Dean, Pelosi, and Reid Aren't Playing Well

The strategy of beefing up state parties that Howard Dean, M.D. is employing isn't sitting well with Capitol Hill Democrats. With the GOP at a low point going into this fall's Congressional elections and the Democrats at a financial disadvantage I can understand. Of course it would be nice for Rep. Pelosi and Sen. Reid if they had a positive agenda to run on.

"Democratic Leaders Question Whether Dean's Right on the Money"

Video Killed Dean's Star

The Political Teen has the GOP white flag video starring Howard Dean, M.D. and his gang of cut-and-runners.

As a bonus, an ordinary Democrat and Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-SD) both want Dr. Dean to shut up.

UPDATE: Michael Reagan looks like a total fool for wanting Dr. Dean to be "hung for treason." The Vermont Lefty is a moron not a traitor.

Who is Dean Giving Thanks to?

Howard Dean, M.D.'s Thanksgiving statement is short so I'll quote it in full:

Today Americans across the country gather together with their families and loved ones to celebrate the tradition of Thanksgiving and to give thanks for the many blessings and gifts we have received throughout the year. As a nation, we also join together in sending our thoughts and prayers to our troops and their families, as we express our thanks for their brave service and the sacrifices they continue to make on our behalf.

As we give thanks, today is also a day to remember those who are less fortunate. In the aftermath of the recent hurricanes, we saw and continue to see tremendous acts of courage and heroism, of people coming together, opening their hearts and reaching out to help one another. That is our American community at its best. Today is also an opportunity for each one of us to reflect and to renew our commitment to helping those who are in need in whatever way we can.

Today, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, we also celebrate our nation's diversity along with the belief that every American has the right to freedom, opportunity, and a chance to achieve the American Dream. On this day my family and I wish you a happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful holiday season.

Notice anything missing? Here are some portions from President Bush's Thanksgiving proclamation (emphasis mine):

We give thanks for the love of family and friends, and we ask God to continue to watch over America.

...

We ask God's special blessings on those who have lost loved ones in the line of duty.

...

May God bless and guide the United States of America as we move forward.

Dr. Dean doesn't mention God once. A 2003 Harris Interactive poll found 90% of Americans believed in God. A Newsweek poll last year found 82% believed Jesus Christ was the Son of God. Belief in God is ingrained in the American psyche. Earlier this year, Dr. Dean told Democrats, "We are definitely going to do religious outreach. Even in my campaign I was interested in reaching out to evangelicals." He's fumbled this pledge just like his Presidential campaign. Only without an embarassing scream.

Drudge, Get Original

Look at what I found on Drudge:

Howard the Duck! TAM gave Dr. Dean that moniker in 2003. Thief! Or else Matt has the good sense to be reading TAM.

At least he didn't take my first (and only) photoshop job.

Quacking South of the Border

We witness Dr. Howard Dean's "deep grasp" for foreign policy.

Howard Dean traveled south of the border to meet with Mexico's presidential contenders Monday, and lashed out at the Bush administration's policies on Mexico.

Dean, the Democratic National Committee chairman, claimed President Bush "turned his back on Mexico'' after it refused to support the Iraq war.

The former Vermont governor told The Associated Press in an interview that "a strong Mexico and a strong Mexican economy fixes a lot of the problems between the two countries, particularly immigration and narcotics.''

"We ought to have a partnership with Mexico'' Dean said. "President Bush has lost ground in the relationship.''

...

Dean, who insisted he didn't have a favorite Mexican presidential candidate, argued that a lack of cooperation by the White House on immigration helped create the Minutemen, a civilian border patrol group that has been guarding the U.S.-Mexico frontier to discourage illegal immigration.

The notion that Mexico is being punished for not backing the Iraq War rejects reality. President Bush's inablility to get his guest worker/amnesty bill through Congress isn't due to lack of effort. It's because a large portion of the GOP base wants the feds to get serious about illegal immigration. Dr. Dean can't even offer one concrete example of the U.S. retaliating against Mexico because of the Iraq War.

As for the Minutemen, they don't care about cooperation. They care about the lack of adequate border patrol officers along the border. They decided since the government wasn't doing its job they would. Howard the Duck tries to reach out to disaffected conservatives and grasps air.

"Dean Slams Bush's Policies on Mexico"

Duck Hides the Salami

"Hide the salami." A Howard the Duck moment almost as good as the Dean Scream.

Duck Hunt: Postponed

My pickings are slim for a Duck Hunt so there isn't one this week. Please send me your best Howard Dean, M.D. posts for a future edition. Maybe Dr. Dean will really shoot off his mouth before then.

Duck Hunt #14

Howard Dean, M.D. did a good job keeping his mouth shut this week. I wish Vice President Dick Cheney did the same. (I try to be a little more consistent than Maryland Democrats.) It was tough finding posts. I'd say thanks to all of you who submitted something, but no one did. Let's go hunting.

• Kevin at Wizbang notes that the DNC under Dr. Dean isn't doing so hot in the fundraising game as compared to the RNC.
  

• Dave Weigel, one of the Kos horde, found a Howard Fineman article that looks beyond the raw numbers.
  

• Kos himself is fully behind Dr. Dean and his big bill mouth. To him defending Dean, M.D. is a fight for the heart and soul of the Democratic Party.
  

• One of those "insiders" Kos hates, Rep. Harold Ford, Jr. dissed Dr. Dean on Imus.
  

• ZenYenta, one of those "outsiders" thinks "Dean is trying to wake people up." We hear him. We all hear him. A little too much.
  

• Cranial Cavity writes:
  

  Dean has created his own little echo chamber of IPod carrying, MP3 playing, internet donors who were too damm lazy too put down their XBox long enough to bother voting for Dean in any great numbers.

  That led to the infamous “scream” and continous screeching since.

  
  

• We end this week's Duck Hunt with ScrappleFace who "reported," "Many Republicans probably voted for George Bush dozens, if not hundreds, of times in 2004, according to Democrat party Chairman Howard Dean."

