Big campaign promises are in for a test

[Freddie Stubbs]

BY PETER WALLSTEN
[e-mail]

DES MOINES - In nearly every speech he delivers, Howard Dean warns that the ''biggest lie'' politicians tell voters is that they will ``solve all your problems.''

But then he promises healthcare for almost everyone -- and an end to the deficit.

Retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark declared that he would end the military's controversial ''Don't Ask Don't Tell'' policy for gays -- a change that would likely draw stiff opposition from military leaders and Republicans in Congress.

Missouri Rep. Richard Gephardt and Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich promise to renegotiate free trade deals, though they do not address the role a Republican Congress would have to play in that.

more: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/7722970.htm

[bluestateguy]

1. On that

This article makes some good points. Howard Dean would go to the Congress to repeal the whole tax cut and they would say no. He would ask again and they would say no. Then he would ask again and they would say no, leaving him with George W. Bush's 500 billion dollar deficit to cleam up. A president might be able to peel off a handful of Republican votes for repeal of the tax cuts for the wealthy, but only if the deficit just got out of control, beyond what even they would tolerate. As for Clark and the gays in the military thing. As president, he is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and he can issue an executive order rescinding the ban. If the military brass whines about allowing gays into the military President Clark should just say to them "I am the commander in chief of the armed forces and this is the way it is going to be. If you feel you can't serve under this policy, your resignation will be accepted. And please don't lecture me about military culture." Clark has a special moral authority on this issue that Bill Clinton never had.

[Upfront]

2. Yep

Maybe we should take a hard look at Deans plans to elect congressman. He is the only one who can raise money, and has a plan to get it done. Dean says he can't solve all your problems, but he will solve a lot more then any of the others, because he will elect some Democrats to help.