Hooting and Hollering

I wonder if I’m the only one who wanted to watch this debate, just to see what the hell Howard Dean would say in response to the last few days of media criticism. For those who missed it, here’s his response :

DEAN: You know, I’m not a perfect person. I think a lot of people have had a lot of fun at my expense over the Iowa hooting and hollering, and that’s justified. But one thing I can tell you is that I’m not kidding about what I say.

The things that I do are things I believe in. I think it’s important that the president of the United States be willing to stand up for what’s right and not stand up for what’s popular.

I did it with No Child Left Behind. That was a mistake a year ago, not just now that everybody’s suffering with it. I did it in Iraq. And I did it when I stood up for civil unions for gay and lesbian people my home state when it wasn’t popular. And I’m willing to do it again as president.

Pretty good response, but not the joke I was hoping for. Of course, the class clown of this race had a good one liner for us :

SHARPTON: Well, first of all, let me say this. I wanted to say to Governor Dean, don’t be hard on yourself about hooting and hollering. If I had spent the money you did and got 18 percent, I’d still be in Iowa hooting and hollering.

(LAUGHTER)

(APPLAUSE)

SHARPTON: So, don’t worry about it, Howard.

(LAUGHTER)

DEAN: Thanks, Reverend.

Hopefully, this will stop the near-endless loop of Dean screaming state names on the news.


posted by greg on January 22, 2004 @ 6:22 pm

5 comments

  1. There were plenty of jokes when Dean delivered the Top 10 list over on the Letterman program, entitled “Top 10 Things I Can Do to Turn Things Around.” I thought it was a wise move, to respond soberly at the debate while having fun at his own expense on the Letterman show. Will it be effective, when his negative numbers in New Hampshire seem to be rising about 5 points with each passing day? I don’t know, but I hope so.

    Comment by Jonathan Scott Chinn — January 23, 2004 @ 7:31 am

  2. I think “I always follow my heart” is a great message which all voters can relate to and respect. Dean gave that speech to get a crowd pumped up, and he did his job well. If anything, the past few days (and several weeks, to be true) have shown Dean’s humanity and forced him to be a bit humble — both of which are great presidential qualities that are sorely lacking in the White House now.

    Comment by Jason H — January 23, 2004 @ 7:37 am

  3. It was almost as if Al Sharpton did the joke for him. Having watched the “hooting and hollering” several times I disagree it was a meltdown or temper tantrum. It sounded more like a yee haw. I think they have gotten as much mileage out of it as possible and any more coverage will probably be considered piling on. You can’t help but like Judy too. FYI- I told my husband last night he doesn’t have the temperament to be a family practice doctor. My prediction was internal medicine. I looked him up this am on the Vermont state board list and I was right. I know an asshole when I see one and that’s what we need to fight the republicans. I’m sticking with him thru our primary on Feb. 3.

    Comment by Becky — January 23, 2004 @ 7:48 am

  4. You know, when Bush Jr. was running, expectations had been lowered so much we were happy if the candidate could pronounce the state he was in. Now with Dems all of a sudden having a candidate who can actually rattle off the names of states without missing a beat is considered lame.

    Comment by Darth Geophysical — January 23, 2004 @ 7:58 am

  5. ahhh, the soft bigotry of low expectations…

    Comment by josh — January 23, 2004 @ 8:39 am

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