Lunch with Howard Dean in Georgia Today

Written by: publius on Jul 26, 2008 5:55 PM EDT

It was my good fortune to have lunch today with DFA founder Howard Dean.  Chairman Dean was in town during Democratic Party Georgia (DPG) Committee meeting.  The DPG was meeting to elect its members of the Democratic National Committee.

Barack Obama's  successful  foreign affairs trip was discussed around the lunch table.  Chmn Dean expressed how significant it was that this candidate for the American Presidency could move thousands of Europeans to wave American flags.  Obviously, neither G W Bush nor John McCain could inspire such a display.

Howard Dean appeared very fit and is very energetic in his mission.  He admitted that he copied some well worn Republican National Committee tactics, such as purchasing and mining consumer data for targeting likely supporters.  He said that he had not expected the DNC to have a decisive impact on federal elections before 2012 but credited the mostly twenty-something DNC staffers for sleeping at their desks and swinging some seats (House and Senate) to the Democrats in 2006.

It is significant that DPG and the DNC are together in Central Georgia for an official event.  Chmn Dean recognized that the south and the Democratic party have changed a lot in the past 40 years.  He recognized that the national party had "not been showing up here for 30 years." 

As a native Georgian, I know that estrangement suited past state and local party officials  just fine.  But the DPG is at the bottom now, I hope that Dean's visit is a sign  that current state leadership recognizes that America's national challenges are  also our southern region's challenges as well.  And, that unity with the DNC and productive influence upon DC Democrats represent the best route for  rebuilding  the state party and serving Georgia's citizenry.

Chmn Dean recognized there are some areas of disagreement between traditional Democratic platform positions and some traditional southern voters but that -

Treating People Fairly, Respecting Hard Work, and Believing Americans Can Best Make Decisions About Their Own Personal Lives Without  Government  Interference -

are values that the Democratic Party and  the southern populace share.

While no one expects Democrats will win a majority of evangelical votes, Democrats, candidates and citizens, have to be engaged with the voters and ask for their votes.  The national well being depends on The People recognizing our common humanity and Democrats need to actively define themselves rather than leaving it to Limbaughs,  Hannitys and O'Reillys to define us.  He cited poll results that people younger than 35 and identifying
themselves as evangelical Christians have priorities -

Poverty, Climate Change, and Darfur -

that are Democratic priorities. 

In discussing tax policy, Gov Dean the candidate began to surface.  There were some words of fire he had in mind for supply siders.   But, he resisted the tenacity and calmly stated that everyone knows it (supply side, vodoo economics, Bush tax cuts, etc) didn't work, doesn't work.  Politics is redistribution,  to the top, to the bottom, and/or to the middle.  Business and commerce must be conducted with referees.  It is no coincidence that "our worst financial disasters have occurred under Republican administrations" because of their laissez faire theology.

Finally, the Chairman's presentation of what this national campaign is about and the core objectives of a Democratically administered Federal Government will be in 2009 was succinct and reassuring:

1. Tax Policy
2. Universal Health Care
3. Domestic Renewable Energy Production and Distribution

The order of objectives suggests (my observations) that the Bush tax cuts will be repealed immediately.  Lower and middle income wage earners could see some reduction in taxes.

Democrats are raking in business interest money in support of universal health care policy.  American companies cannot compete economically with those of other industrialized countries with federalized health coverage systems.

Chmn Dean loves to see advertisements of McCain shilling for drilling followed by T Boone Pickens telling America that  "Folks, I'm an Oilman and I know we cannot drill our way to energy independence."    We ought to be setting high standards for America's conversion to clean renewable energy as Al Gore has challenged us.  This will establish good paying jobs that will not be outsourced.
 
Personally, it was my privilege and distinct honor to share a lunch table with Howard Dean in the course of his conduct of the serious business he is engaged in. He signed an essay of his, Reviving American Democracy, that was included in a collection published in the dark days of late autumn 2004 - What We Do Now.
          
Ronald Cloud
Macon, GA
July 26, 2008

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Location: Macon, GA 31210