Governor Dean's Statement on Ralph Nader

[MR. ELECTABLE]

When I announced last week that I am no longer actively pursuing the presidency, I urged my supporters not to be tempted by any independent or third party candidate. I said I would support the nominee of the Democratic Party, because the bottom line is that we must defeat George W. Bush in November, whatever it takes.


This year, our campaign has made the case that, in order to defeat George W. Bush, the Democratic Party must stand up strong for its principles, not paper over its differences with the most radical Administration in our lifetime. In order to win, the Democratic Party must aggressively expose the ways in which George W. Bush's policies benefit the privileged and the most extreme ideologues.


I will do everything I can to ensure that the 2004 Democratic nominee runs as a true progressive, as a champion of working Americans and their hopes for a better future. I urge my supporters, and all other Americans committed to progressive values and honest government, to stick with us, and stick with the Democratic Party, so our cause can prevail in 2004.


Ralph Nader has made many great contributions to America over 40 years. But if George W. Bush is re-elected, the health, safety, consumer, environmental, and open government provisions Ralph Nader has fought for will be undermined. George Bush's right-wing appointees will still be serving as judges fifty years from now, and our Constitution will be shredded. It will be government by, of, and for, the corporations - exactly what Ralph Nader has struggled against.


Those who truly want America's leaders to stand up to the corporate special interests and build a better country for working people should recognize that, in 2004, a vote for Ralph Nader is, plain and simple, a vote to re-elect George W. Bush. I hope that Ralph Nader will withdraw his candidacy in the best interests of the country we hope to become.


Many of my supporters urged me to run as an independent, but I judged it the wrong thing to do. There is still time for Ralph Nader to stand with those in the Democratic Party who are building a progressive coalition to defeat George W. Bush. But time is running out. We can win only if we are united.

http://www.blogforamerica.com

Thoughts on this?

[maddezmom]

1. Thank you Dr. Dean

never had a doubt that you would support the Dem nominee, like you have repeatedly stated. :)

[Faygo Kid]

84. Howard Dean is a great patriot - and I didn't vote for him

What a great man. Like the first candidate I worked for, Eugene McCarthy in 1968, he changed the dialogue. Many reasons for preferring another, but what a role Howard Dean has yet to play in our lives! To his supporters: He is not done yet. We must fight this administration. If we do not beat them now, we may never have another chance to turn this country around, because it is OVER (election-wise). "We must hang together, or we shall surely hang separately" - Benjamin Franklin

[maddezmom]

149. "We must hang together, or we shall surely hang separately" - B Franklin

great quote :)

[aquart]

2. I still really, really, really like Howard Dean. Sue me.

[Monte Carlo]

3. Well said by Dr. Dean.

Nader's intentions are noble, but his execution and his strategy sucks the big one. If we ever hope to shift the momentum in this country and put some liberal issues on the table, the great opportunity to do will is coming in November to send Bush back to Connecticut (where he's really from).

[Kahuna]

43. Nader thinks we need to be totally destroyed. He cares

nothing about human beings. Only his whacked out ideas.

[Monte Carlo]

92. I just think he's an incredibly stubborn, old crank.

I don't think he's really out to ruin anything, he's just too damned old to change now.

[edzontar]

125. I think Dr. Dean's statement says it better.

He is reaching out while making it clear that Nader's decison is a mistake.

[Iverson]

4. It's nice rhetoric.

It doesn't denounce progressives within the Democratic Party, so I'd say that the inclusive spirit is a positive thing, and one that so many here could learn from.

[Eloriel]

20. Please understand

that with Howard Dean, it's NEVER just "rhetoric." He means exactly what he says and isn't one to use certain words because they sound good.

When he talks about "taking back America," that's precisely what he means, not a nice campaign slogan. When he talks about an America where "it's not enough for you to have healthcare for your children, but you want healthcare for your neighbors children too," that's precisely what he means, not just campaign rhetoric.

And of course he doesn't denounce progressives -- in many ways, he is one. Many, many, many of his supporters are. Dean's ideological "niche" isn't easily pegged. Personally, I think his politics and vision transcend ideology, 'cause he certainly has drawn thousands of Republicans and Independents and Libertarians, etc., too. And, in truth, his politics have

Maybe you understand that. Many people don't, and I couldn't tell from your comment.

