June 03, 2005

Howard Dean: Angry Beaver of the Week

Oh, Howie wins this weekÕs award hands-down. With his ranting and raving across the country about evil Republicans going on nonstop, he definitely could use a sedative and, perhaps, the services of a psychologist.

Seriously: when discussing having to work all day and then spend long hours in line to vote, Dean commented, "Well, Republicans, I guess, can do that because a lot of them have never made an honest living in their lives."

Of course, ÒDemocratic Party spokeswoman Karen Finney was quick to clarify: Dean was referring to "Republican politicians and Republican leadership, not hardworking American people."Ó Silly us!

If thatÕs true, how many Democrat politicians really Òwork?Ó John Kerry was a prosecuting lawyer for a short time before entering politicsÉhe has made his money by marrying wealthy women. Teddy Kennedy was born into money made by a prohibition bootlegger and has pretty much been in politics his whole life. Nancy Pelosi is a millionaire, Barbara Boxer worked in news for a few years before joining the public payroll, and Harry Reid has been on Capital Hill since 1986ÉitÕs been a long time since he did any real work. (According to his official bio his father was a miner, but Reid became a lawyer before entering politics.)

Face itÉmost politicians in both parties donÕt do any real Òwork,Ó as in having a typical job that pays typical wages. Most of them come from money (sometimes earned, sometimes inherited). They get paid a nice salary, have a great pension package (no Social Security for them), only work on The Hill for part of the year, and get perks like free haircuts, lunches, travel allowances and a luxury spa/workout facilityÉ.all on the taxpayersÕ dime.

So for Dean to make that kind of comment, even if it did refer to ÒRepublican politicians and Republican leadership,Ó is really beyond the pale.

LetÕs not forget his other comments in recent months that refer to Republicans as Òbrain-dead,Ó Òevil,Ó and Òcorrupt.Ó

So what gives, Howie? Still feeling a little bitter that your own party didnÕt even want you as candidate for president last year, throwing you over for that milksop John Kerry? Nasty rants might garner headlines, but they arenÕt pulling in the cash. The DNC reported $16.7 million raised in the first quarter of 2005, compared to the RNCÕs cash cache of $34 million.

People may laugh and chuckle when they hear HowieÕs obnoxious, mean-spirited jabs. But ideas, not rhetoric, are what get the votersÕ attention. Dean doesnÕt have any ideasÉif he does, heÕs doing a poor job of getting them across. Calling Republicans evil, corrupt, brain-dead and essentially lazy is not a great way to get Republicans to vote for the Democrats.

Keep it coming, HowieÉyour Angry Beaver of the Week award is well deserved. WeÕre looking forward to what else you can do to enhance the image of the Republican party, at the expense of your own.

Show Comments »