Politics

Dean: ‘Elections Are Not The Time to Educate People’

With the power balance of Congress on the line, Democrats have been noticeably unwilling to tout their largest legislative success: President Obama’s landmark health care overhaul.

Scott Simon, host of NPR’s Weekend Edition, recently asked former Democratic National Committee (DNC) chairman Howard Dean why his party has been silent about the so-called Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act while campaigning. According to Dean, Democrats are waiting until after they win before “educating” constituents about the new law provisions.

“I don’t think we should be making the case right now,” Dean said during a Saturday interview. “Elections are not the time to educate people. You win the election, then you educate people afterwards.”

“But the president’s doing what he should be doing,” he continued. “This is a bare-knuckle fight. It’s bDean: Elections Are Not The Time to Educate Peopleetween the far right, which has taken over the Republican Party, and the rest of us.”

Dean also predicted that the public’s opinion of the health care law will increase once people are “educated” as to how it will help them.

“Well, I think actually you’re seeing more and more people that are,” Dean said. “The more people that begin to understand the bill, which is incredibly complex, the better I think the bill does.”

A partial transcript from the NPR interview follows (via CNSNews.com):

Simon: Why haven‘t Democratic candidates been out on the hustings boasting about having passed President Obama’s comprehensive health care reform?

Mr. Dean: Well, I think actually you’re seeing more and more people that are. The more people that begin to understand the bill, which is incredibly complex, the better I think the bill does.

On the other hand, the bill was very controversial. Bill Frist the other day said this is not a government takeover and nobody should say that it is. It’s just not a government takeover. And I think the exaggerations and the hyperbole on the Republican side – you know, the voters are much smarter than politicians think they are. So there’re some real things in this bill that are going to benefit us in the long run.

Simon: But what about this election cycle? Is it hard to make the case for it now?

Mr. Dean: I don’t think we should be making the case right now. Elections are not the time to educate people. You win the election, then you educate people afterwards. But the president’s doing what he should be doing. This is a bare-knuckle fight. It’s between the far right, which has taken over the Republican Party, and the rest of us.

Simon: Governor, if an electoral campaign isn’t the time to try and educate the public, when is that time?

Mr. Dean: It‘s while the bill’s passing. And we didn’t do so well, I don’t think, in that one. But, you know, that’s not part of this debate. That’s part of another debate later on. Right now we’ve got to focus on the election.

Comments (121)

1 2 3 4
  • wash1776
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:48pm

    Elections are not the time to educate the people? You win the election and then educate the people? Just like Pelosi with her “ you pass the bill and then learn what is in it”? And these Damocrat morons wonder why they are in so much trouble. Why don’t you shut up Dean and be thought a fool instead of proving it every time you open your mouth.

    Report Post »  
  • tankchaser
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:47pm

    “You win the election, then you educate people afterwords”.Dean!!! “First we pass the bill then you can see whats in it”. Speaker or the house Pelosi Seems like they expect us to always be a day late and a dollar short when it comes to information.
    The Dems are not running and spouting their greatness on passing the health-care bill because they know it is a sure fire loser for them. Spin spin spin. Can anyone that is a progressive liberal just tell the truth once????

    Report Post »  
  • missbosslady
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:35pm

    Dr. Dean, we do not need you to educate us, we took that upon ourselves and have determined that we fully and completely reject Obamacare.

    Report Post »  
  • Ricky Bobby
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:32pm

    Sorry, Mr. Dean. We are already educated . . . to vote out those with a mentality like yours. And Mr. Dean is/was a physician? Did he practice on patients before he went to medical school?

    Report Post » Ricky Bobby  
  • pajamash
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:30pm

    “Elections are not the time to educate people.” Let me translate this for you, dear reader, from Politician Speak to English. “We are currently working on the best propoganda slogan to use to indoctrinate the people that this law, that is clearly going to cost the average American more money, is truly better for them than staying with the current system that costs them less money”.

    Report Post »  
  • Inuyasha
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:26pm

    It isn’t their job to educate anyone at any time. They forget that they are our hired help. Election time is when the boss (we the people) sit our employees (the politicians) across from our desk and give them the lecture that they need. If they do not listen, we fire them and hire a new one.

    Report Post » Inuyasha  
  • Midwest Belle
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:25pm

    Well, Dean got ONE thing right – this is NOT the time to educate the public about the health care bill. The time for EDUCATION has long since passed – it should have been done BEFORE the damned bill was passed …. it MIGHT not have passed had we all been educated as to what’s in it!

