In Shift, Dean Starts Watching His Words

[demdave]

By JODI WILGOREN and EDWARD WYATT

BURLINGTON, Vt., Jan. 7 — With a wary eye on Gen. Wesley K. Clark's rise in national and New Hampshire polls, Howard Dean's campaign has begun to limit his availability to the press, and the candidate himself is watching his words after several recent statements unleashed a storm of criticism from opponents.

Dr. Dean, who has spent two years campaigning as the candidate willing to say what he thinks, initially told reporters that he would be "happy" to discuss his tax policy. Then, as aides glared at him, he immediately said a senior adviser had "veto power" over what he would say.

"I'm not allowed to say I'm happy to do anything anymore," he added.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/08/politics/campaigns/08DEAN.html?ei=5062&en=c4a6b502a527b6c0&ex=1074142800&partner=GOOGLE&pagewanted=print&position=

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mouse7]

2. What's on, baby, what's on?

"It's on, baby, it's on."


You sound like Potsie did when he was standing 10 feet behind Fonzie after Fonzie saved his ass from whatever weekly problem came along on Happy Days.

[demdave]

8. "It's on, baby, it's on."?? Sound's like an interesting post

It's a shame I missed it before it was deleted. Did someone call me out to a fight after the school bell rings? :)

[Th1onein]

3. I don't particularly like Clark

It bothers me that he was all for this war, until it looked like Dean was gaining ground by being against it. It also bothers me that he just declared himself a Democrat a short time ago. Smells a little like that rat, Zell Miller.

And Dean......I don't know about him anymore. He's too easily swayed by criticism.

Kucinich seems like the best candidate to me, but I'm not sure if he is electable. Not because of his policies, but believe it or not, because of his appearance. Most Americans are shallow.....

[PennyLane]

4. I Agree..........

Kucinich is too much of a peacenik. Right now that makes him unelectable. It's too bad, because he would be a great prez!

[Must_B_Free]

5. 'Kucinich is too much of a peacenik'

You mean he's not enough of a war monger?

I think its simply a matter of he can think outside of the box of war.

[BootinUp]

6. If I might interject here

just to say, there is a story you should know. Clark testified before both houses in Sept 2002 making the case against the war. It really is not accurate at all to say he was all for this war.

[nodehopper]

7. not really pro-war...

he was not for the war per se...he was quoted out of context. he said in the end he would have supported the war b/c he would have ultimately believed the administration's claims about threats and WMDs. which, of course, is an easy out, and one that kerry etc. used for themselves, but it's also just a diplomatic verbal caution so that no one could say "oh, he does not think there should be a military action, even in the face of WMDs." He testified making a case against the war, though, if
I remember correctly.

[newyawker99]

13. Hi nodehopper!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[MaineDem]

9. The first impression I got of Dean...

Way back when, was that he speaks before engaging his brain. I can understand "shooting from the hip" but I didn't like that in a potential President.

I think it's good that his people may be trying to get him to calm down a bit. It may make him more palatable to more people.

10. At least he has a brain to engage!

... as do the other Democratic candidates.

[ramapo]

11. Not Good

It is a bad sign when the candidate needs to be controlled by the staff.

This is almost Bush-like where he's kept under wraps for fear he'll say something moronic.

[jumptheshadow]

12. This does not sound like a General Election candidate

This is an interesting story, really, and it underscores the fact that the Internet may be a double-edged sword for the Dean campaign.

>>Asked if he was being more careful, Dr. Dean said, "I try to work on it but I'm not so good at it." He attributed his recent troubles to rival campaigns and the speed with which quotations circulate quickly over the Internet.

"I hate to be totally blunt about this, but I still have to get used to the `gotcha' style of politics here," Dr. Dean said. "National politics is a lot different than local politics, and there's a lot of gotcha about it."<<

There's an interesting contrast between Clark and Dean here. Clark stumbled over his words early on but since then has adjusted quickly and now is in great form. Dean, on the other hand, has been campaigning for a lot longer but still seems to be on a steep learning curve. The fact that his campaign managers are muzzling him does not bode well for his chances in the General Election.

[janx]

14. Joe Trippi explained some of this today on CNN.

Dean is concentrating on local media right now, both in Iowa and New Hampshire. The national press thinks he's snubbing them and has come up with this rumor. The truth is that Dean has to concentrate on the local press before these states go to caucus.