Dean Defending Comments About Republicans

[Kadie]

Dean Defending Comments About Republicans
By WILL LESTER, Associated Press Writer

Friday, June 3, 2005


(06-03) 14:03 PDT WASHINGTON (AP) --


National Democratic Chairman Howard Dean was defending another of his comments Friday after telling liberal activists a lot of Republicans "have never made an honest living in their lives."


Republicans called his Thursday comment "mudslinging." Some fellow Democrats expressed reservations over his choice of words, too, before Dean amplified his comments.


"The point I was making is clear: Republican policies have declared war on hardworking Americans," Dean said Friday. "I will continue to criticize Republican leaders and their policies, and the Democratic Party will continue to offer constructive alternatives."


The Democratic chairman made the initial comments about Republicans doing "an honest day's work" Thursday during a speech to a Washington conference sponsored by the Campaign for America's Future.

more...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2005/06/03/national/a140349D36.DTL

[okieinpain]

1. yet, the national treasure says dems don't work. funny stuff.

[NWHarkness]

6. GOP leaders insult Democrats every day

That's never an issue with the media. But every time a Dem takes a shot at them, they cry like babies and the press falls all over itself to support them.

[meppie-meppie not]

20. and they have NP saying Democrats are godless.

[Lindacooks]

26. Yep, exactly.

The double standard is just mind boggling.

[Gothmog]

2. Dean is doing a great job

Dean is doing better than I expected. He is fighting back and may help the party a great deal.

[NWHarkness]

3. Real objective journalism there

"defending another of his comments"

Goddamn media whores.

[WI_DEM]

4. So why don't any of these organizations take on Rush's comments

that most democrats don't work. There is a double standard in this country--every sentence Dean utters is scrutinized while some of these Republicans can say whatever they want and get away with it.

Besides Dean's right.

[meppie-meppie not]

21. because Rush isn't the chairman of the RNC

[BigBearJohn]

5. I love Dean

[youspeakmylanguage]

7. Dean screwed up - why should we jump in the gutter with the neocons?

I'm going to get a load dropped on me by the Dean fanatics here, but he did stick his foot in his mouth. If you say "Republicans are lying bastards" instead of saying "Republican politicians are lying bastards", then you're implying that Republicans, as a whole, are lying bastards, not just politicians.

My parents are Republicans and they are honest and hardworking. Just because I completely disagree with them politically doesn't change that. I'm sure all of us know a few Republicans who, even if we don't respect or like them, can admit they are hardworking/honest/fair, etc.

Just because the other side demonizes and generalizes doesn't mean we shouldn't hold ourselves, and our political leaders, to a higher standard. Rush Limbaugh is a sleazy, childish blowhard. Why should I care what he or any of his peanut gallery clones think of us? Why should Dean lower himself to that level?

[Johnywolf]

10. Reps

Reps polititians are liars and reps citizens are...brainwashed!

[tsuki]

11. Most of the Republicans that I know are not politicians. And most of

them are lying bastards. Live in Red Country. I cannot go out to eat at a restaurant because they are so loud and mean mouth (esp. to the wait staff.)

[reality based]

14. Not everyone who votes for a Republican is a Republican

but I have a problem with informed people who willingly and knowingly vote for post-modern Republicans time after time. Their votes have foreseeable consequences. In view of the consequences of their votes-- i.e. Cheney and his puppets, Delay and his puppets, and Frist and other Republican Senatorial scoundrels, favoritism shown to the rich at the expense of the poor and middle class, the illegal war, torture of prisoners, destruction of the economy-- they threaten the Constitution and the security and well being of the republic. Dean is right to be critical of them. If they are disturbed by Dean's comments, they should engage in a little critical self examination. I have always regarded myself as a moderate, willing to compromise and be friends with my Republican acquaintances, but I have sadly come to the conclusion that they no longer, if they ever really did, fully subscribe to the basic democratic values that have made our great American social contract successful. They don't play by the rules.

