Nation-Building >> Shot in the Arm? | return to front page

Hey, you know, I was sitting here thinking: what can I do to improve our September to Remember numbers, and how can I do my part to get more people to join Dean Meetups? Then, Tom Delay spouts off (again) on Inside Politics this afternoon and does tons of work for me, and all I have to do is blog!

WOODRUFF: Here's another thing Democrats are saying these days, and I know you're very aware of it. Some of them at the national level singling you out, Tom DeLay, as a polarizing figure, saying that your criticisms of the Democratic presidential candidates is helping them.

There's a spokesman for Howard Dean, the former Vermont governor, who said -- quote -- "Every time Tom DeLay attacks us, our supporters rally behind us. "Among Democrats, these men," speaking of you and Karl Rove, "are despised. These attacks are going to crystallize, that we are prominent this race, and we welcome them." Is this the effect that you want to have on Democrats?

DELAY: The only thing I disagree with them over is (that) they're prominent in this race. It may be energizing their base, which is very small, and I don't know. But you can't hide from the political arena. Howard Dean, for instance, is -- has a temperament that is unfit for -- to be president of the United States. Finally we have a president that is even-handed, very tolerant, shows more leadership, has brought class and culture back to the White House, and yet -- and Howard Dean comes on the political scene, and all he can do is call people names, rant and rave -- you know, that's -- that's a temperament that I think it's important for people like me to stand up and say, well, look at his temperament and look at George W. Bush's temperaments. Which one do you want to see in the White House?

The "only thing I disagree with them over" Delay says? Hmmm, perhaps we should introduce him to MoveOn.org. Thanks, Tom, I'll have more social time this weekend -- and hey, ratchet up those attacks this month, okay?