Former Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bob Kerrey is warning that Howard Dean has one political liability that he may not be able to overcome in any contest with George Bush: He's not an easy guy to like.
"People need to like you," Kerrey told the New York Sun on Monday. "Howard Dean has a plus and minus there. ... He’s not likable."
On the plus side, Kerrey said, Dean "photographs very well." But he added, "He’s got a big neck; he looks like a wrestler." The Nebraska Democrat, who now heads up New York City's New School, said that both Dean and Bush "have the same sort of physiognomy."
Dean's personality problem is going make it tough for him to broaden his appeal, contended Kerrey, especially since Bush doesn't have the same difficulty.
"[Bush has] got great political and personal skills; people like him; women like him," he explained.
Still, Kerrey doesn't dismiss Dean's chances out of hand, telling the Sun: "Twenty percent of the American people will vote for anybody but Bush. I think that any Democrat who doesn't get 200 electoral votes has done a terrible job."
Another obstacle to victory, however, is Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe, Kerrey said.
"I think they need a new chairman. I like Terry McAuliffe; he’s a friend. ... [but} I think they need a new face at the Democratic Party."
The Nebraska Democrat suggested that Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford would make a good choice to replace McAuliffe.
Editor's note:
Get NewsMax’s special report on Howard Dean – Click here now
Urgent: President Bush needs your support – Click Here Now and show your support to your friends and family
Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
2004 Elections
Print Page 
Forward Page 
