Dean says he was taken out of context and that the U.S. can win in Iraq

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N08305769.htm

US Democratic chief says new strategy needed in Iraq

WASHINGTON, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Democratic Party chief Howard Dean said on Thursday his comment that the United States could not win the war in Iraq was reported "a little out of context," but a new strategy would be needed to triumph there.

Dean was attacked by President George W. Bush and Republicans earlier this week for telling a Texas radio station that "the idea we're going to win this war is an idea that unfortunately is plain wrong."

"It was a little out of context. They kind of cherry-picked that one the same way the president cherry-picked the intelligence going into Iraq," Dean told CNN.

"We can only win the war, which we have to win, if we change our strategy dramatically," he said. "We can and we have to win the war on terror. We can't do it with this approach, with this leadership the president is showing."

[MercutioATC]

1. I HATE when he qualifies his statements!

His revised statement is just bullshit. I agree with his original statement!

[rodeodance]

2. He is talking of the war on terror--and still wants the troops out of Irag

"We can only win the war, which we have to win, if we change our strategy dramatically," he said. "We can and we have to win the war on terror. We can't do it with this approach, with this leadership the president is showing."

[ananda]

5. Sure about that?

I mean, why the fuck are we pretending to talk about two different wars?

There is no war on terror. You can't make war on an abstract noun.

There is only war against real nations and people.

Iraq is the only war there is right now in this conversation.

And,,, it can't be won, period.

[NYCGirl]

6. We're talking about "two different wars" because the Bush administration

continues to try and link the "war on terror" (bullshit or not) and the war in Iraq. They are two different things and should be spoken of as such.

[bryant69]

4. Do you have a link to the origional statement?

I am curious about it; but finding references to the corrected version.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[rodeodance]

3. "mostly press gobbledygook," Dean said.

.But Dean said Democrats were beginning to rally around a concept of strategic redeployment in Iraq. That plan would gradually phase out most U.S. troops over the next two years, withdraw them from urban areas and bring home National Guard forces within six months.

The idea that Democrats do not have a coherent plan for the future of Iraq was "mostly press gobbledygook," Dean said.

"The press wants to focus on the differences. The differences are pretty small, perhaps Senator Lieberman excepted," he said. "We may have some small disagreements on timing. We know the direction we're going on is a very different direction than the president."

[The_Casual_Observer]

7. Too late for this. Dean trapped himself with that one.

He doesn't seem to be able to play the flag waving game when it's necessary. It's all bullshit, but the gop parses every word, so he ought to play along and frustrate their asses.

[NNN0LHI]

8. I wonder why he just didn't go along with the plan Murtha laid out?

Out in six months sounded better than Deans out in two years anyway. He should have just followed Murthas lead like Pelosi and others.

Don