His mouth says things that his brain doesn't edit first. I have the same problem. As E.M. Forster said, "How can I know what I think until I see what I say?" This is fine for great writers (Forster) and brain-dead bloggers (that would be yours truly), but not so good if you're going to try and beat George Bush next year.
The latest example, unlike the Confederate flag gaffe, was barely noticed: it was published in Newsweek magazine four months ago, in July. Back then, no one took him seriously, so no one cared what he said.
Referring to his younger brother's disappearance in Laos in 1974, he said, "I had grief counseling for a while. I was not hospitalized or any of that crap."
"Any of that crap." Huh. Anyone who's ever had to be hospitalized for psychiatric or mental problems will, I'm sure, agree completely that the experience was indeed "crap," but I doubt strongly that Dean meant it that way, although you can bet his spinners will take that tack once this remark becomes more widely known - and it will, trust me: Bush's opposition research team is major-league, and they miss nothing.
No, what Howard Dean is saying is that people who have difficulties severe enough to warrant psychiatric hospitalization are losers, weak, or otherwise inadequate. He might be surprised to find out how many people working for him, as well as his fellow governors, U.S. senators and congressman, and their families, have intimate knowledge of psychiatric illness.
Hey, Howard, we're people too, and we vote. And there's a shitload of us out here.
Article comments
1 - Doc
Geez guy, take take your vicadan and ease up on Dean!
2 - Eric Olsen
perhaps, Joe's point is well taken
3 - Michael Croft
I dunno, there's a mini-industry of books quoting politicians saying stupid things, and the industry is pretty bi-partisan. Some of the things attributed to Winston Churchill are pretty nasty. Arnold had some juicy quotes that didn't sink his campaign.
However, it is possible to gaffe your way out of winning an election. Texas gubernatorial candidate Clayton Williams lost to Anne Richards at least in part for comparing bad weather to rape (stating that if it was inevitable, one should just lay back and enjoy it).
Despite that, it's way to early to make these kinds of pronouncements. I think that if Dean makes it through the primaries, it'll come down to the perception of the economy and the perception of the war.
4 - Hal Pawluk
Grasping for straws now, are we?
Dean may have a better chance than I thought.
5 - Al Barger
Rand forgive me, but I'll have to defend Dean in this case. This looks like a bit of manliness. Do you want a fragile personality for your president that finds it necessary to be institutionalized over personal tragedy? A president will face a lot worse than the loss of a family member.
And Jebus Criminy, you'd never get anything done if you were that busy looking over your shoulder at all times to avoid saying anything that might be deemed insensitive by anybody.
6 - Eric Olsen
again, all of that could well be true, but it was an interesting observation on Joe's part
7 - Hal Pawluk
Maybe, but it sounds like something the DLC would "observe."