As rest of field steps up criticism of Dean, so do press

[quinnox]

MANCHESTER, Dec. 18 -- If there was any doubt that the kid gloves were off when it comes to questioning frontrunner Howard Dean, a press conference with the former governor Thursday showed much evidence to the contrary.

After Dean’s second major policy address of the week, this one at the public library here, reporters, fueled by an editorial and stories in Thursday’s Washington Post, peppered Dean less on the content of his speech and more on what are perceived as contradictions in Dean’s remarks in passing weeks and years.

Dean refused to answer reporters’ questions in that vain more than once.
...Rich Killion, pollster and political science professor at Franklin Pierce College, said that given the events of the week -- the capture of Saddam Hussein and the Post’s stories -- Dean will now be dogged with the process stories that have stalked Sen. John Kerry’s campaign.

Kerry spokesman Mark Kornblau said the tone of the media this week represents the time when Dean can no longer paint himself as the unfair target of Washington insiders.
...“That kind of answer isn’t always going to cut it from somebody who wants to be President of the United States,” Kornblau said. “Yes, the time has finally come where he is now going to be held to the same standard as everyone who wants to be President of the United States. He’s got a lot of explaining to do.”

http://www.politicsnh.com/archives/pindell/2003/december/deancriticism12_18.shtml

Finally, the press is starting to do its job regarding Dean. No more free passes for him.

[Hep]

1. We're all so happy now

that the media is treating Dean like they treated Gore in 2000. Must come as a great relief.

I thought the media was our enemy, but I guess that doesn't apply for everyone. Good luck!

[quinnox]

6. No, the media isn't the enemy

There is good media and bad media.

And Dean should be subject to the same scrutiny as everyone else running has been for a long time.

[Hep]

8. Good media and bad media?

Where have you been? I'm telling you now, no one watched good media. It epitomizes preaching to the choir.

And while you are right that all candidates should be subject to scrutiny, the media as knew it in 2000 isn't going to do that.

[KittyWampus]

15. The Media Has Been Treating Dean Like Arnold & Junior

for the most part. You can try to deny it but the Truth is pretty obvious.

My Heavens, there have been more than 3 or 4 Dean supporters who've actually commented on his "Teflon".

[Hep]

17. For the most part?

Yet there never seems to be a shortage of negative articles posted to DU. Odd, that.

[molly]

2. Things will really start to get nasty in January

no free passes for ANY candidate.

[Hep]

5. True, but Dean has the trump card

Dean's campaign has been about making the media irrelevant since day one. He's the only one. He'll be more than well equipped to handle things come january.

[quinnox]

9. Yea

And time for Dean to face the music, he can't just blow off the press as saying, "stop doing the other campaigns work for them". They should gently remind him, It's called asking questions, governor.

[Dudley_DUright]

12. You mean of course any Democratic candidate

Bush as a Republican will continue to get a free pass all the way to election day.

[GainesT1958]

3. For him, no more of the idea...

That "inconsistencies don't matter". Hey, doesn't he know...only Dub can say that!:eyes:

Every candidate needs to expect this from the press. It's the "heat...kitchen" phase of the campaign for him now.

Any others to be annointed as "front-runner" in the future will undoubtedly get the same treatment...especially from a national press corps that sees its ultimate goal as keeping Dub in there.x(

B-)

[placton]

4. One of Dean's strengths

and it's sad to say, is his LACK of a record. That helped the Shrub get appointed - no one knew how bad he was after only 6 years as a weak (in both senses of the word) governor in Texas.

[deminflorida]

10. For a lack of a record, he sure carries with him a lot of personal,

and professional baggage...

Questions about him getting out of the Vietnam War and going skiing.

Questions about him having no Military or Forgein policy expericence.

Sealed Records form his time as Governor of Vermont.

Questions concerning his electibility against Bush in the general election which are coming at him from all directions.

Questions about him flip-flopping on major issues important to primary voters....

On and on and on.....I mean I'm sure some of the other candidates have issues as well but this guy is sure stacking em up prior to election day....

So for lack of a record where in the world are they getting all of this? Did Bush carry this much crap into the primaries with him in 2000?

[deminflorida]

13. Personally, and considering that our press has turned into a

tabloid like entertainment media...The best drama for them is to see
the frontrunner fall flat on his face. They love a horse race and they will do anything to get one.

[Rose Siding]

11. His "lack of a record"?

Can you explain what you mean? His record is one of a string of balanced budgets, health care, the Wellstone award for labor, an extensive record of support for civil unions and 3 years running for VT winning the Healthiest State award.

The TX record is also available now for comparison-

Texas On The Brink
http://www.shapleigh.org/BrinkWeb.pdf

[KittyWampus]

16. He's Not LACKING A Record- It's That His Record Doesn't Match

his current positions.

It's really that simple.

Dean was a center RIGHT Governor who was a DLC insider who courted Big Business and enjoyed the attention his coziness with them brought.

I think there's a good case to be made that the folks at CATO spotted Dean early as someone who'd play ball by their rules and gave him a great big push...

[blm]

18. How anyone can be HAPPY that Dean's record doesn't match his rhetoric

during the campaign is just beyond me.

[CMT]

7. press has not been holding its fire

but good. it will only toughen him for the general election.

[maddezmom]

14. too bad the media isn't a harsher critic of bush*

the whole country would be in better shape to vote in the general election. One can only dream.