Wash, Spin, Repeat: Dean Tries To Backpedal
Just days after DNC Chairman Howard Dean opened his mouth and inserted his foot, he's already trying to spin it away. http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/12/08/democrats.iraq.ap/index.html?section=cnn_topstories
HT: http://www.singlemaltpundit.com/
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean said Thursday his assertion that the United States cannot win the war in Iraq was reported "a little out of context," saying Democrats believe a new U.S. strategy is needed to succeed there.
Seeking to clarify a statement in a Texas radio interview that Republicans harshly assailed and some Democrats questioned, Dean said, "They kind of cherry-picked that one the same way the president cherry-picked the intelligence going into Iraq."
Cherry picked? The quote's been distributed across the dial of talk radio, and turned the blogosphere into a wildfire. Here's the post at the WOAI website:
http://www.woai.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=C36A87B9-63A0-4CDE-AA91-B41571AFD3AF
(SAN ANTONIO) -- Saying the "idea that we're going to win the war in Iraq is an idea which is just plain wrong," Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean predicted today that the Democratic Party will come together on a proposal to withdraw National Guard and Reserve troops immediately, and all US forces within two years.
Dean made his comments in an interview on WOAI Radio in San Antonio.
"I've seen this before in my life. This is the same situation we had in Vietnam. Everybody then kept saying, 'just another year, just stay the course, we'll have a victory.' Well, we didn't have a victory, and this policy cost the lives of an additional 25,000 troops because we were too stubborn to recognize what was happening."
First, let's get the numbers right, Dr. Dean. 58, 226 estimated KIA/MIA in Vietnam; 153,303 were wounded. Not the 25,000 you cite. Second, the quote wasn't "cherry-picked." It came from extaly what you said. You said us winning this war--that idea--was just plain wrong. You said, in essence, that we're not going to win this war. That's a sad attitude to take, and whining about being caught in this doesn't appeal to me or any other American out there that knows your true color is yellow.
On Thursday, Dean stressed at several junctures in the interview that Democrats support U.S. troops struggling to secure Iraq. He seemed to be striving to counter charges that statements by some Democrats suggesting a pullout are having the effect of undermining U.S. servicemen and women.
Democrats have been struggling to find party unity on Iraq. Dean's broadside Monday, likening Iraq to the Vietnam experience, went beyond an earlier call by Rep. John Murtha, D-Pennsylvania, to begin to pull troops out. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-California, embraced Murtha's position Wednesday. But other Democrats have been more cautious about second-guessing President Bush on this issue.
How could a request for the troop's withdrawal not be seen as "undermining" the war effort? Simple, the troops believe in the mission they're on. They've seen the horrors of the Hussein regime. They've seen the evidence of WMDs, their components, and the program notes. They know what this madman was close to creating. They've looked into the eyes of the haunted Iraqis, now emboldened by their first, real taste of freedom in their lifetimes. That has also lifted up our troops. They're not hated and reviled over there by the Iraqis as is being portrayed by the Left's willing spin-meisters in the MSM.
Asked Thursday to defend his statement in the Texas radio interview, Dean said: "It was a little out of context. ... We can only win if we change our strategy dramatically. ... We want to serve our troops well. They're doing a fantastic job in Iraq."
Which is it, Dr. Dean? They're either failing, and we're losing, or they're succeeding, and you support their efforts. You can't have both sides of this debate. Either you're for the troops, for the war, for defending America, or you're on the French surrender-monkey side.
Dean charged that Bush is "going in the wrong direction. We'll go in the right direction and save soldiers lives while we're doing it."
"We can and we have to win the war on terror," the Democratic Party chairman added. "We can't do it with this kind of approach."
Again, a decision please? You're worse than the flip-flopping senator from Massachusetts; you're a frelling yo-yo.
Asked about Lieberman's statement, Dean replied, "I am not as worried about the president's credibility. ... We need to redeploy our troops and stop making our troops the target over there. We believe that talking about the president's failed strategy is not unpatriotic. It may undercut the president but it does not undercut the troops. We are for the troops and we are going to support the troops."
And there's the money quote. They're more than happy to undercut the president in the execution of his duties, his war powers, but they're supporting the troops that way. Um, the last time I checked, the Democrats didn't hold the Oval Office. They're not the ones running this war. This war is being run by the ELECTED leader of this nation. That's Pres. George W. Bush. Not John Kerry. Not Howard Dean. Not John Murtha or Nancy Pelosi. He is the commander-in-chief of the nation's armed forces, and he should be allowed to run this war the best way he believes he can. He has the support of those around him, and he accepts their counsel when he feels he needs to. He's not like the Democrats, who surround themselves with the epitome of ineptitude, stupidity, and laziness when they're in charge.
