My college's student-run newspaper asked me to write a 400-600 word opinion piece supporting Howard Dean. This is what I wrote.
Getting Beyond Electability: Why I support Howard Dean
One of the most exhausting parts of this election has been the "horse-race" coverage by the news media. There is too much reporting on who's ahead, and not enough on who stands for what. The result has been the recent obsession people have with electability.
The results of the Iowa Caucuses have been a disastrous domino effect for Howard Dean's candidacy, causing him to lose every primary thus far. Why then, do I still support him? Because I believe this election is about more than just finding somebody who can beat Bush. It's about finding someone who can change the Democratic Party. Please note: changing the Party doesn't necessarily mean moving it further left (although I would certainly support that too), it means giving it a backbone again. Despite what the DLC would have you believe, average Americans are tired of stiff Democrats who do nothing but complain about the economy. They also are tired of Democrats who care more about how they're perceived, than about the actual issues at stake. So just for once, let's put "electability" on the backburner and see what Doctor Dean has to subscribe.
The first thing that sets Dean apart from his opponents is his dedication to fiscal responsibility. When Dean was sworn in as Governor, Vermont had a $70 million dollar deficit. He quickly reduced it, and for 11 years, Vermont had a balanced budget. On the campaign trail, Dean has taken some heat for his proposal to repeal all of the Bush tax cuts. While tax-increases are unpopular, under the current revenue system, the government isn't taking in enough to keep up with its spending. Howard Dean understands this, and is willing to talk openly about what it's going to take to balance the federal budget. This issue is particularly important for our generation. Already, 15% of the budget just goes to paying interest on the national debt. The more we deficit spend, the greater that percentage will be in the future. So, Howard Dean's passion for balanced budgets would greatly benefit our generation and the next.
Howard Dean is also calling for important changes in our campaign and election system. In addition to more campaign finance reform, Dean has pledged to push for non-partisan redistricting, improved voting technology, replacing the FEC with a more effective Federal Election Agency, and to establish a commission to look into instant run-off voting, an election day national holiday, and the abolition of the electoral college. America is desperate for some real change in our election system. It's clear that Howard Dean is open to explore new ideas to strengthen our democracy.
Dean has taken some other stands that have attracted me to his campaign. While Dean is no dove, his moderate opposition to the war in Iraq is preferable to Kerry and Edwards' pro-war votes. Howard Dean also opposed No Child Left Behind, which even Dennis Kucinich voted for. Howard Dean made history by signing the first legislation that gave same-sex couples the same legal benefits of straight couples. These stands show backbone, something the Democratic Party has been lacking in recent times.
These were the issues that brought me to his campaign. But Dean has something to offer for people all over the political spectrum. For liberals, Dean will expand health care coverage for children, for libertarians, he will oppose gun control, and for conservatives, he will make cuts in the budget where they are needed. If that's not electable, then I don't know what is.
Comments?