NYT/AP: Dean Defends Criticism of Republican Party

[DeepModem Mom]

Dean Defends Criticism of Republican Party
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: June 8, 2005
Filed at 8:58 a.m. ET


WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean on Wednesday defended his recent harsh criticism of Republicans, including his observation that they are ''pretty much a white, Christian party.''

Dean noted that he, too, is a white Christian. But he said the GOP is too narrow in its scope and the Democratic Party is far more diverse.

While even prominent Democrats in recent days have distanced themselves from some of his comments, the outspoken Dean, appearing on NBC''s ''Today'' show, said criticism of him is meant by Republicans to divert attention from the country's problems and make him the issue instead....

***

Challenged on that during the NBC interview, Dean said ''unfortunately, by and large it is. And they have the agenda of the conservative Christians.''

"This is a diversion from the issues that really matter: Social Security, and adequate job opportunity, strong public schools, a strong defense," Dean said....


http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Dean-GOP.html

[realFedUp]

1. He's just saying what we're saying...

We're just not used to our leaders verbalizing
what's really going on.

[Hobarticus]

10. Dean is saying what a LOT of people besides Dems are starting to say...

...and what a lot of people are becoming increasingly uncomfortable with.

I'm only sorry that he didn't mention stem cell research and "conscientious objector" pharmacists.

[realFedUp]

20. Making distinctions between the parties is a good thing

and making a distinction between what the parties
believe and support is a better thing. You can
hate the policies and not hate it's supporters.
In our case, we hate the lies and the liars that
tell them.

[Roland99]

108. And, after reading *this* article, I must retract any criticism of Dean.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1533904



:mad:

[AngryAmish]

2. Crush them into dust, Dr. Dean

Keep it up.

[valis]

69. YES! CNN is foaming at the mouth... GO DEAN!

[Justitia]

3. Keep telling the truth, Doc! You have obviously hit a nerve.

He tells the truth about them, after yrs of them making "liberal" a dirty word.

It's not like he calls them fascists - which is what they REALLY are.

:evilgrin:

[realFedUp]

4. The dilemma for other Dem leaders is

do they want to alienate the Doc or alienate
themselves from Doc supporters? We'll take
him back gladly but it would work to everyone's
benefit if they embraced him also.

[SemperEadem]

49. you hit the nail on the head

do they want to alienate the Doc or alienate themselves from Doc supporters?

Sen Biden needs to be careful in his rhetoric against Dr. Dean. There are MANY Dem voters who are tired of his 'old school' method of allowing the thugs to run roughshod all over liberals and not speak up forcefully about it. The thing he and others of his mindset haven't grasped is that WE DEM VOTERS ARE TIRED OF PINK TUTU DEMOCRATS WHO DON'T STAND UP AND PUSH BACK.

Dr. Dean is doing exactly what needs to be done at this point in time... calling the thugs out into the street. We voters are sick and tired of the ranking Dems in DC turning their butts up in the air for the thugs when everything our country stands for has been stolen right out from under us.

This is not a Christian nation--this is a nation of many faiths and beliefs and it has always been that way. This is not Jesusland--and if fundamentalcases need to establish Jesusland, then they all need to be put on a boat and set adrift until they find that land--just like the Puritans.

[mbperrin]

5. Keep on talking! Every time they have to mention it, a little more

substance has to enter the national conscience!

As a famous Hollywood mogul once said, "There's no such thing as bad publicity."

Keep sticking them in the eye! Americans aren't used to straight talk, but they MIGHT get to like it!

[ElectroPrincess]

I take back my past reservations about Dean - I'm so proud of him! /eom

[Eloriel]

75. Keep on talking is right! And WE'VE got Dean's back:

NEW GAME: CATCH HOWARD DEAN'S BACK
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1837227
Link: https://www.democrats.org/epatriots/give.html?sourcecode=E008977

[bobthedrummer]

6. (Republicans) "have the agenda of the conservative Christians".

He's spot on about that, and it has racist underpinnings-it's US fascism imo.

[Rose Siding]

15. There's the truth to be amplified

"...they have the agenda of the conservative Christians"

A flame that directs attn to THAT is a good thing. The question is whether or not other nat'l dems will pull together to that purpose, or capitalize on controversy.

The strongest support I've seen was from Shiela Jackson Lee- she's fairly well known- but it wasn't from a major media source:

“Chairman Howard Dean deserves our undivided support from the Democratic Party. Now is a time for us to be united in our efforts and speak directly to the people,” Jackson Lee said. “I believe that Chairman Howard Dean emulates values, and should continue to work diligently to spread our message.”

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/060805/house.html

[candy331]

50. Doubt seriously if you will ever see the other corporate owned Dems

seriously embrace Dean. I look for grander things not coming from them of course..

[finecraft]

7. The party of intolerance and persecution

I wish he would have added that phrase to his observation, then he would have been 110% correct! Go Howard! Tell it like it is and don't back down!

