Howard Dean
As anyone who talks to me for five minutes discovers, politics is an incredibly personal thing for me. I believe that we are living in an historic time and this year is an historic election that will shape the political future of the rest of my life. Literally every issue I care about is now on the table in one form or another. We have two choices at a time like this: we can either sit back with smug looks and take sick pride in our pessimism, empowering ourselves by ensuring a horrible outcome; or we can stand up for what we believe and work for the right outcome. This year the decision is a clear one for me and the goal is simple: we must not reelect George W. Bush. The last four year have felt like eight, surely this will not get any easier to bear.
Over a year ago a respected friend and coworker told me that the Governor of Vermont was going to run for President and that I should think about supporting him. Back then in 2002 it felt almost too premature to be thinking about the Presidential race but we knew already how important this would become. He told me about this Governor who signed the civil unions bill, who was an advocate of universal health care, who balanced budgets, and who got a good rating from the NRA. He described a moderate governor who had what it would take to be a Presidential candidate. I signed up for the e-mail list back when the web site was horrible. In the annals of Dean for America history our two e-mail addresses populate that early list of 432 supporters that is always talked about. Before the war, before the DFA explosion and implosion my interest was sparked.
As the year went on I saw Dean oppose the war and was happy to be on the e-mail list. I went to the second MeetUp in DC at a crowded restaurant bar near Gallery Place. We all shouted to be heard over the music and the crowd. A DFA staffer stood on a stool and yelled while those further back yelled what he was saying to those that couldn't hear. I saw Dean speak at the Capitol City Brewery in March and was impressed at the enthusiasm he inspired in me and in those around me. I didn't have my camera that day but I still have the Dean for America sign he autographed - this was a white sign with blue letters, vintage Dean pre blue signage.
As the year wore on I tried to get more involved and attended meeting and helped out where I could. When the Sleepless Summer Tour was announced, Julie and I signed up right away. That day was incredible. We managed to get right up front and center. We held our signs and screamed our hearts out for this man who said all the right things. I recently heard Josh Marshall on NPR describing what it is like to be around Edwards. He said that when you are with him you really believe that he can be President but then a few hours later it wears off and you start to realize what's wrong with his candidacy. Dean, for me, was the opposite. When I saw him I was, in the back of my mind, skeptical. But then when I saw the passion around me and the incredible power of the campaign I came to believe.
I saw him again in College Park, Maryland, with Rob Levy. Again we were right up front, though off to the side this time. The crowd felt smaller but Dean was great. He was right on message and he dealt wonderfully with College Republican hecklers. Howard Dean spent last year saying the things that I feel need to be said. He was by no means a perfect candidate and his campaign made mistakes along the way. Now that Iowa and New Hampshire are lost I feel a sense of loyalty to the time, energy, money, and passion that I and so many friends that I have made put into this campaign. I cannot bring myself to abandon it until the end.
Looking back on this campaign it is apparent to me that our work has changed the debate. For the first time in as long as I can remember, there are Democratic candidates saying the things that I want to hear. Over the last few months each of the candidates have come around on Howard Dean's message and the message that we crave. The debate in the Democratic party is not one of issues, for if it were Joe Lieberman would be a contender, but one of pragmatic electability. The issue consensus that has been achieved is the message of the Sleepless Summer Tour. The message of this election looks to be the message that has roused something deep within me when I have seen Dean speak and when I saw him concede New Hampshire a few days ago.
Everyone I have spoken to about the last two weeks has agreed that on Tuesday night Dean came through with the clearest message and the sincerest passion. That speech was truly moving and brought me full circle on the campaign and reminded me why I chose to support Dean for America. But now, days later I am saddened to read about the fall of Joe Trippi, the bone-dry coffers, and the polling results in the coming primary and caucus states. It is not like watching a political campaign disintegrate. This is something different. I can't describe what I am seeing on all of the Dean e-mail lists I am part of. I cannot imagine what I will see at the MeetUp next Wednesday night. I can instead say what I hope for.
The eternal optimist in me wants to make something good out of all of this and here is what I see needing to happen. This movement cannot be allowed to die. Whatever you think about Dean, the cold facts of the passionate activists from all over the country writing checks, donating time, and getting involved is something the party cannot sacrifice. Although I like the idea of a drawn out primary fight that keeps Democrats on TV and in every state of the union railing against Bush, it looks as though Kerry will sweep next week and the game will be over. It will then become Kerry's responsibility to unite the party. He must let go of his differences with the other candidates and invite them and their supporters to help finish the job we have all started: sending George Bush back to Texas (a Dean line that everyone now uses).
I am doubtful that Kerry's thus far emotionless presentation can do this in a convincing way but I am eager to be impressed. He has made an incredible turnaround and it is not over yet. If Kerry can bring us together and lead through an exciting convention we will be on the way to November 2nd with a candidate and a movement. I believe that Howard Dean is right to tell us that we have the power. We have the power to unite behind a candidate and beat the Bush machine. For now I am sorry to see the campaign I have been a part of disintegrating. I will stick with it to the end out of respect and then will pour my heart into the next fight. I encourage everyone to do the same. If we give up now it will all have been for nothing.
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Who is this guy?
Sam, you will be happy to know that I exercised my civic duty this morning by participating in the Washington State caucus primary. We had about 15 precincts meeting in a neighborhood school cafeteria and there were so many people, we had to spread out. It was great to see so many people from my neighborhood and to hear everything that they had to say. Dean had 19 out of the 27 votes from my precinct, including mine. I love this city!