[nevergiveup]

15. I agree with you totally

Almost everyone in my family is Republican and they are honest hardworking people. When it comes to politics they live in LaLa Land but there is more in judging ones character than their political affiliation. I love Howard Dean but when he makes statements like this he lowers himself to the level of Rush and this is not a good thing.

[mbperrin]

17. Here's what he actually said:

While discussing the hardship of working all day and then standing in line for eight hours to vote, Dean had said, "Well, Republicans, I guess, can do that because a lot of them have never made an honest living in their lives."

Emphasis: A LOT OF THEM. Not even most of them, or the biggest part of them, or all of them; a lot of them.

So Bush, Cheney, Wolfowitz and a lot of others (not including your decent hardworking family and friends) have never made an honest living in their lives. In fact, they are some of the crookedest, lowest-downest snakes ever to swim in a bucket of crooked low down snakes called politicians. In fact, this administration has brought out corruption beyond the Harding administration, which used to be the touchstone for corruption in this country.

So, without in any way denigrating your great family/friends, to a LOT of Republicans I say:

After the Civil War, Texans made sure that you rat bastards were not welcome in our state. But memories fail, and in the last twenty years, you've actually taken back over. Fuck you and get out. Thanks for listening, and have a nice day!

[lyonn]

23. It would help if the media would put his comments

in context. As usual they like sound bites and when it comes to Dean they put a neat twist to them.

[Demeter]

32. It's Impossible To Lower Oneself To Bush's Standards

The man was born in a moral abscess and has just been digging himself deeper every day of his life. He's building on generations of depravity. You would have to have started before William the Conquerer to even have a chance of catching up. Bush sets new highs in being Low....

I could go on, but nausea is setting in....

[JNelson6563]

16. I believe he said "some of whom have never

worked a day in their lives" but I could be mistaken.

On another note:

I'm going to get a load dropped on me...

Translation: My argument will likely be blown away because it's so weak.

by the Dean fanatics here,

Nice villianizing (or should I say demonizing?) of your perceived attackers.

My parents are Republicans and they are honest and hardworking.

Ah yes. Being protective. Emotion based thinking. Ugh.

Interesting but so clearly erroneous interpretation of Dean's remarks, but that's what you get when you are looking through the fog of emotion--a clouded view. Please. Even the most extreme liberals know and will agree that many, many regular folk Republicans are good, hard-working people (who are just a bit misguided in their politics). To, for one moment, seriously believe Dean meant ALL Republicans have managed to not work a day in their lives is a bit far fetched, don't you think?

Just because the other side demonizes and generalizes doesn't mean we shouldn't hold ourselves, and our political leaders, to a higher standard.

You mean like categorizing those you anticipate will disagree with you as "fanatics"?

I see.

Julie

[Seabiscuit]

36. You encapsulized my reaction beautifully.

All Dean did was tell the truth.

[lynne]

25. I will admit -

- that I winced when I heard the quote. I thought it a bit harsh given Dean's position within the party. I hate to see insults slung as I think it only serves to alienate those middle-ground undecided voters that we need to stand with us.

Certainly not the way to "make friends and influence people" IMO.

[RaleighNCDUer]

35. What makes you think that ANYONE is still undecided at this

stage?

After four and a half years, one thing that * has said actually is true.

You're either for him or against him.

The only thing that can change peoples' minds now is the truth. And Dean is speaking the truth. Unlike everyone on the other side. (How's that for a generalization?)

[Iowa]

30. You're partially correct...

Some Republicans are hardworking. Dean needs to choose his words more carefully and precisely. But I will say this - I believe that Republicans as a group are dominated by people who have had very easy lives. I'm referring to the most visible, loud-mouthed Republicans (ie: Limbaugh, Bush1, Bush2, Hannity, Delay, my worthless reps Jim Nussle & Chucky Grassley, and on and on). Generally the more loud-mouthed the neocon, the easier the life; only someone with an easy life would buy into all this crap, and try to force feed it to the rest of us. Whenever I hear some 30-something asshole spout off about "ownership society" I immediately think, "easy life", or "Daddy's boy".