    Report Post » Midwest Blonde  
    • CyberPro
      Posted on October 19, 2010 at 12:27am

      They could not educate the people on the bill, they never read it, and I am convinced still have not the slightest idea what is in it. Ya know, “We have to pass the bill before we know what is in it.” quoth Pelosi… that should be engraved on a building somewhere as being the most stupid public comment ever made by a politician.

      Report Post »  
  • aqualung
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:24pm

    It amazes me how anyone can in support of the bill, this administration and the sitting congress.

    Report Post »  
  • pajamash
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:24pm

    “Bill Frist the other day said this is not a government takeover and nobody should say that it is.”

    How would you define it then Mr. Dean? You say it is not a government takeover. If it is not, then tell us what it is.

    Report Post »  
  • pajamash
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:22pm

    “the voters are much smarter than politicians think they are.”

    WOW! I believe that is the first democrate to say that. Usually they talk about how stupid we are. Like Bill Maher on O’Reilly.

    Report Post »  
  • pajamash
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:20pm

    “Well, I think actually you’re seeing more and more people that are,” Dean said. “The more people that begin to understand the bill, which is incredibly complex, the better I think the bill does.”

    Does that mean we get to see the bill now?

    Report Post »  
  • pajamash
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:19pm

    “I don’t think we should be making the case right now,” Dean said during a Saturday interview. “Elections are not the time to educate people. You win the election, then you educate people afterwards.”

    Oh, so that is what is up with our education system. You wait until the students are adults, after the elections, then you educate them.

    Report Post »  
  • westwood
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:17pm

    Check out Prime Minister kim campbell of Canada. Never heard of her? that’s because she said something stupid like Dean just did and lead her party to the biggest electoral defeat in canadian History.

    Report Post »  
  • brooksjk
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:10pm

    The Immaculate Conservative

    Check out my blog to read about Obama and MSNBC joining forces for the Cultural Revolution, Why the Tea Party may need to organize wholly independent of the RNC, further proof that Obama thinks you’re an idiot and my continued obsession with Christine O’Donnell!

    http://joebrooks.webs.com/

    brooksjk  
  • Red Neckerson
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:06pm

    Obama read my lips NO NEW TAXES!

    Report Post »  
  • Susan Harkins
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 4:56pm

    You are mostly wrong there, Dean, ole boy! Elections are precisely the time when the VOTERS EDUCATE THEIR POLITICIANS.

    Report Post » Susan Harkins  
  • We Are Not Alone
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 4:54pm

    This is a re-post until after the election: Please do the same
    I received this in an email and thought it was worth posting as a reminder of what and when things happened…..
    Remember January 3, 2007

    …… I don‘t understand WHY the people running for office don’t say this in their ads!!!

    The day the democrats took over was not January 22nd 2009 it was actually January 3, 2007 the day the Democrats took over the House of Representatives and the Senate, the start of the 110th Congress.

    The Democratic Party controlled a majority in both chambers for the first time since the end of the 103rd Congress in 1995.

    For those who are listening to the liberals propagating the fallacy that everything is “Bush’s Fault”, think about this:

    January 3, 2007 was the day the Democrats took over the Senate and the Congress:
    At the time:

    The DOW Jones closed at 12,621.77

    The GDP for the previous quarter was 3.5%

    The Unemployment rate was 4.6%

    George Bush’s Economic policies SET A RECORD of 52 STRAIGHT MONTHS of JOB CREATION!

    Remember the day.

    January 3, 2007 was the day that Barney Frank took over as Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee and Chris Dodd took over as Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee.

    The economic meltdown that happened 15 months later was in what part of the economy?

    BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES!

    Thank Congress for taking us from 13,000 DOW, 3.5 GDP and 4.6% Unemployment to this CRISIS by dumping 5-6 TRILLION Dollars of toxic loans on the economy from YOUR Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac fiasco’s!

    (BTW: Bush asked Congress 17 TIMES to stop Fannie & Freddie – starting in 2001, because it was financially risky for the U.S. economy, but no one was listening).

    And who took the THIRD highest pay-off from Fannie Mae AND Freddie Mac? OBAMA.

    And who fought against reform of Fannie and Freddie??? OBAMA and the Democratic Congress.

    So when someone tries to blame Bush…
    REMEMBER JANUARY 3, 2007…. THE DAY THE DEMOCRATS TOOK OVER!”

    Bush may have been in the car, but the Democrats were in charge of the gas pedal and steering wheel they were driving. Set the record straight on Bush!

