Published Dec. 7, 2003 in the Hibbing Daily Tribune
I had to declare a media moratorium for myself the other day. It’s not that the media did anything wrong – at least not in a general sense – it’s that I’ve been watching and reading just a little too much.
You see, a few nights ago former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean came to me in a dream and personally asked me for my vote in the upcoming New Hampshire primary.
I know, I know. I don’t live in New Hampshire. I live in Hibbing and the Minnesota caucuses are still months away. I have to imagine that Gov. Dean knew I wasn’t a New Hampshire resident – after all, he’s apparently hanging out in my subconscious. Either way, there he was as I snoozed, shaking my hand and asking for my vote.
Since then, I haven’t had any other candidates make their appeals during my nightly slumber. I’d like to think that my dreams offer equal time to all candidates during something as important as the presidential race. I’d hate to be accused of having a dream bias.
When political candidates start to do stump speeches in your subconscious, you’ve been exposed to too much campaigning. So, I’m stepping back and waiting until a little closer to the Iowa caucuses to resume my previous diet of news media.
Some people might think I’m nuts to be having such specific dreams about political candidates, but I doubt I’m alone. Every four years, the presidential campaign heats up just a little bit earlier. Even this time, you’re starting to hear about potential candidates for the 2008 presidential race before we’ve even picked the nominees for the 2004 race.
We’re hearing about a potential Hillary Clinton campaign in 2008. I’ve also read speculation about Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, brother of the president, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice and our own Gov. Tim Pawlenty as potential Republican candidates in five years.
It’s possible that on Election Day next fall, you might see results trolling in for “Vote 2004” while pundits discuss the latest poll results for the “Decision 2008” candidates already running for president.
So again, I am sure others out there have to sort the political rhetoric out of their brains at night just like me.
My experience has led me to a question. We have been reading about how the Howard Dean campaign is “innovating” politics on the Internet. Dean has used the Web to effectively build a large pool of campaign money and a long list of supporters. So, is it possible that he’s found a way to enter people’s minds to do the same thing?
That prospect has me worried. You see, I signed up to receive the Howard Dean newsletter (I sign up to receive all the candidate’s newsletters during election years because I am the Mayor of Dorkville). I wonder if I forget to uncheck the little box that says “Please enter my dreams to share important news about Howard Dean.” Boy, I hope that’s not it.
It might be possible, but it’s more likely that napping with CNN on the television is the primary reason for my bizarre night visions. Until my dreams get too cluttered with presidential candidates, I’m not going to worry. I just don’t want to fall asleep to find Dick Gephardt explaining his stance on NAFTA to my high school crush and a giant purple bear.
As the holiday season brings its cinnamon smells and sweet music, I’m hoping my dreams hold more sugarplums than they do politicians.
Aaron J. Brown is a columnist for The Daily Tribune.