TOP THIRTEEN WAYS HOWARD DEAN IS LIKE ARAGORN:

1. Aragorn is a skilled healer and taught those at the Houses of Healing about the medicinal properties of athelas, enabling the people of Minas Tirith to receive improved health care.
   
   Howard Dean is a medical doctor, and as Governor, he expanded programs to help seniors afford prescription drugs, and he signed into law one of the toughest managed-care consumer protections in the United States.
   

2. While in his care, Aragorn protects the halflings.
   
   While governor, Howard Dean expanded existing health insurance laws to cover over 99% of young people under the age of 18 and 92% of adults.
   

3. Both Howard and Viggo were against the war in Iraq.
   

4. Aragorn would have helped Merry, Pippin, and the Ents conquer Saruman and end his reckless abuse of nature, had he been there.
   
   As Governor, worked with local communities and the federal government to preserve more than one million acres of farmland, shorefront, working forests, and wilderness. 76 of the state’s leaking landfills were safely closed, and Vermont became a leader in the move to reduce mercury pollution and stop power plants from polluting the air. Governor Dean has created bikeways, led the effort to restore commuter rail service in Vermont, and led a strong, coordinated attack on sprawl. Dean is a firm believer in the potential of renewable resources.
   

5. Aragorn helped end conflict in Middle Earth, ensuring safety for his people.
   
   As Governor, Dean cracked down on violent crime and domestic violence in Vermont. Under his administration, child abuse decreased 45%, child sexual abuse decreased 84%, and teen pregnancy rates decreased 49%, to the lowest rate in the country. And regarding National Security, Dean’s expansive, well-developed ideas regarding dealing with the terrorist threat sound very effective. Read some interview transcripts to find out for yourself!
   

6. Aragorn’s efforts led to improved understanding between the races inhabiting Middle Earth. A human, he married an elf.
   
   Dean is a champion of civil rights and supports affirmative action. His December 7th speech has been called the most important statement on race in American politics by a mainstream white politician in nearly 40 years. He is a firm believer in a woman’s right to choose, and he legalized civil unions in Vermont. Son of a Catholic and a Protestant, he married a Jewish woman.
   

7. Aragorn set off from Rivendell with eight companions on a mission to destroy Sauron. On the way, two of their number fell, one of whom died convinced that Aragorn was the true king of Gondor.
   
   Howard Dean set off on the campaign trail with eight other candidates on a mission to overthrow Bush. Two candidates have since dropped out, with Carol Moseley-Braun endorsing Dean.
   

8. Aragorn amassed armies a thousand-strong, all of whom willing to their lives for his cause.
   
   For the “Perfect Storm,” Dean amassed an estimated 3,500 people willing to travel to Iowa give up their week for his cause. At present, he has over 625,000 registered supporters.
   

9. Aragorn and his companions faltered in the snows of Caradhras, yet regrouped and went on to overcome all other obstacles.
   
   Howard Dean faltered in the snows of Iowa and New Hampshire, and is now regrouping with a new, more organized campaign manager, ready face the Feb. 7th primaries.
   

10. An inspiring leader, at the Black Gate in the movie version, Aragorn let out a loud battle cry to inspire his army before plunging into battle of impossible odds.
    
    An inspiring leader, after defeat in Iowa, Dean let out a yell to energize and inspire the Perfect Stormers before moving on to New Hampshire, where his odds of defeating Kerry were very low.
    

11. Aragorn’s elven name, Estel, means “hope.”
    
    One of Dean’s campaign slogans: “Give ’em hope, Howard!”
    

12. Aragorn’s authority as King of Gondor is challenged by the King of the Dead.
    
    Dean’s authority as front-runner is challenged by John Kerry, who kinda looks like a zombie.
    

13. “This day campaign does not belong to one man, but to all. Let us together rebuilt this world political process/country/world/etc, that we may share in the days of peace.”

Brought to you by Priscilla Spencer of Fangirls for Dean.