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November 8,
2006 – From when he first fired the shot heard 'round the
nation, saying he represented "the Democratic wing of the Democratic
Party," Howard Dean single-handedly has done more to restore the
other side of the nations conversation, and now the Democrats place
in power.
People thought he was crazy.
He was crazy for embracing his liberal
roots openly and proudly. This was an era when Democrats,
ruled by the right-of-center DLC, had to cow tow to the Liebermans
and Davises and Clinton-types that talked and acted a lot like
conservative Republicans. Dean challenged it all boldly at a
time when the the entire nation forbade such things.
He called for "re-regulation" when
deregulation was unquestioned. He came out against Iraq when
elected Democrats were giving George W. Bush the right to take us to
war.
And, as would come to be most important,
he became to king of the online activist. Howard Dean - aided
by campaign aide Joe Trippi - did more to begin the age of the
liberal blog activist than anyone else.
And when he took the chairmanship of the
Democratic Party, he revolutionized the party's approach, declaring
a bold 50-state strategy. He was criticized by his own party.
They, again, called him crazy for spending so much money in states
where Democrats had no chance, places like Missouri and Montana,
Indiana and Ohio.
Last night, Dean finally had his day.
He didn't win the presidential primaries, but he achieved his
mission of restoring the Democratic Party to Democratness, to
re-introducing Democratic and liberal thoughts into the American
conversation, and of talking with people in all parts of the
country, helping to restore Americas open-mindedness and civility -
and making great gains for Democrats.
Some one has to say it: Give the
man some props. Howard Dean, you had an awesome, validating
victory tonight. Thank you on behalf of America - even those
of us who don't agree with you on all the issues. Thank you
for opening Americas ears and building bridges rather than
reinforcing the idea that imaginary barbed wire fences stand between
us all.
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