[Kolesar]

74. It is too bad that rhetoric has a pejorative definition

Effectively and persuasively would describe the good Doctor. Too bad definition 2b is in there. It makes the statement become negative.

rhet·o·ric ( P ) Pronunciation Key (rtr-k)
n.

1 The art or study of using language effectively and persuasively.
A treatise or book discussing this art.
Skill in using language effectively and persuasively.

2a A style of speaking or writing, especially the language of a particular subject: fiery political rhetoric.

b.Language that is elaborate, pretentious, insincere, or intellectually vacuous: His offers of compromise were mere rhetoric.

[The Magistrate]

129. Gov. Dean Has Said The Right Thing, Mr. Iverson

"In 2004, a vote for Ralph Nader is, plain and simple, a vote to re-elect George W. Bush."

That is a proposition no sensible argument can be made against. Those who claim they will vote for Wrecker Nader, and those who urge votes for Wrecker Nader, share a common goal with the criminals of the '00 Coup, namely the defeat of the Democratic Party's nominee for President. It does not matter whether they arrive at this position from left zeal or from other motives; they are in fact open allies of the worst elements of reaction in our country. It is odd that such persons often proclaim they cannot act in coalition with the Democratic Party, because it does not go far enough in agreeing with them, when they are eager and willing to join in a coalition with the Republican Party, which opposes and would utterly destroy everything they claim they stand for. They are willing to do this because, in fact, coalition proceeds from an identity of interest, not agreement in principles, and these people share a common interest with the Republican Party, and with the worst elements of reaction in our polity: that common interest is the defeat and destruction of the Democratic Party. They may imagine they will somehow be in charge of the wreckage, and raise it like a pheonix, but the Republican reactionaries know differently, and correctly, that with the Democratic Party rendered powerless, the worst elements of reaction in our polity will be in the saddle without serious challenge for generations. Those persons on the left who are willing to assist the worst elements of reaction in their designs have now thrown off the mask, and identified themselves as open enemies of the Democratic Party, and willing allies of the worst elements of reaction in our polity. There is no reason to treat them as anything but what they have proclaimed themselves to be.

"Kill one, warn one hundred."

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[bowens43]

5. I like it....

I hope that Nader takes heeds Dean's advice.

[trotsky]

6. Howard Dean, you rock.

Well said, Dr. Dean.

[jenk]

7. well said

[IndianaGreen]

8. Endorse Edwards or Kucinich!

If you really want to make a difference in this primary season, endorse Edwards.

[Jim Sagle]

16. You still don't get it. Inclusive means inclusive.

[IndianaGreen]

32. Inclusive does not include being prowar, pro-PATRIOT, pro-NAFTA

pro-Plan Colombia, and all the other issues in which Kerry has been on the wrong side, far more than any remaining candidate.

[Cocoa]

48. is Edwards less pro-war than Kerry?

or less pro-Patriot? Or even less pro-NAFTA?

I never thought Dean was significantly more anti-war or anti-Patriot or anti-NAFTA than most dems, but with Edwards, he actually voted for the IWR and the Patriot Act, and he voted for the WTO and the China trade law.

[sangh0]

52. IG has no problem asking others to vote for a "pro-war" candidate

because she is SO "principled"

[corporatewhore]

87. welll being pro nafta is pro imperalism so edwards is less imperalistic

than kerry but still cant speak for IG

[sangh0]

89. Edwards is also a Free Trader

who voted for China's entry into the WTO.

I wonder what labor and environmental agreements China agreed to that got Edwards to vote for it. After all, we all know what great unions there are in China

[Eloriel]

26. IG

I rather doubt Dean will endorse anyone, and I hope he won't. He still wants supporters to vote for him in the remaining primaries -- the more delegates he gets the more influence at the convention. Why would he want to split his own vote?

[IndianaGreen]

28. Only Edwards stands a chance of stopping Kerry

I don't want someone as anathema as Kerry to become the nominee!

[sangh0]

53. Don't you mean "Pro-war Edwards"?

I thought you didn't like Dems who voted for IWR?

[IndianaGreen]

98. If I am going to vote Democratic in November...

I will have to find which of the two leading (and prowar) candidates I am going to support during the primaries.

