Dean says attacks getting too personal

[Highwayman]

WASHINGTON—Democratic Party chief Howard Dean says Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton and their supporters should beware of tearing each other down, demoralizing the base and damaging the party's chances of winning the White House in November.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Dean also said he hopes the Democratic nominee will be determined shortly after the voting ends in early June and that he will encourage the superdelegates who will play a role to make up their minds before the August convention in Denver.

Dean said the charges and countercharges between Clinton and Obama have gotten too personal at times. He declined to say how they have crossed the line, but he said he's made it clear privately when it has happened.

"You do not want to demoralize the base of the Democratic Party by having the Democrats attack each other," he said Thursday during the interview in his office at Democratic National Committee headquarters. "Let the media and the Republicans and the talking heads on cable television attack and carry on, fulminate at the mouth. The supporters should keep their mouths shut about this stuff on both sides because that is harmful to the potential victory of a Democrat."

Dean says attacks getting too personal - The Denver Post

Supporters should keep their mouths shut? Wow! What happened to the idea of free speech?

It is typical of Democrats to only support freedoms when it’s convenient for them.

[88-31-10]

Originally Posted by Highwayman

Dean says attacks getting too personal - The Denver Post

Supporters should keep their mouths shut? Wow! What happened to the idea of free speech?

It is typical of Democrats to only support freedoms when it’s convenient for them.

In the words of one DICK Cheney, "So?"

[Highwayman]

Another Howard Dean soundbite;

"The real issue is this: Who would you rather have in charge of the defense of the United States of America, a group of people who never served a day overseas in their life, or a guy who served his country honorably and has three Purple Hearts and a Silver Star on the battlefields of Vietnam?"

Former Rival Dean Endorses Kerry (washingtonpost.com)

McCain, by the way, has been awarded the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, a Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

[88-31-10]

Originally Posted by Highwayman

Another Howard Dean soundbite;



McCain, by the way, has been awarded the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, a Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

and Bush and Cheney both dodged the war in VietNam. Big deal!!

[Flying Dutchman]

The big deal is Dean is the leader of the Democratic party and was putting Kerry's military experience above Bush's as a reason to vote for him. Is he now going to do the same for McCain? If not, then he is caught in making a hypocritical statement. Is it major? Probably not but it is interesting. It makes any type of argument he wishes to pose basically worthless unless he is willing to address that statement. Or is he going to play the spin game and say it was taken out of context, or is only a small soundbite from a larger statement. It goes to character, of which he has none.

[Flying Dutchman]

And how does joining the gaurd become dodgeing military service? I guess going to Canada then is just taking a vacation? At least Carter had the balls to join a military........which one did Mr or Mrs Clinton serve in? Obama? Gore? Dean? Pelosi?..............



I digress.......Al Gore did serve as a journalist with the Army during Vietnam.

[88-31-10]

Originally Posted by Flying Dutchman

It goes to character, of which he has none.

If you're looking for character in American politics, you're in for a long journey!

[Highwayman]

Originally Posted by Flying Dutchman

And how does joining the gaurd become dodgeing military service? I guess going to Canada then is just taking a vacation? At least Carter had the balls to join a military........which one did Mr or Mrs Clinton serve in? Obama? Gore? Dean? Pelosi?..............



I digress.......Al Gore did serve as a journalist with the Army during Vietnam.

Gore did a six month tour in Nam as a photographer with a security detail to watch his backside.

Clinton reneged on his contract with ROTC by skipping the country and it was no big deal with Democrats. Bush served in the reserves and was chastised by Dems for getting out of the war, even though his unit could have been called up at anytime.

The importance of military service, of lack of, varies with Democrats depending on the situation.

[88-31-10]

Originally Posted by Highwayman

Gore did a six month tour in Nam as a photographer with a security detail to watch his backside.

Clinton reneged on his contract with ROTC by skipping the country and it was no big deal with Democrats. Bush served in the reserves and was chastised by Dems for getting out of the war, even though his unit could have been called up at anytime.

The importance of military service, of lack of, varies with Democrats depending on the situation.

Gore and Kerry both saw a hell of a lot more of Viet Nam than Bush or Cheney ever did.

[Flying Dutchman]

True......

The problem is, and I felt was, when the Dems put Dean and Pelosi in charge they screwed themselves. The party is tearing itself up because they have no middle ground on which to stand. Clinton will not go down without a fight. Obama's supporters are almost akin to a religious fervor. Add to that Dean and Pelosi as the ring leaders trying to keep the party together. They can't. They cannot "pull in the reigns" because this has gotten out of control and turned into a civil war within the party. They have to gather a united front in which to take on McCain. So far their only stance is to try and make it seem like McCain is another Bush. It won't work because he is nothing like Bush. He has criticized Bush many, many times and criticized many of Bush's actions and plans. The Republicans, wether they agree with him or not, will vote for him in droves. There is no division amongst the Republican party. There is no hurt feelings, no name calling, no race or gender issues........they have a united front and trying to break it will not happen. Moderate republicans or Conservative republicans.....it does not matter since they consider themselves republican first and foremost. The Democrats do not have this. The emotions are worn on their sleeves. This very infighting cost them the last election. It will more than likely cost them this one too. I may be wrong, and if I am then so be it. I hope they can pull this together. If they don't, not only will it hurt their own party, it will again hurt everybody because they will make it an us against them thing again and nothing will ever get done properly. They will refuse to work with McCain, just like they have with Bush, and cause even more crap.