Clinton defends Dean
Clinton is, as Matt pointed out, the ultimate DLCer and the most sucessful Democrat in history. The full article on the interview with Clinton is in the SFGate. Here are the important bits, but read the original for much more:
The basic DLC spin is that Dean is unelectable. But Clinton points out that Dean has already staked out a very "New Democrat" position with his actual record of accomplishments. And that a New Democrat, with appeal to swing voters as well as an energized base, is what it will take to defeat Bush. My opinion is that the DLC is motivated by fear - of an unbeatable Bush. That blinds them and - as Clinton rebukes - causes them to focus on infighting. But Bush can be beaten - and Dean is Clinton's ideological heir.
UPDATE: Chris Andersen has an insightful analysis on the timing of Clinton's interview. It doesn't seem to be a coincidence.
But [Clinton] said it was important for Democrats to stop fighting among themselves and refocus their criticism on their eventual foes -- President Bush and the Republicans.
If the current crop of candidates is judged on what they accomplished before running for president, the field is strong, Clinton said. And some of those accomplishments contradict the image candidates have earned in the presidential race, he said.
Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean is described as very liberal by many following the presidential race, Clinton said, "but look at what he did as governor of Vermont."
Clinton described Dean's accomplishments with health care in his home state and his proposal to promote a national health care plan with a modest price tag as "New Democrat" positions. He was referring to the moniker the Democratic Leadership Council puts on Democrats who can blend moderate ideas that appeal to swing voters with traditional Democratic themes.
And Clinton didn't hesitate when he was asked the overriding question: Can Bush be beaten? "You can always be beaten," Clinton said with a smile. "I could have been beaten in 1996."
The basic DLC spin is that Dean is unelectable. But Clinton points out that Dean has already staked out a very "New Democrat" position with his actual record of accomplishments. And that a New Democrat, with appeal to swing voters as well as an energized base, is what it will take to defeat Bush. My opinion is that the DLC is motivated by fear - of an unbeatable Bush. That blinds them and - as Clinton rebukes - causes them to focus on infighting. But Bush can be beaten - and Dean is Clinton's ideological heir.
UPDATE: Chris Andersen has an insightful analysis on the timing of Clinton's interview. It doesn't seem to be a coincidence.
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