Democrats’ hope Dean could invigorate tired party
One thing can be said about Howard Dean’s selection as the Democratic National Committee chairman. The guy has name recognition. Who in America didn’t pan Dean’s “I have a scream” speech delivered after a disappointing showing in Iowa? Once the primary primal screech spelled an end to his presidential bid, Dean tempered his maverick leftward leanings and proved he is a party man in campaigning for Sen. John Kerry’s ill fated White House bid. In return, Kerry has announced he will cut a $1 million check to the DNC to help Dean rally the forces and has solicited his supporters to send money.
Dean emerged as the frontrunner, actually the only runner left standing, for the DNC chair. Is he the best the Democrats who continue to slip from power have to offer? Perhaps not. But if Dean can shed his leftist label and realize that the party must seize the moderate political position in order to recapture middle America, he could possibly pull it off.
Don’t forget that before his primary meltdown, Dean was out on the edge, challenging the president’s economic and war policies. He was the first candidate to successfully use the Internet to grow a nationwide grassroots campaign, that included small but numerous donations.
Dean’s success early on was his ability to challenge President Bush’s policies regarding Iraq and the economy. He stood out where other Democrats, Kerry included, failed to take on the president.
Dean proved he could recruit new supporters, raise money and inspire enthusiasm. If he taps into his reservoir of charisma, he could pull it off again.