On the issue of trust, which also reflects character, Edwards has Kerry beat hands down.

I have no way on knowing how Kerry is going to stand on any given issue because Kerry's track record is one of obfuscation, vacillation, and flip-flops. I could never trust Kerry on anything!

I can trust Edwards even when I don't agree with him on the issues, and there are many issues that I don't agree with him.

I would rather have an honest centrist than an opportunist liberal as the Democratic candidate in November.

[sangh0]

107. But, but, but, ....you said

Kucinich is the "only straight shooter"! Why have you fallen for the media's lie that he is unelectable? WHy have you abandoned DK for a pro-war Dem?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=113055#115302

[Old and In the Way]

113. The pinhead is shrinking upon which IG dances.

Let's face it, she just doesn't like Kerry and it really has nothing to do with principles or positions. It is rather comical to see her supporting a pro-War, pro-free trader whose positions are shades different (+/-) from Kerry's; after all of the anti-Kerry posts she's made in weeks past.

Obviously, the good Doctor understands the overarching goal is to vote Democrat in November....I appreciate his statement to that effect.

[IndianaGreen]

140. I can count delegates as well as you can

and the only candidate with a prayer of stopping the Bonesman from Boston is John Edwards.

[sangh0]

144. "We are doing..a disservice when we fall for the media's lie that

...that Dennis is unelectable" - IG

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=113055#115302

[IndianaGreen]

147. Here is the full quote, and the latest delegate count

All of the strife in DU about which candidate said what and when has reinforced the view that the only straight shooter, and the only real liberal of the bunch, is Dennis Kucinich.

We are doing ourselves a disservice when we fall for the media's lie that Dennis is unelectable. We are the ones that determine electability! If we went along with what we feel to be right, we should be voting for Dennis.

Why do we often hold our noses when we vote on Election Day? Perhaps it is because we don't vote for the best liberal candidates in the primaries...

Number of delegates (votes needed 2,162):

Kerry 695 - 32% of delegates needed
Edwards 200 - 9% of delegates needed
Sharpton 16 - 0.007% of delegates needed
Kucinich 2 - 0.0009% of delegates needed

Source: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/

Edwards is now the only one left with a chance to stop Kerry. No one else is in the hunt!

[Toucano]

59. I've missed something, IG

You may have already answered this in other posts, but I was to lazy to wade through them to find your answer. Forgive me. :)

I thought that Sen. Edwards not only voted for the war, but has said the invasion of Iraq was the right thing to do.

I don't have strong feelings for Kerry or Edwards either way, and I appreciate the enthusiasm of John Edwards. However, I find this opinion very difficult to accept.

How did you manage?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

86. i support edwards/kerry

though i was very against this war (and most other wars) i believe everyone is entitled to their share of mistakes...one mistake should not make you less qualified to be president..however when everything you have done is a huge mistake (like bush) then we should not vote for you...kerry/edwards have made mistakes but i honestly think they were mistakes ...they did intentionally mislead

[IndianaGreen]

99. Lieberman earned my respect on the war on Iraq

I totally disagreed on Lieberman on the issues, but Lieberman earned my respect because he was always honest and consistent on Iraq. Lieberman always wanted Saddam out, whether Saddam had WMD or not!

Lieberman chided Kerry for trying to have it both ways on the war.

As I said in another post in this thread, I have no way on knowing how Kerry is going to stand on any given issue because Kerry's track record is one of obfuscation, vacillation, and flip-flops. I could never trust Kerry on anything!

I can trust Edwards even when I don't agree with him on the issues, and there are many issues that I don't agree with him.

A candidate's character is always an issue in any campaign. I feel that I can trust Edwards, I cannot say the same about Kerry.

[sangh0]

108. But you said DK was the only honest candidate!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=113055#115302

Why have you abandoned DK?

[IndianaGreen]

148. DK has 0.0009% of all delegates needed for the nomination

He is out of the hunt, and I need to support someone with a mathematical chance of stopping the Kerry coronation.

[blm]

63. YOU don't want someone as LIBERAL as Kerry to be the nominee.

There are many of us liberals who have waited decades for someone as liberal as Kerry to be our nominee.

