I've been puzzled for a long time, and after a diary up in the Recommended box left me scratching my head yet again, it finally occurred to me that the simple solution is to ask. And this is surely the place where I could get an education. Could pro-Dean, anti-Kerry people please take a moment to give me examples of issues on which Dean has a more progressive position than Kerry -- and tell me exactly what that progressive position is? I'll admit I'm not an expert on Dean, but I just haven't seen it so far. Both are against gay marriage and for civil unions. Neither one would've invaded Iraq. So what's the deal? Mea culpa, I'm ignorant; please clue me in. If it helps, feel free to call Kerry names while you 'splain it to me.
Is Dean calling for immediate withdrawal from Iraq, while Kerry is merely calling for greater cooperation with allies to try to achieve stability and a commitment to no permanent U.S. bases in Iraq? Are there other wonderful things that Dean promised to fight for when he was running for president? I see Kerry continually standing up for women's rights, gay rights, health care, education, workers' rights, veterans' rights, and a responsible policy on Iraq, and I honestly don't get why he gets tarred and feathered as "Bush Lite" while Dean is revered. But please spell it out for me, and I promise that I won't bite anyone's head off for bashing Kerry (or for calling me an ignoramus if you like) -- not in this diary, anyhow. I'd really like to understand what the vast differences in policy and positions are between Kerry and Dean that so many people get so exercised about.
ETA: The responses so far have been fascinating and very informative. Thank you so much! Anyone else who's thinking about responding, please do!