Ever since November 7, 2000, I’ve been living in denial.
You political aficionados may recall that this date marked the beginning of the presidential election debacle between George W. Bush and Al Gore that resulted in Bush’s first victory–officially stomping on the Democratic glory days I reveled in as a teenager.
After the miserable, flopped attempt by the Democratic Party at regrouping in the buzz-killing 2004 election, I’m still on political autopilot. I can’t stand to hear more news about the war in Iraq, defending freedom against our evil enemies or the sanctity of heterosexual marriage, so I pretend I’m dreaming, and when I wake up the Democratic Party won’t be in a blubbering state of disarray.
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Unfortunately, that never happens.
When I wake up each morning, Bush is still president and the Democratic Party is still filled with talking heads like Senate minority leader Harry Reid (Nev.). Listening to him is about as interesting as cleaning my toenails.
On Saturday, though, I got some good news: Former 2004 presidential hopeful Howard Dean was officially named chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Some may only remember Dean for his freakish, Fred Flintstone-esque squeal after losing in last summer’s Iowa primary elections.
While this incident is widely considered to have marked the demise of Dean’s often-criticized-as-too-liberal campaign, I think it’s a positive example of why Democrats need him back in the spotlight now.
It’s about time that someone with a personality is finally in a leadership role. Can you imagine John Kerry trying to do The Yell–or something even remotely emotional, for that matter? In the post-Clinton era, the Democratic leadership is full of total snores.
Whatever you say about Bush, you can’t say that he’s boring. He makes jokes, he speaks in plain language, and he’s charming.
Dean has proven that he can fire people up. During his campaign he gained the support of thousands of young people–some of the nation’s most disaffected voters.
He also proved that he can raise money. His online campaign generated about $20 million, according to The New York Times. Prior to Dean’s candidacy, Internet resources were largely untapped by political parties.
These two skills–enthusiasm and fundraising–are perfect for the DNC chairman’s job of recruiting, funding and electing Democrats.
Some Democratic leaders are afraid that Dean will push his liberal agenda.
Senate Minority Leader Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) told The Washington Post that Dean must tone down his progressive tendencies.
Some other prominent Democrats, like former presidential hopeful Joseph Lieberman, have said that in the wake of the 2004 election, when many voters cited “values” as a determining factor, the party should be more moderate.
Dean “wasn’t my first choice,” Lieberman told the Tribune. “I felt we needed a bridge-builder at this point.”
Cooperation between parties is important, but I’m sick of this “moderate” crap. Moderate is in the middle. It stands for nothing but wishy-washiness.
I’m not sure I know what it means to be a Democrat anymore. Since when were Democratic priorities funneling money to the military and preventing gay people from having equal rights by denying them the right to marry?
I’m glad someone like Howard Dean, who has not been afraid to stand up for core liberal principles, is at the helm of a liberal party.
During his acceptance speech, he said, “Today will be the beginning of the re-emergence of the Democratic Party. The first thing we have to do is stand up for what we believe in.”
I’ve waited five years for those words, and if Dean can deliver on his promise, maybe in 2008 Democrats won’t be stuck with another lackluster presidential candidate.
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