Democratic Rivals Focus Attacks On Bush

[jus_the_facts]

Democratic Rivals Focus Attacks on Bush


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/washpost/20030905/ts_washpost/a26082_2003sep4&e=4

*snip*


In the first debate sanctioned by the Democratic Party, the candidates sought to outdo each other by denouncing Bush for costing the country the loss of life, of tens of billions of dollars in military and rebuilding costs, and of credibility worldwide by failing to enlist greater international support for the mission in Iraq.


"This president is a miserable failure," Rep. Richard A. Gephardt (Mo.) said. "It's incomprehensible to me that we would wind up in this situation without a plan and without international cooperation to get it done."


Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (Conn.), a proponent of the war, said Bush's failure to have a plan for securing the country after deposing Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) has exposed U.S. forces to even more danger. He said he would support sending in more U.S. troops to protect those who are there now.


The Democratic candidates came here for the first of six party-sanctioned debates with the race for the nomination wide open, yet with all eyes fixed on the surging campaign of former Vermont governor Howard Dean (news - web sites), the front-runner in key early states. Eight of the candidates participated. Al Sharpton had planned to attend but missed a plane connection because of bad weather and never arrived.

[LeftCoast]

1. I was very impressed by all the candidates

Even Lieberman wasn't THAT bad. I was very pleased to hear Gep call Bush and his policies a miserable failure at least 3 different times. I also liked the fact that MOST of the candidates attacked Bush and not the other candidates. The sad exception was Lieberman. That having been said, I have to give Joe a few points for at least being honest about his positions, even if I don't agree with them...

[mistertrickster]

2. That was my reaction too--I could live with any of these candidates

as the final pick. Expected to be impressed with Dean, but Carol Mosley Brown was rocking and rolling too--"You may have come over on the Mayflower, a slave ship, a raft across the Rio Grande, but we're all in the same boat now."

Oh yeah! Kerry looked good, Kuchinic and Edwards got a couple of nice shots at the Bush house of crumbling cards. Graham represented the Floridians who (still) hate their govenor.

Nice focus on the source of all evil--BUSH F.E.E.--and almost no sniping at each other. That rocked.

[damnraddem]

4. I was glad to see Gephart distinguish himself from Clinton on NAFTA ...

and other trade agreements, calling for worker rights and environmental provisions in basic trade agreements. Most of the candidates agreed on some change in the globalization agreements to prevent the 'race to the bottom.'

[damnraddem]

3. It was great to see them all give hell to Dubya.

And since it was a Dem debate for the primaries, there was no GOP response -- LOL.

But in the middle of it, Lieberman had to attack Dean -- and would not shut up about it, even when the moderator tried to intervene. The other Dems were able to distinguish themselves from one another without attacking each other -- e.g., stating in respectful ways that they disagreed with what others had said. I already said I would not vote for Lieberman were he the Dem candidate, and this performance strengthened that resolve. In my eye, Lieberman showed himself as the enemy of the other Democrats.

[bluedog]

5. after watching last night

I made this short list in my mind:

Dean Pres.
Clark VP
Kerry Defense Sec
Granham-National Security Head
Edwards Attorney General....

Don't know who for Sec of State....but these guys really didn't attack each other and would seem to work well together...don't ya think?

[0rganism]

7. Watch it, you're draining the senate a bit much

The bigger the puke majority, the harder it'll be to get judicial nominees through.

[xchrom]

6. that is as it

should be! go after bush not each other -- that's enough to talk about.