Dean being blunt again while press spins. Someone had to say it.

[madfloridian]

Kerry can't say such stuff as the nominee. Dean can, and he will probably get flak for it. But it is said, and I think that is good. Wow.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/03/16/politics1907EST0753.DTL

SNIP..."Former Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean said Tuesday that President Bush's decision to send troops to Iraq appears to have contributed to the bombing deaths of 201 in Spain.

A growing international investigation is focusing on Islamic militants possibly linked to al-Qaida as the culprits in the Madrid train bombings last Thursday...."

SNIP..."Dean's comment came as he was defending former rival John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, from a Bush campaign ad accusing Kerry of turning his back on U.S. soldiers fighting in Iraq...."

SNIP..."Dean issued a statement later to The Associated Press that said, "Let me be clear, there is no justification for terrorism. Today I was simply repeating what those who have claimed responsibility for the bombings in Spain said was the reason they carried out that despicable act."

Interesting article. I think Dean knows it will get very ugly, and he is not going to back off.

[gristy]

1. I sent the guy a check today.

He's trying to retire the debt from his campaign. Hopefully he'll get more than he needs.

[JI7]

4. the democratic unity fundraiser dinner coming up

i think that is in part intended to help relieve the debts. or at least that's what i heard the dean guy say on a discussion of the democratic primary. we will see how much that helps each of the campaigns to relieve their debts. and if they have any left over i think we should all get together and try to help all of them to pay off the debts. this should help focus on fundraising for kerry's national campaign and for congressional elections.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. I'm glad he said it. I am sure the press will spin it as justifying

terrorism but the truth is he was commenting on the roots of terrorism.

[madfloridian]

5. You are right there.

But I was surprised that he got no criticism from all his comments on MTP Sunday. He blasted them, but I saw no press blast him.

This might be different though. It is getting too close to the security blanket/warm cozy feeling the Bush folks have for him.

I am glad he said it. He just might get it out there.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

6. It was because he went to great pains to make himself clear

with the comments following..right now it is clear Spain feels the same way..or at least a plurality of the population...seems to me that if much ado were made over it, the Bush admin would have to respond..and they can't..we shall see.

[sangha]

3. Now *that's* what I want to see Dean do!

Keep up the good work, Dr!

[madfloridian]

11. Yes, he will be good at that.

He has used the "just repeating what I heard" before. It might work.

[AmyStrange]

7. This is going to be VERY interesting....

anyone remember Artie Johnson in laugh in?

d

[madfloridian]

9. Oh yeah! Veryyyyy interesting.

There will not be a dull moment.

[AmyStrange]

10. Dean is getting the dem party all kinds of free press...

we all are in this together aren't we?

d

[madfloridian]

12. Yes, you are right. He is good at this. Fasten your seat belts.

[AmyStrange]

13. "That's the guy we want hehehehehe" Karl Rove's last words...

VeeeeeeRRRRRRRRRRRy Interesting

d

[mitchum]

8. Go Dean

A loyal Democrat!

[madfloridian]

14. Here we go. Jonah Goldberg at Town Hall is starting on Dean for this.

I am not going to post a link,but it is quite visible at google. I figure Dean got off easy Sunday for his attacks, but this hits at the fear Bush has instilled.

Hang in there, Dean. Nobody back down.