[GAlanJag]

31. Intolerance and persecution?

So which party is the party of intolerance? The Republicans seem intolerant of many groups and people. The Democrats also are intolerant of many groups and people. Perhaps it is time for a legit thir party to emerge from the hate and discontent that both current parties seem to create. Both sides are running to the extreme and leaving the majority of Americans in the middle with no real choice. I believe tat most Americans and tolerant and do not engage in persecution. Most Americans live by the idiom of live and let live.

Additionally, why is it that no one can take an opposing stance without being ripped to shreds by either side? What ever happened to statesmanship? A person can disagree with you without being a demon or some sort of "...ist" (such as racist). Until the two main parties can learn this lesson there will be no real work toward improving our nation and the lives of the people in America.

[renaissanceguy]

36. And just whom are the Democrats 'persecuting?'

I don't see Democrats ripping on people for their religious beliefs.

I don't see Democrats telling gays to leave town.

I don't see Democrats getting rid of affirmative action.

I don't see Democrats telling the poor they're lazy.

I don't see Democrats starting illegal wars.

I don't see Democrats advocating torture.

The Repugs are guilty of all the above.

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues/454063



http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues/481947

[GAlanJag]

39. You don't see?

You don't see Democrats ripping on people for their religious beliefs? Did you hear Howard Dean state that the Republican party is one of white Christians? Does this comment mean that there are no white Christians in the Democratic party?

While the Dems may not be telling gays to leave town, they do call anyone who does not support ALL of the gay rights initiatives "homophobic" and tell them to leave town. On a side note, the term homophobic is a misnomer. Phobic, when used as a suffix, denotes and incontrollable fear of something. I don't think those idiots who are against gay rights are actually fearful of them.

Affirmative action works well, until you get into quotas. Once that happens, you are now judging people by the color of their skin. Doesn't that qualify as some part of racism?

While many of the poor are not lazy, you have to admit the reality that some are indeed lazy. One should never stereotype groups.

Illegal wars? What war is illegal? The war in Iraq is not illegal since there were several UN resolutions which stated that unless Iraq gave unfettered access to inspectors there would be the possibility of military action taken against Iraq. Just how stupid is Saddam? If there were no more weapons of mass destruction left in Iraq all he had to do was let the inspectors go wherever they wanted. Had he done that, then he would still be in power.

As for advocating torture, what evidence of this do you possess? Was there a report or memo found in which the administration told soldiers that they "advocated" torture? Also, please define torture. Is it torture to make prisoners go without sleep for extended periods of time? How about making someone wear panties on his head? While embarrassing, this is not torture. Don't bother bringing up the Geneva Convention because the insurgents are not covered by the convention. Check it out, there are rules for all armies to conform to the convention, just one is the wearing of uniforms. They don't do this. If they wish to be protected by the convention, then they must also be punishable by the terms of the convention.

Again I say, let the name caling come to an end and let's work together to govern this country to the best of our abilities.

[renaissanceguy]

46. I see plenty.

1) Howard Dean is not targeting their beliefs. He is targeting their hypocrisy and their intolerance. BIG difference.

2) Phobic is a proper use of the term. People who are homophobic fear what they do not really know about gay people. They fear that marriage will be eroded. They fear that their kids will become gay. They fear that gay people will hit on them.

3) Affirmative action is necessary because it counters our culture's racist roots. Think about the many stereotypes our society has created for blacks, Asians, Latinos, etc.

4) Yes some poor people are lazy, and many working people are lazy. How many people do you know with cushy jobs that really don't have any benefit to society or a company? IT IS NOT UP TO YOU to judge why the poor are poor, because you simply do not know everyone's individual story. One day you can end up on the street.

5) Bush lied about WMD. There are NONE, and haven't been in a decade. The UN did not approve of this war. We went unilaterally. And by the way, this war is a violation of the Geneva Conventions.

6) "Don't bother bringing up the Geneva Convention because the insurgents are not covered by the convention" Try saying that to the United Nations. Just who are YOU to decide who is covered under the conventions? The detainees are still human beings, many of whom are not even guilty. They are covered. Perhaps you forget that infamous memo by Alberto Gonzales saying that the Geneva Conventions don't apply, and that anything before death is fair game. Let me ask YOU: say you were detained in a camp and did nothing wrong, how would YOU feel if you were suffocated, burned, whipped, etc. Better yet, how would you feel if that were done to your KID? Yes, KIDS are held in Guantanamo Bay.

7) If you consider what is going on to be "good government," then you must love theocracy and fascism. This country has gone down the toilet, and your opinions are living proof of it.

Anyone else care to add?



http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues/472476

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.14741193

[Ksec]

115. nice beatdown

These people think because Dean points out that most repubs are white and Christian, thats insulting them. How weak.

If I said most of the NBA players were black and tall is that insulting all tall black people??

Its always this way with these people. Their logic is non existent.