Howard Dean can spin it anyway he chooses, but the sheer fact is that he spoke his heart and his mind with that initial interview. Now that he's catching flak from us on the starboard side of the aisle, he's backing up. I wonder if this backpedal has anything to do with the RNC's offensive being launched against Howard Dean? That's from today, and a HT to Drudge for the news.
http://drudgereport.com/flash2.htm
EXCLUSIVE: GOP TO LAUNCH 'WHITE FLAG' DEM ATTACK
Thu Dec 08 2005 18:02:44 ET
The DRUDGE REPORT has learned from a top GOP operative that the Republican National Committee will provide state parties with a web video prior to release tomorrow afternoon that shows a white flag waving over images of Democrat leaders making anti-war remarks. The ad is in response to the controversial comments Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean and 2004 Democratic Presidential nominee John Kerry made earlier in the week. A Democratic strategist who had the web ad described to her said, “This is way over the top but we have no one to blame but Dean, Kerry and others who continue to pander to the anti-war activists within our party.”
The web video advances the Republican contention that the Democrats only have a “retreat and defeat” message on the war in Iraq. The video highlights the effect Democrats can have on the morale of U.S. soldiers. One Republican strategist familiar with the ad said, “The Democrats, especially Howard Dean have a way of trying to turn the tables and say ‘that’s not what I meant’ – its just those ‘evil Republicans’ This video will make them crazy – it reinforces what they really believe with what they actually said – and that is devastating for the Democratic Party.”
The Democrats had better get a grip, or "Howling Mad" Howie's going to end up killing any and all chances they have in 2006. My first post this morning is a "gear-up" for the fight we're going to face in 2006. But if Dean, Kerry, Murtha, Pelosi, et al, continue their incessant rhetoric of defeat, it's not going to reflect well with the voters. It's going to backfire, and it's going to backfire badly. Enough seats are already up for the Democrats, and in the Senate it's going to be even worse if this keeps up.
Thirteen Democrats in the Senate are done in 2006. Sarbanes and Dayton are done for good as they're retiring. That still leaves thirteen seats that are up for grabs. Now, I'll grant some people that to unseat a Ted Kennedy or Hillary Clinton won't be easy, but a couple of these seats could swing towards the GOP, especially if the pressure is put on the incumbant, and the ground game for those seats is handled correctly. Showing the cut-and-run strategy emphasized by the current chairman of the party is one way to do it, and it should be the focal point for the whole campaign, but there are three other issues important to those races. Trust me, if the GOP focuses on them, they can take those seats.
Remember:
Win The War
Cut The Taxes
Control The Spending
Confirm The Judges
Publius II
Just days after DNC Chairman Howard Dean opened his mouth and inserted his foot, he's already trying to spin it away. http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/12/08/democrats.iraq.ap/index.html?section=cnn_topstories
HT: http://www.singlemaltpundit.com/
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean said Thursday his assertion that the United States cannot win the war in Iraq was reported "a little out of context," saying Democrats believe a new U.S. strategy is needed to succeed there.
Seeking to clarify a statement in a Texas radio interview that Republicans harshly assailed and some Democrats questioned, Dean said, "They kind of cherry-picked that one the same way the president cherry-picked the intelligence going into Iraq."
Cherry picked? The quote's been distributed across the dial of talk radio, and turned the blogosphere into a wildfire. Here's the post at the WOAI website:
http://www.woai.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=C36A87B9-63A0-4CDE-AA91-B41571AFD3AF
(SAN ANTONIO) -- Saying the "idea that we're going to win the war in Iraq is an idea which is just plain wrong," Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean predicted today that the Democratic Party will come together on a proposal to withdraw National Guard and Reserve troops immediately, and all US forces within two years.
Dean made his comments in an interview on WOAI Radio in San Antonio.
"I've seen this before in my life. This is the same situation we had in Vietnam. Everybody then kept saying, 'just another year, just stay the course, we'll have a victory.' Well, we didn't have a victory, and this policy cost the lives of an additional 25,000 troops because we were too stubborn to recognize what was happening."
First, let's get the numbers right, Dr. Dean. 58, 226 estimated KIA/MIA in Vietnam; 153,303 were wounded. Not the 25,000 you cite. Second, the quote wasn't "cherry-picked." It came from extaly what you said. You said us winning this war--that idea--was just plain wrong. You said, in essence, that we're not going to win this war. That's a sad attitude to take, and whining about being caught in this doesn't appeal to me or any other American out there that knows your true color is yellow.
On Thursday, Dean stressed at several junctures in the interview that Democrats support U.S. troops struggling to secure Iraq. He seemed to be striving to counter charges that statements by some Democrats suggesting a pullout are having the effect of undermining U.S. servicemen and women.
Democrats have been struggling to find party unity on Iraq. Dean's broadside Monday, likening Iraq to the Vietnam experience, went beyond an earlier call by Rep. John Murtha, D-Pennsylvania, to begin to pull troops out. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-California, embraced Murtha's position Wednesday. But other Democrats have been more cautious about second-guessing President Bush on this issue.
