Dean: Most Americans Now Oppose Iraq War

[Khephra]

By EMILY FREDRIX
Associated Press Writer

June 27, 2004, 6:25 PM EDT


WASHINGTON -- Howard Dean sounded like he had been vindicated on Sunday when he noted that most Americans now agree that the United States should not have invaded Iraq. It was a position that fueled his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, and earned Dean much criticism in the process.

"After being castigated by both Democrats and Republicans for a while, now the majority of Americans agree with me this was a mistake," the one-time Democratic front-runner said on CNN's "Late Edition."

More than half, or 52 percent, of Americans said the war was not worth fighting, according to an ABC News-Washington Post poll taken June 17-20. That number is up from 50 percent in May.

Dean said most people also agree with him that the war hasn't made America safer.

more...................

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-dean-iraq,0,1368500.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[Demeter]

1. Dean For President!

It's not too late! Start the revolution in the convention, and let's get it right for once.

[Dr Fate]

4. I dont think he would be a bad VP at all...

...never happen, but would be interesting & probably a winner...

[goforit]

8. Here here!!!!....Deans the best!!!!

ALL of Washinton needs to be elected out of office!!!

We need a Clean slate in all branches!!

[madfloridian]

2. Vindication is a good feeling.

After being attacked viciously by your own party, it is nice to be right. Took a while for the media to even notice.

[maggrwaggr]

3. Dean's lack of pandering is what made him so likeable to me

He's a leader, not a follower.

Unlike some/many/most politicans.

[DFLforever]

5. I'm glad he's reminding people he was correct about the war

and about the American people, for that matter. He's the one who believed that with good information, the people would reach the right conclusion.

[hansolsen]

6. What's the reward for straight talking politicians

In 2002 and early 2003, for the first time in a very long while, a politician came on the national stage who was not afraid to think for himself, had the courage to point out that the emperor was naked, had the audacity to suggest we return to an "even handed" approach to the Arab / Israeli dispute (a primary root cause of terrorism), and had the good sense to stand up to George Bush when it was politically daring to do so.

That man was Howard Dean. And, what happened to him?

His own Party turned on him like a skunk at a picnic, or worse, that's what happened. The Grand Poobahs of the Democratic Party and the Liberal press did everything but cut his balls off and nail them to his head. They only tolerate him now because he has agreed to act like a eunuch.

It'll be a cold day in hell before the next new politician does anything bold. Politicians are a lot like Pavlov's dogs; they learn through stimulus and response. Bold was just rewarded with electo-shock.

So say I.

[madfloridian]

7. Dean thought to be fair to Palestine....and he got this letter. Sad.

This was sent to Howard Dean, and signed by House Democrats.

September 10, 2003

The Honorable Howard Dean
P.O. Box 1228
Burlington, VT 05402

Dear Governor Dean:

We are writing to respond to your comments on the Middle East at a recent
campaign event and in Tuesday's candidate debate and explain why we believe
it is wrong to say the U.S. should "not take sides" in the
Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

American foreign policy has been - and must continue to be - based on
unequivocal support for Israel's right to exist and to be free from terror.
The Palestinians have at best been ambivalent about their willingness to
accept Israel's existence and from Yasir Arafat on down they have promoted
or acquiesced in the use of terrorism as a tactic in their struggle. It is
unacceptable for the U.S. to be "evenhanded" on these fundamental issues.

All of us want a genuine peace process to succeed, and all of us accept the
legitimacy of a Palestinian state once the Palestinian leadership and people
recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and not only renounce
the use of violence but at last take action to dismantle the terrorist
infrastructure inside the Palestinian Authority. Time and time again, the
Israeli people have shown their willingness to take risks for peace. But
they will only do so with the knowledge that U.S. support for Israel will
not waver.

It is important for America to help facilitate a peaceful resolution of the
conflict, but in playing this role we must be true to our values and make
sure that all parties clearly understand our policies. This is not a time to
be sending mixed messages; on the contrary, in these difficult times we must
reaffirm our unyielding commitment to Israel's survival and raise our voices
against all forms of terrorism and incitement.

Sincerely,

Howard L. Berman
Nancy Pelosi
Robert Matsui
Steny Hoyer
Martin Frost
Nita Lowey
Tom Lantos
Edward Markey
Chet Edwards
Ben Cardin
Steve Rothman
Steve Israel
Gary Ackerman
Barney Frank
Rahn Emanuel
Adam Smith
Anthony Weiner
Chris Bell
Adam Schiff
Hilda Solis
Robert Menendez
Shelley Berkley
Robert Andrews
Joseph Crowley
Jose Serrano
John Larson
Ellen Tauscher
Dennis Cardoza
Patrick Kennedy
Linda Sanchez
Harold Ford Jr.
Brad Sherman
C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger
Alcee Hastings

http://www.house.gov/berman/letter_new.html

[Jacobin]

9. This is what is wrong with our country

They are "leading" the U.S. off a cliff.

[hansolsen]

13. Right. And the clock is ticking

In the era of big time terrorists who someday will get access to nuclear weapons, we cannot allow the Arab / Israeli dispute to fester for another 50 years.

