Dean: The President ought to be ashamed of himself. Response to speech.

[madfloridian]

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=56619

To: National Desk, Political Reporter

Contact: Karen Finney or Josh Earnest, 202-863-8148, both of the Democratic National Committee Staff

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement today on President Bush's misleading attacks on Democrats and his failed policies in Iraq:

"On Veteran's Day, a day to honor the sacrifices of Americans who have so bravely served our country, President Bush chose instead to deflect from the truth and resort to political attacks, even as more Americans now doubt his honesty and his ability to handle the war in Iraq.

"While the White House continues to shamefully stonewall and hide behind their attacks, Democrats will continue to press for the truth. The President ought to be ashamed of himself. With more than 2,000 brave Americans dead to date and tens of thousands more injured, the President ought to be telling the truth to the American people. Mr. President, the best way to honor our troops is to tell the truth about why they went to war and when they can come home.

"The fact remains that pre-war intelligence was manipulated and cherry-picked. Instead of trying to pass the buck to members of Congress, who like so many Americans were willing to trust their Commander-in-Chief, the President should tell the truth to our troops and their families about how they were sent to war. In a democracy, the truth is not withheld. In a democracy our leaders provide real leadership and do not hide behind political attacks.

[NNadir]

1. I think Dr. Dean continues to do an outstanding job.

This statement is right on point.

[madfloridian]

3. I am very thankful for the ones who said they were wrong for the vote.

I think we have to give them credit for that.

[SammyWinstonJack]

6. Hear! Hear!

And to Dr. Dean! :yourock:

[XemaSab]

12. Hate to be a party pooper

but I think it's too little, too late.

As soon as support for the war flips, so does their support for the war? Some of us have been antiwar from the beginning. I wasn't fooled, so how were they?

And Howard continues to speak the TRUTH!!!

[buddysmellgood]

14. I hear ya, but this isn't about who was right first. It's about having as

many share our point of view as possible. We need to welcome all who flip and ask them to help flip some more.

[madfloridian]

25. I tend to agree.

It takes courage for someone to say they are wrong.

[krkaufman]

53. But at what point do others, given the chaos unfolding, flip to pro-war?

Bush's reasons for going to war -- that Iraq was a haven for militant Islamic extremists and terrorists -- through his own ineptitude has become reality.

Isn't it likely that many who previously felt that Saddam's Iraq, contained by inhumane sanctions and military force, was not an imminent threat may now consider Bush's Iraq to be a grave concern?

[Danascot]

42. One of *'s big problems

is that he is pathologically unable to admit any mistake. The American people 1) mostly - 60% - understand now that the war was a mistake and 2) are very forgiving to public figures who admit they made a mistake.

For god's sake, it only makes sense to change your position based on new information or changed circumstances. It's a mark of a mature, thinking human being.

Then there's the practical problem that there is absolutely nothing we can do at this point to help the situation in Iraq except to leave and let the factions fight themselves into some kind of equilibrium.

So I don't think any Dem who supported the war in the past needs to fear saying they made a mistake and come out against the war. It's nearly all upside and very little downside.

[NNadir]

46. Well put.

[krkaufman]

52. Well, except for perhaps the Iraqis' perspective

It's nearly all upside and very little downside.

I'm thinking the thousands who will die in an Iraqi civil war might beg to differ on the upside/downside ratio you suggest.

The answer lies somewhere between the two ends of the spectrum, staying the neverending, neverchanging neo-con course and immediate, wholesale withdrawal. The big question is... When analyizing the problem, do American lives count more than Iraqi lives in the formulas?

[DearAbby]

2. POINT ON!

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[Rose Siding]

4. I was waiting for this

Dean doesn't disappoint :)

The response was tricky. Parking it right on top of bush's incompetence and dishonesty was a good choice.

[calimary]

7. A good choice, and frankly, the ONLY choice. If what we're trying to

deal with is truth, that is.

[madfloridian]

8. And I really like the "how dare he blame us" feel to it.

Because, after all...how dare he blame us for the war? He is the commander in chief. I thought Dean would explode last night when Wolf said "some said" the Democrats were unpatriotic...he replied very firmly on it. I think he said they should all be ashamed for taking our guys to war without equipment and without the truth.

[Ladyhawk]

5. Thank you, Howard Dean. n/t

[mcctatas]

9. I think the WH is has finally jumped the shark...

Because their lies and manipulations convinced some Dems that Iraq was a threat, they're off the hook for lying in the first place??? Fuck you Mr. pResident, all that proves was that the only thing this administration has ever done well is lie...and they're even starting to fuck that up too!

[Guaranteed]

10. It doesn't get much stronger than that. nt

[icymist]

11. Thank you Dr. Dean! Well said!

We can't let up. People need to be constantly reminded of how this pResident and his administration, no...entire party, lied to us to go to war illegally!

[MellowOne]

13. He said what needs to be said by all Democrats n/t

[ProSense]

15. delete

[ProSense]

16. Wow! Dean said the magic word

Cherry-picked. I know a point when I see one. BRAVO!