If you can find ONE other candidate with a more liberal overall rating than Kerry, please present that person, but, until then, Kerry has a more liberal overall rating than even Kucinich.

But, maybe you PREFER more centrist candidates as long as you can remain steeped in Kerry hatred that you PRETENDED was only because of the IWR vote. Funny, since it was Kerry's efforts that helped put guidelines into IWR, like further weapons inspections and no further attacks on Iran and Syria, that Edwards didn't require for his vote. So, it was votes like Edwards' that were already certain that made it more difficult for those negotiating with the WH.

You sure do have strange turnabouts on Iraq as long as you can make hating Kerry a part of the equation.

Hard to believe you were so positive about him until IWR and now would vote for ANYONE over him, even if they were more for war than Kerry. Just....odd.

[BL_Zebub]

79. Name ONE liberal thing John Kerry has done since 12/12/00

This question has been asked numerous times of Kerry supporters who promote Senator Sellout as "liberal" and nobody has yet been able to cite an example. Was he a liberal at one time? Possibly, but so was David Horowitz the right wing propagandist hatemonger (at least according to him).

What has Kerry done to oppose the sickening agenda of the unelected fraud in the White House?

[sangh0]

90. You just outed yourself

as a manipulator of fact by limiting the inquiry to only the last 3 years of Kerry's 30 year political history.

[AntiCoup2K4]

102. Never thought I would say this, but the Devil's right!

As a Christian, it's weird for me to take the same side as Beelzebub, but he asked a valid question. One that I'm wondering about myself. If Kerry is so liberal, then why hasn't he taken one single liberal stand during a time when our nation's capitol is illegally occupied by unelected criminals?

And I see nobody has answered him either.

[sangh0]

111. Liberal stands since 12/12/2000

voted to filibuster Bush*'s conservative judges
voted to filibuster Bush* prescription plan
voted to keep civil service protections for HSA employees
voted to extend unemployment benefits (more than once)
voted against Bush*'s energy plan and drilling in ANWR
voted against Bush*'s tax cuts
voted against $87 for Iraq and Afghanistan

[blondeatlast]

133. Why only those few years???

Look, the world changed for me on 9/11. \the answers were no longer arrived at so easily.

30 years in the Senate convinced me he is not that far to the right of my guy, DK. I won't hold my nose if he's the Dem nominee.

Sheesh.

[truthseeker1]

105. You've gotta be kidding me

Kerry more liberal than Kucinich? Please.

http://www.presidentmatch.com/Main.jsp2?cp=main

[blondeatlast]

131. While you are stretching just a bit--JK isn't more liberal than DK, IMHO

I still don't get the Repug Lite allegation against Kerry. As a Kucinich supporter I find it just stupid--they are toe to toe on many issues.

Bill Clinton was far more centrist than Kerry ever will be.

[Dookus]

9. Great statement

and I commend Dean highly for issuing it.

[emulatorloo]

10. Dr. Howard Dean is a patriot

and continues to stand tall for America.

[Rowdyboy]

11. Thank you very much!

"....in 2004, a vote for Ralph Nader is, plain and simple, a vote to re-elect George W. Bush".

Concise and to the point. That should shut up all the BS about Dean endorsing Nader or running third party. He didn't win the nomination, but he is a Democrat and will support the party.

[mouse7]

12. Great stuff here.

The Party really needed this right now, and it will be most helpful.

[BeyondGeography]

13. Way to go, Howard

How about a little team play this fall, Micro-crats? Howard's on board.

Your statement is much appreciated, Governor Dean.

[mrgorth]

14. This obviously proves Dean to be a traitor

to the Dean cause. OK, so the Deaniacs will now purge Dean. Can they still be called Deaniacs or will they become Naderites?

*note: I'm a Deaniac so I'm just kidding. ;)

[candy331]

23. Well ,Well, wonders never cease to amaze

I wonder what brought that statement out of Dean, So he has now did the bidding of publicly denouncing Nader as he was told to do. um um. I await his next move.

[mzmolly]

42. He didn't denounce Nader... He denounced Bush and focused us on the

importance of removing his ass from office.

um um, don't hold your breath. Dean doesn't take orders from anyone.