[Name removed]

52. Deleted message

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

[GAlanJag]

56. Intolerance again?

Why, is there something wrong with spirited debate?

[silvermachine]

60. Have fun reattaching your ass...

being that you just got it handed to you.

[endarkenment]

65. Actually no

"You don't see Democrats ripping on people for their religious beliefs? Did you hear Howard Dean state that the Republican party is one of white Christians? Does this comment mean that there are no white Christians in the Democratic party?"

No it means that the Republican Party programs and policies exclude non-whites, non-Christians, and non-heterosexual males.

It means that one party publicly states that this is a Christian Republic, that one party's leader has announced on multiple occasions that the Christian diety communicates directly with him and orders him to go to war against non-Christians.

Are you unclear on the fact that we now live in a covert theocracy and that we are one step away from becoming an overt theocracy? Do the trucks have to roll through your neighborhood in the dead of night, stopping here and there to take us away, before you wake the heck up?

I keep thinking of the movie Hotel Rwanda, of the hate radio that directed the bloody mob, of how little difference there is between that situation, just before things got openly deranged, and the one we are in now. Oh I know you are thinking that was africa, and they are not really civilized like we are, it could never happen here. Think again.

[Pacifist Patriot]

67. I see your points have been addressed, but I'd like to tackle this one.

Did you hear Howard Dean state that the Republican party is one of white Christians?

Have you ever taken Logic 101? The reverse of a statement is not necessarily true. He is not stating that white Christians are Republicans he is stating that the Republicans are mostly white Christians.

A is comprised mostly of B, but B appears outside of A as well. Meanwhile, A has some elements of C, but most of C is outside of A.

I can't believe I'm having to explain this to so many grown adults. Doesn't anyone teach logic anymore?

[endarkenment]

68. Is logic routinely taught? No. EOM.

[stickdog]

77. Smackdown time

You don't see Democrats ripping on people for their religious beliefs? Did you hear Howard Dean state that the Republican party is one of white Christians? Does this comment mean that there are no white Christians in the Democratic party?


No, it doesn't. Logic 101: A statement does NOT imply its converse. Dean made a 100% accurate observation about the Republican Party, not whites or Christians.


While the Dems may not be telling gays to leave town, they do call anyone who does not support ALL of the gay rights initiatives "homophobic" and tell them to leave town. On a side note, the term homophobic is a misnomer. Phobic, when used as a suffix, denotes and incontrollable fear of something. I don't think those idiots who are against gay rights are actually fearful of them.


Which Dems call reasonably tolerant people "homophobic"? When? Please cite an example of this.


Affirmative action works well, until you get into quotas. Once that happens, you are now judging people by the color of their skin. Doesn't that qualify as some part of racism?


Sure. It's reverse racism. Because of US history, the value of diversity and the fact that like often seeks like, minority populations are often excluded from many opportunities afforded to white males.


While many of the poor are not lazy, you have to admit the reality that some are indeed lazy. One should never stereotype groups.


Many people who don't have to work for their money because they inherit it are lazy. Not to stereotype or anything.


Illegal wars? What war is illegal? The war in Iraq is not illegal since there were several UN resolutions which stated that unless Iraq gave unfettered access to inspectors there would be the possibility of military action taken against Iraq. Just how stupid is Saddam? If there were no more weapons of mass destruction left in Iraq all he had to do was let the inspectors go wherever they wanted. Had he done that, then he would still be in power.


Hussein DID let the inspectors go wherever they wanted.


As for advocating torture, what evidence of this do you possess? Was there a report or memo found in which the administration told soldiers that they "advocated" torture? Also, please define torture. Is it torture to make prisoners go without sleep for extended periods of time? How about making someone wear panties on his head? While embarrassing, this is not torture. Don't bother bringing up the Geneva Convention because the insurgents are not covered by the convention. Check it out, there are rules for all armies to conform to the convention, just one is the wearing of uniforms. They don't do this. If they wish to be protected by the convention, then they must also be punishable by the terms of the convention.


This is the United States, man. We have a Constitution. Or we once had one. Sorry to see that you don't respect it.

[GAlanJag]

78. How do I not respect our Conctitution? Please be specific

[stickdog]

105. The 4th, 5th, 6th & 8th Amendments. Perhaps you've heard of them? (nt)

[CAcyclist]

80. Republicans ARE for quotas - for themselves

Funny how the Republicans are against quotas until it applies to them and their point of view. THEN, they demand it with both fists pounding on the table.

I like how you demand evidence from others but spout all sorts of bizarre opinons as fact without any basis.

[CTLawGuy]

110. not it does not

" Does this comment mean that there are no white Christians in the Democratic party?
"

If a baseball team is made up of only males, it certainly doesn't imply that ALL males are on the baseball team.

[finecraft]

38. Go back and watch the video of the "Justice Sunday" festivities

Tell me where during that whole debacle any of the Republican "leaders" that spoke were touting the belief of "live and let live"?