Join in the fun by linking to the Duck Hunt. If you have an MT-powered weblog, just trackback to this post, and it will appear below. If your weblog software is incapable of trackbacks use Kevin's Trackback Form.

Looking for Duck Hunt Posts

I know they're out there. Howard Dean, M.D. posts. Send me your best posts on the DNC chairman for tomorrow's latest edition of the Duck Hunt.

Democratic Schism

We are witnessing fissures in the Democratic Party. The cause of the tremors is the rhetoric of DNC chairman Howard Dean, M.D. D.C. Democrats have been backing away from Dr. Dean. Today, the DNC executive committee stood firmly behind their leader. One member said, "I hope Governor Dean will remember that he didn't get elected to be a wimp." Another said, "Howard Dean is going to be much more aggressive, much more outspoken and much more of a risk-taker outside the Beltway than any chairman has been. We knew that."

Howard Dean, M.D. plays well to a Democratic base that has become more radicalized by the firey, reckless talk of Dr. Dean, MoveOn.org, Kos, and others. Dr. Dean can continue to say all the ridiculous things he's said. He will not be replaced or asked to step down because rank-and-file Democrats like what he's saying. Democrats want Dean to "stand up" for them. If that means alienated independents and burning bridges with Republicans so be it.

While the Democrats are in a little internal strife this actually plays well for Sen. Clinton. Should she use the same triagulation tactics as her husband, she could position herself more in the middle and appear to be not as reckless as rank-and-file Democrats or "white, Christian" Repubicans.

"Democratic Leaders Back Dean, Don't Want 'Wimp'"

The Return of the Duck Hunt

It's baaaack!!!!

The greatest, best, most stupendous (and only, I think) linkfest devoted to that former Vermont governor, failed Presidential candidate, and current DNC chairman Howard Dean, M.D. has returned for your reading pleasure. Thanks for the Duck Hunt's return must be given to Howard the Duck himself. His ability to embarass himself and his party while damaging the DNC as an institution is garnering plenty of talk in the blogosphere. The Duck Hunt will be a source for some of the best out there.

This Duck Hunt incarnation will be a little different than when Dr. Dean was running for President. Instead of me doing all the searching (hunting) for great posts I'm opening it up for submissions. Send your Howard Dean, M.D. posts to sean--at--this domain. I also want to turn the Duck Hunt into a traveling linkfest like the Carnival of the Vanities or Carnival of the Capitalists. So, if you're interested in hosting a future edition of the Duck Hunt e-mail me.

Without further ado the newly reincarnated Duck Hunt:

• For all the talk from Dean, M.D. about how weblogs could change politics he and his former campaign manager Joe Trippi were awfully silent about the FEC regulating weblogs.
  

• Dean, M.D. become DNC chairman and the GOP starts whupping him in fundraising.
  

• Before opening up his mouth Stephen Bainbridge recommends Dr. Dean open up a newspaper.
  

• Howard Dean, M.D.'s 100-day performance review: "extremely unsatisfactory."
  

• Howard the Duck came to a fork in the road. One path had him back away from calling Republicans "a white, Christian party." He went the other way.
  

• Democrats are engaged in a little infighting. Party leaders have denounced Dr. Dean while weblogging activists have raised money for their fine, feathered friend. [via Ankle Biting Pundits]
  

• La Shawn Barber prides herself with being "more polished than Dean."

• For Dean, M.D. quotes and "Dean Scream" remixes check out Lilly and Vance.
  

• Dean Esmay: "Why is it that every time Howard Dean opens his mouth, somewhere in the background I hear Karl Rove kicking his heels and giggling like a schoolgirl?"
  

• Karol at Alarming News: "I don't begrudge Howard Dean his craziness. It's nice that the DNC had reached out to people with mental illness, though in a surprising turn of events, I'm not sure they meant to put one in charge."
  

• The post is old, but this is a great pic.
  

Join in the fun by linking to the Duck Hunt. If you have an MT-powered weblog, just trackback to this post, and it will appear below. If your weblog software is incapable of trackbacks use Kevin's Trackback Form.

A Duck's B-Day

Yesterday was Donald Duck's birthday. Even though Donald isn't smart enough to wear pants in public he has to have more sense than his fowl friend running the DNC, Howard "the Duck" Dean, M.D. The way some Democrats are running away from the famous screamer they'd prefer the Disney character too.

Donors Ditch DNC's Dean

Howard Dean, M.D. has been a harm to DNC fundraising. As Robert Novak reports:

Democratic National Committee (DNC) fund raising under the chairmanship of Howard Dean shows a disappointing $16.7 million raised in the first quarter of 2005, compared with $34 million reported by the Republicans.

That tends to confirm dire predictions by old-line Democratic fund-raisers of a fall-off in money if Dean became chairman. He had promised to bring in heavy individual contributions, as he did in his 2004 campaign for president. But the DNC in the first quarter received only $13 million from individuals, compared to $31 million for the Republican National Committee (RNC).

This both surprises me and pleases me. It surprises me because I thought the Democrats were becoming ranting Bush haters. It pleases me because the U.S. can ill afford one dominant political party even if it's the GOP.

"No Romney in 2008?" [via Drudge]

Call Him Moneybags

Howard Dean, M.D. as DNC chairman gave the angry Left it's strong voice in American politics. Now, Dr. Dean's fundraising prowess is giving them the means to scream at all Americans.

The Associated Press notes that the DNC raised at least $3.4 million in his first three weeks. And Howard Dean says that is more than double the amount raised by the DNC during the same time in 2001 after President Bush was first elected.

We're just delighted the fund-raising is going better than we had dared to hope," Dean told the AP Monday in a phone interview. "We haven't put out an Internet solicitation yet." Dean then noted that soliciting money through the Internet "sooner rather than later" was next.

But Scribe Journal notes money was never the problem with Dean, M.D.,

The stage has changed, but the song remains the same. For Howard Dean and his fringe followers--it's not the money--it's the message.

"Howard Dean Brings in the Cash for the DNC"

A Hunting We Will Go

Dr. Dean's return to the political limelight means the Duck Hunt has risen from the grave. If you're a new TAM reader the Duck Hunt* is my periodic look at what the blogopshere is saying about Howard Dean, M.D. Early last year while Dean, M.D. was running for President I linked to people's views about all the wacky, liberal, "progressive" things coming from Dr. Dean's bill.

