Once again, Dr Dean has done what I expected. For me, another display of very good judgement.
Dr Dean reamins on the ballot. I urge all Dean supporters to continue voting for Dean. We may not be the majority, but we can send people to the Convention to keep it honest.
In the meantime ...
The Dean campaign for President will stop. The Dean effort to support friendly candidates for other offices, to change the Democratic party, and to "take back America" just started.
We need a center for activists. This center can train and support people willing to speak "truth to power," to campaign for progressive candidates and causes, and pull no punches. Dr Dean can makeover the campaign into such a center. This is very worthy of support, if he does this.
We need a police force to make sure the Democratic party stays true to the rank and file. I dislike putting it this way, but the right wing has taken over the Democratic apparatus and is taking it further and further right. Endorsing and supporting George W Bush, for example, seems to me inconsistent with being a Democrat. Being opposed to labor unions, the New Deal, the Great Society and other such efforts seems to me contrary to being a Democrat.
We do not need to keep our house spotlessly clean, but I do think those who throw garbage on the floor have to be taught manners or asked to leave. The Dean organization can do this.
We need a co-ordinated effort to develop, change and advocate progressive ideas and policies. We don't new a new orthodoxy; we do need a common commitment to our generally shared vision. A Dean "think tank" and internet services can be part of this.
I think this is where Dr Dean is headed. For that, I fully applaud and support his decisions.
Our slogans:
TAKE BACK AMERICA
TAKE BACK THE PARTY
KEEP THE CAMPAIGN HONEST