You've probably read the recent stories about how the Republicans plan to describe the Democrats as the "Party of protest and pessimism" in the 2004 race. Since this meme was first announced, it has already showed up in a number of conservative pundits' columns.
Last night Howard Dean gave a new stump speech. In it he described his supporters as "Passionate Patriots". I think that's a much better description than "angry" and "pessimistic". Deaniacs are certainly passionate and the campaign has been embracing the history of the founding of our country in his speeches and marketing strategies since he spoke in Boston in mid-September about the history of the Boston tea party.
His campaign is about hope and plans for a better country-- restoring our national values and policies. Here's a link to the
new Dean stump speech.
The speech rails against corporate influence in America, promotes re-regulation of some industries with a caveat that this must be done carefully, promotes opportunity for all and a belief in the needs of the many over the needs of the few.
Given some of the recent diaries by Theoria and others about the need for a more positive position statement for Democrats, what do you think of Dean's new speech?