• Mark at Decision '08 writes, "In truth, the Democratic Party has reached the point of no return: the 'progressive' infestation has wormed its way into every crevice of the once-grand institution."
  

• Ed Moltzen chimes in that today's Howard Dean, M.D. Democrat would kick out legendary Democrats out of their party.
  

• Libertyblog thinks if Dean, M.D. could fold himself into the "relatively moderate governor of Vermont" he would make the "party politically tolerable again."
  

• Joe Gandelman thinks Dr. Dean as party chairman is historically different from those that have lead parties back into power.
  

• Jay Reding: "Howard Dean may try to reach out to red state voters, but he doesn’t even speak their language."

Join in the fun by linking to the Duck Hunt. If you have an MT-powered weblog, just trackback to this post, and it will appear below. If your weblog software is incapable of trackbacks use Kevin's Trackback Form.

*Why is it the Duck Hunt? Because I dubbed the good doctor "Howard the Duck" because like the waterfowl he's all wet. And if you want to shoot down a duck, you go on a duck hunt.

D-Day

Dr. Howard Dean is the new DNC chairman based solely on a voice vote. When all your opponents drop out that's what happens. This is a far cry--I mean scream--from last year's Democratic primaries. Instead of burning millions of dollars only to become the losing butt of jokers across the country, Dean, M.D. jumped to the front of the pack and never looked back. Saying caustic things like, "I hate the Republicans and everything they stand for" didn't hurt the good doctor. It may have actually helped. Democrats in general are still shellshocked and dismayed that President Bush won re-election. After pouring millions of dollars into Kerry Edwards, the DNC, and liberal 527s Bush won by a higher vote total and margin than he did in 2000. The closest the Dems could come to a Florida 2000 situation was Bush's win in Ohio. They insist it had to be tainted. Oddly, these people ignore the stench surrounding Milwaukee's election.

Dr. Dean's rise from the abyss to his party's Olympus proves the Democrats are (to use Glenn Reynolds' words) "trapped in a sort of 1972-style anger that can't possibly be good for its future or for the country."

I will add that an angry Democratic party on the path of its own marginalization is not good for Republicans or conservatives. Democrats negatively spin Republican ideas, but even their worst accusations contain a kernal of truth. This week, when we found the Medicare prescription drug plan is already balooning in cost it was Democrats making the loudest noise. The Christian Science Monitor reports:

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi called the new Medicare estimates "staggering." Meanwhile, House GOP conservatives, many of whom split with the White House and their own leadership over Medicare reform in 2003, are quietly considering whether and when to reopen the issue inside the Republican Party.

De facto one-party rule would create a flabby GOP full of hubris. That might not happen right away. Karl Rove and RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman know that energizing their base gave Bush his victory. They know a fickle base can lead to a tiny victory like that in 2000. But if the Democrats continue to become more radical in their temperment they will lose more political influence. Say Red America tops Blue America 55-45%. The GOP will be less inclined to listen to their grassroots. They'll be able to take social conservatives or gung-ho tax cutters for granted. That won't help advance the conservative cause.

In a twisted way conservatives need a strong Democratic Party. What we don't need is one that hopes to lessen America's world influence, seeks to expand the Welfare State, binds Americans in more regulations, or finds more reasons to tax us. Imagine a truly fiscally-conservative, pro-economic liberty (in favor of balanced budgets and tax cuts), pro-defense Democratic Party--something more akin to the original Jeffersonian Democratic-Republicans. Imagine a Democratic Party understanding the economic idea that government spending means less freedom for its citizens. Imagine a Democratic Party not harping that Bush lied. Instead, they acknowledge the failings of the West's intellegence agencies who all thought Saddam's Iraq had WMD, then offering to expand intelligence agencies and the military to be better prepared to attack Iran, Syria, North Korea, or another future threat. Then together we could find a happy medium for scaling back the Welfare State and promoting freedom.

In Dr. Dean's campaign for chairman I've heard nothing about making his party relevant in the 21st Century. Instead he's touted how he'll listen to the grassroots and run Democratic candidates in every part of the country. To Dean the Democrats' problem isn't their message; it's how aggressive they've been in promoting it. The party agrees that they haven't been tough enough since they chose the most outspoken of all the candidates. This isn't Tim Roemer's or Zell Miller's Democratic Party. Dean's election shows that MoveOn.org was right. To paraphrase: "They bought it, they own it, and now they've taken it back."

"We All Scream for Dean... But Maybe We Shouldn't"

Frost Leaves Dean Clear Path

Martin Frost dropped out of the running for DNC Chairman. The former Congressman was the one I thought would be the real challenge to Howard Dean, M.D. Frost couldn't get the support of the labor unions, something he needed to combat Dr. Dean's endorsements from state party leaders.

"Frost Quits Race for Democratic Chief"

Truth in Advertising

Soon-to-be DNC Chairman Howard Dean, M.D. inspired John Hawkins to make an ad for the Dems. I don't think this is what Oliver Willis had in mind.

"Howard Dean Supplies A New Motto For The Democratic Party"

Dean's Going to Win

Howard Dean, M.D. is in a strong position to become the next DNC Chairman. It is much stronger than he ever was as a Presidential candidate when glowing media coverage and a powerful internet presence resulted in few wins in Democratic primaries and caucuses. Unlike last year, endorsements for Dean are also votes for the man. Today, the Association of State Democratic Chairs endorsed Dr. Dean. Harold Ickes, who considered running against Dean, M.D., and Wellington Webb both endorsed the ex-Vermont governor.

What these people are endorsing is a man who told a New York City audience, "I hate the Republicans and everything they stand for, but I admire their discipline and their organization." [via Galley Slaves] Such a leader is good for the GOP and bad for the Democrats and the country.

"State Democrats Back Dean for DNC Post" [via Charlie Sykes]

UPDATE: Doug Ireland also thinks Dean, M.D. has sown things up. Then he asks, "Will Dean make much of a difference as DNC chair?"