We need to try new ideas, and we need to move with a sense of urgency or a million Americans will be killed so some old Mullahs and Rabbis can debate religion to their heart's content.

Damn them.

[hansolsen]

15. Sad and tragic. I'm surprised old Joe McCarthy's name isn't on the list

They might as well have come right out and labeled Dean "unAmerican". That's what they are saying.

This letter stifles debate. The Likud lobby isn't the sole source of wisdom on solving this issue.

It would be interesting to see how many on this list voted for the Iraq war -- bet they all did?????????

[madfloridian]

18. Sad part, I see several on there who endorsed him.

They are still standing with him even now. They signed the letter, though.

[Zhade]

24. Hey, fuck you all, AIPAC whores.

You bolster war criminals like Sharon with your dollar-induced blindness to the Palestinian side of the issue.

Lobbyists, the DLC and their ilk are going to destroy the Dems if they have their way.

[TDC]

10. New headline

Flash: Most Americans Now Oppose Dean


would me more accurate.

[hansolsen]

14. Oh, he's history all right -- dead meat.

But at what cost?

[madfloridian]

20. Actually, I think he is just getting started in making a difference.

Things get discouraging at times, but as he says...it will take a long time to bring about the change. In some ways, he is more respected now because he kept on fighting.

[hansolsen]

26. I hope you are right -- I'm not holding my breath

The hits Dean took were real body blows. I'm doubtful he can ever recover. He is like Dan Quayle in that regard.

I hope I'm wrong.

[struggle4progress]

16. I didn't know anybody was polling on Dean's popularity. Gotta link?

And welcome to DU!:hi:

[madfloridian]

19. That is not true. Unless you provide documentation, it is not believed.

See Zogby info beneath the graph.



Here is the Zogby info and details.
http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=834

Now, can you provide proof of what you say?

[struggle4progress]

23. Wow! Kerry/Gephardt beat Bush/Cheney in many sectors!

I like Gephardt but I always assumed he wouldn't excite voters. And the good Doctor does even better!

If we all work hard, we could roll right over the Bushistas!

[FarLeftRage]

27. Hey

Methinks you're arguing with a denizen who lives beneath the bridge...

[Hawkeye-X]

11. I wish....

Kerry would concede the mantle of Presidency to Dean, but alas, I know it won't happen. So here is seven words that would be sweet and gives true balance.





Kerry selects Dean for Vice President.

[Minstrel Boy]

12. Dammit, it just makes me sad

what could have been.

I'm sorry for your missed opportunity, America. The world would have embraced you for it.

[Swamp Rat]

17. One of these days, I'd like to see some apologies

... from people who attacked Dean over his stance on this issue. They need to apologise publicly: "I'm sorry Dr. Dean, for acting like such an asshole towards you. I'm also sorry for forgetting that killing thousands of innocent people is wrong."

[Mechatanketra]

25. I'd settle for hearing just one apology to Dean on this issue.

Hint: his initials are "JFK".
Hint #2: He's not dead. So they tell me.

[Borgnine]

21. Sigh. I miss you, Howard.

Add him with RFK and Al Gore as great presidents that never were.

[sampsonblk]

22. If we had an anti-war nominee, we'd be sitting pretty now

We'd have someone who reflects what our party faithful believe in, and we'd be on the right side of the most important issue in the campaign. And we'd all be able to gloat.

[cthrumatrix]

30. TPTB took care of Dean quickly....I will not believe other.

It's too bad Dean was railroaded.

[Malva Zebrina]

28. and so, if this is true, does it not strike anyone that a KErry-Edwards

ticket is a ticket of two war supporters? Edwards especially was the first to jump on the bandwagon to Bagdhad and kill anyone who got in our way, Kerry gave Bush the go ahead.

Does it not strike anyone as odd that in the upcoming election, even though a majority of people think the war was a ;mistake that we might have a ticket of two person who allowed it--even voted to give a crazy man the go ahead for it?

I don't know what to think anymore about this voting process. It is as screwed up as anything and is not any longer a democracy when the choices are limited and where the candidates get where they do, on the ticket, because of enormous amounts of money.

Something is wrong with the entire process and it no longer is Democratic, imo.

[denverbill]

29. Well, it doesn't particularly matter at this point.

When the top of the ticket 'supported' the war, who cares if the #2 was for or against?

Of course, Kerry supporters keep telling me that he didn't support the war, and that just because he voted to support the President didn't mean he supported the war. I'm sure I'm misstating their rationale, because frankly, I don't understand it that well.

It would be nice SOMEDAY to have a choice. However, I guess I'll have to settle for someone who at least aligns with me politically on most issues, even if there are some major, major disagreements on foreign policy (Israel, Iraq, Cuba, Venezuala, NAFTA).

[sampsonblk]

32. It does matter - but only a little

If Kerry now knows the war was wrong and stupid, the best way to show it is to pick someone who said that all along. If he picks a pro-war VP, he's compounding his mistake. And compounding the party's near-unforgiveable mistake for choosing HIM.

[Guaranteed]

31. Yes, pure genius on the part of the DLC. nt

[struggle4progress]

33. kick

:kick: