Voters hearing Howard Dean

a letter to the Editor of the Arizona Republic demonstrates that Dean is being heard:

Aug. 21, 2003 12:00 AM

I am overwhelmed by the recent surge of misinformed columns and letters arguing Howard Dean's viability in the general election and his inability to connect with middle America, a liability his opponents claim will doom the Democrats' chance to regain control of the White House.

There is little doubt that the Democratic Leadership Council's attack on Dean has opened a Pandora's box for the opposition and given Joe Lieberman a life raft for his stagnant campaign.

Dean's firm stand against the Iraq war and Bush's misguided policy does not make him liberal or weak in defense. Actually, Dean calls for more military spending and supported other U.S. interventions.

With billions of dollars spent around the world in military ventures - $4 billion per month in Iraq alone - shouldn't we be applauding the Vermont candidate for wanting to give Americans a share of their country's wealth for their health care needs, particularly the 42 million uninsured Americans? If the medical profession can abide by its code "First, do no harm," surely the government should be the guarantor of such policy to every American.

Howard Dean is speaking for all Americans, and countless of inspired voters are listening.

Colette Jenkins
Scottsdale

There simply is no other candidate who has this kind of support at the grassroots level. Dean nomination is inevitable. We should not even bother qualifying our statements any more ("should Dean win the nomination.." etc.). But of course we have a lot of work to do...