[Old and In the Way]

114. Sadly, even Howard Dean is manipulated by the RNC alter-ego,

the DLC. I'm sure he received "the memo". If he hadn't and if he had free will, I'm sure a rousing endorsement for Nader would have been in order.

You must be disappointed, crushed even, that he would sell out to the Democratic Party.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

30. A cold splash of reality on the Dean blog

a lot are having trouble dealing with this:

"I am deeply disappointed in Howard Dean at this moment.

The following statement is, in my opinion, a violation of the very principles that I have found his candidacy and campaign to stand for. I find that it has no positive value at this point - and will only alienate many of those who found a home in this campaign.

I do not accept - and will never accept - that any vote for someone, is a vote for someone else. I find it philosophically and morally offensive. I know not how I will vote in November - but if I were to choose to vote for Ralph Nader or anyone other than the Democrat, it would be a moral, principled decision of what I thought was best for this country - and for what I thought expressed MY voice.

There simply was no reason for this statement to be made."

http://blog.deanforamerica.com/archives/003814.comments.html

[sugarcookie]

77. I don't know about other

posters on the blog, but (IIRC)the poster you are quoting is the author of the petition against the DNC.


edit: to correct spelling

[mzmolly]

39. Or a *DIS-ruptor*

;)

Or a trading, disrupting, *DIS-loyal* Dean supporter?

Damn that Dean, he just doesn't get it!

[NewYorkerfromMass]

15. Dr. Dean is on my plus side again

in a big way.

"a vote for Ralph Nader is, plain and simple,
a vote to re-elect George W. Bush"

[Eloriel]

29. Oh, bullhockey

He was NEVER on your plus side.

[Old and In the Way]

115. But you do agree with Howard Dean about this, don't you?

I'd hate to think you were supporting Howard only when it served your purposes.

[sangh0]

116. I can't wait to read the answer to that question!

This should be good

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

17. Great message

[chiburb]

18. Good on him. Thx Dr. Dean! n/t

.

[cally]

19. Thank you Dr. Dean

I agree with everything he wrote. My respect for Dean just grew dramatically.

[killbotfactory]

21. Did he sign this statement with his own blood?

If not, it's not good enough.

[Scott Lee]

22. Dean wouldn't have to be making this statement if....

his own Party and the Botox Dirty Tricks division hadn't scuttled his run. To you of the Kerry-Borg, when you weep and wail about Ralph Nader, realize that it comes from your own folly.

[sangh0]

45. Your predictions of the past are as wrong as your prediction of the future

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=780914&mesg_id=781733&page=

[Zomby Woof]

106. Nailed!

I was saying last night that some Dean people were calling for us to accept the inevitable and get behind Dean. One poster wanted a citation - and you provided it. Thanks.

I say we give that truck driver a second chance.

[sangh0]

109. I have a folder full of links

named "DeanWon". PM me if you'd like a peek

[XanaDUer]

122. All I can say is...

BWA HA HA HA!

[GodHelpUsAll2]

76. What interests me Scott

Is how it took Dr Dean and Dr Dean only to make this statement to calm the Nadar hysteria. What's that tell you about the strength of the other campaigns?

[Old and In the Way]

118. Perhaps because those that would entertain voting for Nader

were in his camp? How many Lieberman, CMB,Clark, or Gephardt supporters have posted here that might have to support Nader since the Democratic frontrunner doesn't represent their interests? Damn few.

[coloradodem2005]

24. Thank you Howard.

[Raya]

25. Dean's true patriotic spirit come through. Let us all follow his lead.

[dae]

27. Way to go Dr. Dean! "We can only win if we are united."

:kick:

[Nazgul35]

31. Have all the people calling for Dean to respond

responded?

It should be interesting to see if they at least acknowledge this...

Make sure everyone keeps track and gives kudos for those who do give the Gov. his props....

Even though I didn't think he needed to.....

[janx]

33. Right. He didn't need to, since he basically said the same

thing in his last speech. But there were probably cries from all over the Dem party that he do so again.

[EXE619K]

37. Hey,

Can you post that pic again...the photo of Howard, packing up and leaving the Burlington campaign office?

I need a reminder.

