Dean on Today

[Another Bill C.]

Dean didn't argue with one of Novak's main spinning points on the "outing" article.

Novak now claims his information came from an "off-hand remark" by someone in the White House.

The article, however, states the information came from two "administration officials," indicating it was someone higher up in the White House. Also, if other journalists were contacted with the same story, it could hardly be an off-hand remark.

The administration is also trying to sideline the real story by slamming Wilson. Democrats in a position to do so should counter by pointing out that Wilson is not the story — outing of a CIA agent is the story.

[Padraig18]

1. I was disappointed, overall

Maybe Howard was just tired, or something, but I think he didn't handle Katie kouric well at all today; the questions she posed were not unexpected, and I found his responses barely adequate.

Grade: "Gentleman's C" :(

[Kahuna]

2. I didn't see it but, he's probably very tired. He looked..

really beat with Leno last night. He should probably take a few days off. He could be risking his health.

[liberalnurse]

4. Dean has been working extremely hard!

I think he knows his limitations regarding his health since he and his wife are physicians. He is planning to rest this weekend. Thanks for your concerns.

Dean 2004

[EagleEye]

3. He said that whether off-hand or not it is a crime punishable

by prison. Serious matter.

[demnan]

5. I don't think he did so bad

She gave him a difficult interview and I think he answered adequately. Especially about Medicare, gosh that program is a mess! All you have to do is have elderly parents to realize there is much room for improvement there.

When President Dean tackles these problems I'm sure that there will be an improvement in Medicare, National Health Insurance and Social Security.

[Padraig18]

6. "Adequately"

That was my exact thought, which is why I was disappointed in his performance. The questions were tough, but none should have been unexpected. I found his appearance very "un-Dean" like. *shrug*

[vi5]

7. Dean lost me as a primary supporter today....

I was very dissapointed in his appearance on the Today show, and the fact that right out of the gate he called Wesley Clark a Republican. I thought it was unnecessary. You knew she was going to ask about Clark and he could have taken any number of approaches. But this "he was a republican until 25 days ago" line smacks of desperation. If he wanted to take issue with Clark's stand on any number of issues then that's fine. But for a candidate who we are all told not to nitpick about everything in his past or whether he is a centrist or a leftist or whatever, simply because he is willing to stand up to Bush, to then turn around and do this to another candidate who is doing the same thing is dissapointing to me. It made me feel for the first time that Dean is out for himself and is just as much ego based in his candidacy as any of the others.

You can all flame me if you want. It was a long and hard road for me to overcome reservations I had and put myself behind Dean and to donate money to him. But since this whole Clark candidacy came about, Dean's handling of it along with many of his supporters has left too sour a taste in my mouth for me to continue to be a supporter of his.

If he's the dem nominee I will obviously campaign and vote enthusiastically. I will no longer do so for the primary, nor will I cast my vote for him.

[LeahMira]

8. Sorry to read that...

I will no longer do so for the primary, nor will I cast my vote for him.

That's what democracy is about. Choices!


It made me feel for the first time that Dean is out for himself and is just as much ego based in his candidacy as any of the others.

I think all the candidates have strong egos. It takes something that most of us don't have, at least to that extent, to tell the people of the U.S. "I'm the BEST!" It takes a lot to be able to shrug off attacks, intrusions into your personal life, examination of everything you've said and done almost since birth, and the rest of the stuff that political candidates have to deal with.

But I wonder why you think that ego and commitment to principles are mutually exclusive?

[cprise]

9. Everyone has cause to dread Republican influence

Especially after the last 3 years of subterfuge.

[LiberalTexan]

10. Question:

In light of your post, I would venture to say that you weren't staunchly pro-Dean ever. One interview at 6 am with Katie Couric isn't going to sway someone who's actually paid attention closely to Dean over the last six months-- or even over the span of his career.

Cut the guy some slack. Clark is a Republican. Dean is popular because he says what THE REST OF US ARE THINKING.

Maybe you should support Gephardt who only attacks people when it's election time.

[JI7]

11. clark is a republican ?

i don't think clark is a republican. i don't think he was registered for any party until recently when he did so for democratic.

[realFedUp]

12. I have to assume Clark was a registered voter....

He must have voted in past elections...

I frankly don't care if he was a Republican at one
point. He's signed up to be a Dem candidate now and
I think he'd attract a lot of Republicans fed up
with Bush as Usual.

[JI7]

13. registered voter, but not registered party member

i think i heard that he was registered to vote, but not with a party. in arkansas they can chose the primary to vote in even if they aren't registered with the party. and i think he said he voted democratic in the last few elections. i'm sure someone else will confirm or correct this.

[Padraig18]

15. IL only requires that you register

Voters here can choose which party's primary they want to vote in; their choice, however, is a matter of public record. I don't know how it is in AR.

[QC]

14. If you backslide into sin, you were never saved in the first place.

That's what I was taught about religion during my fundy boyhood, but I never dreamed it also applied to one's choice of primary candidates.

[vi5]

16. I admit to having been a conflicted Dean supporter......

I thought he was a great campaigner with a lot of good things to say. And I thought he was our best chance at beating Bush.

There have been many things that have led me to rescind my primary support for him. This interview was just the final straw.

Although the person below who equated Dean support with religious salvation and enlightenment is another fine example of why.

[QC]

17. That was sarcasm.

[w4rma]

18. Don't look for perfection in anyone or you'll always be conflicted. (n/t)