Trying to disprove the old adage that there are no second acts in American life, former Vermont governor/presidential candidate Howard Dean is now apparently pursuing the chair of the Democratic National Committee, which, as I understand it, is essentially the core of the Democratic Party itself (somebody correct me if I’ve got that wrong). I was fairly dubious about the idea of Dean as President, but I think the idea of Dean as Chairman of the Party is pretty intriguing, especially after reading the transcript of a speech he delivered this afternoon at George Washington University. It’s a good speech, if you’re interested in such things, and a compelling vision of what the Democrats ought to be all about. (As it so happens, Governor Dean’s ideas about what the party needs to do correspond pretty heavily with my own. Make of that what you will.)

What really caught my eye, however, was a brief section in which Dean addresses the moral values issue I’ve been discussing here on Simple Tricks:

The pundits have said that this election was decided on the issue of moral values. I don’t believe that. It is a moral value to provide health care. It is a moral value to educate our young people. The sense of community that comes from full participation in our Democracy is a moral value. Honesty is a moral value.

 

If this election had been decided on moral values, Democrats would have won.

 

It is time for the Democratic Party to start framing the debate.

I don’t have anything more to add; I believe those ideas speak for themselves.