WP 's Al Kamen "Dean's X-Files"- reversal on Indian gaming

[papau]

The Washington Post 's Al Kamen
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A36809-2003Dec4.html

Dean attempted to deflect by saying he'd open up his files if President Bush would open his gubernatorial files. Problem is, Bush's files are for the most part open to the public. So now Dean says he probably won't make a decision about opening them before the 2004 election.

But, really, what could be in the files that's so important to anyone? Well, there's a letter he wrote to Rep. Ernest J. Istook Jr. (R-Okla.) in June 1997 supporting a bill aimed at limiting the ability of Indian tribes' businesses to escape some state and local taxes.

In his letter, Dean told Istook, "Although Vermont does not have any Indian land, we lose tax revenues from sales made from Indian lands near our borders. It would be extremely unfortunate if the problem were allowed to grow. I will be pleased to lend my support to this bill."

Dean may be displeased these days, because the National Congress of American Indians succeeded in killing Istook's efforts, calling the proposal "unjust and unnecessary." Dean and other candidates pitched for Native American votes at an NCAI meeting in Albuquerque, with Dean pledging that he would support casino gambling for federally recognized tribes. Wonder if he feels the same now about Istook's bill. <snip>

[Larkspur]

1. But Bush's records can not be viewed by the average person

and the media has made some requests, none of which have been granted, so defacto Bush's records are not accessible by the public.

[Desertrose]

2. but what does that have to do about Dean's stand

on Indian gaming....? we know Bush speaks with a forked tongue....what about Dean?

Sounds like he said one thing at one point and then turned around and said something very different when he felt it would gain him something.....hmmm

Peace
DR

[ErasureAcer]

4. That's typical Dean...he has pulled that on like 10 issues now!

Campaign Finance
Social Security
The War in Iraq
etc, etc...

Dean can't be trusted. Therefore I will not vote for him under any circumstance(not to mention I think his platform sucks. Pro death penalty. Anti gay marriage).

[blm]

6. He doesn't want his conservative/Libertarian dealings to be seen

until the primaries are over and it's too late for Democrats to open their eyes.

Then he'll let them be seen and Republicans and Libertarians will say, "wow...how cool, he's 'Bushlite'...without the religion."

[RetroLounge]

9. Well, what if Dean wins the primary?

You gonna help elect bush* again?

Are you ABB?

[ErasureAcer]

10. hell no

I'll vote for the best candidate running...which doesn't look like it is going to be a democrat this go around.

[blm]

15. That's your answer? Why not elect someone who bears up under scrutiny

and not one whose lies, inconsistencies, and lack of principled positions becomes the storyline for the press once Rove gives them the go ahead?

Why support someone who we will have to DEFEND more than any other candidate?

[SEAburb]

3. The Dean bait and switch, it not about Bush

It's about Dean.

[blm]

7. I feel like we're being stuck with the Dem version of Bush

and it sickens me to no end.

[molly]

8. Do a blind study with the issues without the names

and see who Dean supporters pick.

[dsc]

14. I am still waiting

several months later for you to point out even one error in the post I wrote some 14 minutes after you claimed I had no idea what Dean stood for where I listed several different issues and his position on them. Yet you still slander us by claiming we are ignorant rubes.

[polpilot]

5. Anybody can read Dean files and letters anytime they want to at the

Dean Presidential Library!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They'll just have to be a bit patient.

Dean '04...

[dsc]

11. Several things

First, If the letter is sealed then just how does the author of this piece now about it? Maybe he is psychic. Maybe he broke in and stole the letter. Or maybe, just maybe, this letter which was written to a public figure, is actually avaiable and thus has nothing whatsoever to do with having the records sealed.

Second, this isn't a flip flop. Taxing people has nothing to do with letting them have casinos. The bills are completely different things.

So we have another smear job on Dean what a shock.

Oh one last thing. Those records of Bush's aren't open which makes the quy a liar to boot. Why are we quoting lying liars?

[AP]

12. Letters are sent to people.

You can seal the copy you retained for the file, but you can't stop the recipient from showing it to people, unless it's subject to a confidentiality agreement, or some privilege (lawyer-client, doctor-patient, eg).

[dsc]

13. and that is my point

Dean would know that. So he certainly isn't sealing his records to keep letters he sent to public officials private, now is he? The reporter opined that is why he did it. The reporter is one of those lying liars Frankin warned us about.