[RobertSeattle]

24. Or..... CHENEY Picked...

[texpatriot2004]

17. I love these 2 lines. Howard Dean speaks for me.

"In a democracy, the truth is not withheld. In a democracy our leaders provide real leadership and do not hide behind political attacks."

[madfloridian]

23. Agree, they are good lines.

Honest and true.

[aquart]

18. This is VERY kind of him. It gives Republicans cover, too.

Amazingly, Clintonly generous, to allow those treasonous greedy bastards to save face, too. My white-haired Mommy would give him a cookie.

[blue neen]

19. As they were showing Bushie's speech on Olbermann tonight,

I was thinking, "He's passing the buck AGAIN." This mouse of a man, our PEFAP (Poor Excuse for a President), refuses to take the responsiblity for anything. He can't--he's too much of a coward.

Dean called him on it. It's great. "Pre-war intelligence was manipulated and cherry-picked." Every Democrat should be repeating those words over and over.

[mandyky]

20. God, I love that man!

He zeroes in on the truth like a heat seeking missile, doesn't he?

We need more Deans and Fitzgeralds, that's for sure!

[madfloridian]

21. Look at LBN...the attacks are beginning.

Told you.

[AuntiBush]

22. Dr. Dean Always Calls Them "Right on the Mark!"

Where would our Democratic Party be without the straight-forward Dr. Dean!?!

"Democrats will continue to press for the truth!" <--- Right On!

And, "The President ought to be ashamed of himself." The key word here is "ought," whereas he could care less.

Asking him to "tell the truth," well, let's not hold our breathe. He's the Icon for his corrupt croonies, hell-bent to destroy our constitutional democracy.

New American Century... whom do they think they are to rule our destiny?

[Cleita]

26. I love my Howard and weep

everytime that I think about what a wonderful President he would have been for us. I am so happy though that he still has a platform to spread his ideas.

[madfloridian]

27. I found myself wondering today how many Dems still want to play nice.

And play fair, and offer only carefully thought out criticisms to this evil man who is supposedly our leader.

It did not work to be nice and cautious, things are getting worse, and I think they are ready to fight.

[krkaufman]

54. Gotta agree. Bush's speech was waaay over the line.

This thug needs to be beat down. Hard. Sans mercy.

[sonias]

28. That's our Howard

Right on point! Thank you Dr. Dean!

Sonia

[upi402]

29. The Dr has a cure

for the Bush infection.

[jillan]

30. Good one!

So good, that I may have to quote you from time to time.
:toast:

[madfloridian]

31. LOL

I did not mean to laugh at that, but couldn't help it. :evilgrin:

[AspenRose]

33. Infection, hell...CANCER is more like it!

eom

[LaPera]

32. Dems need to keep on the offensive...The greedy republicans, WILL NEVER

STOP ATTACKING...lies, distortions, smears, and their media, have proven to be their plan of attack that works...If we sit idly by, (as we have)...Dems don't stop, were the majority and we are behind you, if you aren't spineless...Dems attack! For the truth!

Remember, they won't stop with their lies...What do they have to lose!!!

[fearnobush]

34. "The fact remains that pre-war intelligence was manipulated and cherry-pic

ked" Fu*kin' ahy right on Dean. Lets go get that tyrant.

[GoreDean2008]

35. Washington Post Should Be Ashamed of Itself for Attacking Gov. Dean

TOday, Washington Post published an article, "Democrats Losing Race for Funds Under Dean," by Chris Cillizza.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/11/AR2005111101833.html

This article says, "(Dean) faced widespread misgivings from establishment Democrats, including elected officials and Washington operatives, who questioned whether Dean was the right fit in a job that traditionally has centered on fundraising and the courting of major donors."

What is wrong with the Democratic Party losing the corporate donors that support the DLC Democrats? We are gaining the real grassroot progressive Democrats "because" we are starving the DLC Democrats by reducing the corporate big-money influence in the Democratic Party. Therefore, Dean is doing the right thing and the future of the Democratic Party is ever greater than before.

[FizzFuzz]

36. We don't want praise from fools

I love your point here--and I probably would have missed it on my own.

This article says, "(Dean) faced widespread misgivings from establishment Democrats, including elected officials and Washington operatives, who questioned whether Dean was the right fit in a job that traditionally has centered on fundraising and the courting of major donors."

ITs the elected officials and operatives who function in a world of lies and bribery. Getting away from their control is a good thing.

Screw the critics!!

YEEAAARRRGH! HOWARD!!

[madfloridian]

37. Media Matters from June shows they did the same to Dean then.

It appears Dean is still ahead of pace of 2003, so this is all geared to attack because he is attacking Bush. It is what they do.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200506170001

"The conservative media continues to falsely assert that Democratic National Committee (DNC) chairman Howard Dean is an ineffective fund-raiser. In the past week, Weekly Standard executive editor Fred Barnes, New York Post columnist John Podhoretz, and Washington Times chief political correspondent Donald Lambro all cast Dean as a fund-raising failure. In fact, when compared with fund-raising in the most recent non-election year, Dean has raised more money in raw dollars, and more in comparison to the Republican National Committee (RNC), than did his predecessor.

