President Carter commends Dean for "Early and consistent opposition"

[Cuban_Liberal]

Just heard him commend Dr. Dean for his 'early and consistent opposition to an unjust war'. It seemed to me to be the closest thing to an endorsement as he could give without actually endorsing him.

:)

[caledesi]

1. Carter came very close to endorsing Dean. nt

[Cuban_Liberal]

2. I agree.

It was as much of an endorsement as someone who said they won't endorse anyone before the nomination can give.

[KittyWampus]

3. Bullshit. Carter Made It QUITE Clear He Had NO Intention Of Endorsing Dean

The ONLY reason this meeting occured is because Dean requested it.


Carter even had to release a press statement categorically saying:

He was NOT endorsing Dean
The meeting was at Dean's request
He would meet with ANY of the candidates

That Dean's campaign would perpertrate a hoax like this and USE Carter is disgusting.

[Cuban_Liberal]

4. I'm not the Dean campaign.

I'm not even backing Dean, but I saw what I saw.

[KittyWampus]

6. What You Saw Was Carter Appearing W/Dean At DEAN'S Request

Nothing more.

Carter already smacked down the notion he would endorse Dean in any way.

[Cuban_Liberal]

8. Did YOU watch it live? I did.

I heard what I heard.

[KittyWampus]

12. Yes, And Carter Said Nice Things In Public About Dean

and if Clark had been tasteless enough to pull a stunt like Dean's I'm sure Carter would have said nice things about him too.

Dean requests a meeting with Carter and he is gracious enough to accept. You think Carter is going to disrespect Dean in public?

[wryter2000]

25. Welcome, Cuban Liberal

:hi:

[Cuban_Liberal]

42. Thank you!

:hi:

[Toot]

5. I don't think Dean's campaign perpetrated a hoax...

because I read where Joe Trippi said that Carter wasn't endorsing Dean before Carter did his release.

[KittyWampus]

10. Then How Did The Media Get Wind Of The Meeting?

Wesley Clark ALSO met with Carter but at least he had enough class not to try and sell it as an endorsement.

[Cuban_Liberal]

13. no one is 'seeling it as an endorsement'.

:eyes:

[KittyWampus]

16. You Just Tried To And So Did Blitzer

[Cuban_Liberal]

19. No, I didn't.

I said what I said. I didn't say whatever 'spin' you seem to THINK I said.

[KittyWampus]

35. the closest thing to an endorsement

the closest thing to an endorsement as he could give without actually endorsing him.

[Cuban_Liberal]

45. Correct.

That is what I said. *applauds*

[Democrats unite]

49. Here is what you wrote...

"It was as much of an endorsement as someone who said they won't endorse anyone before the nomination can give."

is this a play on words?

[Padraig18]

51. It seems like a simple, declarative English sentence.

It says what it says.

[Democrats unite]

63. Well glad to see the Dean campaign has to use...

innuendo's, heaven forbid they would have to use substance.

[Cuban_Liberal]

65. It was what it was.

Why rain on what was an overwhelmingly positive event for the Dean campaign?

[wryter2000]

29. Hi, Toot

:hi:

You and Cuban Liberal are kind of new here. For whatever reason, there's quite a bit of hostility to some of the candidates by supporters of other candidates here. Don't let it stop you from putting forth your views...respectfully, of course.

[Toot]

59. Hello back at'cha.

I'm always respectful ;-), and any hostilities won't run me off. I was around when some people were saying Dean people were 'drinking kool-aid' or 'were culttish.' If that didn't run me off, it did piss me off, nothing will.

[Padraig18]

52. You're correct.

Joe Trippi made it very clear on CNN last week that there would be no endorsement forthcoming.

[Egnever]

7. Yes Dean made carter stand up and speak

I saw the guy with the gun to his head in the background

:eyes:

[LuminousX]

56. And wasn't that a note in Dean's handwriting Carter was reading from?

[newsguyatl]

9. nice candidate bash cryingshame

[KittyWampus]

11. Nice Attempt To Divert Attention From Dean's Propaganda Stunt

using a well respected elder statesman.

[Cuban_Liberal]

14. Did you watch it? n/t

[LuminousX]

57. It is odd you can't get this question answered.

[newsguyatl]

21. and nice job at editing pal

why edit though? if you're gonna be tough enough to dish the dirt on dean, be a man and leave it down there... don't pussyfoot and back down, eh?

