Dean Defends Comments About Republicans

[steve2470]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050604/ap_on_re_us/dean;_ylt=AmB6tiWWXftl.6_nCzQDxRKyFz4D;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl




By WILL LESTER, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 52 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - National Democratic Chairman
Howard Dean was defending another of his comments Friday after telling liberal activists a lot of Republicans "have never made an honest living in their lives."


Republicans called his Thursday comment "mudslinging." Some fellow Democrats expressed reservations over his choice of words, too, before Dean amplified his comments.

"The point I was making is clear: Republican policies have declared war on hardworking Americans," Dean said Friday. "I will continue to criticize Republican leaders and their policies, and the Democratic Party will continue to offer constructive alternatives."

The Democratic chairman made the initial comments about Republicans doing "an honest day's work" Thursday during a speech to a Washington conference sponsored by the Campaign for America's Future.


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[cornermouse]

1. Me thinks we need to draw the media's attention to

republican mud-slinging. I'm sure they won't care...but if we find the right opportunitites...

[Montauk6]

6. I love Bartcop's suggestion

Every time we get some mic/soundbite time, always point out an extreme statement by one of these nazis and always tie in a mainstream Republican in the same breath.

For example: "Well, you know, right-wingers like President Bush and Ann Coulter feel that the earth is ours to rape."

or

"But what about extremists like Cheney, Frist and Santorum who equate homosexuality with bestiality?"

The idea is to constantly associate the politicos with the wackos, you force the politicos to make a choice whether they want to be pegged with such absurdities. If they choose the red pill, they stay a fanatic; but if they go with the blue pill, then they have to deal with ensuing conflict as they distance themselves from people that, crazy or not, have always been in their corner.

I think it's worth a try (and long overdue).

[FreedomAngel82]

8. Of course they won't

In their reality the republicans are so perfect and goody-goodies while the democrats are all angry and just out to get the republicans because they "won" the last election. :mad: Stay at it Dean!

[seabeyond]

2. i still dont know what cheney refered to "other faith"

they go after everything dean says. i want one reporter to ask cheney the definition of other faith he refered about democrats

[FreedomAngel82]

9. I think it was

Limbaugh who told about that. He said on his show that democrats are religious too but we have a different god then the people on the right who are the "Christian party." Us on the left can't be Christians, oh no. :mad:

[seabeyond]

13. dont you think the vice preseident of the united states should

be called on this. i do. i think every journalist should ask the vp what the definition is of other faith. say it on tv, for all of us to hear. because when i tell my brothers, father, inlaws, who all voted for this man,.......my friends, strangers; they do not believe it. they have never heard it. then as it sinks in, they shut their mouth. they look me in the eye, and they think for a minute.

that is a good thing

[KharmaTrain]

3. Another Awkward Reponse

After watching Lasko on WJ yesterday...who made a ton of sense...it's time for Dr. Dean to take some of his advise and stop being stuck in right wing and corporate media "gotcha games". This is yet another.

The Repugnicans are good at two things. Framing a message and getting people out there to spread that message. They have fulltime bookers who get their people on any and all talk shows and hide them under a guise of names, titles and entities that are intended to distort their true affiliations.

Watch Washington Journal...this morning was a perfect example. There was a hack from the Heritage Institute on one segment, American Enterprise Institute on another and even the segment about Downing Street memo included an asshat wingnut blogger...he didn't just show up at C-SPAN and ask to be put on...someone got him on there.

Democrats lack a similar operation and it really hurts. There's really no coordination of a party message and most Democrats who go on these food fights are forced into a defensive posture with little direction on how the party really stands. It's painful as, instead of presenting a counter-balance, Democrats become props for the wingnuts to frame them as weak and indecisive.

Then along comes Dr. Dean. Yes, we know what he meant and how he meant it, but it was again framed by the Repugnicans and the corporate media hammered it home so that this reponse (which is the third I've seen in two days) makes him and Democrats look weak.

He picks and chooses where he appears that day...and that might be a good thing. I'd far prefer him working in party building. However, there has to be a visible voice of this party, and one that can help direct all the others who want to be effective in countering the right wing and regime lies.

[FreedomAngel82]

11. On the blogger

I bet we all know where he came from. Two words: Karl Rove.

[Montauk6]

4. OK, THIS is the problem!

"Dean Defends Comments About Republicans" STOP RIGHT THERE!

The only "defense" Dean should EVER offer about the consoviets is "That's right, I said it; you gotta problem with that?"


Did Newt Gingrich ever apologize or *DEFEND* his comments about liberalism being the cause of Susan Smith whacking her kids and falsifying the report blaming it on carjackers? Even though it turned out that she was molested by her freeper stepdad?

Did John Barleycorn or whatever that hack's name from the National Review ever apologize or *DEFEND* himself for wishing in print an ASAP death for Chelsea Clinton because of her impending liberal aspirations?

Did Jesse Helms ever apologize or *DEFEND* his comments for basically suggesting that if Bill Clinton (a then-US PRESIDENT) should ever come to his hometown that he should come heavy?

Did Rick Sanitarium ever apologize or *DEFEND* his comments for equating gays and lesbians with folks who practice bestiality?

Did Jerry Falwell ever apologize or *DEFEND* his comments blaming liberals for liberals, gays and the ACLU for 9/11?

You get my point.

OK, I'll go you this far: Dean's concise "defense" should've been, "If the shoe fits, brother..."

[bobbieinok]

5. or Truman;s (?) comment 'if the repubs stop lying about us, I'll stop

telling the truth about them'

[Montauk6]

7. EXCELLENT!

[FreedomAngel82]

12. I agree with you

The thing I like about Dean (well one of them) is that he plays hardball with these assholes. Dean has the right to his comments. The only day Dean should ever apologize for his comments is when republicans apologize for their's. And you know that will never happen. It's time to be loud and stand up and not take this shit anymore. Dean is doing a fine job.

[KoKo]

14. He played hardball with Blitzer yesterday and won! He's really good

at turning Blitzer's comments back on him. And, he deflects intimidating , bullying questions by Blitzer that would lead him down a Repug Rabbit Hole with a laugh and a good comeback.

He's really good. Everyone should watch the vido of his appearance that's linked here on DU in GDPolitics.

[Name removed]

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