[GAlanJag]

40. Get it right

If you wish to take umbrage with my posting, at least get it right. I never said that the Republican leaders believed in "live and let live". I said that most Americans believe in that idiom.

[renaissanceguy]

47. Well, now you're saying that

neither Democrats nor Republicans believe in "live and let live," yet "most Americans believe in that idiom." Dems and Repugs make up "most Americans," so if none of them believe in the idiom, as you have said, than "most Americans" do not.

Take a logic class sometime.

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.14744291

[GAlanJag]

62. I need logic classes?

At no time did I state that "neither Democrats nor Republicans believe in "live and let live". It was stated that during the "Justice Sunday festivities" to "Tell me where during that whole debacle any of the Republican "leaders" that spoke were touting the belief of "live and let live"?"

I responded that I never said Republican leaders believed in this, merely that it was my opinion that most Americans did. If you cannot be accurate in your claims, "than" perhaps you are the one in need of classes of some sort. By the way, you meant "then" as in an if/then statement. Brush up on your English skills before casting aspersions (should I define that word for you?).

[Name removed]

82. Deleted message

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

[Name removed]

89. Deleted message

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

[Name removed]

91. Deleted message

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

[SeekerofTruth]

92. Um, aspersion is too a word....

Interesting how the insults keep flying...

However, I think the arguments the 'short timer' was making had some validity. We're supposed to be the tolerant party and so we shouldn't be insulting, we should be above that. Acting like republican assholes only makes us look like assholes. You don't make friends and influence people by acting like the enemy. IMHO

[GAlanJag]

94. Thank you

Thank you for your posting. I was a die hard Republican, but find it very hard to follow the party as it has evolved. I came to this website to see what the Democrats were actually like. I didn't want to rely on someone else's views of Dems, but wanted to find out for myself. I hope that you are more representative of Dems around the nation. I will continue to read, research, and discover more about the real Dems and not just what the Republican party has to say about them.

[MissMarple]

120. We're all just folks here. And we sometimes disagree & are argumentative.

Most of the time, however, we do agree to support the Constitution, fairness and justice for all, and we try to do so with honor and integrity, without being disingenuous. We, for the most part, understand that America is about providing an environment for the individual to flourish, that religion is an individual thing, that individuals need to be protected from the predatory impulses of others, and that the charge of civic order and national security is not an excuse for dishonorable behavior. But, that is hard, we are just regular folks, after all. :-)

And being a good person is not defined by political party affiliation....for the most part. No one political party has an exclusive claim to honor and righteousness. Indeed, no political party ever has had such a claim.

[More Than A Feeling]

117. you don't bring a knife to gun fight.

We've been above it all for a long time. Where has it gotten us? It's a luxury we cannot afford.

[Sivafae]

42. Individually, yes. But Mob mentality has taken over.

[SemperEadem]

57. The answer: BFEE

The question: "What ever happened to statesmanship?"

The normal rules of engagement evaporated when * stole his first selection and the evaporation made more permanent with his second stolen selection.

[anotherdrew]

95. Americans in the middle have a real choice, the democratic party!

We built everything they love about this country and all repugs have ever done is try to tear it down into a corporate slave state with enforced religion tacked on.

[Voltaire99]

119. Yes, of course it's time for a third party

But not because, as you allege, "both sides are running to the extreme."

Oh, if only that were true, and the Democratic Party represented a socialist alternative to GOP fascism!

Unfortunately, both established parties are closer than they have ever been.

Dean's latest outburst is just rhetoric--the huffing and puffing of a man who permits himself rare moments of unscripted independence, or at least the appearance thereof. So timid are most elected Democrats that even in the darkest hour of Bushism, the most prominent are running away from Dean's remarks as fast as their legs can go.

[Pythagoras]

8. Just a question

because I don't know all of the details in the original statement, but if the Chairman wanted to focus on all of the serious issues, why did he speak at all of the demographics in the Republican party? We know that it's a white Christian party, does it need restating? Couldn't he have put better use to the time, and his publicity? It just seems a bit wasteful to me, many people would love to have the time to not talk about Republicans. It really is just an innocent question, with no disrespect intended.

[Hobarticus]

9. Welcome to DU!!!!

[patdem]

17. First of all, if he had NOT made that statement he would not have gotten

ANY publicity. The 'media' won't publicize the Democratic Agenda. Reid gave a rousing speach about it and it was not publicized...So..as long as he gets attention I am fine.

[Rose Siding]

21. It was part of a comprehensive answer to one of many questions

about the very the issues he mentions. He was meeting with minority leaders and journalists. You won't hear about the rest of the event on TV, but here are some other remarks from the SFC article...

snip>
On Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger: "Gov. Schwarzenegger has been a big disappointment to a lot of Californians ... Americans are tired of politicians that break their promise, especially in an area like education ... so I think there's going to be a lot of questions about whether the governor really cares about average Californians."

