Dean: “moderate or centrist”
Oliver Willis comments approvingly on Dean’s real record in Vermont.
So this is the guy that America’s mainstream progressive movement is getting all hot and bothered by?
And yeah, I’m vaguely annoyed by the Dean campaign’s apparent willingness to embrace the idea that a candidate should be judged by their ability to raise money (must be the “Nader-flank” type in me), but I can’t argue with their methods, and I understand why they are doing it. Hell, I’d do it to, if I could, next time I run for office, and I wish the Green Party would get its act together and do the same thing, so I’d be a hypocrite if I were to seriously carp about it.
My view, getting stronger every day: Dean is Clinton II, with more money from the grassroots, and without the bimbo eruptions. Which might be great news for Democrats looking to triangulate themselves into the White House again, and triangulate an agenda through Congress, but ain’t going to do damn squat for the progressive movement. Progressive Dems are setting themselves up to be used, then dumped uncerimoniously the day the nomination is won (or, best case, on Nov. 5th). The only question is, does he have Clinton’s political saavy and ability to connect with the America public at large?
My prediction, Dean by a nose over Bush, with Nader hovering between 4 and 6%.
Thomas