How could a request for the troop's withdrawal not be seen as "undermining" the war effort? Simple, the troops believe in the mission they're on. They've seen the horrors of the Hussein regime. They've seen the evidence of WMDs, their components, and the program notes. They know what this madman was close to creating. They've looked into the eyes of the haunted Iraqis, now emboldened by their first, real taste of freedom in their lifetimes. That has also lifted up our troops. They're not hated and reviled over there by the Iraqis as is being portrayed by the Left's willing spin-meisters in the MSM.
Asked Thursday to defend his statement in the Texas radio interview, Dean said: "It was a little out of context. ... We can only win if we change our strategy dramatically. ... We want to serve our troops well. They're doing a fantastic job in Iraq."
Which is it, Dr. Dean? They're either failing, and we're losing, or they're succeeding, and you support their efforts. You can't have both sides of this debate. Either you're for the troops, for the war, for defending America, or you're on the French surrender-monkey side.
Dean charged that Bush is "going in the wrong direction. We'll go in the right direction and save soldiers lives while we're doing it."
"We can and we have to win the war on terror," the Democratic Party chairman added. "We can't do it with this kind of approach."
Again, a decision please? You're worse than the flip-flopping senator from Massachusetts; you're a frelling yo-yo.
Asked about Lieberman's statement, Dean replied, "I am not as worried about the president's credibility. ... We need to redeploy our troops and stop making our troops the target over there. We believe that talking about the president's failed strategy is not unpatriotic. It may undercut the president but it does not undercut the troops. We are for the troops and we are going to support the troops."
And there's the money quote. They're more than happy to undercut the president in the execution of his duties, his war powers, but they're supporting the troops that way. Um, the last time I checked, the Democrats didn't hold the Oval Office. They're not the ones running this war. This war is being run by the ELECTED leader of this nation. That's Pres. George W. Bush. Not John Kerry. Not Howard Dean. Not John Murtha or Nancy Pelosi. He is the commander-in-chief of the nation's armed forces, and he should be allowed to run this war the best way he believes he can. He has the support of those around him, and he accepts their counsel when he feels he needs to. He's not like the Democrats, who surround themselves with the epitome of ineptitude, stupidity, and laziness when they're in charge.
Howard Dean can spin it anyway he chooses, but the sheer fact is that he spoke his heart and his mind with that initial interview. Now that he's catching flak from us on the starboard side of the aisle, he's backing up. I wonder if this backpedal has anything to do with the RNC's offensive being launched against Howard Dean? That's from today, and a HT to Drudge for the news.
http://drudgereport.com/flash2.htm
EXCLUSIVE: GOP TO LAUNCH 'WHITE FLAG' DEM ATTACK
Thu Dec 08 2005 18:02:44 ET
The DRUDGE REPORT has learned from a top GOP operative that the Republican National Committee will provide state parties with a web video prior to release tomorrow afternoon that shows a white flag waving over images of Democrat leaders making anti-war remarks. The ad is in response to the controversial comments Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean and 2004 Democratic Presidential nominee John Kerry made earlier in the week. A Democratic strategist who had the web ad described to her said, “This is way over the top but we have no one to blame but Dean, Kerry and others who continue to pander to the anti-war activists within our party.”
The web video advances the Republican contention that the Democrats only have a “retreat and defeat” message on the war in Iraq. The video highlights the effect Democrats can have on the morale of U.S. soldiers. One Republican strategist familiar with the ad said, “The Democrats, especially Howard Dean have a way of trying to turn the tables and say ‘that’s not what I meant’ – its just those ‘evil Republicans’ This video will make them crazy – it reinforces what they really believe with what they actually said – and that is devastating for the Democratic Party.”
The Democrats had better get a grip, or "Howling Mad" Howie's going to end up killing any and all chances they have in 2006. My first post this morning is a "gear-up" for the fight we're going to face in 2006. But if Dean, Kerry, Murtha, Pelosi, et al, continue their incessant rhetoric of defeat, it's not going to reflect well with the voters. It's going to backfire, and it's going to backfire badly. Enough seats are already up for the Democrats, and in the Senate it's going to be even worse if this keeps up.
Thirteen Democrats in the Senate are done in 2006. Sarbanes and Dayton are done for good as they're retiring. That still leaves thirteen seats that are up for grabs. Now, I'll grant some people that to unseat a Ted Kennedy or Hillary Clinton won't be easy, but a couple of these seats could swing towards the GOP, especially if the pressure is put on the incumbant, and the ground game for those seats is handled correctly. Showing the cut-and-run strategy emphasized by the current chairman of the party is one way to do it, and it should be the focal point for the whole campaign, but there are three other issues important to those races. Trust me, if the GOP focuses on them, they can take those seats.
Remember:
Win The War
Cut The Taxes
Control The Spending
Confirm The Judges
Publius II
posted by Syd And Vaughn | 10:16 PM
1 Comments:
I said I was going to call them as I see tjem having respect for the power of words. Screaming dean is a socialist. He hates America and what we stand for. He lacks facts and he knows it. He has no respect for the truth. He gives aid and comfort to our enemy and he knows it. That makes him a traitor in my books. Rawriter
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