Once a Bitter Rival, Dean Praises Kerry

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&ncid=703&e=3&u=/ap/20040314/ap_on_el_pr/dean

WASHINGTON - Just a few weeks ago, Howard Dean (news - web sites) was a bitter critic of John Kerry (news - web sites), his rival for the Democratic presidential nomination. But on Sunday, and in the name of party unity, Dean turned the tables and praised the Massachusetts senator as someone who will "make a far better president" than George W. Bush.


Dean said Kerry won "fair and square" and that it was now time for the party to pull together as a team with one goal: evicting Bush from the White House.


"There's no question in my mind that John Kerry will make a far better president than George Bush, both on the economic and jobs side, which is going to be the biggest issue in this campaign, and most certainly, in my view, in the conduct of foreign policy," Dean told NBC's "Meet the Press."


Kerry, Dean said, has the leadership and experience to help make the country safer, something the former Vermont governor contends Bush has not done. "John Kerry, when he becomes president on January 20th, I have no doubt will defend us against terrorism, having served abroad in a war," Dean said.

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[Moonbeam_Starlight]

1. I was once a Dean supporter, now a Kerry supporter

Because for me it's about getting * out and any one of the ones running against him would make a better Prez, I felt.

Yeah, even (gulp) Leiberman. Ick.

Hell, my CAT could do a better fricking job.

I watched Dean on MTP this morning....he had his old relaxed confidence back. Good to see it. I'll always like him and I'll always appreciate what he did for the party and what he said.

Fratricide isn't always fatal. This is SOP--the other hopefuls USUALLY gel behind the nom once it is clear who it is and everyone has had a chance to lick their wounds.

Good for Dean. For him, getting * out is more important than his own ego. But I always knew that.

[glarius]

2. I saw Dean on MTP and thought he was very effective!.....n/t

nt

[number6]

3. saw Dean on MTP , what a contrast with Kindasleeze

he was good, made sense.

[coloradodem2005]

4. He was much more so than Kinda Sleazy.

[bluestateguy]

5. Dean is a team player

As are most of his supporters. I expect that over the next few months most of the remaining holdouts will fall into line.

[JetCityLiberal]

6. Dean has always been for beating b*sh

Dean was the one in the debates that asked everyone to raise their hand if they would support whoever wins the nomination in an effort to beat b*sh. Dean pushed the issue long before he was out of the race.

I supported him in our state caucus and I still support his cause.

Thank you Dr. Dean.

JetCityLiberal

[lindashaw]

7. I, too, supported him in the Texas caucus. And he asked us to

support Jesse Jackson Jr.'s campaign in IL, so I sent $10. Not much, but baby steps help.

[Katha]

8. Thank you, Dr. Dean!

You fought a good fight, and you're showing now just how much class you have. I'm proud to have supported your campaign.

[Crunchy Frog]

9. Well, so much for William Safire's

brilliant prediction. IIRC he was the one that was so certain in one of his collumns that Dean would go third party if he didn't get the nomination.:eyes:

Guess I'll have to give up my trust in his Godlike insight. <sarcasm>

Good for Dean, I never doubted that he would act any differently, and I hope that his new grassroots organization will have a real impact on American politics. Change is definitely needed, he was absolutely right about that.