“We show up the first morning of practice and out skates the newly minted governor.”

[rivka]

There's a really nice article here about Howard Dean as a hockey dad.

“Howard was always there to help out with anything that needed to be done,” Morin adds. “He came to practices, he came to all the games, he was always active with working the penalty boxes. And, of course, it was great having him there as a doctor just in case any of the players got injured.”

While the Religious Right has condemned the former Vermont governor for signing the civil-union bill into law, anyone who accuses Dean of being weak on family values had better make a quick line change. During Dean’s 11 years in office, Montpelier politicos all knew the governor’s calendar was kept open to accommodate his children’s athletic schedules, especially during the playoffs. That commitment hasn’t wavered since Dean began running for president. The Dean For America Web site notes that his presidential campaigning is scheduled around his son’s high school hockey games.

I am especially pleased to see that Dean's daughter played hockey as well, and that he's credited with building the sport, as governor, by offering grants to schools for developing girls' hockey programs.

See, this is family values. He didn't just show up to get his picture taken, he drove the carpool. And he's not trying to take credit for the slightest involvement in his children's lives, as famous fathers sometimes seem to do - this really is a deep and significant level of hands-on parenting. I admire that.

Comments

[lysana.livejournal.com]

Man, just when I think he can't endear himself to me more, he goes and does that.

[rivka.livejournal.com]

I know! And for so long, and so many years before the national campaign that it couldn't possibly have been a calculated political move. Awwww, Howard.

[hobbitbabe.livejournal.com]

I've been reading stories about this guy with interest since you first started mentioning him.

This one (and your note about his daughter) actually made me cry. In my office.

[rivka.livejournal.com]

I was thinking of you as I read the article. I'm sorry it made you cry in your office, but I'm glad to be able to make other people see what I see in Dean.

[ranunculus.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this! It just gives me more amunition for the next outreach effort!

[ruisseau.livejournal.com]

I GOT TO SEE DEAN TONIGHT!

There was a rally here in Charleston and we went. I'll be wrting it up in my LJ later. It was so exciting!