Howard Dean: A Citizens Guide to the Man Who Would Be President [Paperback]

As Dean suddenly appeared on the presidential campaign radar, he evidently appeared on the Vermont political radar. Leading up to his stints as governor, Dean was not widely known in his own state. Politicians and reporters alike seemed caught unawares by this rise in the political ranks.

As governor, he received kudos and complaints. This book provides some of the problems with getting particular legislation going and some of the fallout, which his book did not have. The creation of civil unions legislation is one such example as is his environmental record.

This leads to my problem with the book. The book's intent is to inform us about Dean rather than persuade us one way or the other. In a few articles, the writer takes the time to quote as many pro-Dean people as anti-Dean people. Even though I feel good about being empowered to choose my own path, I would like to have seen the writer's stance stated more aggressively.

I would recommend this book for those wanted to know a bit more about Dean or those who wish to "fill out" what they've read in the political biography.

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.