall that, during the presidential campaign, he discussed the importance of investing in education in order to reduce crime down the road. He said something like “Every kindergarten teacher can tell you which kids are going to be a problem…” and went on to say that was why we need to fully fund special education. Too many people just go for the “zero tolerance” approach, and focus on punishing the “bad kids” to “teach them a lesson” or some such. That approach pretty much amounts to writing some kids off at an early age…throwing them away. And still not fixing the problem.
Anyway, cutting to the chase. Howard Dean has a tough job–I know I sure couldn’t do it. But he’s earned my support many times over. If I had my druthers, I would be supporting Dean for President in 2008, but he ruled out that possibility when he decided to pursue the job of DNC chair. (I think I’ve forgiven him for making that decision…most days.) But I respect the decision he made, and understand the thinking behind it. And, given the sacrifices the job involves (including continuing to take crap from people in both major parties as well as the media), I feel like it’s the least I can do to support his efforts in any way I can.
BAT!
BAT!
BAT!
BAT!
Of course, I know as well as anybody that not everyone can afford to donate right now, but I could use some help with this project. I’m not wedded to the name, but the concept is something I really think we need to follow up on.
Howard Dean getting the chair of the DNC kept many life-long, die-hard Democrats I know from bolting the party.
With all the great grassroots efforts he’s engaged in, I think he still maintains hope for a D revival, which we are sorely in need of.
Howard Dean is a bright spark among the many piles of crap in the Democratic party, and we need more like him.
Nice diary, Renee.
Thank you Renee for a thought provoking diary. I too loved and still love Dean’s bluntness. The Dinos hate it. They are so used to pussyfooting around the issues, imho, they are afraid Howard makes them look bad for not speaking the truth. Well folks, that is their issue, not Howard’s. I for one am grateful to have him “speaking for me”.
This was a great diary and your personal experience
illustrates ‘Howard’s Power’.
After 2000 I sank into a deep despair–gave up on the idea there was any hope. Howard Dean’s tremendous internet movement brought me back. I think he’s great, and that he is vastly unappreciated for the new vitality he has brought to many issues and policies.
I am still incredibly disgusted by what was done to him in Iowa–the whole scream thing–and it is to his credit that he didn’t walk away from it all right then.
Instead he fought back and became the head of DNC. If more longtime Democrats followed his style perhaps the Bush machine wouldn’t have had such an easy job walking right over them.
Here’s to Howard Dean–and all those who love him. And may he inspire more every day.
Fact: Howard Dean is the chair of the DNC. If you look at the hierarchy on the party site you’ll find the other “D” orgs are basically subsidiaries of the main.
So while Reid & Pelosi, et. al. speak for their respective Congressional delegations, they do not speak for the party as a whole. Their jobs are to educate and inform the public on Congressional actions – bills, hearings, procedures – necessary to gain support or opposition to specific issues.
Further, and most important to me, none of those reps has any business presenting, supporting, and/or funding any candidate prior to the outcome of the primaries in each State. Educate and inform does not mean “this is who you’re voting for”.
Dean is attempting to reinstate the selection process to conform to the rules of the Party, and he’s been very successful so far. But I don’t want him anywhere near a candidacy for President. That job lasts a maximum of 8 years for one person.
Rebuilding an entire party organization from the ground up involves literally millions of people for the forseeable future. A far larger (and more important) task than sitting in the oval office.
I’ll never forget my first Dean Meet-up. Being handed some paper and a couple of addresses in Iowa and being asked to write a letter to another Democrat asking them to support Dean. I was shocked – where’s the script? I was told that MY words were more important.
Then, as I went on to be a Meet-up facilitator – we would always hear people saying, “The campaign should do….” And our response was always, “If you think that the campaign should do that – then its up to you to do it.”
No slackers – whiners – observers allowed. If you want something done – do it!!
This is the essence of the change Howard Dean is trying to accomplish in this political and cultural environment. If we can get it done – it would truly change the world.
Dean has an amazing ability to communicate with people and inspire them. Here’s how I knew he was the real thing.
Unlike you Renee, I’ve always been political. I was born into an extended family full of members that ran for office, worked for the city and were always involved in elections. We canvassed, we called, we went to smokey fundraisers.
But in families like mine, there are always those that rebel and become almost completely apolitical. That was my youngest sister. She’s smart; she reads the paper; she knows what’s going on; she votes. I presume she usually votes Democratic, but frankly she never would talk about it. She HATED talking about politics. Would change the subject or leave the room.
One day in 2003, sometime after the state of the union, she began venting about how much she HATED George Bush. I wasn’t surprised that she would hate his policies, but I was completely surprised that she was talking about it. Then she started ranting on about how worthless the Democrats were and didn’t they realize that 50% of the country DIDN’t vote for Bush and where was OUR representation. It was amazing. She said she wanted a candidate who would tell it like it was.
A few weeks later I read a newspaper story about Dean, I think it was after he made the speech to the California democrats where he talked about Republican lite for the first time. It said he had decided to run for president. I had no idea who he was; I thought he could very well be some kind of crackpot. But I sent the article to my sister and told her I had found her a candidate. I really did it as a joke, but the next day I got a e-mail. “I looked this guy up; I like him; I’m going to support him.”
What? So I looked him up too and realized that he had some credibility. We eventually dragged my other sister in Wisconsin into the Dean fold.
And my youngest sister hasn’t changed. It’s been a complete turnaround. She is now as much of a political animal as any of us. I credit Howard.