6.12.2005
Dean Urges Appeal to Moral Values (NYTimes.com)
DNC Chairman Calls for Democrats to Adopt GOP's Language to Woo Voters
By Mike Allen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, June 12, 2005; Page A05
Unrepentant after a week of controversy over his inflammatory remarks, Democratic chairman Howard Dean told party leaders yesterday that casting traditionally liberal issues in moral terms is a key to breaking Republicans' eight-year hold on the White House.
Dean acknowledged that he sees his party's national campaign apparatus as being "30 years behind" the one fielded in November by the Bush-Cheney campaign, and said the solution is for Democrats to be tough, describe themselves boldly and get organized in all 50 states.
"People want us to fight, and we are here to fight," Dean said during a quarterly meeting of the party's 64-member executive committee. "We are not going to lie down in front of the Republican machine anymore."
Dean's aides said he now realizes he needs to choose his words more carefully but plans to keep the pressure on Republicans.
Several key Democrats had said early last week that Dean should resign but concluded by week's end that there was no viable movement to oust him. Dean yesterday embraced his reputation for volatility, saying he is being buoyed by activists and donors. At one point, Chicago alderman Joseph A. Moore had trouble getting recognized and joked that next time he would "jump up and down."
"That's my job!" Dean said, and the room shook with applause.
(More ... Dean Urges Appeal to Moral Values) ¶ 16:20
By Mike Allen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, June 12, 2005; Page A05
Unrepentant after a week of controversy over his inflammatory remarks, Democratic chairman Howard Dean told party leaders yesterday that casting traditionally liberal issues in moral terms is a key to breaking Republicans' eight-year hold on the White House.
Dean acknowledged that he sees his party's national campaign apparatus as being "30 years behind" the one fielded in November by the Bush-Cheney campaign, and said the solution is for Democrats to be tough, describe themselves boldly and get organized in all 50 states.
"People want us to fight, and we are here to fight," Dean said during a quarterly meeting of the party's 64-member executive committee. "We are not going to lie down in front of the Republican machine anymore."
Dean's aides said he now realizes he needs to choose his words more carefully but plans to keep the pressure on Republicans.
Several key Democrats had said early last week that Dean should resign but concluded by week's end that there was no viable movement to oust him. Dean yesterday embraced his reputation for volatility, saying he is being buoyed by activists and donors. At one point, Chicago alderman Joseph A. Moore had trouble getting recognized and joked that next time he would "jump up and down."
"That's my job!" Dean said, and the room shook with applause.
(More ... Dean Urges Appeal to Moral Values) ¶ 16:20