[KittyWampus]

24. I Am A Woman And I Editted Nothing

:wtf: are you talking about?

Dean supporters and the mediawhores are the one's "editting" the reality of Carter's gracious appearance with Dean as some kind of "Near Endorsement".

[Eloriel]

55. you apparently didn't see it, then

It very much WAS a "near endorsement."

That doesn't make it an ACTUAL endorsement, but it was very darned high praise and the two words "near endorsement" are entirely apt in this situation.

Chip Carter is a big Dean supporter, btw, and HAS endorsed him, and has been supporting him for many months now.

[lurk_no_more]

38. dean requested it?

and Carter didn't endorse him? I guess dean didn't make him an offer he couldn't refuse.

Nice try before Iowa though.


And then there were none!
” JAFO”

[joefree1]

15. Thank you President Carter

That was closet enough. I'm glad President Carter and Clinton are staying Neutral but Carter's speech today was awfully close.

President Carter is a great person. I can see why some that oppose Dean are trying so vehemently to deny it.


Images from Dean Rocks the House of Blues, Hollywood
From wtmusic http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=919849
From Joefree1 http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=921300

[KittyWampus]

18. Awfully Close? Carter Wouldn't Even Have Appeared If Dean Hadn't Asked

and Carter made that quite clear.

Funny, how Dean supporters and the mediawhores are saying "awfully close" to an endorsement when Carter went out of his way to disabuse the Public of that very notion.

[joefree1]

26. "I saw what I saw"

:hi:

[LuminousX]

58. And Carter had full control to turn Dean down, due to timing, or

dictate that it not be public.

[Jerseycoa]

41. I love Jimmy Carter

It was as close to endorsing as he was willing to go. I wish it was my guy, of course, but creds to the Dean team.

:toast:

[newsguyatl]

17. hey

what happened to the OTHER thread that was started BEFORE this thread that had a picture of the two?


it mysteriously disappeared?

[Cuban_Liberal]

20. Actually, this one was started first, by 2 minutes.

I assume the dupe was deleted.

[janx]

28. That explains it then.

I was just curious--I don't mean to trash your thread.

[Cuban_Liberal]

30. No biggie.

I've done the same. :hi:

[RevolutionStartsNow]

22. Yes what happened to that thread?

It was a beautiful photo, and here it is again.

[SadEagle]

27. Probably deleted somehow

I clicked refresh on it and got an error. Anyway, love the picture.

[joefree1]

31. Wow, beautiful photo of the past and future presidents!

Here's a pic of Dean and CMB.
http://blog.deanforamerica.com/archives/[e-mail]

[wryter2000]

33. Wow

Don't the Carters look great?

I don't care how or why this came about. Carter stated publicly that he wouldn't criticize the President during a war. I understood his reasons, but I was saddened to see just a great voice for peace and understanding stifled. I'm glad he's coming out now to say that opposition to the war is a good thing.

[lurk_no_more]

44. That's a great picture of President and Mrs. Carter but

where's dean's wife? Carter's with his wife, where's dean's? Just curious!


And then there were none!
” JAFO”

[Eloriel]

60. Why do you think she should have been there?

Do you think her "proper role" is trailing her husband? It's not. Her proper role is whatever SHE wants it to be. (And that goes for when she's living in the White House too.)

Gentle reminder: this is 2004, not 1954.

[Padraig18]

62. She WAS there.

I saw her, too. :)

[janx]

23. Did you search for it? I missed it .

?

[texasmom]

32. I watched the whole thing on CNN,

and I thought it was great. President Carter, who I respect greatly, made some wonderful points about regional electability and he also said what he appreciated about Howard Dean and his candidacy. I agree with everything he said, even though I'm supporting Clark. I also appreciate that even if Carter is, himself, pulling for Dean (not clear), he did not make an endorsement and try to get everyone to gather around one candidate. He is letting the process play out. His stature remains elevated as an elder statesman.
He also finished by reiterating our objective--getting a Democrat back in the White House.

[wryter2000]

34. Spoken as a true Democrat, Texasmom

:yourock:

[Tom Rinaldo]

37. Thanks for that report

I wasn't able to watch. I am also backing Clark and you expressed my sentiments perfectly. Carter is a great man and he continually shows why. Whatever positive things Carter said about Dean are an honor to Dean, which he earned.

