We here on Kos might have different definitions of erotica, but for a number of Dean supporters (based on a few hundred comments on BFA last night) the
picture that I took last night of Howard Dean qualifies as great erotic inspiration.
As has been discussed a few other times on Kos, it seems that there are a good number of incredibly dedicated Dean supporters who are inspired to give up to their donation limit and countless hours per week for Howard Dean not only because he's a fine Governor and an inspiring political leader, but as an added enjoyable incentive, because he's just plain hot.
Yesterday I finally had a chance to meet Dean for the first time after being a dedicated Dean supporter for nearly a year. He didn't disappoint. Close up, Dean is warm, friendly, and, well, as sexy as I had imagined.
The other big story from yesterday is last night's Gridiron Club Dinner. As was reported in susan's diary yesterday, Robert Novak did actually perform his outrageous skit making fun of his role in the Valerie Plame affair.
Howard Dean was invited and, according to the Washington Post, Dean accepted a chance to show the crowd that he can laugh at himself by singing a self-deprecating solo.
Click below for some pictures and more Gridiron gossip from yesterday. It will take a few days for more Gridiron details to leak out, but I think it's an interesting discussion topic.
First, Dean Supporters Gather Outside the pre-Gridiron Luncheon at Gannett
When I heard that Dean was the confirmed keynote speaker at the pre-Gridiron address at Gannett, I tried to organize a gathering of fellow Dean supporters at the event to show our thanks and support for Dean.
In the end, over 30 of us gathered at Gannett HQ to meet and greet the Gov. (Click for image if direct link does not work.>
Though Gannett banished us off the property, Dean was cool enough to drive over to where we were gathered and spend time with us.
Dean looked fantastic: rested, happy, and laughing, seeming genuinely surprised and delighted to see us there. (Click for link if direct link does not work.)
After all these months, I finally got to shake his hand. He held my hand and met my eyes during our little conversation, which I now can't remember at all since I was so happy at the time. I think it was the typical, "Thank you so much for all you've done", "Thank YOU for your support, it means a lot..." type of exchange. His eyes were bluer than blue, and he didn't release my hand or break eye contact until I began to release mine. Wow.
He took pictures with a few of us, including me, and Geri in No Va from the BFA blog asked him if he was going to watch the documentary on CNN. He laughed and said no. He said he was looking forward to spending a night at home in Burlington and reminded us that he didn't have cable at home. "I think the whole country would be better off if we didn't have cable," he quipped.
My Audition for the Paparazzi
I've been fascinated by the fact that Dean was going to attend the Gridiron Dinner, knowing that Dean would be the butt of countless jokes there. The annual Washington tradition always reveals interesting gossip and tidbits.
Two years ago, for example, Paul Krugman made big news at the dinner, not by participating in a funny skit, but with his gesture of quiet protest of reckless Bush administration policies. He shocked dinner guests by refusing to applaud for Bush or his cabinet members when they spoke.
When I heard that Dean was going to attend this year, I was full of questions that still haven't been answered:
- Who invited him to attend? At whose table would he sit?
- What kind of reception would he get from "Washington Insiders" that he has criticized so scathingly?
- Would Hillary make jokes about him in her speech?
- Would he be popular and surrounded by supporters, or awkwardly out of place?
- Did Dean laugh at the horrible Novak skit? Did anyone refuse to clap in disgust? What did Joe Wilson do?
One question I determined to answer myself:
- What does Howard look like in a white-tie tux? Could he carry off the requisite duds for the formal affair?
So with an intrepid, adventurous friend, I set off to sneak in the Capitol Hilton and get a shot of the good doctor in his fancy duds. I got to see a number of interesting people arrive, including Jack Valenti, Jack Germond, and Chuck Robb and his wife. I didn't want to snap photos of them, though, since I was in an "unauthorized" location and didn't want to get kicked out before Dean arrived.
Sooner than I had expected (about 10 minutes after the official start time) Dean arrived. Unfortunately, due to a slight time delay with my digital camera, I missed the "money" shot of him straight on in his tux. He looked fabulous.
Luckily, I did get a decent one, albeit in profile:
Click for larger version.
I really wanted to shout out to him, but the lobby of the Capitol Hilton was really not the place, and I was dressed far from appropriately for such an occasion! He was deep in conversation with a male companion that I did not recognize. I heard a rumor it may have been Andy Stern, but I have no idea who really invited him.
It's great to hear that Dean had the moxie to laugh at himself, and I hope this schmoozing in the snake pit (emerging unscathed) will help rebuild his relationship with the Washington media machine:
As happens in the news biz, key players were reduced to bit parts. Howard Dean had been the subject of a prominent skit. After his disastrous primary season, the writers reduced the former Democratic front-runner to a minor scream. But Dean had the courage to accept an invitation. And he agreed to belt out a solo (to the tune of "On Wisconsin"): "In Wisconsin, in Wisconsin, I had my last chance. Edwards, Kerry played too dare-y. And they beat the pants right off me. I'm a dreamer, I'm a screamer. But I got what I want. I kicked Kerry's butt in the Republic of Vermont."
Unfortunately, my partner in crime was not as fascinated by the other political and media figures to stick around snapping photos, so we left soon afterward to go see The Passion of the Christ. Talk about emotional roller coaster!
Dean's Most "Passionate" Supporters
After arriving home, I shared on BFA that I had snapped the tux shot and was inundated with posts and emails from people dying to see it. After I posted it, the blog took off in the most amusing and surreal discussion that I've seen in months.
A few people tried to hold serious, substantive conversations, but hundreds of lustful comments were written about "hottie Howard". I've never seen anything like it! One male blogger said he popped in and was "overrun by female pheremones in here!" The intensity of passion for Dean, especially weeks after dropping out, was pretty remarkable.
What's interesting to note is how committed those Crushies for Dean, a loose group of other Howard Dean supporters who find him incredibly attractive, really are. They're not just sitting at home mooning over photos. Most have never contributed to a politician and are now maxed out. Two of the founders of Crushies for Dean, Marla and Fran, have been tirelessly working in Austin, TX for Dean, and hope still to win delgates for him there.
As for me, I was hooked on Dean before I ever saw a photo of him. Before I ever found the Blog or went searching for personal stories about Dean. But the extra zing in my passion and my commitment as a volunteer has been the personal tidbits that I learned about him as a man: his personal history, his respect for Judy and other women, the photos of Dean as a young man, and the overall sexiness factor.
It's unfortunate that Dean's media advisors and staff and Dean himself were never able to effectively package that side of Dean for voters to see. It's not just that Howard looks great in jeans and has incredible blue eyes. The sexiness is all about his courage, his blunt honesty, his abilty to listen and adapt but ultimately stand up for what he believes in.
Those of us who saw the big picture of Dean as a man largely had to do the sleuthing ourselves. But with proper packaging, I'm convinced a majority of the rest of America would be in love, too.
sigh
A fuller galley of photos I snapped yesterday is here. Thanks for reading!