Dean Has Mixed Day On Campaign Trail
Harkin Announces Endorsement; Dean Takes Heat For 2000 Interview
POSTED: 6:59 PM EST January 9, 2004
UPDATED: 7:13 PM EST January 9, 2004
ROCHESTER, N.H. -- Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean learned Friday that it is sometimes tough being the front-runner in politics.
NewsCenter 5's Janet Wu reported that Dean had to practice a little damage control Friday as he tried to back away from disparaging comments he made about the Iowa caucuses in 2000.
In a 2000 Canadian television interview, Dean insulted Iowa caucus-goers by saying, "If you look at the caucus system, they are dominated by the special interests in both sides, in both parties. The special interests don't represent the centrist tendencies of the American people. They represent the extremes."
"I was talking four years ago. If I had known then what I know now about Iowa caucuses… You know, Iowa has been very good to me and I couldn't run for president if I didn't have Iowa," Dean said.
But Dean brushed off questions asking if he was retracting his statements.
"Iowa is a great place for people like me that started out with no money and now have a good message," Dean said.
Rep. Richard Gephardt, Dean's leading opponent in Iowa, said Dean owes Iowa Democrats a better explanation.
"Is he saying farmers are special interests? That labor unions' members are special interests? That senior citizens are special interests? I'm mystified, " Gephardt said. |
