If Dean Renounces His Promises To Sharon, The Subject Will Be Closed [View All]

[DrFunkenstein]

People have accused me of being disingenuous about posting the Dean petition to change his stance on I/P, only to attack him when he makes calls for an even-handed brokering of peace.

But, as Dean is fond of saying, actions speak louder than words. I've always thought that was ironic coming from someone who didn't have to vote on the IWR, but that's another story.

I have heard words from Dean. Encouraging words. Words not far from my own beliefs. Lots of very nice words. But not the right ones.

In Dean's foreign policy speeches, he presented the need for unilateral concessions from Palestinians before the peace process could begin. I would like that cleared up. From Dean's recent statements, it seems this may actually happen.

I am somewhat more skeptical about the most important issue. Dean made several very un-Presidential promises to Ariel Sharon to quadruple both the military aid and loan guarantees without any conditions. I find this outrageous on many levels. This position is more radical than even Paul Wolfowitz is willing to propose.

I know, or at least I hope, that Dean supporters are anxious to clear up this issue. This was, in my opinion, the whole point of the petition. Not for him to make statements that sound more balanced, but for him to actually renounce the foolish promises that made such balance an impossibility.

If he does so, I will still find his character suspect because of the trip itself, but I will also gain newfound respect for his integrity. It will give much more credibility to claims that he is able to "evolve," as his supporters claim. For now, the term seems more a euphemism for waffling and/or hypocrisy.

But if he renounces his promises, I will consider him truly evolutionary. I know my opinion matters little to many Dean supporters by this point, but I am being sincere.