On Schwarzenegger's endorsement of the Minutemen: "This is why I don't agree that there's no difference between Republicans and Democrat ... you would never have heard a Democrats talk like that ... I think the Republicans are always like this. I remember (former Republican Gov.) Pete Wilson ... got elected by victimizing immigrants. Republicans always divide people."

On illegal immigration: "(Democrats) understand we have a border problem. But we think that if you enforce the laws you already have, the people who are already here ... they haven't broken any laws, they paid their taxes, a lot of them are paying into the Social Security system and getting nothing. Those people ought to be on a reasonable track toward citizenship."

On past promises by Democratic officials to minority communities: "It does make a difference that we now have senior management that is African American (and minority) ... which means we're not going to have the white boys' club make all the decision anymore. Everybody's going to be included."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/06/07/MNdean07.TMP

Welcome to DU :hi:

[Pythagoras]

26. Thank you

That helps quite a bit, I had a bit of trouble finding it all with the snags of time that I've had to bounce on here today.

[pennylane100]

22. Having a political party that reflects the demographics of this nation

is a serious issue, and I do not understand why you would think that raising such a point is a waste of time.

And I certainly do not understand your comment "many people would love to have the time to not talk about Republicans" what on earth does that mean? If I misunderstood or misquoted, then I apologise.

[Pythagoras]

23. I meant that

Instead of talking about Republicans, they would rather talk about other issues. It was poorly stated, sorry.

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

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

[ElectroPrincess]

29. "stop crying and whining that your party isn't in control"

We may not be as good at it (whining, crying and blowing snot) as the Republicans, but why not!?!

The Right Wing whines when EVERY DAMN THING doesn't go *exactly* their way. They remind me of bratty children who are in serious need of proper correction.

And Dean's just the man to do it. Go Howard! :-)

[Pythagoras]

32. Are you saying

that we should start doing everything the Republican party does? Why should we be as good at it as they are? Is that something you would honestly be proud of? We should stop focusing on the Republican party and start to take a look at the Democratic party for a while. Don't get me wrong, I love the Chairman just as much as the next guy, I just think his energy could be better spent elsewhere.

[iverglas]

99. off to a good start!

What was said:

We may not be as good at it (whining, crying and blowing snot) as the Republicans, but why not!?!

What you responded with:

Are you saying
that we should start doing everything the Republican party does?

In the law biz, that's known as a question asked without evidentiary foundation. I tend to respond to such questions the way Miss Manners, in the etiquette biz, recommended responding to impertinent questions: "Why do you ask?"

Someone asks why Democrats should not do a particular thing that Republicans happen to do, and you "ask" whether she is saying that Democrats should do everything the Republican Party does.

Sorry, it does not compute.

A belief that Democrats should do everything Republicans do is, indeed, one possible reason why someone would say that there is no reason why Democrats should not do a particular thing that Republicans happen to do. (The question asked first was essentially rhetorical, a way of saying there's no reason why Democrats should not do a particular thing that Republicans happen to do.)

But I'm damned if I can think of why anyone would assume that it was the reason why this person said it.

C'mon, tell us. Do you seriously believe that the person you were speaking to thinks that Democrats should do everything Republicans do?

If not, what exactly might your point, and purpose, have been?

Why should we be as good at it as they are?

Why do you ask this of someone who did not say that Democrats should be as good at this particular thing as Republicans are?

Let me ask you something:

Is the fact that Republicans do something a sufficient reason for Democrats not to do it?

How about: if someone suggested that the fact that Republicans do something *is* a sufficient reason for Democrats not to do it, would you have anything to say about that?

Ya see? Those are straightforward questions, not loaded with any false premises, not designed to mischaracterize what you have said, and not insinuating that you have said anything you never said. Just questions. See how easy? And just imagine, questions like that might even lead to sincere discussion.

Not that painting one's interlocutor as a fool or demon isn't just so much more fun ...

[sendero]

30. The thing...

... that scares the shit out of the Republicans in that Dean is on to their rhetorical tricks.

Would Dean be on a talk show, getting to make his points to a wide audience had he NOT made that controversial statement?

The Repukes say this kind of shit day in and day out, people are so used to it they don't bat an eyelash. But a DEM, daring to speak the truth without putting ten layers of pink tutu candy on it? The horror!

Dr. Dean knows exactly what he is doing. You'll be seeing lots more of him, and you be seeing the campaign coffers fill like never before, except from the people, not the corporations.

[Gman]

37. While the weasels are distancing theirselves from Dean's remarks

the public is listening and hearing Dean. Dean spoke the obvious to us. But Dean is also pointing out that obvious to those who have failed/refused to see it. That's why the GOP has attacked Dean; because they know what Dean says is true so they have to repair the damage. They do that in a way that assumes the role of a victim. Republicans are some of the best victims you will ever see.

