2004 Elections: Democratic Party Contenders

Pdid, That's for damn sure! We don't hear anybody speaking out against this presidents push for war nor our economy. What's the matter with these people? Doesn't look too promising. c.i.

"I do know I'm ready for the job. And, if not, that's just the way it goes." - Aug. 21, 2000, George W. Bush

Sumac, that chronology was cut-and-pasted from a website dedicated to Gulf War Syndrome, and as such emphasizes the chemical weapons aspects. What was pertinent about it to the point I was making was the 31-day difference between the torching of the wells and US Ground Action. A major Iraqi attack, the only one of the war, really, involved elements of several Iraqi divisions advancing on and seizing the Saudi city of Khafji. The US Marines blunted the attack, and fixed the Iraqi elements in place while an All-Arab counterattack spearheaded by Saudi troops was enabled to retake the town. Whether or not chemical weapons were deployed, numerous instances of technological assessment of the atmospheric presence of military-class noxious agents have been widely reported and heavily corrborated.

Sorry for the confusion ... that "Source" had an agenda, but it's information is accurate.




timber

The Democratic Presidential candidates learned Saturday that there is no divide among its rank and file on Iraq, only in the candidates' stances. At the annual California state Democratic Convention delegates booed US Senator John Edwards, (D-NC), when he advocated US military action on Iraq and later cheered wildly when Howard Dean was critical of the Bush administration's rush to war.

"I believe Saddam Hussein is a serious threat," Edwards said, "and I believe he must be disarmed, including the use of military force if necessary." To which the crowd responded with boos and then loudly and briefly interrupted his remarks with cries of "No war! No war!"

"Some reacted the way they did because they're opposed to a war in Iraq under any circumstances...and I respect that view," Edwards told reporters later.

Several hours later the delegates applauded raucously when former Vermont Governor Howard Dean as he sharply questioned the prospect of action without widespread allied support.

"What I want to know is what in the world so many Democrats are doing supporting the president's unilateral intervention in Iraq," he said. "... I'm Howard Dean and I'm here to represent the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party."

"He's the only one who is a straight shooter, and called the Bush administration on the war," said Corey Johnson, one enthusiastic Dean delegate.

Dean Cheered, Edwards Booed Over Iraq War

Very good to hear, PDiddie.

Dean does appear to be seizing the emotional heart of the Democracts. But I still wonder what kind of administrator/leader he would be in the Federal B. Anyone care to write a brief on what we an expect?

"I'm Howard Dean and I'm here to represent the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party."
and about time we had a democrat running for office. i am sick and tired of both the knee-pad republicans and the slack-jawed democrats.

Anybody that opposes Bush is my candidate, but so far Howard Dean looks like the best one. Not so much that he's a democrat, but because his values are close to mine. c.i.

Ditto, Cicerone.

Likewise. (If I say that other word, it reminds me too much or that talk show guy, Raucous Limburger, or something)

I also think Howard Dean will do a much better job at foreign affairs. We need to repair what GWBush destroyed so quickly. c.i.

I agree Bush has got to go. However, I must remind you that with Dean it,s like buying a pig in a poke. He is an unknown quantity. This was not meant to denigrate Dean just a little caution.

au, Caution well taken. However, until we see future candidates that steps up to the plate, Howard Dean is the guy that shows ethics and responsibility. We'll learn more as time goes by. I'm sure the repubs are doing everything they can to find dirt. We'll just need to wait and see. c.i.

Au and Cicerone -- It might be useful if we went looking for information one Dean. His website is pretty straightforward, and my reports from Vermont show him to be respected and admired. I must admit that, at this point, if you demonstrated to me that he eats cockroaches for breakfast and likes corny movies, I'd still be one of his steadfast admirers because of his position on the war!

"he eats cockroaches for breakfast"
damn near pure protein, bound to be healty

Nothing wrong with corny movies, either.

Dean seems to be gaining in stature, but initial success often sputters out. His Anti-War stance may have him in a corner, but it is a worthwhile, if bold, gamble. He is offered a particular handicap in the first days of the war, and, if he is to prosecute his position during that period, he will find it necessary to be extremely careful.

I wonder too, just how representative of "The Mainstream" an assemblage of the electorate motivated enough to attend a State Political Convention might be, regardless the Party. I suspect there is more of a disconnect between The Parties and The Public than is recognized.


timber

i am most likely projecting but i see Dean not so much in terms of this stance on Iraq (although i agree) but more on his lack of being a slack-jawed democrat, i voted Green last time because i felt abandoned by the Dems and hope to see more of Dean. i respected Goldwater because i believed he was honest, Carter as well, i dont see that in any of the Bush league or the central party dems.

dys, I agree; I see Dean as a straight arrow with intelligence and the sensitivity to understand what is required to change the priorities of our government. That in of itself will be plenty for me. c.i.

Hmmm. It never occurred to me to look for "sensitivity" in a Presidential candidate. I can't conceive of the situation where it would be an asset. But perhaps you define it differently than I. You write "...the sensitivity to understand..." as if you use "sensitivity as a synonym for "intellect". I tend to think they are very different things. But again, maybe I'm just taking your words too literally.

Years ago, my wife and I took a trip to southern Indiana to inspect some land. Rolling hills of maple trees, small creeks cutting to and fro, all beckoned our dreams and fantasies. We bought the land. The sellers disappeared into Ohio; where I discovered, they could not be touched by Indiana laws.

I agree Gov. Dean is appealing, but I don't want to buy him as yet.