Howard Dean's true character--an analysis - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mikemover · #1 01-22-2004, 11:53 PM

The following is an excerpt from a complete article about Howard Dean. I find it to be right on target....here's the link to the whole thing:

http://www.techcentralstation.com/012204C.html

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...........Life is full of those peculiar situations in which a chance event happens to illuminate for us the deep structure of another man's character in a flash. One man sees a child drowning and unhesitatingly jumps in to save the child's life, without a thought for his own, whereas another man, by offering a miserable excuse for his failure to follow suit, forever brands himself as a coward.

Such a chance event happened this week in Iowa: Howard Dean
came in a poor third only a week after the conventional wisdom had all but declared him the Nominee-Elect of the Democratic Party for 2004.

Anyone can win, just as anyone can be defeated, and still not give us a clue to their true mettle. But for a man to be badly defeated when he expected to win handily, that is certain to be a moment for the revelation of character, and in Governor Dean's case, it offered him a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to let the American voters know whether or not he possesses those otherwise hard-to-detect long term virtues so necessary to lead our nation in a time of crisis -- virtues such steadiness and magnanimity, endurance and wisdom.

This last week, unfortunately for his electoral prospects, Howard Dean revealed the stuff that he was made of, and did so in a matter of minutes; and -- fairly or unfairly -- many of those who watched his performance found themselves convinced that they now knew what Governor Dean would act like in a moment of genuine national crisis, and were not assured by the insight that had been inadvertently given them.

We should keep this in mind whenever we reflect on the seemingly irrational method by which we as a people select the man to fill the most important office in the world. For the real purpose behind the superficially bizarre rituals of an American election -- caucuses, primaries, televised debates, concession speeches -- is not to provide an exercise in democracy; it is to test the inner resources and character of the candidates, and to do this by exposing them to a grueling series of artificially induced crises that simulate those that he will ultimately have to face as president. The American electoral process is, in a way, like the simulated testing done by the manufacturers of automobile tires -- we want to know which ones are reliable before we put them on our cars, rather than afterwards, and that is why the American people tend to respond so harshly to those candidates who fail to make the grade during this our national period of candidate testing.

Iowa was Dean's first crisis -- and he blew it; and in doing so he lost far more than the Iowa caucus: he lost the reputation as a man who could be trusted to act calmly and rationally in the midst of adversity. And that is a lesson that the American people will not quickly forget. We do not live in a world where we can afford to.

mikemover · #2 01-23-2004, 12:07 AM

Honus · #3 01-23-2004, 01:22 AM

I saw Dean's little speach for the first time today - the one where he rattles off all the states and then hollers at the end. I liked it. I don't suppose it was exactly presidential, but Leiberman and the rest of those a**holes have probably succeeded in trashing Dean beyond all repair, so what does a little rant hurt? I find it more human than Kerry's victory speach the other night, "You have sent me forth into New Hampshire..." or whatever he said. It's too bad candidates can't act like human beings. And I certainly don't find Dean's rant nearly as offensive as W's State of the Union crap, especially where he bragged about finding evidence of "weapons of mass destruction program related activities." Is that not the weakest line you ever heard in a major speech?

I think I'll send Dean some money. We need to keep that boy alive a while longer.

mikemover · #4 01-23-2004, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dculkin
I think I'll send Dean some money. We need to keep that boy alive a while longer.

It's your money....waste it as you see fit.

I guess he's going to get your money one way or another.....If Dean were elected (not going to happen), he would repeal the tax cuts and TAKE it from you.... So since he's not going to win, you might as well give it to him. :p

Mike

mikemover · #5 01-23-2004, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PaulC
What's the big deal?

Kennedy was jumping on anything that couldn't run faster than he could.

Johnson was complaining to anyone who was in earshot about insufficient "ballroom" in his trousers, while twirling basset hounds around by their ears like furry bolos.

Nixon was prowling White House corridors having discussions with inanimate objects.

Clinton? I'd have to post more words than are normally found in a Manhattan phonebook to capture his foibles.

Dean is eminently Presidential if this crowd serves as comparables.

hahaha....Excellent point....sad but true.