[gort]

48. just an answer

Because all the republicans have ever done is define the democrats and the wimpy media just spreads their lies with no question. Check out Justice Sunday and all the slimy rhetoric the White Christian Republicans used about the rest of us.

Dean did focus on what this country needs, but the slimeball media fell for the "white christian" slam at the GOP and now Dean gets to respond by repeating what he wants to say. He has beat the media lapdogs at their own game. If you listen carefully, he has responded exactly with what the important things are this country needs to focus on:

excerpt from CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/06/08/dean.gop.ap/index.html

Challenged on that during the NBC interview, Dean said "unfortunately, by and large it is. And they have the agenda of the conservative Christians."

"This is a diversion from the issues that really matter: Social Security, and adequate job opportunity, strong public schools, a strong defense," Dean said.

end excerpt.

It's too bad that with the lousy media we've got that this is the only way to get the message out, but more power to Dean for trying.

Now if the DINO's would just shut up while our party leader tries to save their sorry asses we just might have a chance to take back the congress in 2006.


BTW CNN is doing a poll on Deans Comments:

http://www.cnn.com/

[SemperEadem]

59. Yes, it does

We know that it's a white Christian party, does it need restating?

Yes... because although the white christian extremists are only a segment of the party, the thugs cannot be allowed to distance themselves from this segment of their party.

The truth must not be outsourced so that they can continue in their destructive path.

The time to play nice is over. When our future is at stake, to roll over and play nice is stupid and fatal.

[Malikshah]

73. another question...why is that when Dean speaks

everyone comes out of the woodwork with "honest" questions.

C'mon. At least get an original ploy.

[Justitia]

11. Good on Pres Carter just now!

Just saw him on the Today show, they tried to bait him into disagreeing w/Dean and he didn't fall for it! I always knew Pres Carter was a smart guy!

He said Dean is trying to point out that the Republicans have formed a monolithic presence in Washington DC that prevents any bi-partisanship from taking place at all.

Now THAT is the way to handle the media deftly!

[ElectroPrincess]

27. I admire President Carter more than any living President - by far!

Now he is a true Christian who practices the goodwill that he preaches.

[Tommymac]

44. JC was the Greatest President this country never had. nt

[SemperEadem]

55. The thing about Carter that I love

is that he was never fond of the media and he knows how to stomp their stupidity in its tracks.

[Coventina]

12. Dean, although I like and admire him, is wrong on this one

There's nothing "Christian" about the GOP.

[SemperEadem]

61. How is he wrong?

please explain.

[Coventina]

76. It was a feeble attempt at humor

Dean saying the GOP was "Christian"...but I see no evidence of Christ-like behavior in the Republican Party.

I hope this explains what I was trying to say.

[Dervill Crow]

101. I sure got your meaning.

Even though I have no belief that he has truly been "born again," Bush and his ilk demonstrate the worst that christianity has to offer. For the first time I understand a bit of why my dad was an avowed atheist.

[candy331]

81. They know what they are Dean just called them out on it.n/t

[CTLawGuy]

113. haha

I got it :)

[bemildred]

13. "Defends" my ass.

How about "Dean continues attack on fossilized Washington establishment".
Does that sound better?

[wicket]

18. heh- I love it!

:D

[endarkenment]

14. how dare Dean point out

that the republican party has been taken over by a cabal of white christian fundamentalist lunatics, corporate greed heads, and insane neoclown imperialists? How dare he!

[whistle]

16. Howard Dean needs to form a third party or fuse with parties.....

...already out there which are based on returning power to the people of the United States and putting special interest groups back in their place. Special interests groups using PACs need to be placed out of power and influence in the federal government. The federal representatives that we elect now should be focused on restoring the constitutional powers of individual rights and freedom to the working people of this country. Here are some ideas and groups which Howard Dean could draw on to form this grass roots movement:

<link> http://home.ican.net/~alexng/other.html

[candy331]

86. Whistle, who knows where this will lead but Dean may be doing just

that. Let the repugs and corporate owned Dems tear themselves to shreds trying to tear him down while the average Joe blow gets to see just what they are......

[whistle]

121. I certainly hope that will be what happens....

[ckramer]

19. "a white, Christian party" - there should be more description than that

They are actually "A white, anti-Christ, anti-humanity, selfish, bloodthirsted, Christian party of window dressing (with Black and Yellow faces at front)."

Chairman Howard Dean needs to be a big mouth, even a bigger mouth to expose the real face of Republican party. Bring up the important issues; make the news. Let the media and public debate the issue along the framework he moulded in order to wake up all sheepy Americans.

[wicket]

24. Mehlman's response is ridiculous

Asked about it on the ''Fox & Friends'' show, GOP Party Chairman Ken Mehlman joked that ''a lot of folks who attended my Bar Mitzvah would be surprised'' he heads a Christian party.

''We gotta get ourselves beyond this point where when we disagree about politics, we call the other guy names,'' he said.