The way he squandered all that money he raised, only to win just his home state, isn't encouraging in management terms. Worse, the scuttlebutt in Washington among those who've talked to Dean and his people is that he intends to keep on the DNC staff assembled by Terry "the bagman" McAuliffe, the outgoing DNC chair. That's deplored by party technicians who don't consider the McAuliffe staff up to snuff.

In any case, it will take more than a technical fix to right what's wrong with the national Democrats. A recent poll showed a 12-point drop in the party's favorability rating among Democrats since the election--reflecting the disillusionment of the party base with the party elites' centrist drift. In their weekly conference call, the mayvens who run the Democratic 527 extra-party groups are--our spies tell us--talking about planning for taking back state legislatures so they, and not the Republicans, will control the gerrymandering after the next census. There's little of "the vision thing' in such technocratic strategizing. Will Dean, who has ever proclaimed himself a "centrist" with a "healthy distrust' of the left as well as the right, be the man to steer the party to a new, moblizing course and message? I'm not holding my breath.

[via Hit & Run]

The title of this post probably means the death of Howard Dean, M.D.'s quest for the DNC Chairmanship.

Dean's in the Lead

The AP finally realizes Howard Dean, M.D. is the front-runner for the DNC Chairmanship. That's not a surprise since Dr. Dean is the only candidate running like he's after the Presidency. He had a rally in St. Louis last weekend, and now he's planning house parties. If they read TAM they'd have known this sooner.

But rank-and-file Democrats don't pick the DNC Chairman, power-broker activists do. Yet Dean is doing well on that front. Earlier this month, Rep. John Murtha, a pro-Iraq War Democrat endorsed Dean. The entire Florida delegation is backing the former Vermont governor.

The best possibility to stop Dean, M.D. is Martin Frost. He's an ex-Congressman so he has plenty of connections; he ran the Democrats' Congressional campaign committee; and he can raise money. It also doesn't hurt that Frost is from the Red State of Texas. Frost wouldn't have claim Dean, M.D. is too liberal. All he'd have to do is point out Dean's lack of Washington, D.C. links as well as his Presidential campaign flameout. It also wouldn't hurt to bring up the Kos-Teachout duel.

"Dean Gaining Early Momentum in DNC Race" [via Captain Ed]

Dean's a Rock Star

If grassroots Democrats could vote Howard Dean, M.D. would be a shoo-in for DNC Chairman. Last Friday in St. Louis, Dr. Dean had 400 come out for a rally. This is a sign the rank-and-file Democrats are not sobering up after their Presidential defeat.

"Howard Dean: He Still Has The Power" [via Steven Taylor]

Dean Wins Florida

Howard Dean, M.D. did something AlGore couldn't do: win Florida.

The Florida delegation to the Democratic National Committee has voted unanimously to endorse Howard Dean to be the party's next chairman, bucking an effort to orchestrate an endorsement of one candidate by all 50 state party leaders at the same time later this month.

The decision, announced yesterday by Scott Maddox, the Florida Democratic chairman, is a major lift for Dr. Dean, a former governor of Vermont, and it is a shift in a contest where most Democrats have been holding back from endorsing any candidate in the crowded field.

A Dean Scream moment may be the only thing that will stop him from running the RNC.

"Florida Democrats Back Dean as Leader" [via Burnt Orange Report]

UPDATE: Dr. Dean has said that if he's elected as the new DNC chairman he won't run for President in 2008. Now I have a dilemma: do I back Dean, M.D. now for the simple reason that I'll have him to kick around on TAM for four years; or do I hope he loses so I can mock him when/if he runs for President?

"Dean Among Candidates Who Visit Missouri Seeking to Head DNC"

Guilt by Association

Efficency is good. In this case I can post about Howard Dean, M.D. running for DNC chairman and the continuing discussion about Kos' payments from him during the last Presidential campaign. Patrick Hynes tries a little guilt by association by wondering aloud if Dr. Dean endorsed some of Kos' more colorful posts. Hynes concludes,

Lest this seem like too much guilt by association, consider that as chairman of the Democrat National (sic) Committee, Howard Dean would be given the authority to hire scores of employees, consultants, and advisers to rebuild his party and combat the Republicans. The hiring of Markos Moulitsas Zúniga shows Dean has neither the judgment nor the temperament to fill those positions responsibly.

"Howard Dean’s Shrill Shill"

Not Shocked

Howard Dean, M.D. wants to be the next DNC Chairman. I think he'd be a detrement to his party and would weaken the GOP. Emmett Tyrell has a different take:

He is no radical. Whereas earlier champions of the left in the Democratic Party were left-wing ideologues -- for instance, Sen. George McGovern -- Dean is simply a party-line Democrat who left the practice of medicine because he relishes the great game of politics.

To be sure, he has since his youth as a counter-culture fellow-traveler in the 1960s picked up some of the sentimental memorabilia of that era, but his record in Vermont was that of a practical politician who very much wanted to be re-elected. He has no grand ideological scheme for America, just re-election in mind.

"I'm Running"

"Dean, Defeated Presidential Candidate, Seeks to Lead Democrats"

"Howard Dean to Announce Candidacy for Democratic Party Chairman"

Dean Down South

Howard Dean, M.D. and other contenders for the DNC chairmanship were down in Atlanta this weekend to court support. Dr. Dean's strategy was to just show up. That's a lot better than talking about the confederate flag.

"Dean, other DNC Chair Candidates Campaign for South's Endorsement"

Iraq War Supporter Backs Dean

Pennsylvania Congressman, Vietnam war veteran, and Iraq War supporter John Murtha is lobbying his collegues to support Howard Dean, M.D. for DNC Chairman. In a race that appears to be among Dean, M.D., former Rep. Martin Frost, and former Rep. Tim Roemer Murtha's support may force Democratic Congressmen to, in the words of an unnamed senior lawmaker, "take a second look" at Dean, M.D.

