PUB DEF EXCLUSIVE
PubDef.net caught up with Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean at the National Urban League Convention today. We asked him what he thought about the major Republican Presidential candidates choosing not to attend the convention.
“I’m not entirely surprised,” said Dean. “They didn’t show up at the NAACP. They didn’t show up at the National Association of Latino Elected Officials.”
“Our party is the party that includes everybody — in fact, it depends on everybody in order to win. And theirs doesn’t.”
July 26th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Possible Correction: I don’t think he said “our party.” I think he said “the smart party is the party that includes everybody.” Give it another listen.
Not surprising that Dean still has a hard time saying “our party.” After being burned by the hacks and the center-right media in 2004, I was surprised he didn’t hold a more rancorous attitude toward the party. Then again, it’s not like he had any other job offers.
Cynicism aside, I think Dean has done a great job leading the party in a new, broad-visioned, inclusive, and more progressive democratic party. Hopefully the presidential candidates don’t get so hard at the possibility of being in the White House that they stomp all over these tenets in order to get there.
j
July 26th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
nice work snagging an interview. it’s been really cool to see more people downtown this week for the convention.
July 26th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
He says: “This — Our party is the party that includes everybody…”
July 26th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
You were right. Good work on getting the interview, btw.
j
July 27th, 2007 at 8:35 am
But including everybody does make it harder to form a consensus.
July 27th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
I think they wanted to avoid gunfire. If I was a republican candidate I wouldn’t show either! Fear of being shot would make me think twice on showing up.
July 27th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
Anonymous said…
I think they wanted to avoid gunfire. If I was a republican candidate I wouldn’t show either! Fear of being shot would make me think twice on showing up.
7/27/2007 5:55 PM
shhh—the NRA monitors this site. Your comments could be construed as making it look like republicans think too many people have guns.
kj