Dean predicts "little surgery" for primary calendar

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Democratic National Party Chairman Howard Dean is predicting Democrats may perform "a little surgery" to the 2008 presidential primary calendar, but not make major changes.

"There will be a little surgery, not major surgery," said Dean, a doctor and presidential hopeful in 2004.

For decades, the Iowa caucuses have been the first nominating contest, followed closely by New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary. Defenders of their special status argue that candidates must meet their party's supporters and other voters face-to-face for the most personal politicking of the campaign.
Dean told the Concord Monitor on Monday that he was reluctant to share his opinions because the commission is still debating what to do.

"At this point, my position is pretty delicate," Dean said. "If I come out in the newspaper (with my opinion), it may not end up helping New Hampshire's position."

In the past, Dean has been supportive of New Hampshire's leadoff role. He told the Monitor he has not changed his position.
Dean said New Hampshire should be encouraged by Democrats carrying the state in recent presidential elections.

"We have a state that, while it's libertarian, I think is dismayed by the conduct of the president in terms of ethics, his willingness to invade people's personal life, and that doesn't go well in New Hampshire," said Dean. "I think we're going to do particularly well in New Hampshire. But it can be played out across the country." He said Democratic Gov. John Lynch's election last year is an example of how Democrats can win elections.

He said Democrats should seek an advantage over Republicans by pitching themselves as more responsible managers of public money and by seeking to redefine debates over moral values. Democrats should seek to expand the discussion beyond hot-button issues like gay marriage and abortion to poverty and access to health care instead.

"Moral values are about our responsibility to each other," he said. "Republicans are very good with language and propaganda. We've not done very well with that and we have to get better...We need to broaden the debate on moral values. If we do that, the Democrats will win."-from the AP story today.
Update: "16 Democrats call on Bush to meet mother of fallen soldier," from RAW STORY.