As Media Matters for America has documented (here, here, and here), Dean raised $14.8 million between February and April 2005, versus $8.5 million raised by former DNC chairman Terry McAuliffe during the same time period in 2003. Dean has also raised more money than McAuliffe relative to RNC fund-raising. The RNC raised $32.4 million between February and April 2005, about 2.2 times the rate of the DNC; over the same period in 2003, the RNC's $25.7 million was more than three times what the Democrats raised. An article in the June 20 edition of Newsweek by chief political correspondent Howard Fineman and national correspondent Tamara Lipper noted how Dean has been effective at soliciting smaller donations:

Officials estimate that $12 million of the $14 million the Dean regime has collected so far this year has come from those who gave less than $250. "For people who really look hard at the numbers, he's wowing people," says Elaine Kamarck, a respected DNC member."

[wryter2000]

38. OMG

On Veteran's Day, a day to honor the sacrifices of Americans who have so bravely served our country, President Bush chose instead to deflect from the truth and resort to political attacks

Dr. Dean was either reading my posts on DU yesterday, or we're twins separated at birth.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5332742&mesg_id=5332822

I adore this man! He just gets better and better.

[Amonester]

39. Way to go, Mr. Dean!! Thank you! You speak for US!

I suggest all DU'ers who can afford any amount, big or small, whatever the number is, to write it down, and send it immediately along with their support.

THANK YOU! :dem:

(And Keep It Kicked & Recommended Please) :)


:kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick:

[seafey]

40. And Dean should too

Dean supported this war before it began too. Dean didn't ask questions before he went on national television and stated emphatically that there were weapons of mass destruction and that we had to go do something about it. Of course he's not the only Democrat that did this, but he has some nerve complaining that the truth was "withheld" when all Dems would have had to do would have been to vote AGAINST the war until they had MORE INFORMATION. They could have forced the administration into doing their due diligence in making the case for war. But they didn't insist on this- they just went along. Same with the Patriot Act. No one read it, they just voted it in.

Dems need to stand up and take some responsibility for not only letting this war happen, but for encouraging it to happen. Their compliance swayed American opinion, made Bush's assertions seem more valid. They allowed themselves to be defined as unpatriotic if they didn't support the war. They let their fear of losing power stand in the way of them doing their jobs.

And I leave out Kucinich when I say these things about Dems. He saw through it all, he stood up and said no.

[mandyky]

44. Dean did not support the invasion of Iraq!

When did he go on TV and say that? He said just the opposite.

[seafey]

45. OH yes he did...

http://www.indybay.org/news/2005/10/1779691.php

[RazzleDazzle]

49. Excuse me. Will you point out where in your link

Dean says he supported the invasion of Iraq? I couldn't find it, and that's what you claimed.

I did see where he said that he believed Saddam had WMD, but as I recall, Dean always said the inspections were working, Saddam was contained and there was therefore no need to go invade Iraq.

Perhaps you can help clear up my confusion -- ??

Oh, and btw, thanks so much for posting this link. I think it is simply superb. I can't remember when I've seen a better example of clever context-less excerpting to prove a point that couldn't be made without the lie of omission involved in quoting out of context.

[seafey]

61. here ya go

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/09/30/ftn/main52372...

[madfloridian]

50. He said he was getting his info from folks in the Clinton admin.

So go figure...

In the interview he is being quoted and skewed from, he was presenting a hypothetical situation...as in "what if".

[mandyky]

51. He may have thought they had WMDs

But he did not support the unilateral invasion of Iraq. He did support going into Afghanistan, and NO Dean is not anti-War. He never claimed to be anti-war, the MSM is the ones who said he was anti-war.

Honestly, I do not think a purist anti-war candidate could be elected president, since 9-11 especially.

[Cha]

55. Oh NO he Didn't!

That's what drew me to Dean after Gore said he wouldn't run..the fact that he was not for going into Iraq.

It's really nice to be able to have your facts down.

[Cha]

56. Dean hasn't done anything

to be ashamed of..he was always against going in and bombing Iraq.

So, don't be spreading falsehoods.

[Danascot]

41. At least * said one true statement

“Evil men obsessed with ambition and unburdened by conscience must be taken very seriously, and we must stop them before their crimes can multiply.”

Well said; let's impeach the chimp!

[AnnieBW]

43. Not To Mention

That the Administration and Congress continue to f**k over our veterans, not only of this current war but of previous wars, by cutting their benefits. That's REALLY shameful!

[TheGunslinger]

47. Tomorrow is going to be AWESOME with Dean dismantling Meelyman!!

[madfloridian]

59. I think they will be on separately.

I am not sure whose choice, but it suits me. Mehlman has his talking points so he just rattles on and on and on and never says anything.

[JAbuchan08]

48. I like it, add a couple more repetitions of the word "truth," maybe

but otherwise, good.

[in_cog_ni_to]

57. EXCELLENT statement! n/t

[mike_c]

58. WHY IS THIS MAN CHAIRMAN OF THE DNC...

...instead of president of the United States? Dean speaks for me!

[dpbrown]

60. Outstanding job, Howard!

Keep it up! Be the opposition!