From DailyKos today:

"Dean also needs to be careful about the anti-Dean backlash in the online activist community that has been building steadily over the past few weeks. This community helped push Dean into prominance, and it could help undo him."

I'm curious what people think is the source of this backlash and what we can do about it.

Some of it is just natural resentment from people who are not Dean supporters (I've seen Kerry pickers get pretty vicious), over-inflated expectations, and general internet bitchiness; what concerns me is whether any of it is actually substantive and can be addressed.
chase | Email | Homepage | 05.07.03 - 4:00 pm | #

DemocraticUnderground forums have a pretty vocal anti-Dean sentiment.

In general, it's probably a reaction to his strong support online and his attacks on the other candidates...
Luke Francl | Email | Homepage | 05.07.03 - 4:29 pm | #

There's a couple people at democraticunderground that seem to troll every Dean oriented thread and throw everything they can at Dean, hoping some will stick (even old lies that have been refuted a hundred times). They are also Kerry supporters. Go figure.
Phil | Email | Homepage | 05.07.03 - 4:33 pm | #

Get used to it folks. It's going to get a lot worse as time goes by.

Just try and keep in mind that many of these online snipers may want the same thing you do: the removal of Dubya from the White House. We need to keep that goal in mind if we are going to move beyond the temporary brawls and be ready for the real fight to come.
Chris Andersen | Email | Homepage | 05.07.03 - 5:33 pm | #

I am a bit disappointed in Dean's performance at the debate. He came across to me as undignified, which equals un-Presidential.

That said, I believe in the campaign, and I'm committed to getting Dean elected. I consider this debate to have been a dry run, not really that important, but a crucial warm-up for what lies ahead.

So, the backlash is probably about Dean not performing as expected in the pre-season. I'm confident his swing will improve with a little more batting practice.

I hate to criticize the campaign, especially on this site, but at this point, I consider honesty to be more important and useful than cheerleading.
Paul | Email | Homepage | 05.07.03 - 7:22 pm | #

Got back from the meetup at Marthas in Nashua. Dean came across
very well. I do have a few tips
for the people who run the NH meetups
that Dean attends.

Talk to people before Dean speaks.

Don't assume everyone attending is involved in meetup and know where Dean
stands on issues. Please approach people and talk to them about Dean.

There were people there that were
confused by Deans internet reference in his speech. Explain to them how the internet is being used in
Deans campaign. It is a selling point.

Don't be intimidated by the older attendees. I know they were sitting in the back of the room eyeing Dean up like a racehorse but remember
they are looking for someone who can beat Bush. Sell them on Dean. They could be a great help this early in the campaign.
Nashua Voter | Email | Homepage | 05.07.03 - 9:33 pm | #

Back from MeetUp in New Haven, CT. We had a turnout of perhaps 40 people, including some folks were are pretty well connected in CT politics.

Dr. Dean's brother, Jim Dean, was at the event. He's been doing a great deal for the campaign. It sounds like the campaign has started to build the nationwide infrastructure it needs, especially in the last 3 months since real donations have started coming in. Money will be critical in the next 4-5 months in particular, to root that infrastructure before the real "political season" hits.

With regards to the debate, and to complaints that some of us had that Dean doesn't come across as impressively in Q&A formats, Jim Dean assured us that this is a priority of the campaign. I was pleased that it seemed the campaign is honestly addressing this, and aims for his interviews and debates to have the same effect of inspiring and drawing people as his convention speeches. I personally think that Howard Dean is a quick learner once he puts his mind to something; if he's making this a priority, I suspect we'll see positive results soon.

This was my first MeetUp, and I was impressed that this grassroots effort is the real thing. A large variety of people, and not lacking in clout. One senior citizen tonight told us that we should attempt to reach seniors who don't use the internet. "I think you'll find that seniors will come out for Dean," she said.

That's not all who will come out for Dean.

Seniors. Students. The Democratic Base. Environmentalists. The Uninsured. Labor. Civil rights activists. Pro-choicers. Democrats who vote with the NRA. Fiscal balanced-budget conservatives. Progressives. Populists. Greens. Some Libertarians. African Americans. Arab Americans. French Americans. McCain "tell-it-like-it-is" Independents. Wellstone "integrity" Independents. Santorum/Lott critics. Free Media advocates. Folks who prefer government checks-and-balances. Separation of Chuch and State advocates. Parents with kids in public school. People who lost jobs. Veterans who lose benefits. Iraq War skeptics. Election 2000 Skeptics. Anyone who understands George Orwell and/or the Bill of Rights.

Can Dean get 51% in a general election?

If we really reach the American people, he'll do it with room to spare.

I've never put a bumper sticker on my car before. Can you guess who's name is on it tonight?
CTDem2 | Email | Homepage | 05.07.03 - 11:05 pm | #

Sounds like the consensus is that any "backlash" is just resentment (I know the Kerry pickers have done an admirable job of convincing me that Kerry has nothing to offer - and he started as my first choice). That's pretty much my guess as well. We should keep our eyes open though.

I'm with you on the bumper sticker, CTDem2!
chase | Email | Homepage | 05.08.03 - 2:43 pm | #