Graham stands up for Dean at Democratic fundraiser

[JaneQPublic]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/politics/7512416.htm

Under a barrage of attacks from Democratic competitors who say his opposition to the Iraq war makes him a weak presidential candidate, Howard Dean won some political cover Tuesday from a former rival: Florida Sen. Bob Graham.

Graham, addressing some of the party's most influential Florida players at a dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel Miami near downtown Miami, defended Dean's foreign policy agenda as ''visionary.'' He also called on Democratic candidates to end their sniping.

---snip

''There was no question that we would find Saddam Hussein,'' said Graham, the former chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee who built his own candidacy around the belief that President Bush was undermining the war on terrorism by focusing on Iraq. ''We have not caught Saddam Been Forgotten,'' he said, slightly flubbing a line he's used before in referring to Osama bin Laden.

The pitch for Dean was the latest indication of a growing closeness between the presidential front-runner and his former rival. They have emerged during the campaign as two of the Democratic Party's leading voices against the Iraq war and illustrates the growing split in the party as candidates try to find the best approach for defeating Bush.


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[dfong63]

1. Dean/Graham '04

[sonias]

3. I'd support that ticket

Senator Graham is/was a fine Senator and would make a great V.P.

Sonia

[w4rma]

2. *Still* one of my favorite Senators.

:hi:

[JNelson6563]

4. Rock on Graham!

I was sorry he was the first to drop out.

Julie

[demnan]

5. I've liked Graham since he was the governor of Florida

I concur he'd be a fine choice for VP and has legislative experience to add to the ticket as well.

[Jerseycoa]

6. This was followed

By a terrific unity speech by Hillary and then a disgraceful display by Lieberman. He bashed Dean unendingly, defeating the spirit of the gathering. He has no shame, though, we already know.

[MissMarple]

7. Lieberman, Gephardt, and Kerry do themselves no favors.

They should leave the petty, meanspirited, and twisted commentary to the Republicans who do it so well. The Democratic Party needs an overhaul if they support such nonsense. They can't beat Rove by mimicing him. We have to be better than that. And that is why I like Dean, Clark, Kucinich and Edwards. And Sharpton and Mosely Braun add to the discourse. They are better than any of the old pols who will say anything to win. Are they perfect? No. But they are what the Party needs to regain its bearings. They have been on something of a rout for too long.

[JaneQPublic]

8. Well, said, Miss M! (n/t)