Howard Dean; The Mean Machine

Howard Dean opened up his mouth again in San Fransisco and Democratic Party loyalist must have been cringing again. How this is the face & voice that Democrats want representing them is a mystery to me. Did Dem’s not learn in 2004 that “mean” does not win? Just keep talking Howard. By the way, where do I send that thank you note to the DNC? Would you want this man running your party?

Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean, unapologetic in the face of recent criticism that he has been too tough on his political opposition, said in San Francisco this week that Republicans are “a pretty monolithic party. They all behave the same. They all look the same. It’s pretty much a white Christian party.”

Ahh Howard, ever take a look at your staff when you were Governor of Vermont? You were just Mr. Rainbow Coalition. Let’s not forget this exchange between Al Sharpton and Dean during the Democratic Primaries, the Captain’s Quarter’s hasn’t.

“The Republicans are not very friendly to different kinds of people,” Dean said Monday, responding to a question about diversity during a forum with minority leaders and journalists. “We’re more welcoming to different folks, because that’s the type of people we are. But that’s not enough. We do have to deliver on things: jobs and housing and business opportunities.”

Forgive me I just spit my drink all over my monitor. Because Dean is just Mr. Warm and Fuzzy. The Democrats seriously elected this guy Party Chair? Who would have thought the Dems would long for the days of Terri McAuliffe?

Listen here to the musings of Howard “I am so friendly you idiots” Dean. Its worth the listen. It is truly amazing to hear him talk about Republicans. The Republican 2006 & 2008 ad machine is already running tape.

The comments are another example of why the former Vermont governor, who remains popular with the party’s grassroots, has been a lightning rod for criticism since being elected to head the Democratic National Committee last February. His comments last week that Republicans “never made an honest living in their lives,” which he later clarified to say Republican “leaders,” were disavowed by leading Democrats including Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

Dean was outspoken — as usual — as he trolled California this week, stoking his party’s coffers, and meeting with grass-roots activists. His San Francisco visit was at the tail end of a cross-country road trip, and Dean said that he will continue to pound the pavement — and the GOP — to get the Democratic message across to new voters, particularly in minority communities.

But Dean’s style and rhetoric have sparked increasing criticism from inside the Democratic Party in recent weeks — and gleeful Republicans say they couldn’t be happier.

Glad to see I am not alone in my thinking. Howard Dean is the best thing for the Republican Party since Bill Clinton. I really need that Democratic address for that thank you note. Looks like Michelle Malkin has that address for me along with a fine post referencing Susan Estrich with some not too kind words for Dr. Dean.

“Where do I sign up on a committee to keep Howard Dean?” crowed GOP operative Jon Fleischmann, publisher of the FlashReport, a daily roundup of California political news and commentary. “He’s the best thing to happen to the GOP in ages.”

“I’m thrilled he’s the DNC chair,” says Tom Del Becarro, chairman of the Contra Costa County Republican Party. “Howard Dean is scaring away the middle. People don’t like angry people. They like hopeful people.”

I just wonder when his own party is going to get sick of his antics. Obviously over the weekend, Biden and John Edwards were not too impressed. As the Moderate Voice says,

“this kind of comment basically stereotypes a whole party which again is what partisans may believe but the DNC party chair’s job isn’t to just appeal to partisans. He is supposed to help BUILD the party. And that means adding to its numbers, not just reinforcing what’s there”.

“Dean is preaching to the choir — and scaring away part of his audience”.