Byron,

That's a joke, right? They didn't actually write that, did they. Why? "The dispossession of white Americans through the mass immigration that political leaders have permitted and encouraged is also a major threat that white Americans of all regions and conditions confront." As an immigrant, and a newly naturalized American citizen I resent that, even if I am white. Preaching to the choir here, but the one issue I really disagree with the conservative line on is immigration. As William Simon put it, the ultimate resource is the human mind, and anyone looking for an opportunity to succeed, and not for a handout, ought to be welcome here. Open the borders.

Tactically, Dean ought to go there and trash the CCC. Gobs and gobs of free media, standing up to a fringe group, and almost all of it would be guaranteed to be positive. I doubt he will, but strategically, he ought to.

Sherk

So what are the benefits and risks of each side? Benefits to talking to them- lots of free media, establishing himself as the guy who'll talk to anyone, solidifying standing w/ minorities, making history, drawing parallels between him and the GOP in that he doesn't coddle them like they do. Risks- being affiliated with a racist organizaation, GOP drawing him as anti-southern, personal injury, legitimizing a hate group.

If this group had a less acceptable sounding name and was more visibly racist- like if this were the KKK or something, there'd be no question that Dean would never address them. As the husband of a Jewish woman and father of two Jewish children, I doubt that he'd ever stand in front of an anti-semite, holocaust denying group and address them respectfully. He has to do something though before this gets legs. Perhaps making public a response where he spells out his criticisms of the group and their mistaken ideas about his politics.

If I'm Dean, I'm there, and I spell out "L-O-A-T-H-S-O-M-E", say in no uncertain terms that immigration is a good thing, give them the finger, and go.

Fuck 'em. Create a media shitstorm, flush these goobers out into the open, get them and the Repubs who have spoken for them into the national spotlight. Make them defend themselves for a change.

The only way Dean or anyone else is going to win is if there's a fair fight. In order to get that, they'll need to make it fair themselves. Headlines that say, "Dean clashes white supremacist group" would be a good start.

I'd second the motion for Dean to go there. Granted, I'm no fan of his anyway, but if he does it and makes his case rationally yet still definitively (which I think he's more than capable of) ... he can come out looking great when its all said and done. No need for Sister Souljah soundbites ... just let them know the destructiveness of what their beliefs have done to the state of Mississippi.

Like Muslims clinging to outdated beliefs who grow bitter over time that they have remained a backwater as the rest of the world has passed them by, the CCC should be asked to confront whether they wish that to be their destiny as well ... and whether they wish to bring it upon Mississippians.

Do it in a way that at least attempts to bring them out of their mindset, and you score points ... even in Mississippi if done right. Mind you, that's a highwire act and Dean's already tipped his hat as one who is more inclined to look down on southerners.

Naturally, I doubt he would win any converts, but I think the nads necessary to do it would earn some respect (in the South and beyond), if nothing else.

At a minimum ... what does he lose if he goes and fails miserably?