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.

---

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.

[sweetliberty]

I think the only serious threat Howard Dean poses is to himself.

.

[ken5050]

I agree..I think they both underestimated Dean's appeal to the large left fringe in the primaries...and the fact that he could win both Iowa and NH...six months ago, that wasn't in the cards....that's why they're going nuts now..

[bvw]

There's certain kinds of white guys who resonate with self-identifying "black" voters. Clinton was one, maybe sui generis. Dean, I bet, is another. The teeth. It's the teeth.

[You Dirty Rats]

It's not as early as you think. The nominating process as a whole takes place much earlier than in 1976. At this point, Dean is the frontrunner and leads in the most important category -- money.

That said, a lot can still happen, as you say.

[linn37]

I saw him on Russert,you are giving him way to much credit.

[oceanview]

all these thread on FR lately about the election of 2004 being "over", you folks are way too optimistic. The Dems start with 40-43% of the vote, and that base will stay with them, even in the face of some of the unreal things their candidates have said. 9/11 has changed only a small fraction of minds in the US, we have to accept that. Granted, even a small swing helps our side, but the 2004 election will not be a cakewalk, almost all of the states that went for Gore will go for Dean.

[gov_bean_ counter]

The only reason the Dems have continued to toloerate the Clintons is due to the fund raising. No we have learned that Hillary doesn't share and Dean has found another way to get his bucks.

The Clintons are exposed here at several levels and they have more than a few reasons to torpedo Dean's campaign.

[Theodore R.]

Dean will be easy to run against.

Conventional wisdom can be wrong. GA Jimmy Carter said he wanted to run against Reagan because Reagan would be a "pushover." GWHB tought that Clinton would be easy pickings too, for a while. At least ol' Barry Goldwater knew from the start that he could not defeat LBJ but ran to support the conservative movement. Dean may be much stronger than people expect. Which of the 20 Gore states is Dean likely to lose? That is a tough questions to answer. Maybe NM, but I am not sure that the GOP can take NM next year.

[desertcry]

Dean is a serious threat ....... Yes, indeed, particularly to hillary.

[Wphile]

Oh, I agree and certainly the Bush campaign doesn't think this will be a cakewalk either. I was at a campaign meeting the other day and all the talk was, "this is going be another razor thin margin of victory." There is no room for complacency whatsoever.

[NutCrackerBoy]

The 2004 election will not be a cakewalk.

I know, but will it be a quagmire, or just a slog? While we're at it, is Dean really an imminent danger, or just grave and gathering?

[Theodore R.]

Dems start with 40-43% of the vote

It may be more than that. Dukakis got 46 percent; Gore, Jr. 48.5 percent.

[mac_truck]

The bad news is that the U.S. economy is rebounding, sharply.

This is either an example of very poor writing or naked bias on the part of Christopher Ruddy.

[Theodore R.]

Ruddy is a good writer, but we all slip up from time to time when writing in volume. When he sad "bad news," he meant "bad" for the Democrats.

[NutCrackerBoy]

The context was clear: This past week, Dean had some good news and some bad news.

[GO65]

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.

I spoke last week with a friend of mine who lives in Vermont, he's a staunch Bush supporter but he is also a fan of Dean. He argues that Dean is no Dukakis, he's clashed with liberals often as Governor.

[GO65]

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.

How is it "liberal" to argue that the massive costs incurred in the war on terror ought to be paid for via taxes instead of via borrowing from the Chinese as we are currently doing? Is it "conservative" to fund the largest debt in U.S. history by borrowing from the Chinese?

[GO65]

However, his current campaign suggests neither of these.

In primaries Dems run to the left, Republicans run to the right. In the general election they converge in the middle. This is politics.

[Eva]

Dean has one big negative, Hillary does not want him to win.

[Old Professer]

Uncle Remus touting the perils of the briarpatch, again.

[Nonstatist]

Which of the 20 Gore states is Dean likely to lose?

I would say.. Pennsylvania , NM, Minnesota,Oregon and Iowa.In the maybe corner goes Washington and Michigan. The number of states willing to boot an incumbent over the war alone, if the economy is in decent shape, is not all that high. And that will be Dean's main issue.

[mac_truck]

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

Here's another example. Since when does a conservative populist movement to oust an entrenched Democrat in California translate into a positive event for Dean?

I've heard Terry McCauliff spin this argument, but not too many others.

[Nonstatist]

How is it "liberal" to argue that the massive costs incurred in the war on terror ought to be paid for via taxes instead of via borrowing from the Chinese

Dean wants to spend that tax money, not hoard it, cowboy. Borrowing this much forces us to reign in spending, as an alternative to further dampening growth thru tax increases. Thus Bush is setting the table for future spending cuts. Kinda ingenuous, isnt it?

[Doctor Stochastic]

At this stage in 1976, I seem to remember that Muskie was thought to be the front-runner (with Ted Kennedy a slow second.) Dean and Kucinich seem popular in Northern New Mexico.

[Nonstatist]

In primaries Dems run to the left

Dean's got several volumes of "words" to eat, before he gets back to the center. Wait till people see what a basket case of left wing nonsense Vermont is, before you start spouting about what a "moderate" Dean is. National Review did a big article on it a couple of weeks ago.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Dean will grab Graham much sooner than Clark. Graham and Dean didn't really toss barbs at one another.

[MattAMiller]

I have to agree with Ruddy. Dean is not the wild eyed liberal his supporters think he his. All they hear is the Bush hate. He has good record on guns and will have credible, at least in the eyes of the public, economic conservative credentials.

And whatever you think about Dean's demenor he's certainly better than the other Dems.

And if the attacks don't let up in Iraq Bush will be very vulnerable, whatever happens in the economy.

[Theodore R.]

Nonstatist, you need to change your moniker then to "optimist."

Pessimist TR

[oceanview]

of course. people here expect Dean will be spouting the same radical stuff he is saying now during the general election. he will not, he will be a "centrist governor". the main question is how many independents vote Dem, their base is secure, how many independents can be fooled by the media and the rest of the Dem apparatus to vote for Dean (or any Dem for that matter)?

if Karl Rove were smart, as soon as Dean appears to have won the nomination, start an TV ad campaign with just some of his "best of" remarks during the campaign in the swing states. Don't give Dean the chance to "re-invent" himself after the primaries.

I also agree that Graham will be the VP. Their strategy for the election is all the Gore states + Florida.

[oceanview]

what is Dean's economic agenda? unless he is willing to run against free trade, where is his appeal on economics apart from the Dem base?