posted on October 14, 2003 03:25:48 PM newDean: We Wouldn't Be in Iraq if it Weren't for Democrats Like Kerry
By Charles Mahaleris
Talon News October 14, 2003
WASHINGTON (Talon News) -- Democrats John Kerry and Howard Dean, rivals for Democrat presidential nomination, clashed on Monday over how the two would handle Iraq if they were president of the United States.
Former Vermont Governor Dean's staff sent out a release to the media on Monday defending their candidate's Iraq position.
"Senator Kerry today claimed that Governor Dean doesn't have an Iraq plan. In fact, Dean unveiled his seven-point Iraq Reconstruction plan on April 9 -- months before Kerry unveiled his."
This response comes, according to the Associated Press, after Kerry charged on Monday during an interview with Vermont Public Radio that Dean had never laid out a clear policy on Iraq.
Dean was even more critical of Kerry during a conference call with New Hampshire reporters according to the Concord Monitor. Dean charged that Kerry has been a moving target with his position on Iraq.
"But I suppose if you have the nerve to cover your own vote and then try to pretend you didn't vote that way, you have the nerve to do anything in Washington," Dean said. "The fact is, we wouldn't be [in Iraq] if it weren't for Democrats like John Kerry."
On Sunday, Dean's campaign called on Kerry to be clear with his position on Iraq. Dean's staff released a statement from the Massachusetts Senator from October 9, 2002 saying, "Let me be clear: I am voting to give this authority to the President for one reason and one reason only: to disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction if we cannot accomplish that objective through new tough weapons inspections."
Dean's people compared that statement with one Kerry made last month.
"I voted to threaten the use of force to make Saddam Hussein comply with the resolutions of the United Nations," Kerry said in September. "I believe that was right -- but it was wrong to rush to war without building a true international coalition -- and with no plan to win the peace."
Kerry and fellow lawmaker Dick Gephardt (D-MO) have been attacking Dean, who has been leading the field of nine Democrats in polls in New Hampshire and Iowa.
Dean spokesperson Tricia Enright on Saturday blasted both campaigns for coordinating their attacks.
"It's no secret that campaigns talk to each other, but these coordinated attacks from Washington insiders cross the line," Enright said. "While their attitude is 'the more the merrier' when it comes to trying to tear down Howard Dean and his grassroots campaign, we understand that the American people are tired of this kind of politics. If these guys hope to beat George Bush, they're going to have to stand for something and not just against Governor Dean."
posted on October 14, 2003 05:34:15 PM new
I know. I've watching two of these so called 'debates'. If they're not bashing our President, they're bashing each other. Blame..blame...blame...must be something to say to the American people about where they stand rather than just making all aware of what their competition is doing wrong.
Maybe it's the formats these have been presented in....but one sure doesn't walk away feeling they've learned anymore about any of them than we can read in the papers.
Speaking of learning things. I just read today that Cheryl's Mr. K want to give Africian Americans slavery restitutions. I hadn't heard that before.
I'm going to watch one more and if it's the same....I'm not going to be bothered until the dems finally have selected the candidate who will represent their party.
And, what's so wrong with DJK's restitution idea? Sorry to have to bring this up, but many have become wealthy over 9/11. IMO, both 9/11 and slavery were terrorist related. It now looks as though he may have the AFL-CIO backing as well. A wonderful letter form the AFL-CIO was read at his official announcement in Cleveland on Monday. He already has the backing of the GLBT. The difference between DJK and the others is that DJK recognizes there are more types of individuals in this country than middle class straight white folk and he spends more time debating issues than he does attacking the opposition. Think what you may about DJK, but he's coming up from behind and I think he'll surprise a lot of people. While I will agree that he is a bit far to the left, his intentions are grand and his heart is large and he does not back down from a fight. He doesn't believe that being a leader means kissing the lily white asses of the upper echelon.
What the biased press failed to say is that DJK's announcement was met with roaring ovations and what he had to say is exactly what the country needs to hear right now. We're going to take this country back, like it or not.
Cheryl He has his own throne (Revelation 13:2) and his own worshipers (Revelation 13:4).
posted on October 15, 2003 06:33:21 AM new
Cheryl - There are no surviving slaves alive to pay any money to. It's not going to happen.
You mention groups that are supporting your Mr. K. Well, so is the US Communist Party. Matter of fact, they've decided to throw their support behind the democratic party in 2004....[rather than a third party] and Mr K. is their favorite in the group of 9.
You say you'll agree he's a "bit far to the left". A BIT FAR??? LOL He's a radical socialist....who the CPUSA has chosen as their favorite democratic runner.
He and Barbara Lee (D-CA) co-chair the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Lee has, for as long as I can remember, been associated with people from the communist party and extremist individuals. She too is a radical......not just a 'bit left'.
Your defination of 'a bit' and mine are on opposite poles.
Your support of this administration puts us on opposite poles anyway. But, wouldn't this be a less interesting world if we all agreed! Just think how borish this board would be. Count me as one of the people on this planet that have become tired of leaders who lead for the popular and who leave the unpopular behind. I don't agree with everything DJK wants, but I agree more with him than any of the other candidates. Someone needs to stand up for the regular Joe. It certainly won't be the current adminsitration.
PS Yea to Whoppi! Her show was hilarious last night and spoke volumes!
Cheryl He has his own throne (Revelation 13:2) and his own worshipers (Revelation 13:4).
posted on October 15, 2003 06:51:01 AM new
Cheryl - But, wouldn't this be a less interesting world if we all agreed!
Disagreeing on issues is one thing...yes...it makes the world go around. But supporting a radical socialist or the communist party is taking 'wanting change' to an extreme. I like the way our country was set up, and will continue to support our system.....be it a dem or rep who's in the White House.
posted on October 15, 2003 11:21:55 AM new
DJK just supports the Constitution and to the letter. If that seems extreme then our founding fathers were extreme as well.
Cheryl He has his own throne (Revelation 13:2) and his own worshipers (Revelation 13:4).
But, wouldn't this be a less interesting world if we all agreed! Just think how borish this board would be. Count me as one of the people on this planet that have become tired of leaders who lead for the popular and who leave the unpopular behind. I don't agree with everything DJK wants, but I agree more with him than any of the other candidates. Someone needs to stand up for the regular Joe. It certainly won't be the current adminsitration.