The Magnificent Intangible: Why Dean support is unwavering
Katydid splendidly nails my own perceptions of — and motivation for supporting — Howard Dean as president:
I love Dean on paper, on the internet, and in stump speeches, but there have been times on TV that I have cringed and wondered if he was up to the task at hand. But the depth of the support behind him, and the depth of his ideas, hold him up above the rest and he will be difficult to beat. I have come to the realization that I am Dean all the way, no matter what he says, because I trust him and his instincts. It’s very strange, because he no longer has to sell himself to me. It’s the materiality, all that he brings with him. I want all of it, so I want him, no matter what.
Yes, where by materiality I assume K means what I’d say as substantiveness, and wherein I note such trust doesn’t come easily to me and I don’t place it lightly — but after hundreds of hours of research I find that trust has arisen.
Thanks, Katydid.
2004-01-05 update: Outlandish Josh makes a similarly astute observation (as he’s good at doing) about why Dean supporters tend to stay onboard:
The other thing that Dean’s supporters have [besides empowerment] is consensus. Since they’ve been interlinked and empowered since the get-go, they’ve talked through almost everything.
This is not something that we’ve seen in a long long time, and it’s the heart of Dean’s “teflon” status. People who get on board remain on board because their support is based on rational conversations they’ve had and are continuing to have among themselves; and they’re always reaching out to others. Dean’s roots are a 500,000 strong rapid response team, and the campaign is making brilliant use by trusting their responses and ideas.
2004-01-20 update: After Dean’s unexpected third-place finish in the Iowa caucuses last night, the assertion above — and the reasoning behind it — is about to be put to the test. I know I’m not going anywhere. The race has certainly become more of a nail-biter now, which may turn out to be a good thing for the process: more attention, more vetting, more participation.
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This is an interesting observation, and one that I haven't tried to voice until now. I feel the same way about Dean. When he steps first and looks second, I'm not alarmed. When he impulsively speaks out or "talks back", I'm not disturbed. It's his courage that gives me hope. It's his willingness to leap into the pit, knowing he will face his personal demons, but willing to leap anyway that makes me trust him.
Here's another thought. If many people feel this way about Dean, then maybe the same is true for Mr. Bush. It sure helps me understand why he's getting away with misrepresenting the facts as he does. The people who support him aren't really listening. They trust him and there is something inside of them that resonates to him - the man - not his words.
This is very much like Lord of the Rings. It's what's in our hearts that draws us; not Dr. Dean or President Bush. We each are following The Call. Where we end up depends on who we are at the deepest level.
— vickie laurenzi Monday January 5, 2004 #