I subscribe to the thoughts expressed above by reality based, and I'd add this: To be a Republican today is tantamount to declaring war on almost everything good, decent, compassionate, and "christian". Republicanism is based on lies, deception, greed, selfishness, control, dishonesty, manipulation, and subjugation to corporate excess.

I have zero respect for siblings who are Republican. I tolerate them for the sake of my parents, but I avoid them as much as possible. They have declared war on everything I hold dear.

[RaleighNCDUer]

34. Sorry, but I'm a strong believer in guilt by association.

If you vote for a proven liar, you are condoning those lies. That makes you an accomplice.

The Chimp has never worked an honest day in his life. Anyone who supports the chimp must think that is a good thing. They are aiding and abetting that behavior.

The thing to do is not say "my sister is a hardworking republican". It is to ask that hardworking republican how she can support someone who does not share her values.

CALL THE BASTARDS OUT!!!

DO NOT FEAR THE TRUTH!!!

[candy331]

40. Take a look at the man called Jesus who they have claimed as their

own, he got down to their level, read the 23 chapter of St Matthew and see some of the language he used when talking to his opposition. Here's a small taste of what he called them "serpents, offspring of vipers".

[damntexdem]

8. How dare Dean speak out and ...

tell the truth?

[Johnywolf]

9. LOL

Well it is true isn't it? The comments made about republicans. I know republicans might try to limit the freedom of speech, but still they can't hide the thurth and Faux news can't brainwash all of America. Reps support the wealthy and don't care about the middle class. They ignore Amenesty International comments about them and ignore the world.

[jpak]

12. That comment alone is worth a $25 contribution to the DNC

Fuck the corporate donors - let the Good Doctor tell it like it is...

[Larkspur]

13. George Lakoff did a masterful job of rebuking the C-Span host this morning

and the USA Today article that attacked Dean for attacking Republicans. When asked about Dean's remarks by the C-Span host, Lakoff, without hestitation, said that the media were taking Dean's comments out of context and that everyone who listened to that speech knew that Dean was referring to Republican lawmakers, not Republican voters.

[JNelson6563]

18. Sorry I missed that

I did see Dean's speech and I agree with what you reported Lakoff as saying.

Julie

[bpilgrim]

29. figures

i knew Dean was waaaay smarter than that.

give'm HELL Dr. Dean :bounce: :toast:

peace

[6000eliot]

19. He should have added how few of them have actually served in the military.

[XemaSab]

22. Go Howard!

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!

Also, there's difference between Rush saying dems "don't have jobs" and Dean saying reps "haven't made an honest living."

You can have a job and not make an honest living, and that's what The Good Doctor is saying.

[stickdog]

24. Thanks again, "liberal" media!

It's great to always get the "liberal" slant every time somebody says something honest about our Repuke overlords! Thanks!

[bpilgrim]

27. He should use the term neoCONs or RADICAL republicans in the current admin

this way it wont sound so grating to the great many loyal and good republican Americans who are just as pissed or too busy staying alive to know who's stamping them down.

anyways, give'm hell Dr. Dean :toast:

peace

[The_Casual_Observer]

28. Press is doing their damnedest to make Dean look "wild eyed" again

This is the second one of these "quotes" in the last day or so.

[PassingFair]

38. I say GOOD!

Dean has obviously learned to turn and frame the interviews the way HE wants. If they get a juicy quote out of context, they'll interview him for the ratings. If he gets a chance to speak.....

I'm LOVIN IT!

[UrbScotty]

31. There's nothing like a dose of truth to stir things up a little (nt)

[wellst0nev0ter]

33. And People Wonder Why Dean Isn't Speaking To The "Librul Media"

Why dignify the presstitutes with your presence if they are only going to sling mud at you anyways?

[hollowdweller]

37. Notice Dean uses a controversial statement to get the presses attention-

Then once the mikes are on he goes into a good old fashinoned Democratic speech about how the GOP is screwing the working man. I think he's doing a damn good job.

[PassingFair]

39. Yup, yup!

Maybe they won't catch on until its too late. The light will have busted in from under the door!