Howard Dean Rises as Democrat Contender
Re “Dean’s Momentum Stirs Opponents’ Fears,” July 1: The reason for the rise of former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean in the Democratic field of presidential contenders is simple. The performance of the Democratic leadership since President Bush took office is pathetic. Bush has rammed through a foolish domestic agenda and dangerous foreign policies with no opposition. Dean may not be perfect but he is not afraid to fight back. The once-proud party of FDR, Harry Truman and Bill Clinton is currently run by cowards.
John Smart
For the record:
12:00 a.m. July 9, 2003 For The Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday July 09, 2003 Home Edition California Part B Page 12 Editorial Pages Desk 0 inches; 27 words Type of Material: Correction
“Doonesbury” cartoon -- Gilbert S. Bahn’s July 4 letter on the Democratic Party and Howard Dean referred to a June 30, not a June 29, “Doonesbury” cartoon.
Los Angeles
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It is ironic that Dean’s success at raising money is the measurement by which his campaign is being given legitimacy by both the Democratic Party and the press (July 2). Dean’s campaign has been founded on grass-roots volunteerism, the growth of which is the real newsworthy story. Dean’s supporters volunteer their time and energy because his campaign is our hope for countering what the influence of money has done to politics. Ordinary people, getting the word out about Dean’s successful record, his fair-minded ideas and hope to take America back will be what gets votes for him.
Peggy Calkins
Sebastopol, Calif.
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Sunday’s “Doonesbury” lampooning the Democrats evokes my endorsement, with an amendment. As a Yellow Dog Democrat, I declare it impossible for my party to go down in flames. Not when its head is barely above water in an impenetrable swamp. It is the utterly futile state of the party that makes Dean the potential savior of Democrats. The Democratic National Committee has become nothing but a self-sustaining rat hole for receipt of contributions. Show me a single achievement that it can rightly take credit for over the past decade.
Gilbert S. Bahn
Moorpark
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Re “Democrats Attack Bush in Forum on Environmental Issues,” June 27: Republicans everywhere should be cheering the success of Dean. If a guy as left-wing as that actually gains the Democratic nomination, we are guaranteed four more years of competent, real-world leadership from Bush. We’ll have a shot at all 50 states and a filibuster-proof Senate majority. Watch DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe anytime on TV; that dude is scared -- and not for your job, as he claims, but for his.
Bruce Kuznicki
Los Angeles
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