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Former DNC Chair Howard Dean Recalls His 2003 Run for President

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “We cannot have a party where the constituency looks like one thing, and the people who are running at the top of the ticket look like something else,” said Howard Dean, who served 12 years as governor of Vermont and chaired the National Governors’ Association, the Democratic Governors’ Association, and the Democratic National Committee.

Published

5 years ago

February 10, 2020

Stacy M. Brown

"We cannot have a party where the constituency looks like one thing, and the people who are running at the top of the ticket look like something else," said Howard Dean, who served 12 years as governor of Vermont and chaired the National Governors' Association, the Democratic Governors' Association, and the Democratic National Committee.

Says 2020 Dems Must Recognize Minorities in Order to Defeat Trump

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Howard Dean served 12 years as governor of Vermont and chaired the National Governors’ Association, the Democratic Governors’ Association, and the Democratic National Committee.

But the toughest challenge the Yale graduate said he ever experienced was his 2003 run for president of the United States.

“My wife didn’t get affected by it, my children didn’t, but running for President is the hardest thing I ever did,” Dean told NNPA Newswire. “It’s very hard work. You don’t sleep. You eat crappy food – for several months, I was on a peanut M&M’s diet. I’d get off a train or a plane, and it’s peanut M&M’s.”

“There were plenty of good days, mainly when you are unexpectedly in front of 25,000 people,” Dean stated.

Most impressively was the commitment of American citizens often witnessed by Dean on the campaign trail, he said.

“I remember one time when I was in Iowa, and an older lady in a wheelchair came up and said, ‘I want you to take this $50.’ She gave me a bag of quarters that totaled $50. I told her that I couldn’t take it, she had been saving the money from her disability checks and said the election was that important,” Dean stated. “I realized the burden that you who are running for president have on people. You’re really not doing it yourself, and if you are, you’re probably in the wrong business.”

“This is a real responsibility.”

Dean doesn’t recall the overriding occurrence that compelled him to run for president in 1993.

“I knew we’d been lied to about the war in Iraq. There were no weapons of mass destruction. I had been reading a lot of foreign newspapers and I also knew that British Intelligence had said there were no weapons, which [Former Vice President] Dick Cheney and [Former President] George W. Bush had been telling everyone,” Dean stated.

“So, I was very much against that war and I wanted a universal health care system where everybody had basic health care. That’s why I ran for president.”

Despite the massive division in today’s politics, Dean recalls a time when America and U.S. politics were even more divided.

“During Vietnam, it was so much violence. Not that it couldn’t get more violent, but you had civil rights leaders being beaten on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the lunch counters in North Carolina, and all kinds of stuff that went on for a long time,” Dean stated. “Kids were being shot dead at Jackson State. So, I think it was a worse time, so unsettled.”

With the 2020 Iowa Caucus kicking off primary season, Dean said he believes Democrats will face a fierce battle to win back the White House.

“First, when you have a foreign government helping one of the parties, that’s a major problem, and it makes it more difficult,” Dean stated. “What [Russian President] Vladimir Putin is trying to do is not so much to support a person, but he’s really trying to eliminate any idea of truth. He’s attacking the country in a very clear and more dangerous way. He’s gone further than they even did during the Cold War. So, these are pretty big problems that we have to figure out how to overcome.”

However, Dean said he believes President Trump can be defeated.

“We have our core constituents and a good number vote Democrat, not because they love Democrats or hate Republicans. African American and Latino people of color in general, actually all people of color now, are in our camp. There’s just one ethnic group, Vietnam Americans, who don’t vote for us,” he said.

Women count as the primary reason Democrats have a chance to beat Trump because of females of all ages overwhelmingly favor the party, according to Dean.

Still, he noted that diversity must be reflected in the 2020 Democratic ticket.

“We cannot have a ticket that is two old white guys. It cannot happen,” Dean stated.

“We cannot have a party where the constituency looks like one thing, and the people who are running at the top of the ticket look like something else,” he stated.

Dean continued:

“Our constituency is darker, younger, and more female. So, we have to start thinking about this and not resist change. Trump has mobilized people who now understand how awful the Republicans have done, and that they cheat, and they’re dishonest. They don’t care about the rule of law. They’re very dangerous.”

The message from the party should be that everyone needs a job, and everyone needs an educational opportunity, Dean said, adding that racism in all forms must also be properly addressed. “And, we do have to be sensitive about unintentional racism, too,” he said. “If you haven’t had the experience, you can’t understand, and you make judgments that are based on incomplete information. That’s very common, and it’s not alright.”

Stacy M. Brown

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

Oakland Post

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org