    So, as you listen to all the commercials and media from the Democrats who are now distancing themselves from their voting record and their party, remember how they didn‘t listen to you when you said you didn’t want all the bailouts, you didn’t want the health care bill, you didn’t want cap and trade, you didn‘t want them to continue spending money we don’t have.

    I’m not forgetting their complicity in getting us into this mess, and I’ll be marking my vote accordingly!
    Written by

    Report Post » Want our country back  
    • MontanaMade
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 7:54pm

      I’ve been trying to shout from the mountaintops the exact same thing!! Keep it up!

      Report Post » Montana Made  
  • We Are Not Alone
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 4:52pm

    MUST SEE:

    WE THE PEOPLE youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVAhr4hZDJE

    Makes you proud to be an American ♥

    Want our country back  
  • abc
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 4:49pm

    Considering that 100% of the 501(c)3 ads run in the last three weeks, according to FactCheck.org, are totally false in their claims, I would have to agree with Dean that elections are not the time when people become educated.

    Report Post »  
    • IntheKnowOG
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 4:54pm

      Oh, hi Barry! Nice of you stop your busy campaign/bald faced lie tour to comment….

      Report Post » IntheKnowOG  
    • TMACK
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 4:59pm

      I would hope that 3 weeks before an election, most voters would have already educated themselves on the candidates they will be casting their vote for in November.

      Report Post » TMACK  
    • solaveritas
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:06pm

      ABC
      Again, you attempt to rewrite the script. Dean said, “Elections are not the time to educate people.”
      YOU SAY, (because of fallacious campaign ads) “I would have to agree with Dean that elections are not the time when people become educated.”

      Don’t you get it. Elections SHOULD BE THE TIME to EDUCATE people. They aren’t, because politicians like Dean don’t have an honest message and are lying in the ads.

      Educate the people, honestly, and LET THEM DECIDE. The politicians, like Dean, are not willing to let the chips fall where they may. They want to WIN POWER, and then (maybe) do the “right thing” later.

      They want to win the vote for a bill, THEN read it, and educate the people as to what is in it. (Its a pattern, don’t you see.)

      Report Post » solaveritas  
    • abc
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 6:32pm

      Solaveritas, I‘m aware that I didn’t quote him exactly, and I did so because I am sarcastically agreeing that in the current environment truth is the very first casualty of political campaigns. I am completely aware of this. But are you aware that ALL of those 501(c)3 ads are in favor of Republican candidates? You talk about educating the electorate during elections while saying nothing about the anonymous money that enables the deceit and lies to continue.

      Report Post »  
    • solaveritas
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 7:05pm

      ABC
      The infamous DNC ad against Rove wherein it is said, “It appears that secret foreign money is being used to influence our elections” (while showing Chinese money being counted), THAT HAS NOT ONE SHRED OF EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT IT, is such an EGREGIOUS LIE, that your claim the the lying ads are only for Republicans falls completely under the doctrine of “unclean hands”.

      There is no excuse for (repeated) misquoting, especially when the reason (if there be one) is not explained. TRUTH is only a casualty of campaigns if we accept that reality.

      ALL the money is anonymous under the law. Just like 400 million of Obama’s campaign money. Anonymous under the law. There WAS evidence of cheating in the Obama campaign, but there is NO evidence of cheating by either Democrat or Republican organizations that have foreign affiliation. Anonymous does not equal cheating. Anonymous means protected from unfair boycotts as was just done to Target. Anonymous means protected, like our vote.

      If you respond, quote me accurately.

      Report Post » solaveritas  
    • Contrarianthinker
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 9:13pm

      ABC, FACTCHECK is an out of the home website that is totally progressive. I found this out the hard way. ABC, please give full disclosure. OK?

      Report Post »  
  • IntheKnowOG
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 4:47pm

    So, basically, Dean says “There are no American troops in Baghdad” as an M1-A1 rolls behind him.

    Report Post » IntheKnowOG  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 4:45pm

    YOU WILL FIND OUT WHATS IN THE BILL after we pass the bill…………….and after we send you to re-education camps so you see it our way

    Report Post » Psychosis  
    • CatB
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 6:48pm

      Dean is about to get a “re-education” … November 2nd!

      Report Post »  
  • TMACK
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 4:45pm

    “Elections are not the time to educate people. You win the election, then you educate people afterwards.”

    Translation: Tell the people what they want to hear, lie straight to their face, have them get you elected into office, do the opposite of what you promised you would do and THEN educate them on how socialism works.

    Nice one Dean…I can read between the lines.