Since when is saying somone is a white Christian calling someone a name??? :eyes:

[pennylane100]

33. A lot of people would be surprised that he is gay

but admitting that takes a lot more courage than he has.

[sendero]

34. The party that has systematically...

... spent 2 decades making the word "liberal" a dirty word is now worried about calling names?

Fuck you, you flaming hypocrite closet case moron.

[theophilus]

28. Good for the Doctor! Somebody needs to be saying it!

He has a position of influence. He won't be popular with a lot of the milquetoast bunch who think that they have to coddle the Repubs to get elected. He won't be popular with the hardcore RW bunch. He will get the message out better than most. These things have to be said.

Can anyone give me a e-mail address that stands a chance of actually reaching Dr. Dean? I need to bounce a few ideas off of him but I don't know the best way to actually contact him or someone high up in his organization. Any suggestions? Thanks and keep on telling the truth Doctor Dean!

[PassingFair]

104. Wow, you've been around here for SOME time, theophilus!

You must read and digest a lot of what is said around here. I believe that the Doc keeps a very close watch on what goes into:
www.democracyforamerica.com

You obviously post judiciously, glad to see your interest!

His brother, Jim, is sharing duties running the show.

[GOTV]

35. But why does he....

... reinforce the republican notion that Social Security is one of our biggest problems?

In fact why are so many democrats conceding this republican misdirection?

Social Security is not as big and immediate as Medicare and Iraq.

[Oreegone]

41. Bill Richardsons positive input regarding Howard Dean

A bit classier than Edwards and Biden..

Excerpt:
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson says that Howard Dean is doing a good job as head of the National Democratic Party.
Excerpt:
Richardson says he wouldn't have made the comments that Dean did, but on the whole he believes Dean is doing a good job.

http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=3441969

[sendero]

83. Richardson...

.... "Richardson says he wouldn't have made the comments that Dean did, but on the whole he believes Dean is doing a good job."

Richardson should learn to appreciate the FACT that Dean is saying these things so he won't have to. Or because he won't.

[Ruffhowse]

43. You know, Repugs can have spokespeople like Pat Buchanan,

James Dobson, Newt Gingrich, Rush Limbaugh and countless others who routinely say outrageous things about Democrats, and they never get dragged over the coals like this. In fact, the more outrageous the comments, the more media time they seem to get. Look how much time Pat Buchanan and Ann Coulter get. For once, we have a principled Dem who will tell it like it is, and I, for one, stand with him as he speaks out against the right wing. We need folks like Dean to give some backbone to our party.

[MODemocrat]

45. Go Howard! you're speaking for so many of us

Not a day goes by that the republicans don't dish out unkind remarks about the democrats. Namely, Rush Limbaugh makes a day of telling how lazy we are; why isn't Biden saying something about that?
I'm very happy that Howard Dean refuses to be wishy-washy panty-waist.

[Doctor_J]

51. Too bad he has to defend himself

the airways and op-eds should've been flooded with support from Big Dog, JRE, JFK, HRC, and other prominent Dems

[Sick_of_Rethuggery]

54. Curse of the Democratic Party.

The elected Dems do not have a clue about this issue of standing up for each other...

[theboss]

53. Why can't he say this in the first place?

This is my problem with Dean. Saying that the Republicans are dominated by a White Conservative Christian agenda is one thing...saying that they are a White Christian Party is another.

[SemperEadem]

63. because the thugs cannot be allowed to distance themselves

from the destructive segment of their party. They must be forced to embrace it or to publicly curse them... but a division must be had in their party.

It reminds me of when Alan Keyes was running for Senate in Ill--the Ill moderate GOP tried their best to distance themselves from him --for many reasons, one being that he was a hypocritical carpetbagger (damning Hilary Clinton for satisfying the necessary logistical requirements for her to be able to run for senate for NY state).

Even their party chairman tried to distance himself from Keyes' campaign--but it did no good because Keyes spread offal onto all of them with his shameful display of hypocrisy.

[Catfight]

58. Good, dig those heals deep DEAN! Screw those bullies. nt

[AuntiBush]

64. I still support DEAN & EDWARDS, regardless!

We have to stick together, people.

"They" would love nothing more then to cause Democrat-Party inner-turmoil.

Don't buy into it. Ignore the crap. We're united, right!

"UNITED WE STAND - DIVIDED WE FALL!"

[staticstopper]

66. KICK!

[valis]

96. kick for Dean

[4_TN_TITANS]

70. Just look at the influx of trolls

and newbies that the Dr. has caused, is anybody else noticing? Keep it up Doc..... We serve more than just kool-aid here, maybe some people are ready for a different drink?

GO HOWARD GO
:spray: :toast:

[valis]

71. I've donated $150 to the DNC in the last 2 days!

I'm almost maxed, I suppose.

[Pacifist Patriot]

72. I noticed and was afraid to say anything.

[Malikshah]

74. Serially!!! Good lord

It's so pathetic as well when they try to come across as wanting an answer to a "reasonable" question.

