What was Howard Dean thinking?For a century, poor, rural, southern whites voted Democrat. They voted Democrat primarily for one reason -- Abraham Lincoln was a Republican. For some, it was the slavery issue, yes, but for most the issue was bloated, self-important, intrusive national government coming down from Washington and telling them what to do.
Then President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act. It was a bold move forward, but it had severe consequences for the Democratic party, consequences that President Johnson himself foretold. For the race issue was once again a factor, but more importantly the bloated, self-important, intrusive national government was again coming down from Washington and telling southerners what to do. Only this time the government was the Democrats. And after a century of being taken for granted by the Democrats, rural white southerners decided it was time for a change.
So in 1968, rural white southerners, most of whom were still very poor, started voting Republican. And they've been voting Republican ever since.
And in 35 years of voting Republican, they've gotten practically nowhere. Yes, the South is much better off economically than they were before. But so is the rest of the country. It's called progress, or "a rising tide raises all boats." Rural southerners, however, seem to have been left behind.
They've been left behind because, after 35 years, it's the Republican party that takes this important voting block for granted. And, it turns out, the Republican party always has. Rural southerners have never seen a real tax cut from the Republicans, while rich Republicans get even richer. They have never seen decent education spending for their schools, while rich Republican school districts get all the latest computers. They have never seen a workable health care plan, while Republicans talk only of cutting Medicaid spending. And they have never seen the high-paying jobs, while rich Republican CEOs get wined and dined with the President at $2,000 a plate.
Now along comes Howard Dean. He looks at the situation and asks, "These people have voted Republican for 35 years, and what do they have to show for it?"
Dr. Dean also realizes that the issues which rural southerners care about real job training and job opportunities, better schools, affordable health care, a fairer tax code, etc., are good, solid, Democratic party values. These issues are values for rural, southern whites and urban, northern African-Americans and Hispanics alike. These issues are the things that the former governor of a mostly rural state with the 26th highest median income in the country has had to deal with. These issues are also things that Howard Dean has dealt with successfully through two recessions.
Moreover, these issues unite all Americans, whether we are black, white, or whatever, whether we live in big, concrete cities or on country dirt roads, whether we consider ourselves liberal or conservative -- even whether we are rich or poor. As long as Americans want to make a better life for our children, as long as Americans want better schools, health care and jobs, as long as Americans believe in these core values, we are united by greater things than the minor differences which divide us.
And these issues are just not held by the Republican party. They are not held by George W. Bush, who would rather give big kickbacks to his big-contribution CEO friends than spend money for real education improvements. They are not held by Dick Cheney, who would rather see his friends at Halliburton get fat, no-bid, war-profiteering contracts than have children get proper health care. They are not held by Republican members of the House of Representatives, who at the last minute cut tax rebates for poor working parents. Furthermore, these issues which can unite us are not held by the political shapers of the Republican party who gain power by dividing us, and who are terrified of facing a united America.
But it's not enough simply to bring up these points in a stump speech. These issues, including the issues surrounding racial tensions, need a long, painful, introspective discussion. They need many discussions. And the only way they're going to be discussed at length is if someone has the strength of character and the force of will to bring them to the forefront in a manner that will make the front page.
This election is about uniting America instead of dividing it. This election is about helping people get jobs instead of helping Halliburton get overpriced contracts. This election is about making resources available to poor working parents instead of giving tax breaks to rich special interests. This election is about making a better life for our children and grandchildren instead of saddling them with debt.
And the only person talking about these issues that unite America, the only person willing to discuss difficult questions and ready to find real solutions is Howard Dean.
What was Howard Dean thinking? Perhaps he was thinking about a greater America.
Copyright 2003, Dan Jacoby
For a PDF version of this document, click here.
To contact Dan Jacoby, click here.
Return to the Main Menu