[janx]

41. Sure!

[EXE619K]

50. Thanks buddy!

:mad: :nuke: :mad: :nuke: :mad:

[MoonAndSun]

34. Howard Dean has always said that he would back the eventual

nominee, all of the dramatic posts about Nader these past couple of days were a hoot.

[vetwife]

49. Dr. Dean got smacked by Nader today !

Dr. Dean is a patriot ! He is not an ego maniac like Nader who I think is working for the GOP. Today Nader called Dean and the other Dem candidates unintelligent. He did..He said, they should not act unintelligent about his running for president. I wouldn't vote for him as a dog catcher. He'd screw that up too ! Nader is the worst kind of wolf in sheep's clothing. He is the one who needs secret service protection. Not that I would do him harm but he needs to go talk to the 500 plus families who have lost loved ones over his contribution to helping Bush in the white house. Blood is on Old Nader's hands just as much as Bush's. Who got to sit down with W after the 2000 election in the WH..Not the black congressional leaders?, but Old Ralphie Boy.
He didn't open his mouth about Ken Lay and the boys or outsourcing jobs for 3 years. He just can't get enough of his own voice or his own ugly picture. He doesn't deserve the privilege to shine my shoes much less shining Dr. Dean's shoes. He doesn't deserve anything but a run for possibly a spot on the show, "Ripley's Believe it or Not"
He has been well paid for his services by Rove and Co. Believe it or not?

[lyonn]

143. Sure like your post

Set-out some truisms that have been forgotten. I think he could be called Mr. Suck-up. He once did accomplish good things, but, he is so much a has-been. Dean answered with character.

[unfrigginreal]

35. Gov Dean, we're still working to make this Party worthy of you

It's a struggle but we'll get there.

[mzmolly]

47. Damn right Unfrigginreal! We will get there.

I'll be a strugglin right along with ya! :)

[PVnRT]

36. Well said

Although I cannot, and will not agree that vote for Nader = vote for Bush, I agree that getting rid of Bush is the chief objective here, and I think most of the people who are now saying that they want to go third party in November will realize that as well. Especially since we now know the lengths to which the Bush Goon Squad will go to win an election at any cost.

[mzmolly]

38. My new signline "We can win only if we are united." ~ Howard Dean

Dean is a class act. :toast: to the good Doctor! Our work is not done. The movement Dean started to take back the WH, has only just begun. I will stand and fight with Howard Dean until that goal is accomplished.

:hi:

[dakota_democrat]

40. Howard, thank you...

for realizing the VAST importance of getting Bush out of office, and for attacking those who are against that cause (Nader). Howie's a sly little politician, and I think he realizes that making this statement keeps his life as a Democratic politician alive.

[MaineDem]

44. Very well stated, Governor

Thank you for this.

[tom_paine]

46. Once again, thank you, Dr. Dean

Ralph Nader probably isn't a Bushevik Operative.

But would his actions be substantially different if he was?

just wondering...

[MoonAndSun]

51. This is the most important part of this statement:

"I will do everything I can to ensure that the 2004 Democratic nominee runs as a true progressive, as a champion of working Americans and their hopes for a better future. I urge my supporters, and all other Americans committed to progressive values and honest government, to stick with us, and stick with the Democratic Party, so our cause can prevail in 2004.





that's why it is important for Dean supporters to vote for him in the upcoming primaries, we still need the delegates at the convention to make a stand.

[BL_Zebub]

54. Some of the repsonses in this thread turn my stomach in their hypocrisy

"Great message Dr. Dean." "Dean is a true Patriot"

Not that these comments aren't true. It's that they were even MORE true when it was Dr. Dean's message that was being spoken all over the country. And ridiculed by some of the very people now patting him on the back, while applauding when Frankenkerry recites lines that he stole from Dean in that sickening monotone voice.

Why am I reminded of all the mediawhores who went out of their way to compliment Al Gore - but only after his concession speech of 12/12/00?

[unfrigginreal]

55. Because many of them are here

Why am I reminded of all the mediawhores who went out of their way to compliment Al Gore - but only after his concession speech of 12/12/00?

[mzmolly]

61. LOL

;)

[NewYorkerfromMass]

56. So Dean says we need to come together to defeat Bush

and that disappoints you?

[JVS]

57. Damned vultures

[janx]

73. Did someone say...

?

