Campus has been buzzing during the last few weeks over the announcement of SPEC Connaissance's duo of Fall speakers: former Republican presidential aide and Reform party presidential candidate Pat Buchanan and former governor of Vermont and Democratic party presidential candidate Howard Dean. Most of the Penn community, especially us political nerds, probably had similar reactions when we first heard about the Dean/Buchanan match-up. When I saw The Daily Pennsylvanian headline, I laughed, then started to think about my former poli-sci professor ranting about the party insurgencies of Howard Dean and "Pitchfork" Pat Buchanan. (I'm still not really sure where the "Pitchfork" came from, but it does seem to fit.)
Once I actually got to thinking about the debate, I realized that it probably won't be much more than an all-out political rumble. Even SPEC admits that. Mark Guterman, one of the directors of Connaissance, said in the DP article that announced the Dean/Buchanan debate that "This event is all about informing the uninformed. Both of these leaders can speak very honestly and very openly about the parties and their respective platforms."
But, will they? I spoke with Guterman about the upcoming debate, in terms of the likelihood that Dean and Buchanan will actually be able to reach out to the uninformed. The main point of the debate, Guterman said, is to bring two high-profile speakers to Penn. Connaissance wants to create a large draw. When I asked if SPEC thought the pairing would change anyone's mind, Guterman quickly explained that SPEC is "not trying to create something extraordinary."
All this is fine. I understand. SPEC wants to put on a good show. We're in a political year. But, if this is the case, it's important not to think that Dean and Buchanan are going to speak "very openly." Buchanan, maybe. But Dean? I'll be honest. I'm a huge supporter of Howard Dean. I even voted for him by absentee ballot in the New Hampshire primary. I was heartbroken when the nomination slipped away from him.
Regardless of my love for Dr. Dean, to say that he will give an honest and open perspective on the Democratic platform two weeks before the election is absolutely ludicrous. Dean has put his own insurgent tendencies aside for the past few months to support his more moderate pal John Kerry. Of course he cares deeply about getting Bush out of office. I would never doubt that.
In the aforementioned DP article, Pennsylvania Federation of College Republicans chairman and Wharton senior David Copley said that Dean and Buchanan are "at very opposite edges of the political spectrum." While Dean and Buchanan might fundamentally have very different opinions, they by no means represent the same extreme relationship to their respective parties. Buchanan is not at all likely to support the neoconservative movement of the Republican party. He doesn't fit the role that SPEC has defined for him.
Dean, however, will most likely be in Puppet Mode for John Kerry, if his public appearances as of late are any indication. On Letterman a few weeks ago, Dean refused to answer if he would be interested in a cabinet position if Kerry offered him one. Of course he would! Ever since Dean stopped fighting against Kerry (and the other "Bush Lite" candidates) he has been slowly moving toward the center, conceding his own more liberal views for the good of the party.
And maybe that's what the Democrats need: some unity, some compromise, even if it means that the most liberal among us won't be as happy. Above all, Dean is fighting to oust Bush. Because of this, he will not speak in an open way about the party or the campaign. That's not what happens in politics.
Penn Democrats chair and College senior Rick Eisenberg told the DP, "Whenever you have two high-profile speakers coming to campus to speak to students, it's a good thing." This is true. But, we all have to keep in mind that that's all this debate is: a chance for Penn to add to the politically-charged atmosphere with two political celebrities. There will still be rhetoric. There will still be playing to the moderates, at least on Dean's part. But one thing's for sure: it's going to be one hell of a spectacle.
