Dean Statement on *'s press conference.

[Capn Sunshine]

Maybe I'll stick to non interpretive posts. :)

Governor Dean's Statement on President Bush's Press Conference

DENVER -- Democratic Presidential Candidate Governor Howard Dean, M.D., issued this statement following President Bush's press conference today.

"Yesterday, the President claimed that the wave of attacks that left dozens dead and scores injured proved that the US was winning the peace Iraq. At this point, nothing he says really surprises me anymore.

"Today, we heard him try to walk away from the USS Abraham 'End of Major Combat Operations' announcement, absurdly claiming that the White House was not responsible for the 'Mission Accomplished' banner that decorated the flight deck. He tried to argue that our actions are supported by the Iraqi people, when poll after poll suggests that more and more Iraqis are becoming fed up with the American occupation. And he was adamant that the US will remain in Iraq, but failed to offer any insight as to what he would do to address the increasingly dire situation.

"This President appears to lack the leadership skills required to do what is necessary to successfully stabilize and reconstruct Iraq before the window of opportunity closes. Instead, President Bush seems content to pursue the current flawed plan, unwilling to do what is necessary to encourage our friends and allies to assist, incapable of taking the steps necessary to expedite the transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqis, and content to direct billions of dollars to special interests like Halliburton. And US troops and taxpayers are suffering as a result.

"We need a president who will show true leadership and make the tough choices. In Iraq, this means turning over planning and oversight of reconstruction to the State Department; doing everything in our power to encourage our allies and friends to join us in Iraq by sending their troops, their money, and their expertise to accelerate the reconstruction process; restoring law and order and the resumption of basic services that are fundamental to success in all other areas; turning over sovereignty to the Iraqis as soon as possible; and awarding reconstruction contracts--not to special interests like Halliburton--but to the best US or foreign bidder.

Statement just released by the campaign. http://www.deanforamerica.com

[Hawkeye-X]

1. My man Dean is in Denver!

Right now he's entertaining the wonderful folks at the Oxford Hotel in downtown Denver for his fund raiser. I'm not able to go, because of school and the cost of the invitation at $100. I also missed Dean's public speech in Boulder because of work commitments.

This afternoon, I grabbed the free local rag (Denver Daily News) and on page 3 was the Dean coming to Denver, and it dedicated the entire column on him. This is great. According to the local rag, Colorado is 21st in Dean fundraising, and also Colorado has been very good to Dean as well, raising almost $400,000 for his campaign. Today's fundraising numbers will increase for Dean.

I'm sending him tons of positive vibes his way today.

Hawkeye-X

[wryter2000]

5. He's in Oaktown tomorrow

I'll be seeing him at City Hall. :bounce:

[Galley_Queen]

6. Dean Is Starting to Really Impress Me

I watched him the other night one-on-one and was very impressed. He seems to do much better that way then in the middle of the gaggle of Dem candidates. If he becomes the nominee, I think he'll gain all the support he needs.

Lieberman, on the other hand, is a little troll. Jaysus I'm sick of him.

And for those of you who think Kucinich can't win because he's 'ugly', I think you're wrong! He DOES have HUGE ears but I think he's cute as hell! He's grown on me.

[DinahMoeHum]

2. Tee hee, pull the chain again, Howard!!

n/t

:evilgrin:

[Guaranteed]

14. LOL

It's true, though! The man's frickin' Jesus.

[Capn Sunshine]

3. I hope others read this since its a direct quote.

I get so tired of all the analysis of what Dean "meant"

[E_Zapata]

4. Excellent statement.....excellent, BUT........a big BUT

Turn over operations entirely to THE STATE DEPARTMENT? Uh, that's still US occupation and it doesn't get the international community involved, Howard.

But that was a pretty SLICK maneuver to get away Dean's erroneous stance that the US can continue to occupy AND get international support.

The real answer is: Turn it over to the UN! As Kerry suggests. Hell, as the WORLD requires actually.

[JaneQPublic]

7. Here's Dean's "program that begins with seven basic points"

http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/PageServer?pagename=policy_policy_foreign_iraq_7pointplan

"Our goal should be what the Administration has promised -- an Iraq that is stable, self-sufficient, whole and free. Our strategy to achieve that goal should be based on a partnership with three sides -- U.S., international, and Iraqi -- and a program that begins with seven basic points. Our strategy to achieve that goal should be based on a partnership with three sides -- U.S., international, and Iraqi -- and a program that begins with seven basic points."

"Those points are:

--A NATO-led coalition should maintain order and guarantee disarmament.

--Civilian authority in Iraq should be transferred to an international body approved by the U.N. Security Council.

--The U.N.'s Oil for Food program should be transformed into an Oil for Recovery program, to pay part of the costs of reconstruction and transition.

--The U.S. should convene an international donor's conference to help finance the financial burden of paying for Iraq's recovery.
--Women should participate in every aspect of the decision-making process.

--A means should be established to prosecute crimes committed against the Iraqi people by individuals associated with Saddam Hussein's regime.

--A democratic transition will take between 18 to 24 months, although troops should expect to be in Iraq for a longer period.

[Cocoa]

9. I agree it's excellent, and I also was surprised about the State dept.

but I don't think it's a bad idea. The sad fact is that someone in the administration will be doing Iraq planning, might as well be State. Better Powell than Rummy or Rove or Cheney.

[Bandit]

11. We have a State Department??????

:shrug: I learn something new every day. I thought it was PNAC only. I was under the impression Powell was only window dressing.

[Faygo Kid]

8. Bush is an embarrassment

Wasn't even coherent at his press conference. He is clueless. What an embarrassment to the nation; how does he generate such support?

[Frangible]

12. Right on

It's acutally painful for me to hear him speak at press conferences. He appears just have no idea what he's talking about. Even my Republican friends admit he's the worst public speaker they've ever seen of anyone in high office.

He does a bit better reading from a script, but damn, it's painful to watch.

Blair and Clinton both are natural speakers are far more intelligent. Much better to listen to. And hell, I say that not even liking Blair.

Bush is an embaressment to this country. I hope someone is elected in 2004 other than him, and they apologize for what he's done to the rest of the world. ("Sorry, we don't all suck that much. Really.")

[Guaranteed]

15. Bush isn't even in the same league

as Tony and Bill. Bush is T-ball. Tony and Bill are big-leaguers.

[jokerman93]

10. Dean's right of course but...

I feel the most ethical and complete solution is the one I hear coming form Dennis Kuchinich. (I'm not decided on my candidate yet though).

* Turn Iraq over to U.N. to develop a sovereign government
* Give rebuilding contracts to Iraq businesses first
* Get the international community involved
* Bring our military home

The window is closing. It will be closed before the '04 elections. Bush can't come up with any alternatives that won't destroy him politically.

We're screwed.

[Guaranteed]

13. BOOM....this is how Dean is going to win.

That is downright nasty. That HAS to hurt Bush.