"Murtha: Give Dean DNC Chair"

Wide Open for Dean

Now that Harold Ickes decided not to become the next DNC chairman Howard Dean, M.D. is the big frontrunner. Dr. Duck's chief opposition is Tim Roemer. I can't imagine Democratic activists picking a pro-life man to lead their party. Realize the Democratic Party is so beholden to the "right" to kill the unborn that they refused to let any pro-life speakers come before their convention. Captain Ed may be correct that Ickes dropping out is a signal of the weakness of a Hillary 2008 campaign, but more importantly, a Dean, M.D.-led party will guarantee many more years of bitter political fights.

"Ickes, Kirk Pull Out of DNC Chair Race"

Dean, M.D. and the Democrats' Future

It's deja vu all over again among the Democrats:

The race to be the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee is shaping up as a retread of January’s Iowa caucuses, with former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean emerging as the early front-runner and the Democratic establishment furiously scrambling for a candidate to beat him.

As much as I'd like to see Howard Dean, M.D. running the DNC (the Duck Hunt could rise from the dead) it won't help the party better connect to all voters. Virulent anti-Bush tirades may satisfy a gloomy political base, but it's not the foundation for future electoral victory.

Ideally, I want to see a Democratic Party that takes Bill Clinton's "era of Big Government is over" line to heart and combine it with a muscular anti-Islamist policy. In essence, I want them to go to the right of the Republicans. Will it ever happen? Not in my lifetime, but the farther they move to the right the better it will be for human liberty.

"How to Stop Howard Dean, Part Two"

Vilsack Turns Down DNC

Steven Taylor is right about Dr. Dean running the DNC. Unfortunately for the Democrats he might just get the job by default.

"Vilsack: Thanks, but No Thanks"

Dr. Dean Goes to Washington

Howard Dean, M.D. has been campaigning for the chairmanship of the DNC. On Capital Hill those that like him talk about his grassroots style and energy. Those that aren't fond of him sound like Rep. Robert Matsui: "We need someone who is part of the Democratic establishment. Someone who is more of a known quantity. It’s extremely important that we don’t go through a debate about ideology."

"Members Hot, Cold on Dean"

Please, Oh Pretty Please

Let me be the first to fully support Howard Dean, M.D. as the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Giving Dr. Dean a platform to continue promoting conspiracy theories about the President as well as leading a loud, angry Democratic Party will only help the Right.

But seriously, are the Democrats this dumb? Dean, M.D. was the biggest flame out is modern Presidential election history. He found a way to raise vast amounts of money and build a community (some would day cult) around a candidate. He was lauded with endorsements. What was he left with? Zilch except for an unforgetable scream. How does one blow through $40 million and not win the nomination? Ask Howard Dean, M.D.

If we want the Democratic Party to get its act together so as to prevent the GOP from ossifing due to lack of competition then Dean should be denied.

Do realize this is against my own self-interest. I would like nothing more than to revive the Duck Hunt just to rip on the howls from the fowl. (I'd also like to get more mileage out of this graphic. I put a lot of work into it.)

"Dean Ponders Bid to Become DNC Chairman"

Poor Hawaii

Kerry Edwards is taking Hawaii for granted--and for good reason. Dick Cheney flew there Sunday while Kerry Edwards sent Howard Dean, M.D. and Alexandra Kerry. I have a feeling it didn't take much arm twisting to get them to go.

Hopefully Dr. Dean had a chance to interact with his fellow waterfowl (they're all wet) the endangered Laysan ducks. I wonder if these birds make a sound resembling a Dean Scream.

"VP's Weekend Takes Him all the Way to Hawaii"

UPDATE: I'm glad I'm not an islander. Then I'd have to endure Dennis Kucinich and AlGore.

[via Betsy's Page]

New Duck Sighting

I'm not surprised to see Howard Dean quacking away before Election Day.

"Holy Bat Thingies! Howard Dean Needs Me!"

Quacking Again

With Rathergate sucking up the blogosphere's attention Howard Dean tossed out some unnoticed zingers that made me wish he was the Democratic nominee. He told a Brown University audience, "The Republicans have the best propaganda out there since Lenin, and they just make stuff up and they keep repeating it, and hope people are going to believe it."

I guess the Bush Bashers have gotten tired of Bush=Hitler references. What next, Stalin? How about Castro or the Kaiser or Jefferson Davis or even King George? Oops! I think I gave them an idea.

Not only did Dean compare Bush to a communist thug he said there will be a draft if Bush is re-elected. Funny, the only candidate I've heard who's said he'd send more troops to Iraq is John Kerry. Just don't tell Howard the Duck. He just might scream.

"Dean Labels Bush 'Dishonest' in Speech in Providence"

Denying Reality

Dr. Howard Dean claims his Iowa scream "never happened," at least not how cable news made it appear. Sure, there was plenty of noise from his cult followers supporters but one has to be a little off his rocker to produce a comedic moment like this.

"Howard Dean: Scream 'Never Happened'"

[Added to OTB's Beltway Traffic Jam.]

Quack!

Here's a post about ducks, and it has nothing to do with Howard Dean.

"Caution -- Duck-Blogging Ahead!"

Syndicated Quacker

Howard Dean as columnist. A good column needs a catchy title. How about these suggestions for Howard the Duck?

• Flying Feathers
  
• Left in Iowa
  
• I'll Bill You
  
• Screaming to the Masses
  
• Waddling into the Sunset
  

On the positive side, maybe we'll finally find out the proper way to spell "YEEEEAAAHHH!!"

"Dean to Become a Columnist"

Duck's Back

No, Howard Dean, M.D. is not running for President again. He's now running Democracy for America. The weblog is still pumping away posts to satisfy the kool-aid drinkers. From his op/ed DfA is a rehash of his campaign platform except the person he wants you to vote for is Sen. Kerry, not Dean, M.D.

Part of me just wants him to go away, but another part salivates at the thought of more ridulous Deanisms that preach to his cult followers supporters.

"Dean Campaign Evolves, Refocuses"

Duck Wins! Duck Wins!

Howard Dean, M.D. won the Vermont primary. What does it mean to get your first (and only) primary victory after you dropped out of the race? And what does it say for Kerry that he lost two-to-one to a man who wasn't even campaigning?

