"A Debate: Howard Dean vs. Howard Dean"
by Bob Chandra
Friday, January 09, 2004
Dean vs. Dean
Howard Dean, former governor of Vermont, is a Democratic candidate for President. Here is how it might sound if Howard Dean chose to debate himself on the important issues of the day. (All of the statements below are actual quotes from Howard Dean)
On War With Saddam Hussein's Iraq
Dean: "Is the security of the United States affected by what's going on in Iraq today? … I don't believe it is." ("Meet the Press," March 9, 2003)
Dean: "There's no question Saddam is a threat to the U.S. and our allies." ("Face the Nation" on Sept. 29, 2002)
"I think Saddam must be disarmed." (Associated Press, Feb. 5, 2003)
Dean: "Now we're stuck there, because there was no serious threat to the United States from Saddam Hussein…” (debate, Durham, N.H., Dec. 9, 2003)
Dean: "I never said Saddam was a danger to the United States, ever." (Dec. 10 news conference in Concord, N.H.)
Dean: "I'm not against attacking Saddam Hussein" (news conference, Sept. 19, 2002)
Dean: "I opposed the Iraq war when everyone else up here was for it" (Debate, Jan 4)
Dean: "It's conceivable we would have to act unilaterally [in Iraq]." (Des Moines Register)
Dean: "Why do we have to do everything in a unilateral way? It's not good for the future of the foreign policy of this country…” ("Face the Nation," Sept. 29, 2002)
Dean: "We clearly have to defend the United States, and if we must do so unilaterally, we will." ("Face the Nation," Sept. 29, 2002)
Dean: "I disagree with unilateral war." (“PBS Newshour”)
On Capture of Saddam Hussein
Dean: “This is a great day for the Iraqi people, the U.S., and the international community.” (Dean statement)
Dean: “The capture of Saddam has not made America safer.” (Dean speech to Pacific Council)
Should Osama Receive the Death Penalty or Life Sentence in Prison?
Dean: “I still have this old-fashioned notion that even with people like Osama, who is very likely to be found guilty, we should do our best not to, in positions of executive power, not to prejudge jury trials.” (interview with Concord Monitor)
Dean: “…as an American, I want to make sure he gets the death penalty he deserves.” (phone interview with AP)
Race in America
Dean: “Here are also a very significant number of folks in this state to whom it [the confederate flag] is a symbol of oppression and slavery.” (Charleston Post)
Dean: "I still want to be the candidate for guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks." (Des Moines Register)
Dean: "Dealing with race is about educating white folks…." (Boston Globe)
Dean: "I am tired of being divided by race in this country." (CNN "Rock The Vote" Democratic Debate Nov 5, 2003)
Medicare and Social Security
Dean: "The way to balance the budget is for Congress to cut Social Security, move the retirement age to 70, cut defense, Medicare and veterans pensions, while the states cut almost everything else." (Newhouse News)
Dean: "I have never favored Social Security retirement at the age of 70, nor do I favor one of 68." (debate, Aug. 5, 2003)
Dean: "I also would entertain taking the retirement age to 68." (Meet the Press, June 2003)
Death Penalty
Dean: "I don't support the death penalty for two reasons. One, you might have the wrong guy, and, two, the state is like a parent. Parents who smoke cigarettes can't really tell their children not to smoke and be taken seriously. If a state tells you not to murder people, a state shouldn't be in the business of taking people's lives." (Slate.com)
Dean: “…The death penalty would be a just punishment for certain, especially heinous crimes, such as the murder of a child or the murder of a police officer. The events of Sept. 11 convinced me that terrorists also deserve the ultimate punishment.” (Statement, June 2003)
Middle East Peace Approach
Dean: "We have to stop terrorism before peace negotiations" (Forward)
Dean: "[I don't] believe stopping the terror has to be a prerequisite for talking." (CNN)
Any Final Thoughts?
Dean: “Trying to have it both ways demonstrates neither strong leadership nor good judgment.” (Boston Globe)
Middle East Peace Approach
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