    Report Post » TMACK  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:01pm

      That strategy has worked for them so far

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • snowleopard3200
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:02pm

      Yes, I see it that way as well.

      Wonder which part of the Socialist phrase of “Ready, Choose, Vote” he does not understand while we citizens of America DO understand.

      I was listening to BBC radio a minute ago and their newscaster had “no idea how the Democratic people of America could be possible losing soon.”

      And THEY wonder at times why WE went into a revolution against them, after trying to petition repeatedly for equal and fair treatment?

      http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (mix art)

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • snowleopard3200
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:11pm

      @Untameable-Kate

      Hopefully this will be the last time it works for them; its bad enough that by February 2011, most of our Federal Bonds will be due for renewal, and we still do not have a budget for the 2011 budget year. With the housing mortgage collapsing again, and all else getting twisted by George Soros the (as Beck says) “Emperor of the Dark Side.”

      Pray for our people, for our country, and for our freedom.

      The storm is coming, and with God on our side, we as a people can ride it out.

      http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (mix art)

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • justsaying
      Posted on October 19, 2010 at 7:51am

      The people are too stupid to understand, anyway, right?

      Report Post »  
  • walkwithme1966
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 4:43pm

    Dean is correct – talk to education the public on the bill later! And it is not government takeover.

    http://wp.me/pYLB7-gd

    Report Post » walkwithme1966  
    • IntheKnowOG
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 4:52pm

      @walkwithme1966

      So, is this your opinion of yours (as a non-American) formed from your experience in whatever marxist country you come from? Or, is influenced by your lack of intelligence?

      Report Post » IntheKnowOG  
    • snowleopard3200
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 4:59pm

      “You win the election, then you educate them.”

      Let me see the problems with this statement…

      Uh, Mr Dean…

      1. You actually NEED TO WIN.
      2. You did jam the bill down the throats of Americans citizens who did not want it.
      3. Some of your own Progressives admitted to NEVER READING THE BILL.
      4. If they have not read the bill, unlike most Americans by now have to some degree, how can you possibly TEACH and EDUCATE us about the bill.

      So Mr Dean are you going to start shouting to us, the American people something like “You betrayed us, you played upon our fears…uh, I mean…”

      Mr Dean, Americans are far from stupid, we just take time to get rialed up…but when that line is crossed the heavens themselves can be moved!!!

      http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (mix art)

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • cowpill
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:15pm

      I believe Marx said the same thing.

      Report Post » cowpill  
    • M31Sailor
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:23pm

      Howie, Howie ,Howie

      Elections are the time to educate the politicians

      Report Post » M31Sailor  
    • missbosslady
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:32pm

      I’m amused that Dr. Dean feels that we need to be educated. I am fairly certain that the “you’re too stupid to understand” meme that the Dems are ciruculating is not playing well with the folks.

      Walk, you seem quite fine being referred to as unintelligent, very telling, however there are scores (that means a lot) of Americans who are offended, each and every time, that these elitist liberals repeat the mantra of “you’re too stupid to understand”.

      Me thinks that it is Dr. Dean and his ilk that are too stupid to see the writing on the wall, it says in bold letters “Rejection!”

      The awakening will come on Nov. 2

      Report Post »  
    • RoAdFiXeR
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:52pm

      First you must elect a democrat to know what he stands for right Nancy….

      Report Post » RoAdFiXeR  
    • sodun
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 7:02pm

      @snowleopard3200
      .
      Yup it‘s to late we’ve already educated ourselves; November is just around the bend.

      Report Post » sodun  
    • janddjohnson
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 9:01pm

      They want to tell us after they win the election what is in the bill because if they tell us its a government takeover before the election then they wouldn’t win would they. I don’t think they really have a shot anyway. It would take a miraculous occurence for that to happen and I personally think that GOD is on the right.

      Report Post » Deanna in Missouri  
    • TheWord-DH077
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 11:27pm

      First Dean says, “– you know, the voters are much smarter than politicians think they are.”, which is correct. The American people ARE smarter than politicians, especially Dean! Then he says, “Elections are not the time to educate people. You win the election, then you educate people afterwards.” Is ANY American going to accept being slammed like this? Dean believes the American people are too stupid to get it BEFORE the election, but HE will be able to educate us AFTER the election? I think HE is the one that will get the education on November 3!!!

      Report Post »  
    • slickmeister
      Posted on October 19, 2010 at 9:33am

      IE: run away from the monstrosity known as Obamacare and make sure, at all costs that the public remains ignorant of it until it’s too late (which means AFTER enough people lose private health insurance and become fully dependent on the government for health care).