Also bad in its timing is a new children's book that came out yesterday:

"Dean Wins at Last, But Too Late"

UPDATE: The Deaniacs are sucking down the kool-aid again. OxBlog points out [via InstaPundit] the Vermont win has provided inspiration to get Dr. Duck back in the race. Fat chance.

It's Over

Someone forgot to tell these Dr. Duck supporters that he's out of the race. Could someone get me a number for a good cult de-programmer? That lucky person would be in business for years.

Duck is "Nuts"

Just because the Duck Hunt is dead and gone doesn't mean I stopped posting on my favorite waterfowl. The head of AFSCME called Dr. Dean "nuts." And after reading this short NY Times story, you know there's much more we don't know about. For one, I'd like to know where that $40 million in campaign contributions went.

The Wall Street Journal editorial page named Dr. Duck "the most consequential loser since Barry Goldwater." However, if Gerald McEntee's are any indication, Dean, M.D. will have a hard time growing his "new initiative" beyond rabid, kool-aid drinking Deaniacs.

"Labor Supporter Says Dean Ignored His Entreaties to Quit" [via Drudge]

"Dean the Dream"

Duck Hunt #11

Sad to say, ladies and gentlemen, but this is the last Duck Hunt. Howard Dean, M.D. quit so the DH has run its course. This was a fun, but short-lived, gimmick. I had fun making the graphic. It was the best Photoshopping job I've ever done, and I didn't even use Photoshop. Dr. Duck and his raft gave me and other webloggers plenty of material to write about. Like Duck, M.D.'s campaign, the Duck Hunt has run its course, and it's time to move on. I want to thank everyone who linked to the DH. I especially want to thank Dean Esmay for some much-needed guidance. Let's get to the *sniff* *sniff* last entries.

• Josh Chafetz on Dr. Dean's "new initiative":
  

  Unfocused anger can keep a good number of people motivated for a good long time, but only rarely will it pay off in significant structural change ...

  
  
• Steven Taylor wonders how Dr. Dean can take so much credit for shaping the primary debate when he couldn't "get much more than 20% of the vote in a Democratic primary."
  
• Deacon at Power Line links to Mark Steyn's political obituary of Dean, M.D.
  
• Professor Bainbridge blames Dr. Duck's demise on the messenger, not his technology.
  
• Matt Bai on the NY Times campaign weblog takes on Dr. Dean's self-comparison to "Fighting" Bob LaFollette. Let's just say Howard the Duck's legacy is significantly smaller than LaFollette's.
  
• On a similar theme, Kevin asks, "Other than opposing the war in Iraq, can anyone actually remember one of "his" issues?"
  
• Rich Lowry defends putting Dr. Dean on a memorable National Review cover that some Dems complain led to his demise.
  
• Matthew Stinson (all the way in China) wonders,
  

  at what point does Gov. Dean officially morph, in the public imagination, into one of those Japanese soldiers camped out on an island at the end of WWII, who never got the message that the war was over?

  
  
• Myria captures Dr. Duck in a moment of contemplation.
  
• ScrappleFace reports on Dean, M.D.'s newest staffer.
  

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P.S. Jay, are you happy? It's over. It's finished. The DH is done, dead, kaput.

P.P.S. One last time for old time's sake: Dr. Duck's "I Have a Scream Speech."

Dean is Done

"I am no longer actively pursuing the presidency."

With those words, Howard Dean, M.D. threw in the towel...kind of. He'll still be on the ballot, people can still vote for him, and he'll still have delegates going into the Democratic convention.

As I predicted, Dr. Dean is converting his cult campaign into an advocacy organization. (An "an Internet-powered lefty version of the Christian Coalition.") He told his crowd,

We will, however, continue to build a new organization, using our enormous grassroots network, to continue the effort to transform the Democratic Party and to change our country.

And

Secondly, Dean for America will be converted into a new grassroots organization. We need everybody to stay involved. We are -- as we always have -- going to look at what you had to say about which directions we ought to be going in, and what we ought to continue to do together.

We are determined to keep this entire organization as vibrant as it has been through this campaign. There are a lot of ways to make change. We are leaving one track, but we are going on another track that will take back America for ordinary people again.

If you want to know why I opposed Dr. Duck, I offer this nugget from today's speech,

And what we set out to do was make the rest of the country more like Vermont. And so far we haven't succeeded, but we have a long way to go.

For a man whose followers claimed to favor decentralization his approach is one-size-fits-all. Arnold Kling has called this types, "Walden Puddle contingent on the Internet." But to be honest, the only decentralization was the campagin. Dr. Dean did proclaim last year that, as President, he would "re-regulate" utilities, large media companies and any business that offers stock options." That must be how it's done in Vermont.

I'm gathering weblog posts for the final Duck Hunt (*sniff* *sniff*) later tonight.

Dean Won't Quit

Dr. Duck has made a complete 180-degree turn. He now says he's going on to Super Tuesday whatever the results of today's primary. He's addicted to campaigning. He's addicted to taking part in debates--while barely attacking the front runner--he's addicted to shouting about how evil President Bush is to (dwindling) crowds. He knows he can't win, yet he continues. If he keeps this up his campaign will go full circle. He started as a former governor from a small state with as great a chance of getting the nomination as that loon Rep. Kucinich. If he continues, he'll end up as a former governor from a small state with as great a chance of getting the nomination as that loon Rep. Kucinich.

"Dean Insists Run Won't End in Wisconsin"

A Confused Duck

I don't think Dean, M.D. really knows what to do. Does he stay in the race while his staff scatters in thirteen different directions? It will be hard mounting a challenge to Sen. Kerry if its all run by volunteers. Or does he admit defeat and potentially betray the Deaniacs who placed so much psychic captial in his Internet-powered "revolution?"

I'd feel sorry for the guy, but then I remember how he's twisted and mischaracterized the Iraq War, propagated conspiracy theories, and put the darkest spin on everything President Bush has done. He's an angry man who vented publically for over a year and directed his fury at Bush. All the while, mesmerized followers fed off the anger and reinforced it with their own. This "echo chamber" was no revolution. Instead it was a visible and frightening hate cult.

