Dean: Out of the Mainstream? Hardly [MUST READ!]

[grytpype]

Great op-ed by Dean!!!!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16656-2003Dec19.html

...

More important, The Post's editorial comes close to equating the Bush administration's foreign policy -- including its signature doctrine of "preemptive war" -- with the American foreign policy mainstream. In fact, the Bush agenda represents a radical departure from decades of bipartisan consensus on the appropriate use of U.S. power and our leadership in the world community.

From its derisive treatment of allies to its rejection of important global agreements, this administration has favored a go-it-alone approach and a determination to use force as its weapon of first resort. Its approach has alienated friends and bolstered foes. Its agenda isolates the United States, placing responsibility for all the world's problems in our hands, and runs counter to America's traditions as a republic.

From its derisive treatment of allies to its rejection of important global agreements, this administration has favored a go-it-alone approach and a determination to use force as its weapon of first resort. Its approach has alienated friends and bolstered foes. Its agenda isolates the United States, placing responsibility for all the world's problems in our hands, and runs counter to America's traditions as a republic.

By contrast, my national security policy reflects the best of our mainstream tradition. I believe the United States must exercise leadership by working with allies and partners to advance common interests, rather than advancing our power unilaterally.

[madfloridian]

1. It is an intelligent piece and very thoughtful.

Kudos to him.

[deminflorida]

2. Missle Defense, Really...

does Dean have any idea of what that costs? To me that money would be better spent improving our intelligence community, i.e. increasing the number of Arabic linguists in our military, or properly funding our Homeland Security program in order to protect the country from the people who are actively trying to kill us. If Dean did write this he has no better grasp of the current clear and present danger than Bush does.

"To start: The Post repeatedly misstates my views. For example, I support missile defense efforts that make us more secure; I oppose deployment of any system not yet proven to work."

[zulchzulu]

3. What a liar

Dean (or his ghostwriters) write(s):
"The reasons I opposed the war in Iraq are clear. In the fall of 2002, Saddam Hussein did not pose an imminent threat to America."

Dean was for the Iraq War originally; much like he was for the first Gulf War. There are plenty of interviews where Dean declared that Saddam was a threat.

For instance, from an article in Salon last February, 2003, Dean said:

"...Saddam must be disarmed, but with a multilateral force under the auspices of the United Nations. If the U.N. in the end chooses not to enforce its own resolutions, then the U.S. should give Saddam 30 to 60 days to disarm, and if he doesn't, unilateral action is a regrettable, but unavoidable, choice."

"On the campaign trail with the un-Bush" by Jake Tapper

This quote proves at least two things. Dean was for the war (and striking unilaterally) AND he appears to believe that Saddam was indeed a threat.

That's proof that Dean is in fact nothing but a truth-challenged, arrogant politican.

[Bertha Venation]

6. I disagree.

You write, "This quote proves at least two things. Dean was for the war (and striking unilaterally) AND he appears to believe that Saddam was indeed a threat." Actually, it doesn't. It proves that he felt action was necessary -- like many Americans. It doesn't prove that he was for war. Moreover, certainly Saddam was a threat; I doubt anyone has said he was not. The point was, was Saddam an imminent threat to the U.S.? Clearly, the answer is no, and this is what Dean has pointed out in this editorial; you quoted him yourself: "In the fall of 2002, Saddam Hussein did not pose an imminent threat to America."

edited to add emphasis

[caledesi]

4. Masterful writing. Who's really the one out of the mainstream? Bush*

[Melodybe]

5. this is why he will win, he doesn't let the media get a way with a thing!

He just kicks ass. Stick it to the WP, that is what they get for giving RW wackos the ability to destort the truth. I am so glad that Dean has the balls to do stuff like this.

[ithacan]

7. this is the kind of thing that explains orange alert

The Bushies are totally on the defensive because many of the Dems (except Lieberman) are correctly criticizing W's foreign policy as a disaster.

What better way to get people's minds off of this criticism than to up the alert!!