Howard Dean: A Citizen's Guide to the Man Who Would Be President

by Rutland Herald & Times-Argus Reporters

No one knows a presidential candidate like the home state reporters who cover him or her, day in and day out. That's what makes this book about Howard Dean so useful: it goes a long way toward... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1586420755
• ISBN13: 9781586420758
• Release Date: October 2003
• Publisher: Steerforth Press
• Length: 245 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Lots of specifics on Dean's political and personal history

I read this book hoping to gain enough information to decide whether or not to support Dean's candidacy. My ambivalence stemmed largely from my questions about Dean's record on environmental issues during his Vermont governorship -- which has been bitterly criticized by some Vermont environmentalists. I am also troubled by the fact that Dr. Dean is much more conservative than I on issues such as the war on drugs, gun control, welfare reform, and the death penalty. On a deeper level, my ambivalence was rooted in my concern whether his apparent forthrightness and appearance of being a rare, principled politician was "for real." Dean is under attack from opponents who portray him as waffling on issues according to political expediency, not trustworthy or reliable, etc. Such attacks are to be expected, but I wanted more detailed background information on his history and record than what I could find on the Internet to determine whether I thought they were founded in truth or just more political rhetoric. This book was what I had hoped for -- packed with facts which appear to be objectively presented. It covers Dean's Vermont environmental record in detail, allowing me to conclude that, although I will probably be disappointed with some of his environmental actions on a national level if he becomes president (he sided with business interests in Vermont to the lasting detriment of long-standing environmental protections), he does also have a history of going against the flow to make major contributions in the environmental arena in that state -- that he is not nearly the environmental radical that I consider Bush & Co. to be.The book also covers a broad range of Dean's other positions and political history. In addition, it gives personal background on Dean that helped convince me that throughout his life he has consistently acted in a principled way according to his beliefs and ethical judgment and that he is his own person -- not beholden to special interests. This is a person who, during the decade he worked nearly full time as a physician, also volunteered in poor communities, did significant volunteer and paid work in politics, and built his schedule around spending time with his family. It is a relief to me that, despite the fact it's unlikely there will ever be a viable candidate who agrees with my progressive opinions on issues, at least there do appear to be principled people out there dedicated to public service who are also mainstream and organized enough to have a chance at the presidency. Many thanks to the authors of this book for the good information.

Vermont reporters spill the beans on Gov. Dean

I am a Dean supporter and I've read all three books currently available on his campaign. This is the one that best "explains" Dean. It's a warts-and-all account of his rise to prominence by Vermont reporters who have covered him for the past 20 years. Dean is portrayed as an idealistic pragmatist whose core issues are fiscal responsibility (he balanced the budget ever year in VT despite inheriting a $65 deficit), health care for everyone, and -- strongest of all -- early-childhood programs that have had wide impact in Vermont, bringing down everything from the child-abuse rates to teen pregnancy and even the need for more jails. I'd especially recommend this book to supporters of other Dem candidates who (now that Dean is the clear frontrunner) wonder whether Dean really has the substance to be president, as well as to moderate Republicans who are disgusted with the way the right wing has hijacked the GOP.

perfect primer for the primary, pre-presidency

i'm surprised how much i like this. you should definitely get it if you're on the fence. it's cheap, and unless you're doing some dissertation on the guy, this is like 20 pages on every question you have. i was skeptical - thought it was gonna be all these opportunist hacks in backwoods vermont throwin some fast food on the get-rich-quick table for the tourist rush. so if you were thinkin exactly that, you'll be surprised and happy when you walk in and find out it's really a great dinner party with a buncha smart concise plain-talkin wordsmiths who know their subject frontwards and back. you you're at a big table in a big room in a big log house surrounded by trees and land, can smell the woodsmoke, and you're with 10 local dean experts / reporters / freelancer voices who grew up in small town vermont along side him since 1978. each writer seems to have picked what they knew best -- one on his upbringing, one on his governorship, one on his physician life, the environment, the website, civil unions, etc. plus it's got a page or 2 on each presidential campaign issue. it's like an overview, a bunch of good long features, but in book form, so you can just read whatever part you want whenever you want. plus it's got my 2 favorite pictures i've ever seen of him -- p 106 drenched & beaming on a hike, & 208 making a point in a speech, both a.p. the campaign should be using those. hello? so, in summary, thanks for coming, and for the price of about 3 magazine distractions you can get all you need to know about james Dean for now, and if you want to take a masters course after this, well, watch c-span, and call Washington Journal in the morning.

Good, Old-Fashioned Reporting

[Full disclosure: I'm a Vermont resident and a Dean supporter.]I haven't finished this book yet, but I am deeply impressed by the quality of the reporting. As a Vermont resident, I've had the luxury of learning about Dean from my friends and neighbors. They've always painted a complex portrait of Dean--a man with great strengths and important weaknesses, but also a widely-respected governor.This book resonates with those local opinions, and fills them in with a wealth of detail. It describes Dean's tireless work to put Vermont on sound financial footing, his health care battles, his reaction to civil unions, his environmental record (both good and bad), his least popular policies--and ultimately, his reputation as a man who deeply loved his adopted state.In an era of shoddy reporting and "taking stenography for power", the authors of this book understand the role of the press: to educate, illuminate and inform the citizens of this country. They tell both the good and the bad, interview supporters and opponents--including a large number of people who are both--and try to acheive a well-rounded view of Dean.I don't know whether every fact in this book is correct, or every conclusion is fair. But the reporting is credit to Vermont's press.If you don't live in Vermont, this is perhaps your best guide yet to understanding Dean's record as governor. If you're a Dean supporter, this is an excellent way to learn more about his achievements and his failings. An informative book.

Great overview of Howard Dean

This is the place to go if you want to learn more about who Howard Dean is and what his key policies were in his 11 years as governor of Vermont. This is a serious look at Dean's policies and his personality and it examines these issues in a critical light. It helps explain how a governor from a small rural New England state has emerged as a leading Democratic presidential candidate. This is not a glowing pro Dean campaign book but instead is a thoughtful review of the Dean record and how it affects his presidential campaign. It is a must read for anyone who wants to better understand what makes Howard Dean tick !