"Dean Rejects Calls to Quit Presidential Campaign"

Duck Hunt #10

Will this be the last Duck Hunt with Dr. Dean still a candidate? It's not too clear. Steve Grossman, Dean, M.D.'s chairman told the NY Times that he'll back Kerry if Dr. Dean doesn't win Wisconsin, Tuesday. (He trails Kerry by 40 points.) But, ever the fighter, Dean, M.D. said, "We're not dropping out after Tuesday, period." The future of the Duck Hunt will be determined by what transpires in Burlington, VT later this week.

Now, on to the blogosphere. Some of these posts are a bit old, but I think they're still good and viable--unlike the Dr. Duck campaign.

• Steven Taylor offers up the possiblity that Dr. Dean might be quite visible at the Democratic convention. That might be the reason he'll "suspend" the campaign rather than officially drop out. Suggestion to Dems: Give Dean, M.D. a prime time slot for a speech. I want a Democratic version of Pat Buchanan in 1992.
• Michele places the Deaniacs right up with Tupperware and Mary Kay in the cult pantheon.
• Allah has declared Blog for America the "Saddest Place on the Internet." When god talks, we better listen.
• Glenn Reynolds gets his first DH links with a quick comment on who failed who in the Dean, M.D. campaign and for wondering who Joe Trippi really wants to blame for the biggest political flameout in my lifetime.
• By way of One Fine Jay, Gregory Markle offers up two Dr. Dean quotes. One has to do with dog urine.
• Professor Bainbridge notes The Economist named the Deaniacs the "pierced nipple wing of the party."

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[NY Times story via Political Wire.]

Show Me the Money

Ed Cone seems to be the only reporter willing to ask the biggest question surrounding Howard Dean, M.D.'s campaign: Where did all that money go? Ex-campaign manager Joe Trippi doesn't know and wasn't responsible for knowing.

[via InstaPundit]

Duck's Done Wednesday

It looks like Howard Dean, M.D. will be ending his campaign after getting plucked here in Wisconsin. Wednesday, he goes back to Vermont to "regroup and assess his strategy" to use Reuters' words. Then there's this from the Boston Globe:

His calendar for next week is not booked beyond Wednesday, when he plans to return home to Burlington, Vt.

His staff, some of whom are already planning to leave his headquarters for good on Wednesday, has not sought a new contract with the main air charter company that has been flying him around the country, aides say.

Dean himself said yesterday he does not know whether he will continue campaigning in a manner resembling the appearances that have filled his calendar for the past two years.

One of Dr. Duck's staff, chief weblogger Matt Gross has left the campaign due to "family medical reasons." The American Prospect got him to answer a few questions, but I can't wait until when he talks about when and how the campaign collapsed. While Gross and I disagree most thinks political, I agree with him that the long-term effect of the Dean, M.D. campaign is to turn these operations into "their own media channels."

"Dean Bid Shows Signs of Ending"

"As Fortune Changes, So Has Dean's Campaign"

[via Political Wire]

That "Other" Duck Hunt

James Joyner clued me into this time waster.

Cheesey

Steven Taylor has his pre-Wisconsin Toast-O-Meter up. As for my man/duck Dr. Dean, it's looking really, really bad. Taylor has declared him "Burnt Limberger Cheese Toast." (Note: There is only one place left in America that makes limburger, and it's in Wisconsin. It's near Monroe to be exact.) Here's how bad it's gotten for Dean, M.D.:

Democrat Howard Dean faced scores of empty chairs in a half-empty hall on Saturday as he neared an anticipated defeat in Wisconsin's primary next week that could end his White House hopes.

In stark contrast to the massive crowds and stand-up passion he generated just months ago as the party's front-runner, the fading anti-war, anti-Washington maverick drew only a few hundred people who remained in their seats and applauded politely.

Maybe he can surprise us all with a dominating performance in tomorrow's debate, but the track record of these tame events makes me doubt it.

"Dean Faces Empty Seats as He Nears Possible End"

I Smell a Conspiracy

Not really, but it's very coincidental for Howard Dean, M.D. to be out of the state on the only day of the week I'm not working. He claims it's because of his son's hockey game. It's obvious he's dodging me. He fears the Duck Hunt, I just know it.

Alright, enough of my delusion of grandure. It's off to bed for me.

"Dean Bounces Across State Rallying Raucous Support"

Flying Past Wisconsin

Howard Dean, M.D. will not let a probable Wisconsin loss stop his pursuit of the nomination. That's what he told reporters in Green Bay today.

This announcement certainly deflates the importance of Wisconsin. The 02.17 primary just doesn't have the same "last stand" drama if Duck, M.D. says he'll continue even if he loses. Dean, M.D. knows it's not likely he'll get the nomination. If he really thinks he still has a shot then he's as delusional as some of his Deaniacs. Sure it's possible Sen. John Kerry could do something to blow up his smooth path to the nomination. Steven Taylor writes, "Kerry would probably have to shoot a man in Reno, just to watch him die, to lose the nomination at this point." Of course, he thought Dean, M.D. was going to get the nomination (heck, so did I).

What doesn't help is AFSCME dropping their support for Dr. Dean. That means fewer workers on the front lines calling voters and other get out the vote activities. It also doesn't help that 34% of poll respondents said they don't want Howard the Duck as the nominee.

Strangely, there is no mention of Dean, M.D. backing away from his make-or-break statement on the campaign website. It's like they don't think their supporters who read the weblog read any other news.

"Dean Now Says He Will Stay in Race After Wisconsin"

"Commanding Lead for Kerry"

"Major Union Withdraws Support for Dean" [via PoliBlog]

"Living in Wisconsin"

Oh, I love this:

We're pretty much going to be living in Wisconsin until February 17th.

Look's like I have a new neighbor. Monday's schedule is set, while Tuesday's is still to be determined.

UPDATE: In an interesting twist, the Duck, M.D. campaign is letting the raft pick a commerical to be run in the state. The two I watched (the first one, "Max," wasn't working for me) were kinda cute and reminded me of the winning ads run by Sen. Russ Feingold. Will they save Dean, M.D.'s campaign? Probably not.

