Dean Vows to Be Kerry's Chief Rival

[Rose Siding]

By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Howard Dean (news - web sites)'s goal is to keep his battered presidential bid alive until the Wisconsin primary on Feb. 17, where he plans to stand as John Kerry (news - web sites)'s chief rival for the nomination, his new campaign chief said Friday.

"Let the conventional wisdom and the media declare this race over," Roy Neel, chief executive officer of the Dean campaign, wrote in a memo. "We're going to let the people decide."
snip>

Such a strategy has never been tried, Neel wrote.

Neel said Dean will continue to try to distinguish himself as the outsider in the race and Kerry as a Washington insider with few accomplishments during a 20-year Senate career. On Friday, Dean criticized Kerry for only having sponsored only nine bills that were signed into law.

"I think we need a doer, not a talker as the nominee of this party," Dean said, campaigning in Columbia, S.C.

He said 102,000 children in South Carolina don't have health insurance, compared to 5,000 in Vermont, where he served as governor for nearly 12 years.

"If Senator Kerry had accomplished anything in health care, he ought to be able to explain to the people of South Carolina how come there are so many uninsured kids here and there aren't in my state," Dean said.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040131/ap_on_el_pr/dean&cid=694&ncid=716

*Nedra isn't real clear here about the origin of Roy Neel's "memo". It was actually an entry to the blog, open for everyone to see.

[David Dunham]

1. Dean's a Doer; Spent $41 Million and Lost 2 States

[seventhson]

3. He's going up against the DLC/PNAC establishment

we shouyld all be supporting him and DK

[Zech Marquis]

4. if Dean wants to see who's the blame for his troubles

all he has to do is look in the mirror.

[jean]

7. exactly right - he is a prime target for the DLC,PNAC et al

[Eloriel]

10. Yeah, because he calls them on their stuff

and threatens to make them as irrelevent as they are.

[Old and In the Way]

9. Can we afford to?

I'm not made of money....gotta put my money on a winner....

[54anickel]

19. I'll drink to that!

Repugs I know that won't vote for Shrub are looking at Dean. I still love DK!

[Born Free]

13. Democrats wimped out

"Dean's a Doer; Spent $41 Million and Lost 2 States"

The corporate controlled media spent just two weeks on Dean to knock him out of the race, and democrats, as the sheep they are followed the media lead, some boasting on the way. The democrats, and America as we knew it, are done unless democrats learn to stand up to the media. Now they are playing Kerry, but remember he can fall under the corporate controlled media attacks just as easily, and probably will prior to the general election. My message to all of you that take pride in seeing any democratic candidate get knocked down by the corporate controlled media is to enjoy it now because they will do the same to anyone that threatens the current status quo of America. Laugh and rejoice as you watch the rich and powerful spend your retirement, your child's future and the future of anyone not born into the families of the chosen.
For those of you that do not want to go quietly in the dark of the night, give your support to the democratic contenders that are willing to stand up to the status quo.

[wabeewoman]

25. Thanks Born Free

It has already started. I was unwillingly listening to faux news (at the airport) and they were already starting on Kerry. Seems he waffles on his positions and several other slimes... I have never felt so discouraged as while watching our media tear apart Howard Dean. If this gives democrats pleasure, it is even more discouraging. Look at the crap Dean took for giving a rousing speach to his staff but not a word said by the corporate media about bush's strut on the aircraft carrier or his making fun or mocking people(the waitress, the reporter, the french speaking reporter). If you have the stomach for it you can hear the republican talking points in the media: Dean has no empathy (supposedly he didn't know Trippi hurt his ribs altho Trippi tells a different story), he doesn't appreciate his staff, he is either aloof or a hothead or both. If Dean has 'imploated' due his own mistakes what the hell is keeping george w bush in one piece??

[Zech Marquis]

2. like shuffling chairs on the deck of the Titanic

Blowing through $41 million after just Iowa and NH--both big losses, losing in the polls for the upcoming primaries left and right, and now "we're going to let the people decide"?

Dr Dean, I think the people have already decided.

[On the Road]

5. I Think That' s the Point

The $41M was spent largely on a nationwide organizaiton. Dean's going to continue to use it. And I suspect he has a stealth strategy to win one or two Feb 3 states to stay in the race.

[jean]

6. With all due respect, Gov Dean has survived

multiple "assassination" attempts admirably. He is in this for the long haul and we are the better for it since he energizes the whole lineup.

The people have been unduly influenced by media smears and need time to get to know Dean and his record.

[0007]

14. I agree! Dean is in the learning process - So he made a mistake

with the 40 mill. No mistake on Dean's aim on junior and that is the most important thing if we're going win. The flap on Dean is sour grapes or folks who delight in kicking Dean while down.

[joshcryer]

8. Way to go Dean...

...WTG.

[PassingFair]

11. Count me in.

I'm here for the long haul.
Dean pays his bills.

[Dogmudgeon]

12. This is bad ... how?

Dean and Kerry are two highly intelligent, politically savvy candidates. A good, sweat-breaking "club fight" will prepare the winner for the inevitable, brutal, bloody confrontation with Shrubby's Master, El Pendejo ... Karl Rove.

This time it's for survival.

--bkl
Why do you think I use these pugilistic metaphors?

[JaneQPublic]

15. Dean: The "Anti-Kerry" Candidate (nt)

[KingofSwords]

16. they shouldn't attack each other...

They'll get attacked enough by Bush. It's irritating that Dean thinks because Vermont can easily cover all children except 5000 with health insurance South Carolina can do it too. They're vastly different states, Vermont is alot richer than South Carolina and has a larger population.

The key to eliminating this discrepancy is to increase the federal role in public healthcare, a cause which Kerry has championed in the Senate. Dean acts like Kerry hasn't even tried.

[Rose Siding]

23. VT is the 26th richest state

in the US.

Kerry failed 14 times to get any of his HC legislation passed. He has no record of success.

[David Dunham]

17. My Friend Said "Hari Kari Is Dean's Best Strategy Now"

[pacifictiger]

18. and your friend has all the answers to everything?

Whats more, you think so little for yourself, you have to parrot what someone else says? No wonder this country is in trouble.
Moving on, Dean's spending is called strategic investment - he didn't dump it all on two states, he has built a broad base all over the country with it, and plans to continue. He has the meat and potatoes base that can sustain long term, not the artificial sugar sweet high that is susceptible to wide mood swings.

[David Dunham]

21. Name a Single Primary State That Dean Will Win. I Bet Zero.

[ACPS65]

20. This is great.

Media, PNAC, Bush against Dean. Kerry stealing Dean's votes in Iowa and New Hampshire. :D

[leyton]

22. Gosh...

"If Senator Kerry had accomplished anything in health care, he ought to be able to explain to the people of South Carolina how come there are so many uninsured kids here and there aren't in my state," Dean said. "

Good thing Terry McAuliffe didn't step in and get the candidates to focus their attacks on Bush and not each other, because then Dean couldn't attack the guy who became the frontrunner! Whew...

[Seldona]

24. Going negative isn't going help.

Calling Clark and Kerry Repubs. Bah!

He is rolling everything on Wisconsin.

And I am already doing everything I can to make sure that doesn't happen.

Looking forward to your visit here Doctor.