Based on the smear campaign that's being launched at Dean...

[deminflorida]

I think he's going to have to open those sealed records and soon. If the media spins on it or operatives that are currently launching T.V. ads against him in early primary states use it as a knock-out punch, he may not get up off the canvas this time.

They could come from several different directions. Lets say the media for instance thru some venue like Saturday Night Live relates Dean's sealed records to Gore's "Lock Box" issue from the 2000 election.

That would be one way,

or operatives could just start running T.V. Ads saying "Whats Howard Dean Hiding in those Sealed Records?" Right after everybody in the early primary states have had a good dose of the Bin Laden threat.

Either way he better open them soon, or I believe he'll be cooked liked the Xmas Turkey.

Cooked I mean, stick a fork in him, he's done.

[pruner]

1. your predictions have been spot on thus far…

:boring:

[bearfartinthewoods]

2. that SNL skit writes itself

finding the secret records in Al's lock box.

[Jacobin]

3. I've noticed, that whenever he is attacked,

his polls go up.

People are starting to understand the mudslinging and double standard used with repuke candidates

[Myra]

9. Dean seems to understand that very well.

Point taken.

[ima_sinnic]

4. . . . and that's not exactly what you're hoping for, right?

The RNC has noted the strategies and distortions that you have so kindly posted for their use.

[deminflorida]

7. Actually no....

I'm actually starting to feel sorry for the guy. The Bin Laden tactic is below the belt, but it's no different than the pictures I've seen of Wes Clark being posted with the Serbs.

Totally out of context, I might add. I served during that campaign over there.

[MissMarple]

5. Thunk! Was that the sky falling on my head?

No, I don't think so. Relax. Dean is no Al Gore. He can answer those questions and make the questioners look like... hmm... dorks.

Courage, sweetheart. :D

[Eloriel]

6. The issue is taken care of

He is letting the judge in the Klayman suit against him decide what gets released and what doesn't. How you gonna argue with that? I read, but did not see independent source that he's not even retaining an atty for the suit.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

8. How much of your theory...

Is wishful thinking?

[deminflorida]

10. It's not wishful thinking at all....

It's just based on the sorry state of affairs concerning our media in this country.

[unfrigginreal]

11. Clark should hire you full time

You just have this knack for honing in on the important stuff.:eyes:

[Kremer]

12. Amazing! How our guy is held to "strict" accountability.

My god, it was what 2 days ago this came up on the Faux interview. Now it's the all-emcompassing issue? What is he hiding a couple of murders or something? Why is it of the utmost importance he opens these files, yet * has sealed "every" document since he was in 1st grade and has no intention of ever opening them! But Mr. Dean oh no. If he doesn't open them by Monday will call for a special counsel. This is exactly what they want us to do. Real simple to debunk this one. Dean says: "I'll open "all" my records when Mr. Bush opens "all" his records. Now, back to the issues. Why is it an issue? B/c repugs say so? Too bad. Is the american public just clammering for this? I haven't heard a peep from anyone except repug pundits. This is how they control the debate.

[rucky]

13. What Kremer said

with feeling

[DemBones DemBones]

17. The issue of the sealed records has been around all along, don't

know why you think it originated two days ago. Some of us Democrats want to know WHY they're sealed, WHAT he may be hiding. We suspect there's documentation of Dean being overly friendly with corporations, perhaps in a downright unethical way. I don't want any Dem with a shady record getting the nomination.

Officially, Bush's records ARE open to the public. Howard should have known this before he issued that challenge -- Trippi must be slipping. Bush's sealed records were challenged by citizens' groups in Texas and the attorney general made him move them to the state archives where they belong.

(Deanies are saying they're not really open because you have to go through a lot of red tape to actually see them but that's how a lot of public records are. It would be stupid to have them so "open" that people could steal or damage papers since archives are supposed to preserve documents. The Texas state archivist says Bush's records are open. Why don't Deanies in Texas check this out?)

[liberalnurse]

14. Your kidding...right?

This is off the cuff scarcasm right?

Do you really care, from the bottom of your heart?

[caledesi]

15. If this is the best the repug thugs can do (e.g., sealed records

and the draft issue), they are in serious trouble.

This is total crap.

They could at least have a blue dress or something.

[DemBones DemBones]

16. Hey, I'm a Democrat and I want to know what's in those records.

And I didn't like the way he fudged the truth on how he came to have a 1-Y classification during Viet Nam.

The blue dress related to Clinton's infidelity to his wife, a bad thing, a serious thing, but a personal thing.

Dean is withholding records of his gubernatorial career -- why? His telling of how he interacted with the Selective Service process, an obligation of citizenship, has involved a lot of hedging and inaccuracy -- why?

We Dems complain that much of Bush's past was hidden during the 2000 campaign so why is there such a rush in our party to nominate a guy who is emulating Bush's secrecy?

And why is either Bush or Dean said to be a straight shooter? Both of them tried to keep their records from the public!

[pruner]

18. how did Dean fudge the truth about his deferment?

did you know that the Selective Service process obligates you to bring medical records indicating existing conditions?

did you know that Bill Clinton sealed his records when he left the Governors office… just like every other Governor allowed to do so by (state) law does?

do you know what the fuck you're talking about?

:shrug:

I think not.

[tlb]

19. Don't you want to know about Dean's dealings with ENRON ?

Or is that only questionable to republicans ?

Anyway, if you don't, Kerry does. You seriously think this will just go away ?