UPDATE II: A poster at Daily Kos (possibly first and only link to that weblog) just rips on the ads calling them "the most disappointing, unprofessional, inept, lame move ever made by the spectacularly unsuccessful Dean media team, led by Steve McMahon."

Still Silence

As of this morning there's still no mention of Roy Neel's backpeddling from Dr. Dean's do-or-die Wisconsin statement on the Dean, M.D. weblog.

Dean's Last Stand: Wisconsin

Howard Dean, M.D.'s statement places Wisconsin at the center of his campaign. He told his followers, "[W]e must win Wisconsin." The response has been very, very good. He's raised over $700,000, enough to run ads here. (Oh, joy, I can't wait to see them.)

Most news reporters interpeted Dr. Duck's statement as meaning he's done if he loses on 02.17. Roy Neel, the campaign's CEO, begged to differ. He didn't read the message the "same way you [reporters] are interpreting it." It's interesting that Neel's version of Dr. Dean's statement isn't on the campaign's weblog.

Yes, Jay, I'm happy about this announcement. A win for Dean, M.D. means more issues of the Duck Hunt. A loss means I will have to think of something clever for Sen. Kerry. (And it won't be half as much fun picking on him.) If there wasn't a Republican U.S. Senate primary race and my belief that only Democrats should choose the Democratic Presidential nominee, I'd be really, really tempted to vote for Dean, M.D. just to keep him around.

I don't know what Dr. Dean's schedule is tomorrow. A "roundtable discussion on jobs and the economy" is planned for tomorrow, but I don't know where or when. And with this snowstorm who knows if anybody (including Duck, M.D.) will be able to attend.

"Dean Shifts Campaign Focus to Wisconsin"

"Wisconsin or Bust"

Like We Didn't Need Anymore Proof

Dr. Dean's operation is more cult than campaign. Here's a quote from one die-hard Deaniac, Jim Moore:

Giving is the sacrament that brings the Dean community together.

I'm glad Duck, M.D. is raking in the dough. That means he'll stay in the race longer, and that means the Duck Hunt still has a pulse.

"Right now DeanforAmerica.com Speeding Toward Campaign Daily Fundraising Record" [via InstaPundit]

Duck: Chocoholic

If Howard Dean, M.D. had much money left I'd be offering him some local product for his campaign. The AP reports he spent almost $7,000 on Vermont chocolate. I wonder how much Ben & Jerry's was purchased?

"Dean Campaign Spent $7, 000 on Chocolates" [via Political Wire]

Target: Wisconsin

In Dr. Duck's latest message to his believers supporters he writes,

We took a risk in Iowa by trying to win this race early. We were disappointed after a full assault by the other candidates and the special interest groups, but we picked ourselves up and got stronger. Now, as the field of candidates narrows, we continue to build toward a win in Wisconsin—setting up a clear choice for the voters.

Sounds like he's written off Washington State and Michigan. Dean, M.D. is coming back to Wisconsin on Friday (no details yet), and he's declared the state "up for grabs." He also said, "Let's pay all the taxes we had when Bill Clinton was president." Those tax cuts you've gotten the past few years, they'd vanish under a Duck, M.D. Presidency.

And Dean? For America? is sad.

"Message from Howard Dean"

[via Discount Blogger]

Duck Hunt #9

DH is back. Even though Dr. Dean lost New Hampshire, dumped his campaign manager-turned-rock star, Joe Trippi, and blew through $30 million with only a third and second place to show for it we here a DH HQ persevere. Jon Chait has stopped his Dean-bashing weblog, but since Dean, M.D hasn't thrown in the towel neither will TAM. Dean, M.D. has to come back just for sheer entertainment value, and so I have a reason to buy a Mean Dean talking doll [Thanks, James].

The most interesting Dr. Duck story today is the campaign started paying its workers again. Part of it is from raising $200,000 a day, and part of it is from laying off some of the staff. I hope those ex-employees got a good severence package. Yeah, right. At least they can have the satisfaction of knowing they're only a URL away from the campaign.

Now, on to the blogosphere:

• Dr. Dean put his foot in his mouth again, as Matthew Stinson points out.
  
• Alright, this isn't a weblog post, but James Lileks is a weblogger. Close enough. He writes about the hoopla surrounding Dean's Net strategy and how it failed:
  

  Lesson: Sometimes a bunch of kids sharing their enthusiasm on a Web page is just that, and little more.

  
  
• Rosemary found a Dr. Duck number problem.
  
• BushBlog points out how ticked Joe Trippi was last Tuesday night. His week only got worse.
  
• Dan Conley has little faith in Dean, M.D.'s fiscal acumen:
  

  Giving money to the Dean campaign today is like giving an IMF loan to Russia in 1993 ... you might as well throw your money down a well.

  
  
• D.C. Thornton doesn't trust Dean, M.D. with the federal budget since he blew through his campaign funds like he was Paris Hilton shopping on Rodeo Drive.
  
• Patterico describes Dr. Dean as a "Monday Morning Quarterback."
  
• Dean, M.D. sympathizer Dave Winer rips campaign CEO Roy Neel.
  
• Doc Searls, another Dean, M.D. sympathizer, wants the real story behind the campaign's flame out.
  
• Since Joe Trippi's campaign firm handles(handled?) Dr. Dean's ad buys and at least $7 million was spent on ads that adds up to a nice chunk of change. Clay Whittaker wonders "If someone could find an instance where Dean said he was for a cap on executive pay, this would be particularly ironic." I found something along that line. In an answer to a question on the AFL-CIO website, Dr. Duck said,
  

  As President, I will pursue policies that address the growing gap between executive pay and worker salaries. For example, I would explore proposals to limit the tax deductibility of grossly disproportionate executive compensation.

  
  I'm guessing Dean, M.D. didn't think Trippi's cut was "grossly disproportionate." [I'm not ripping on Trippi's commission. That may be standard practice in campaigns. I'm pointing out Dr. Dean's inconsistency. It's more evidence for why he's all wet.]
  

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