Burnt Orange Report

A Father's Wisdom

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

This will likely be my last post on the topic of the Post-Caucus Dean rally, for one, because I don't have any family members left to comment on it. But I bring these words to you, written by my father to friends in the conservative Hill Country west of Austin because I think that sometimes we forget in the world of commenting that a little historical perspective is in order. My father has seen a lot of politics in his over 50 years in this country. He also said something to me today that struck me- "even is all else fails," he said, "and the right rules for the next 10 years, it's only ten years. They will fall just like others have before them. We still must set our agenda."

It is a true statement, yes, and at the same time we have a duty to do the best we can to offer the public an agenda that means something. I personally think back to the days of Andrew Jackson sometimes when thinking about Dean. Maybe we have the opportunity to fundamentally change how things work. We haven’t been able to do it on the House or Senate level, too many people that can't be removed at once. That leaves the Presidency. Kerry or Edwards, all their rhetoric aside, sound hollow when blasting Washington politics as usual. I wonder why.

Anyways, here's a bit from a father, a teacher, a historical buff- older and wiser than I...

I have just returned from Austin, where my wife and I visited our son Karl-Thomas. Karl-T worked for Gov. Dean in Iowa for the last two weeks, while he was on winter break from the University of Texas (he returned to Texas with Deans Texas Rangers last Wednesday). Prior to the Iowa caucuses, Karl-T worked in the Dean HQ in Manchester, NH. for about a week.

Karl-T was in the crowd when Gov Dean gave the Monday speech, rallying his supporters. This evening (Fri.), I saw a digital video of Dean giving the speech that was taken by a volunteer in the audience, close to the stage. This video was electric! Kids, and old farts like me, were waving flags, cheering, chanting, and generally vividly showing their support for Dean's candidacy. The speech I saw Dean give was not the "scream" as portrayed on the major TV networks. There was no loss of control. In fact, I could barely hear the "scream' at the end of his pep talk (but it was there.)

This guy was having fun! He was rallying his troops, many of whom were young people who came into Iowa from across the United States. If you listen to the content of the speech, Dr. Dean just says he will continue to wage his election campaign, in the states of all the Democratic (and Republican) contenders, and he would compete in every state that had a primary or election caucus.

In no way do I believe that he was "out of control," as so many network political pundits were so quick to say. I respect the American media. For the most part, I believe that they do a good job of keeping the public informed about issues of the day.

This is my take on this whole situation. I believe the news media does not know what to think about Gov. Dean's campaign! This campaign has electrified so many people on the grass roots level that the media does not know how to respond. Dean was touted as the frontrunner because of his fundraising and organizational abilities and because of his ability to connect with voters as a down to earth person on a personal level. Of course, he also worked Iowa for quite some time.

I like Howard Dean, warts and all. I think it's about time that we had a leader that had warts.

I cannot remember that last time that there was such genuine enthusiasm for a political candidate. (in my political experience,1972 comes to mind.) In no way did I believe that the Iowa rally was a "Muskie moment." Howard Dean is GENUINE! I heartily approve of his position on many issues that I hold quite dear, such as social security, social spending, and especially education.

He is the same man we wholeheartedly offered our support to at the House Parties on December 31st. When you lead from the front, you have to expect to get beaten upon, even if it is unwarranted. Gosh, he came in third in 2004. In 2002, NO ONE thought he would even be a contender. Clinton was third in Iowa, and second in New Hampshire, and look what eventually happened.

If we keep the faith, and spread the message, we will prevail- on Jan. 27th, Feb. 3rd, 7th, & 10th, and March 2nd and 9th! This wound is in no way fatal, although some other Democrats and FOX News Network, Rush Limbaugh, and their ilk would have you believe so. George W. Bush's political career should be mortally wounded for his handling of the economy, his Iraq policy, and his outright LIES concerning Saddam's purported weapons of mass destruction!

Dean 'Scream'. Bush 'Record'. Which does the media make the big news story?

Where's that Liberal Bias when you need it?