[mzmolly]

58. "Bring it on"

ok, had to say it. ;)

[janx]

64. That is without any doubt the STUPIDEST

campaign slogan imaginable.

It's really disgusting and I pray we don't have to keep hearing it!

[mzmolly]

66. LOL

I don't know wether to laugh or cry when I hear that ...

I should have stated it thusly. "Brrrrring it ooooon"

I always worry you will be troubled by my *english* Janx ;)

[janx]

69. But really, isn't it idiotic to adopt a belligerent Bush slogan, even

sarcastically?

Such chest thumping...:eyes:

Did Kerry also use "get over it" at one point?

[sangh0]

75. No, it's brilliant!

.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

67. That was the point of course

especially since Bush asked terrorists in Iraq to do so to our troops.
Very easy to say when you're not the one having potentially fatal shit "brought to".

Kerry is back in Bush's face in a big way- and the people at his rallies love it.

[janx]

71. The sarcasm is not lost on me.

I understand that. But it's still the stupidest damn thing I've heard yet from a politician.

[mopinko]

81. turns my stomach, too

every time i hear it. this is just the kind of swaggering ignorance that got us into the mess we are in. bush-lite.

[janx]

91. I just hope it will go away. And I wonder whose idea it was.

[edzontar]

132. The line makes no sense for the GE. What Bush said was obscene

And that line should be hung across his neck as the call for the murder of our troops that it was.

[Anwen]

88. Yes -- it's sickening. n/t

[edzontar]

139. This may be true--but they is preferable to the petulant hatred

Oozing up from from other quarters below.

[Cuban_Liberal]

60. Thank you, Dr, Dean!

You are a patriot, a Democrat and an honest man! :toast:

[flpoljunkie]

62. A very direct and timely statement. Thank you, Dr. Dean.

[dawn]

65. Thank you, Dr. Dean!

I still respect him as much as I did before he dropped out. I wish he'd endorse someone, though. Doesn't matter who.

[w4rma]

68. And yet again I fully and totally agree with him. (n/t)

[slinkerwink]

70. see? I told you guys that Dean was against third-party candidates

and you didn't believe me.

[Name removed]

72. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[slinkerwink]

93. um, the statement by Dean just proved my assertion that he was against 3rd

party candidates.

[madfloridian]

94. Dean is still winning.

As long as the others start taking stands. He will only have lost if they go back to the comfy ways of not standing up to Bush.

Insulting him and insulting us is counter-productive.

[sangh0]

95. LOL!

Yep, Dean is winning by losing

[madfloridian]

120. Yes, he is.

You do not seem very perceptive about all he has done in getting the others to speak out. That is ok, though.

You interpret it your way.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

121. And you yours

the truth is surely somewhere in between.

[mobuto]

127. That's absolutely right

Howard Dean transformed the Presidential race. Look at the rhetoric coming from Kerry and Edwards today, and look what they were saying a year ago. Dean candidacy was the best thing that ever happened to this race - and I'm saying this as someone who never supported him.

[edzontar]

130. Why are you so bitter? Dean is doing the right thing.

nt.

[sangh0]

134. Dean *IS* doing the right thing

He's losing, which is just perfect...for Dean

[edzontar]

137. Your posts may just be the most spiteful, hateful things I have ever

Seen on DU.

And that is saying a lot.

[sangh0]

141. It's an honor and a privilige to accept that award

but first, I'd like to thank the little people. Take a bow, Ed.

[MoonAndSun]

96. You are quite the ray of sunshne, aren't you?

:loveya:

[Uzybone]

78. More proof

that Dean the governor/activist is a better man than Dean the candidate. Good job by Dr Dean.

[BL_Zebub]

83. See, that's what you don't get.

Dean the governor/activist is the same man as Dean the candidate...

You compliment him on this statement, but how do you feel abot the speech he gave at the California Democratic Party convention last year? Here's a quote from that one:

"What I want to know is what in the world so many Democrats are doing supporting the President's unilateral intervention in Iraq? What I want to know is what in the world so many Democrats are doing supporting tax cuts, which have bankrupted this country and given us the largest deficit in the history of the United States?"

That is the message America needs to hear. That is the message the Democratic party needs to own up to. And that is the very message that the DLC can't stand.

