DNC Chairman Howard Dean's Comments

Recent editorials suggesting that Dr. Dean’s comments will alienate swing voters may be correct, but I believe that catering to swing voters is not the most important function of the Chairman of a political party. The Party Chairman’s responsibility is to define clearly the party’s positions on issues, and its philosophies and mobilize the faithful. Candidates running on the party’s ticket have the prerogative to reinterpret and modify these stands to appeal to swing voters.

Dr. Dean’s style may be too harsh, and his statements may be too inflammatory, but to suggest that he should court swing voters without ever articulating the Democratic Party’s positions and stands is out of place.

What the Democratic Party needs is a clear statement of what it stands for, and what it is against. The candidates will water down what they need to appeal to each electorate. If the party begins its stands catering primarily to swing voters, it forgoes the opportunity to mobilize the faithful, and may still create the impression of being indecisive with the swing voters.