Howard Dean lauds Hillary Clinton, mocks Mike Pence, re-enacts infamous campaign-ending yell


Howard Dean, former Vermont governor and Democratic presidential candidate, closed out the portion of Tuesday's Democratic National Convention dedicated to Hillary Clinton and health care. He started with Clinton's pivotal role pushing through the federal State Children's Health Insurance Program, then "joining with Republican governors to get it done." Thanks to Clinton, Dean said, "eight million children who don't have to choose between paying rent and taking their kids to the doctor." ObamaCare expanded heath insurance to 20 million more Americans, and Donald Trump has vowed to rip the law up and "take us back" to the unpopular parts of the pre-ObamaCare medical system.
Trump's plan to replace ObamaCare is "'something so much better' — something huuuuge, no doubt," but "that's it, that's the whole plan." Then he took aim at Trump's running mate, saying Indiana Gov. Mike Pence voted against expanding SCHIP and mental health, and once said that when both parents work, their children suffered "stunted emotional growth." Well, Dean said, "I have a medical degree — let me tell you what really stunts children's growth." He listed some things Pence has opposed — including health care expansion and gun control — then threw in a dig at Pence's statements on cigarettes being safe.
Dean ended on a note of light-hearted self-deprecation, re-enacting the finale of a speech he gave after losing the 2004 Iowa caucuses, ending with a screech-yell widely credited with ending his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
He did not actually scream out "yeeeeah!" but thanks to YouTube, you can always watch the original.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Critics’ choice: Restaurants worthy of their buzz
feature A fun bistro, a reservation worth the wait, and a modern twist on Mexican dishes
By The Week US Published
-
Film reviews: Snow White, Death of a Unicorn, and The Alto Knights
Feature A makeover for Disney’s first animated feature, greedy humans earn nature’s wrath, and a feud between crime bosses rattles the mob
By The Week US Published
-
Bombs or talks: What’s next in the US-Iran showdown?
Talking Points US gives Tehran a two-month deadline to deal
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Sen. Booker's 25-hour speech beats Thurmond
Speed Read He spoke for the longest time in recorded Senate history, protesting the Trump administration's policies
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bondi seeks death penalty for Luigi Mangione
Speed Read Mangione was charged with fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Democrats win costly Wisconsin court seat
Speed Read Democrats prevailed in an election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court despite Elon Musk's robust financial support of the Republican candidate
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
WHCA rejects White House press seating grab
Speed Read The White House Correspondents' Association objected to the Trump administration's bid to control where journalists sit during press briefings
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sends more migrants to El Salvador jail
Speed Read Another 17 Venezuelan alleged gang members have been deported to a notorious prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump 'not joking' about unconstitutional 3rd term
Speed Read The president seems to be serious about seeking a third term in 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
Supreme Court upholds 'ghost gun' restrictions
Speed Read Ghost guns can be regulated like other firearms
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published