Mike

Zeitgeist · #6 01-23-2004, 01:48 AM

Dean is indeed a conservative blowhard, but are you saying you'd prefer this joker? Can I have another choice please?

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety."

- Benjamin Franklin

mikemover · #7 01-23-2004, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zeitgeist
Dean is indeed a conservative blowhard, but are you saying you'd prefer this joker? Can I have another choice please?

Yes, I'd prefer that joker.

And there ARE other choices. We are NOT just a two party system, contrary to what the "big two" want us to think...

Mike

Zeitgeist · #8 01-23-2004, 02:07 AM

Quote:

And there ARE other choices. We are NOT just a two party system, contrary to what the "big two" want us to think...

No!!! Say it ain't so....whatever could you possibly mean Mike?

Are you saying there are alternatives to the two conservative Major parties? I'm...uh, flabbergasted....I...I...I don't quite know what to say....

Botnst · #9 01-23-2004, 09:46 AM

I saw the Dean thing, too. I don't see the big deal.

Folks put an unreasonable emphasis on appearances and presentation. It doesn't take genius to be a good actor, look at Hollywood. It doesn't take genius to be pretty, look at Hollywood. Nor does it take genius to have integrity, look around at your neighborhood. I'll bet you know folks who are of the finest quality that are not especially smart, handsome, or smooth-talking.

Dean's words about the president are personally obnoxious and not especially accurate and extraordinarily denigrating. Dean's words and actions in government are disconnected. Dean's ideas about foreign policy are beyond stupid. That's more important than catching the guy in a few moments of exitement.

Botnst

mikemover · #10 01-23-2004, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zeitgeist
No!!! Say it ain't so....whatever could you possibly mean Mike?

Are you saying there are alternatives to the two conservative Major parties? I'm...uh, flabbergasted....I...I...I don't quite know what to say....

Hey, you're the one who said, "Can I have another choice", not me....

Mike

mikemover · #11 01-23-2004, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Botnst
I saw the Dean thing, too. I don't see the big deal.

It was the public's first glimpse at him during a "crisis" situation....he expected to win easily, and he came in 3rd, and he reacted like some kind of stressed-out, sweating, red-faced, red-necked cheerleader or something?!?! Not the most level-headed first impression, is it?

Mike

Honus · #12 01-23-2004, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mikemover
It was the public's first glimpse at him during a "crisis" situation....he expected to win easily, and he came in 3rd, and he reacted like some kind of stressed-out, sweating, red-faced, red-necked cheerleader or something?!?! Not the most level-headed first impression, is it?

Mike

For one thing, I think you exaggerate how stressed out he was. For another, I think you read to much into the clip of his rant. I mean, it is a stretch to say that because he likes to holler, then he is not up to facing a crisis.

Facing crises might be Bush's strong point. Of course he has some important advantages. His decision making is unencumbered by the truth, and anyone who disagrees with him is wrong. Those traits make it easy for him to be decisive.

Botnst · #13 01-23-2004, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dculkin
Facing crises might be Bush's strong point. Of course he has some important advantages. His decision making is unencumbered by the truth, and anyone who disagrees with him is wrong. Those traits make it easy for him to be decisive.

Thank goodness only Bush goes through life unencumbered by reality. Need more reality revealers like that snake, Kerry or short-memory reality types like Dean and the General.

Which flavor of cola is the best beverage on the planet?

Botnst

Honus · #14 01-23-2004, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Botnst
Thank goodness only Bush goes through life unencumbered by reality. Need more reality revealers like that snake, Kerry or short-memory reality types like Dean and the General.

Which flavor of cola is the best beverage on the planet?

Botnst

Kerry's a snake? How so?

And with W, it is more than being unencumbered by reality. His approach is more of a willful ignorance, if there is such a thing.

Botnst · #15 01-23-2004, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dculkin
Kerry's a snake? How so?

And with W, it is more than being unencumbered by reality. His approach is more of a willful ignorance, if there is such a thing.

I think it was Mike who provided a link of Kerry's documented perfidity. Not sure which thread it's in. Mike?

Botnst