Howard Dean, Serious Threat, Says Christopher Ruddy

Newsmax.com ^ | 11-10-03 | Ruddy, Christopher

[Theodore R.]

Howard Dean, Serious Threat Christopher Ruddy Monday, Nov. 10, 2003

Howard Dean is not to be dismissed. He is a serious candidate who will most certainly give George Bush a run for his money next year.

The former Vermont governor is the all-but-certain Democratic nominee – unless Hillary enters the race at the last minute.

This past week, Dean had some good news and some bad news.

The good news came from two of the nation’s largest unions.

The Service Employees International Union, the largest AFL-CIO affiliate, with 1.6 million members, endorsed Dean. He also won the support of AFSCME – the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

These unions will give Dean what he has lacked for final victory – ground troops in key primary states like Iowa, New Hampshire and elsewhere to get out the vote.

The bad news is that the U.S. economy is rebounding, sharply. If that trend continues, Bush has a lock to win in November 2004, even if the “slog” in Iraq continues.

But for now, momentum is on Howard Dean’s side.

The growing support for Dean is no surprise to NewsMax readers. Earlier this year, when Dean was nothing but a blip on the radar screen, we reported that Dean was the clear favorite of the press to become president.

With positive media spin and, as Dick Morris says, the most successful Internet campaign effort ever, Dean has broken through to emerge as the clear front-runner among the eight dwarves and the general.

Washington Republicans, including President Bush’s adviser Karl Rove, are said to be pleased by Dean’s success. They believe that Dean offers shades of Michael Dukakis and George McGovern.

But Dean is neither. For one thing, the diminutive candidate makes a powerful impression on TV. Unlike Dukakis, who was cold and uninspiring, Dean is personable and persuasive. He impresses even me.

And unlike McGovern, Dean is no dove.

As Dean likes to say, he supported the first Gulf War and President Bush’s military effort in Afghanistan, but he has strongly opposed the recent Iraq war.

Since that war has not gone so well, Dean benefits. He looks better than many Democrats, for example John Kerry, who voted for the war but has since become critical.

Dean looks like a leader. He is also an outsider. As the Schwarzenegger win proves, Americans want outsiders in Washington.

Dean is also not a liberal Democrat in the traditional sense.

Chuck Noe’s investigative report for NewsMax Magazine, “Dean Unlocked,” gives the best insight into the real Howard Dean.

Many know, for instance, that Dean has won applause from the NRA. But he also took on environmentalists and the ACLU in Vermont and was also a fiscal conservative.

For the first time, NewsMax talked with the folks who know Dean best, the people of Vermont.

What we learned is surprising and worrisome for Republican prospects next year, especially if the economy is not back on track by that time.

[Theodore R.]

Ruddy is seeing shades of a "northern-fried" Carter in Howard Dean.

[GulliverSwift]

The former Vermont governor is the all-but-certain Democratic nominee

It's way too early to see who will be the nominee. At this point no one knew Jimmy Carter would be the Demon' nominee in 76. He was not yet considered the frontrunner. A lot can happen.

[1Old Pro]

He is a serious candidate who will most certainly give George Bush a run for his money next year.

I doubt both of these premises.

[ken5050]

Dean is a "serious threat" to the Democrat party..

[samtheman]

All this article does is reinforce my belief that if Hitlery does come in, she'll have a very tough fight on her hands from Dean. This guy is not going to step aside for Her Hideousness.

Let the games begin!

[Nonstatist]

Dean is also not a liberal Democrat in the traditional sense.

Dean has been calling for the COMPLETE reversal of Bush's tax cuts, including those for the "middle class". You dont get the clear majority of the liberal base to support you unless you say all the things liberals want to hear, and how far can he backtrack? I think Ruddy is wrong, Dean will be easy to run against.

[Wphile]

For one thing, the diminutive candidate makes a powerful impression on TV. Unlike Dukakis, who was cold and uninspiring, Dean is personable and persuasive. He impresses even me.

Sheesh...Ruddy must be easily impressed. There isn't anything personable or likeable about Howard Dean. He comes across to me as an arrogant SOB with a sinister smirk. I wouldn't trust him any further than I could throw him.

And the end of this article is curious. He says he talked to Vermont voters but than doesn't say what they said. From what I've read, many in Vermont don't trust him either and claim that his fiscal conservatism is a joke.

[deport]

Dean is a "serious threat" to the Democrat party..

---

There is some speculation that's why Clark was moved into the fray in an effort to keep Dean from taking the Party over the cliff.... Time will tell.

[Pikamax]

"Dean is also not a liberal Democrat in the traditional sense. "


WHAT??

[gov_bean_ counter]

He comes across to me as an arrogant SOB with a sinister smirk.

His eyes show no emotion. He is at best a man with no character, at worst a man with no soul.

[Wphile]

I guess the reasoning for that quote is because Dean supposedly supports gun rights and has taken on the EPA in the past. However, his current campaign suggests neither of these. Dean is an opportunist and his decisions will be based on what is considered to be popular, not necessarily right.

[Wphile]

Clark hasn't put a dent in Dean's momentum. Clark looks ridiculous and even more of a flim-flam artist than the rest of them. His vascillation on so many issues and stupid comments like "I'm pro-health" have clearly exposed Clark for what he is - a Clinton patsy. I'm now thinking that perhaps the Clark run is just to garner national attention in the hopes of attaining the VP position.

[Wphile]

He is both - a man without character and a soul.

[deport]

Clark hasn't put a dent in Dean's momentum.

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I agree.... but there was specualtion that Clark was an attempt to put a damper on Dean and keep him from taking the party to the far left wing....

[ken5050]

my guess, FWIW, is that Clark hopes to take enough states, once the primaries move west and south, to keep Dean from locking it up....the Clintons wisely assessed, early, that kerry and Lieberman couldn't win it...

[RiflemanSharpe]

He is a serious candidate who will most certainly give George Bush a run for his money next year.
I doubt both of these premises.


Never underestimate your enemy. The rats are famious for their dirty tricks. Complacency will cost dearly.

[NutCrackerBoy]

He is at best a man with no character, at worst a man with no soul.

Proven to be the combination best suited to getting a Democrat elected President.

Dean does have enormous ability to speak convincingly.

[Wphile]

Could be but with the two big union endorsements this weekend for Dean, it's going to be tough. I don't think Clark is showing well in South Carolina and that's supposed to be his breakout state. I think Clark peeked a bit two early - the day of his announcement. Ever since then, it's been downhill for him.

[bvw]

The Clinton's star has fallen. Dean will take them out with the dust mop and dust pan. Dem voters don't really like the Clintons except as they tweak us evil conservatives and Republicans. And Dean does that just as well, if not better. Without the Clinton Bay-gage.

[bvw]

Dean is a teflon-coated super-ball. His charm turns any glee over any loss or misstep into fuel for his upswing.