The timing of the trip to Georgia is certainly political, but this is politics after all.

I do not know enough to have an informed opinion on whether Dean's staff made an over the top effort to spin this event or not. I will take Carter's gracious comments at face value regardless.

[KittyWampus]

43. Agreed, Why Not Rejoice In The Glow Of Carter's Praise

without trying to make it into something it isn't?

Although Blitzer and CNN are certainly trying to make it a "wink, wink endorsement"

[Cuban_Liberal]

36. Kick

[joefree1]

39. Carter's son has endorsed Dean

See this thread:
Carter's son says Dean can win in South (endorses Dean)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=130779

[Feanorcurufinwe]

40. It seems to me like your interpretation is totally wrong

considering that Carter has even said in advance that your interpretation is wrong

Carter clarifies purpose of meeting with Dean

Former President Jimmy Carter wants to make it clear that he does not plan to endorse Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean when the two meet this weekend.

Carter issued a statement Wednesday, described as a clarification to news reports surrounding Deans plans to visit him Sunday in Carters hometown of Plains, Ga.

This meeting is not an endorsement of his candidacy, but an opportunity for me to learn more about the candidate and his views, Carter said in the written statement.

Aides to Dean and Carter have said the former president plans to offer words of praise for Dean, but no endorsement is expected. Carter has said he will not express any preference about who should be the nominee.
http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap_newfullstory.asp?ID=29151

[Cuban_Liberal]

46. None of that contradicts what I wrote, does it?

I made it very clear it was NOT an endorsement--- very clear. It was, however', as close to it as you can get. Let's say it was a 'wink and a nod' non-endorsement, and split the difference.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

47. Well yes actually it does. What you wrote was complete nonsense.

"Carter has said he will not express any preference about who should be the nominee."

and you interpret that to mean:

"Carter thinks the nominee should be Dean"


:eyes:

[Cuban_Liberal]

50. :eyes: back at you.

What I wrote is what I wrote, and I most certainly didn't write what you say I did. This is, verbatim, what I wrote:

Just heard him commend Dr. Dean for his 'early and consistent opposition to an unjust war'. It seemed to me to be the closest thing to an endorsement as he could give without actually endorsing him.

:wtf: is 'nonsense' about that?

[joefree1]

48. With Carter's son working for Dean in Iowa

We've no need to spin this anymore. But it was a nice moment wasn't it. ;)

[Samantha]

53. I saw the entire discussion

I had previously read Carter's statement he did not intend to endorse Dean at today's meeting.

I heard Dean say yesterday, when asked if he was talking his eye off the Iowa ball by going to Plains, Georgia today, "when the former president of the United States asks you to go to church with him, that's an invitation you don't decline (words to that effect).

I expected some bland words but a good photo op to come out of today's Dean/Carter reunion.

I was surprised when I listened to Carter's words. They sounded to me like a laying on of the hands, to the extent be could "give his blessing" to any candidate. The idea of the two attending Sunday School together was inspired. Carter knows there is a perception in the South Dean is too secular. Showing up at the altar in Georgia with Dean at hand I am sure made a huge visual impact -- and I seriously doubt the church-going setting was Dean's idea....

[Padraig18]

54. I agree, and agree with the original poster.

It was as close as he could come to endorsing Dean without doing so. The message to Iowans will not be lost, either. It was 'a picture is worth 1000 words' moment.

[Samantha]

61. I have made it clear I would not endorse any candidate, BUT

Just listened to the replay very carefully. Heard that BUT loudly and clearly. From that statement, Carter went into his opposition to the war. It was clear Carter was smiling favorably upon Dean.

Carter went a distance to defuse some minor snafus in Dean's campaign. He opened up with a discussion of the Book of Job. As you recall, when asked what his favorite book in the New Testament is, Dean replied Job. Job is an Old Testament book. Dean laughed. For Carter to make fun of this totally made it a non-issue. Carter further remarked on Dean's tendancy to shoot from the hip with his lip. The overall sense I got from Carter's remarks was that the small things working against Dean are not collectively large enough to negate his overall right-direction for leading the Democratic party.

[WI_DEM]

64. I agree

Carter could have insisted that the Dean appearance with him not be held the day before an important caucus. The fact that they both appeared together on Iowa-Eve speaks volumns to me.