Dean Criticizes Kerry's Stance on '91 War
Democratic Cease-Fire Ends As N.H. Vote Nears
By Ceci Connolly and Jonathan Finer
Washington Post Staff Writers
Sunday, January 25, 2004; Page A11
MANCHESTER, N.H., Jan. 24 -- Howard Dean on Saturday questioned John F. Kerry's judgment, asking how the Massachusetts senator could have opposed the 1991 effort to expel Iraq from Kuwait and then supported last year's preemptive war against Saddam Hussein, marking the end of a brief cease-fire among the Democratic candidates three days before Tuesday's New Hampshire primary.
"Here is a gentleman who is running who votes no in 1991, when there are [Iraqi] troops in Kuwait and the oil wells are on fire, and then votes yes [in 2002] and then there turns out not to be a threat," the former Vermont governor told reporters on his campaign bus. "I would be deeply concerned about that kind of judgment in the White House."
Kerry, for his part, hit back at retired Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark who earlier in the week belittled the senator's military service, by saying: "He's a lieutenant. I'm a general." Kerry, in an interview that will air Sunday night on CBS's "60 Minutes," said: "That's the first time I have heard a general be so dismissive of lieutenants, who bleed a lot in wars. I think the general is entitled to his feelings and opinions."
Clark responded that "I really respect the men and women of all ranks in the armed forces and admire them for their capacity." He noted that he and Kerry had both been wounded in action in Vietnam, but added that "the most difficult decisions you have to make are those that put the lives of young men and women at risk and I've made those decisions."
Dean also criticized Sen. John Edwards (N.C.) for his campaign tactics in last Monday's Iowa caucuses, where Edwards finished second to Kerry and shoved Dean into third place. Dean said he was disturbed by reports that Edwards campaign officials had "coached" Iowa precinct captains to distribute negative information about Dean during the caucuses. Dean also said the Edwards campaign, as well as other unspecified campaigns, "had their folks really beating up on the people who went in, trying to get them to change their minds in caucus. I don't think that's healthy for the democratic process."
Dean said that if Iowa wanted to retain its leadoff position, "it's going to have to change its caucus system."
The exchanges came as tracking polls showed Kerry poised to repeat his Iowa victory in the leadoff primary here, with Dean and Clark in a close race for second and Edwards in fourth place, but gaining ground. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (Conn.), who observed the Jewish Sabbath today, was in fifth place.
The rapid-fire volley of criticisms came after a two-day hiatus in which all of the Democrats tried to focus their criticisms on President Bush and the Republicans and served as a reminder that the final weekend in New Hampshire almost always is marked by hostilities.
For all five of the active contenders here, the order of finish is an important prelude to the Feb. 3 round of primaries when seven states will vote. Al Sharpton and Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (Ohio) have not figured prominently in the New Hampshire campaign. Kucinich, who campaigned in the state Saturday, complained about the news coverage and its lack of focus on issues.
Kerry's rivals passed up many opportunities in Thursday night's televised debate here to criticize the new front-runner, and Dean's strategists have expressed frustration that Kerry has received much less scrutiny of his record than Dean encountered during the months when he was the apparent leader.
After hoping that Clark or Lieberman would take the offensive, Dean apparently decided he had to do it himself and returned to the subject of Iraq, but with a backward look to the Persian Gulf War. Dean has said repeatedly that he supported President George H.W. Bush's decision to form an international coalition to oust the invading Iraqi army from Kuwait.
Kerry spokesman David Wade said Kerry did not oppose the use of force in that instance but questioned the timing of the deadline for the start of hostilities. Then he went on the offensive.
"One of these days Howard Dean will realize that voters are tired of his old, angry attacks," Wade said. "We're living in a dangerous world and no matter how loud Howard Dean yells, it doesn't change the fact that voters are looking for a steady hand, not a clenched fist. They want a commander in chief, not a critic in chief."
Dean's campaign, which appeared confident of victory in New Hampshire until the Iowa results came in, is focused on holding down Kerry's margin and protecting second place. A major concern is the falloff in support for the former governor among female voters. |