Sorry folks-- go back to your Commander Cuckoobananas.

[candy331]

88. 4_TN_TI TANS, Yep, noticed it quite well, of course when you

throw a brick in the bushes no one hollers but the one that has been hit,so they come here to yelp. Keep throwing Dean, keep hitting them.

[leyton]

79. What an idiotic thing for Dean to say.

Good lord. I would think he would understand this, but no.

We need white Christians to vote for Democrats. A coalition of everybody else just will not hold. So maybe we shouldn't tell them that the Republican party is where they belong.

What the hell was he thinking?

[valis]

84. Yeah, first you should understand what he said though...

It helps....

[killbotfactory]

85. Um,.. Dean is a white christian

He was saying that the democrats accept everybody, not just white christians, unlike the GOP. If certain white christians have a problem with our acceptance of everybody, then they can stay with the GOP for all I care.

[Pacifist Patriot]

87. I've typed something similar like 10 times now so I'll just link...

sorry for the snarky tone, but the broken record of the misinterpretation was wearing thin on my nerves when I got to response 10+.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1532128&mesg_id=1532916

[valis]

90. Could not agree more...

There are plenty of white Christians who are tolerant. Those who are not and only want to deal with other white Christians can fund their little club and fuck off.

[valis]

93. Of course it's WHITE FAKE CHRISTIANS.

The Repug view of Christianity is really anti-christian when you read the Scriptures in context...

[geckosfeet]

97. Kick some repub ass Deano !!!

[deacon2]

98. He's pissing people off

Good! Get's their attention. Saw him on with GOP Boot Licker, Matt Lauer. He didn't back down, kept ignoring the pullback to "how can you be so offensive" ad nauseam and just generally didn't give an inch. In the process, he continued to differentiate Democrats from Republicans - we give a shit about regular people, they view them as a tax burden at best- and was just generally a severe pain in Matty's clenched ass. I'm thrilled to have him representing me and our party. Mostly because I agree with what he says - and it's been a god damn long time since anyone at DNC has said anything I agree with.

Ask yourself this - has the GOP ever refrained from impugning Democrats - including some of the most egregious fucking lies ever told - because it might offend?

Good answer.

GO DEAN!

[Dervill Crow]

102. Good for him!

Dean is using nice short sentences that they understand. Kerry was polite and polysyllabic, and look where it got him--and us!!

[Dr Fate]

100. With all the attention on Dean, he should talk about the UK memo.

n/t

[young_at_heart]

103. Prominent Democrats need to pay attention to their base

Dean is telling real truth here. Dems have got to stop being "nice", unfortunately. Karl Rove's abiltiy to sidetrack Americans with "values" needs to be met with what is important....decent wages, schools, etc.

[struggle4progress]

106. The Cons sold out to the Horsemen of the Apocalypse. eom

[LightningFlash]

107. Sorry but Howard Dean is the best thing that's happened in weeks.

Finally Dean, nail the truth home like Galloway has!!! Everyone needs to hear about the extremist fake christians running the country. We don't need anymore of that we need impeachment. :banghead:

[Triana]

109. Reuters: Dean takes fire from Republicans, won't back down

I think this article is rather positive RE: Dean

_ _ _ _ _

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic Party boss Howard Dean, under fire for blunt comments about Republicans, refused to back down on Wednesday and said Republican critics were trying to divert attention from their own failures.

...


But Dean, known for fiery rhetoric during his unsuccessful 2004 presidential campaign, stuck by his comments during an appearance on NBC's "Today" show.

"It's pretty hard to deny that predominantly that's what the Republican Party looks like. It is a party controlled by the conservative Christian agenda," the former Vermont governor said, adding "I'm a white Christian myself."

He said Republicans were trying to make him the issue so they could dodge a discussion about the Iraq war, proposed changes to Social Security and other controversies.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&e=3&u=/nm/20050608/ts_nm/politics_dean_dc

[Ksec]

111. Strange sightings in Washington

Something they hardly ever see.

A rare and fragile creature.

The Truth.

Even some Dems were perplexed when Dean spoke that "Truth " thingy.

They lashed out as a defensive weapon against this strange new thing.

[guajira]

112. I Wish he would go after BFEE instead of half the country!

What the hell is he doing? If he would expose what is really happening in the WH, maybe we could get some Repub converts to our party.

Insulting every Repub in the US is just plain divisive and will cost us many potential voters.

I know I'll get flamed for this, so flame away!!!!

[Ksec]

116. again

Pointing out an obvious fact is not an insult.

Jeesh

[Ksec]

118. as in

These people think because Dean points out that most repubs are white and Christian, thats insulting them. How weak.

If I said most of the NBA players were black and tall is that insulting all tall black people??

Its always this way with these people. Their logic is non existent.

note. this was posted before as a comment about repubs. Not you.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

114. "My how black you are"

Said the pot to the kettle