“Our economy is getting stronger. It may not be going fast enough, but by every measure our economy is getting stronger.” That is according to Howard Dean, former National Democratic Committee chairman and one of the more sober and – I dare say – conservative leaders of his party when it comes to fiscal matters. When he campaigned to become the party’s candidate for president in 2004, he was especially forceful on the budget deficit and one had the feeling that unlike all his opponents and the man in the White House against whom he wanted to run, Dean actually meant it.  

This, perhaps, comes from an awareness of Dean’s record as governor of Vermont where he was constantly butting heads with the legislative element of his own party over spending and taxing. Dean was the voice of frugality and restraint. The legislators loved to spend. He was quick with a veto and didn’t mince words.