[sangh0]

97. And this is what YOU don't get

Dean says "What I want to know is what in the world so many Democrats are doing supporting the President's unilateral intervention in Iraq? What I want to know is what in the world so many Democrats are doing supporting tax cuts, which have bankrupted this country and given us the largest deficit in the history of the United States?"

And then Dean turns around and supports the very same Dems who were "supporting the President's unilateral intervention in Iraq" and "tax cuts, which have bankrupted this country and given us the largest deficit in the history of the United States"

[edzontar]

128. Dr. Dean recognizes what the stakes are. As do I. I would think you would

A little more charitable and supportive after he has done the right thing.

[sangh0]

135. Dean calls them "Republicans" and then turns around and supports them

Why does Dean support "Republicans" and why should I be supportive of someone who talks out of both sides of his mouth?

"Dean's a straight talker who, for the sake of his career, whoops! I meand for the sake of the party will support those he insulted for months and months. Dean is going to reform the party and take the country back by supporting the same "Washington insiders" he railed against"

Yeah, I'm going to be real charitable to that

[edzontar]

138. I have never seen anything charitable in your posts

nt.

[sangh0]

142. ohh, that hurts

I don't put charity into my posts.

I save that for real life, where charity counts

[Loonman]

80. Dean gets it

Why don't his supporters?

[Larkspur]

85. This Dean-ocrat will vote for the Dem nominee in November but

won't donate to a Kerry GE fund. There is no way I'm helping him pay off the mortgage to his mansion.

[Rich Hunt]

82. this is how it -should- be done

As usual, Dean doesn't insult the intelligence of those who listen to him. He uses calm, reasoned and FAIR rhetoric instead of hysterical emotional appeals.

I like this man more and more every day.

[hippiegranny]

100. Dean is a class act

Nader is classless and crass. Who does he think he is fooling? And who does he think he is saying that Al Gore would have invaded Iraq? How completely disingenuous. That one statement speaks VOLUMES about the man.

Democratic/Liberal Unity in 2004.

[Goldberg]

101. Thank you, Mr. Dean.

Fuck ralph nader!

[incapsulated]

103. Thank You, Howard!

:toast:

[zoeyfong]

104. Look, Dean has had to be dem team player to get as far as he has, and

if he wants to have any future in the dem party he will have to remain at least nominally a team player. That changes nothing about the pathetic, un-votewothiness of the dem party at this point. Their basic message right now is 'Look how bad we've screwed up over the last three years. Therefore you *must* put us in the White House to stop us from doing any more damage.'

[kaitykaity]

110. Howard is the real deal, all right.

He didn't wait long, and he said it just right.
Thank you, Howard.

I still :loveya: him, too. Always will.

[kiahzero]

112. Dean's wholly redeemed himself in my mind

I didn't like Dean in the beginning because of his negative attacks ("Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party" kind of thing), in the fear that it would promote Nader.

In my mind, this statement more than makes up for that. Good on Dr. Dean!

[MrSlayer]

117. The Doctor knows what will heal the country.

He's absolutely 100% correct on this and is merely echoing what has been said here a billion times. Get the Chimp out and we'll work on changing ourselves as well.

[AVID]

119. don't go away dr dean

[julialnyc]

123. rare man

I was always a Clark supporter (I still am one), but Howard Dean is a remarkable man who has added history into American politics. I really hope we see more of him, he is a thoughtful and innovative person!

[Democat]

124. Howard Dean continues to put what's best for America first!

Ralph Nader could learn a few things from Dean!

[tedoll78]

126. Hooray!

I wrote him a very empassioned (but polite) email two nights ago asking for this. This is absolutely wonderful of him; the man's classy through-and-through.

[Snivi Yllom]

136. they got to him

how's that for tin foil?

[Mobius]

145. I think the fear of another Bush WH is what got to Dean

I realize you were joking(mostly I Think). Even though Nader might mean well in some obscure way, that is not what he will accomplish. Dean knows that. Doctors usually aren't thick in the head.

[scheming daemons]

146. To paraphrase Edwards...

"That's the longest message I've ever seen that says 'Fuck Ralph Nader'"


Thanks, Dr. Dean.