Democrats turn unfriendly fire on rival Dean

[T_i_B]

How about Democrats turning unfriendly fire on Bush?

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-952423,00.html

RIVAL Democrats tore into their presidential front-runner last night in a desperate attempt to slow his momentum towards the party’s nomination.

In the first debate of election year, the rest of the party’s presidential field criticised Howard Dean’s judgement, questioned his temperament and tried to suggest that he was ill-suited to the highest office.

Joe Lieberman, the moderate Connecticut senator who was Al Gore’s running- mate four years ago, ridiculed Dr Dean’s statement. “I don’t know how anybody could say that we’re not safer with a homicidal maniac, a brutal dictator, an enemy of the United States, a supporter of terrorism, a murderer of hundreds of thousands of his own people in prison instead of in power.”

Dr Dean’s other rivals piled in. John Kerry, the Massachusetts senator whose candidacy has been almost totally eclipsed by Dr Dean, challenged him on his comments about withholding judgement over bin Laden. “What were you thinking?” asked Mr Kerry, who added later that Dr Dean’s “inconsistencies” had raised serious questions about his ability to defeat Mr Bush.

[regnaD kciN]

1. It'll never happen...

How about Democrats turning unfriendly fire on Bush?

...until we've inflicted enough mortal injuries on each other to make the GOP's task a lot easier.

I'm sure you've heard of the Democratic Firing Squad...they all stand in a circle.

:-(

[Blayde Starrfyre]

2. Lieberman

I think the Lieberman one is easy to explain, judging by his politics he'd rather have Bush in office than a liberal.

[T_i_B]

7. The usual suspects

Whenever I see this sort of story in the papers I seem to see the exact same people bashing the the same person every time. Lieberman we all seem to know about (does he ever attack Bush instead of other Dems?), but Gephardt & Kerry always seem to pop up as well. Not good.

[Adjoran]

3. It's part of the process

Successful candidates can pass the test. The other candidates hammered the frontrunner in every previous contested primary campaign, why should this be any different?

In the general election, every possible weakness will be tested, right down to the old rubber glove test, so our nominee needs to be ready and able to handle it.

If Joe Lieberman scares you, wait until you meet Karl Rove.

[CWebster]

5. Seems to be only Dean being put to the test...

the others are failing on their own merit.

[NV1962]

4. Times = owned by Rupert Murdoch... Next! -n/t

[sandnsea]

6. This is the RW meme

What better way to discredit whatever Democratic candidate that comes out than to paint them all as a bunch of meaningless attackers. Then Bush is all set up to do the same when he is questioned in the general. I didn't see any attacking last night. I saw Carol ask questions of Edwards, Edwards ask Gephardt & Kerry, Leiberman and Kerry ask Dean, etc.

[quaker bill]

9. Perhaps you are uncomfortable with the term 'attacks'

Having watched the debate, I would say that a fair amount of attempted criticism from the other candidates was directed at Howard Dean. This is perfectly legit in a debate, although, it always works better when based in fact.

Unfortunately for those attempting to cut into Dean's support, as usual, none of the criticism seemed particularly effective.

[sandnsea]

11. Dean looked like a goofball

They were criticisms, exactly, perfectly legitimate in a primary. About time people get that and stop perpetuating this Democrats are attackers bullshit. But Dean looked awful and the people there knew it. He couldn't even keep his comments consistent within the answers given. What was this I was against the war but would have gotten Saddam out because I would have supported a multilateral war. He's a fucking idiot. I hope to God people wake the hell up before it's too late.

[incapsulated]

8. Guess what?

They aren't running against Bush right now, they are in a competition to decide who will. Toughen up. I never heard this handwringing over "democratic unity" when it was Dean slinging shit at his opponents. Worked well for him, now it's "play nice". How very convienient.

:eyes:

[maddezmom]

10. you are correct ~ he's the frontrunner

and they all want a peice of him, that's the way it works until he or someone else gets the nomination.