      Report Post » slickmeister  
  • SnapTie
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 4:37pm

    YeeHAAA loser

    Report Post » SnapTie  
    • oldoldtimer
      Posted on October 19, 2010 at 9:38am

      Just because he is too stupid to understand it does not mean the rest of us are also. If it smell like s**t it must be S**t

      Report Post »  
    • chazman
      Posted on October 19, 2010 at 5:56pm

      Again I have to sit here and be mildly offended by the likes of this jerk, DEAN. Ya gonna educate us, huh? You marxist moron! I’d like to give you an education – with my Louisville Slugger – signed by Roger Maris!!! You putz …

      Lock and Load, people …

      Report Post »  
  • Danglinbags
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 4:34pm

    Mr. Dean, you can come rub a dub dub in my tub any time.

    Snowleotard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • IntheKnowOG
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 4:45pm

      Rrriiigghhhhttttt……

      Report Post » IntheKnowOG  
    • Slevdog1
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 4:46pm

      I think Ernie’s Rubber Duckie has more smarts than Mr. Dean on this one……

      Report Post »  
    • leftylemn
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 4:54pm

      bags is leaning forward in the tub.

      Report Post »  
    • Danglinbaggins
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:13pm

      That’s a mighty handsome pic!

      Report Post »  
    • Danglinbags
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:24pm

      Ya, me and Ho-Dean are bringing seksie back one “yeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaeoooo” at a time!

      Snowleotard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • chazman
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 7:15pm

      It doesn’t matter which politician one may be. They all say the dumbest things! Whether it be Angle, Dean, Pelosi or O’Donnell, they all suck! My idea of the ideal politician would be the one that just does as it’s told, then crawls back to it’s small office within a very small government building.

      Lock and Load, people …

      Report Post »  
    • tobywil2
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 8:21pm

      When your premise is false the only arguments that can be used are fear mongering, emotional arguments, sarcasm, attacking the messenger and misrepresentation of the facts (lying). Those who expect to reap huge profits from our misery caused by government control are experts at these tactics.

      http://commonsense21c.com/

      Report Post » tobywil2  
    • Contrarianthinker
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 9:14pm

      Let me repeat a rule on the Blaze. Anyone who responds to any of Danglings posts is removed.

      Report Post »  
    • heebster
      Posted on October 19, 2010 at 11:44am

      It’s funny. Because if Republican voters WERE smarter, they wouldn’t be so quick to believe the obvious hyperbole that both sides spread. But of course, Republicans are honest and hardworking, multimillionaire elitists who don’t just care about themselves, while Democrats are terrible liars who want to steal money and give it to the poor folks. Get real.

      Report Post » heebster  
    • A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
      Posted on October 19, 2010 at 6:38pm

      Heebster,

      It’s OK for multimillionaire elitists, or anyone else for that matter, to just care about themselves when it comes to their own money.

      Report Post »  
    • FIRED UP FREE MAN !
      Posted on October 20, 2010 at 9:38pm

      Mr. SOROS is an international criminal. Any government official taking money from this monster or those he supports should be brought up on treason charges. Anybody who takes money from this monster has sold his soul and our government to HELL ! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND THE LIGHT OF DAY! For only TRUTH and the light of day is what this country DESERVES. Democrats seemed to have been infected by this DEADLY parasite and his minions. This country will NOT rest until SOROS is in prison orange and handcuffs standing in front of a military tribunal in Guantomino Bay, Cuba

      If you have any complaints about Mr. SOROS here are the names and addresses, maybe you can send them a line.

      Tides Foundation Info:
      National Office
      Physical Address: 1014 Torney Ave. San Francisco, CA 94129-1755
      P.O. Box 29198*
      San Francisco, CA 94129-0198
      415-561-6400
      415-561-6401 Fax
      info(at)tides.org
      New York Office
      Tides New York
      55 Exchange Place, Suite 402
      New York, NY 10005-3304
      212-509-1049
      212-509-1059 Fax
      nyinfo(at)tides.org
      Center for American Progress Information:
      1333 H Street Northwest
      Washington D.C., District of Columbia 20005
      Phone: 202-682-1611
      Fax: 202-682-1867

      Mailing Address
      Democracy Alliance
      P.O. Box 18607
      Washington, DC 20036
      Media Matters Information:
      455 Massachusetts Ave. NW
      Suite 600
      Washington, DC 20001
      (202) 756-4100

      ..

      Report Post » FIRED UP FREE MAN !  
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