When the gods wish to punish us, they grant our wishes.Republicans are practically licking their collective lips at the thought of campaigning against Howard Dean next fall. They view him as a candidate they can not only defeat, but demolish. They believe that they will not only win the presidential race in a landslide, but solidify their grip on Congress as well.
To add to this view, the self-appointed pundits are at work. This time, their target is the perceived Democratic front-runner, Howard Dean. Several people have likened Dr. Dean's candidacy to that of George McGovern. Like McGovern, Dean has rallied the youth of America to his side. Like McGovern, Dean is considered anti-war. Like McGovern ... well, the list has a few more items.
But it is not George McGovern who serves as the model for the Dean candidacy; it is another politician entirely. For McGovern was only nominated because of the criminal activities of the Nixon white house and campaign staffs. Their "dirty tricks" (actually criminal activities, for which President Nixon would have been impeached if he had not resigned) served to hurt both Ed Muskie's and Hubert Humphries' campaigns.
Dr. Dean has surged to the front of the Democratic pack, not because of any criminal election activities by George W. Bush, but because he really has reached out to Americans. And while he has utilized the "new" medium of the internet as never before, his campaign is still based on the same old-fashioned techniques that have worked for generations. He has a large, grass-roots organization; he has explained clearly his positions on the most important issues; he has raised money from hundreds of thousands of contributors -- in short, he has been tireless.
George McGovern never really rallied the "youth of America". Nor did he have anything new to propose to the electorate. He also failed even to attempt to capitalize on his opponent's failings and weaknesses. As a result, he lost almost every state in the country.
By contrast, Dr. Dean has been rallying the youth. Dr. Dean has made great strides by pointing out some of President Bush's failings, and he is just getting started. True, Dr. Dean is not the darling of the insiders in the party -- yet. But it's a long way to Boston next summer.
So which candidacy should we compare to Dr. Dean's? There is one presidential candidate from times past who presents some striking parallels. He was not the favorite of the party insiders. He was considered a lightweight. Yet he railroaded the convention, gathered the youth vote, shocked everyone by his energy and organizational ability, and ended up being elected President. I am referring, of course, to the candidacy of John F. Kennedy.
Perhaps the Republicans should be more careful when they make a wish.
Copyright 2003, Dan Jacoby
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