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Politics : WHO IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN 2004 -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: calgal who wrote (7737)	12/17/2003 10:51:22 PM
From: calgal	Respond to of 10965

Dean Does Not Waver on Iraq Criticism Democratic Candidate Insists Hussein's Capture 'Has Not Made America Safer' By Jim VandeHei and Dan Balz Washington Post Staff Writers Tuesday, December 16, 2003; Page A10 LOS ANGELES, Dec. 15 -- Former Vermont governor Howard Dean, facing renewed criticism from his Democratic rivals for opposing the war to oust Saddam Hussein, continued his assault on President Bush's Iraq policy Monday while outlining a multilateral strategy for fighting terrorism and a new Dean doctrine for using military force. Nearly 24 hours after Hussein's capture was announced to the world, Dean used the third major foreign policy address of his campaign to defend his opposition to the war and to denounce Bush for "leading America in a radical and dangerous direction" and "badly" damaging U.S. alliances around the world with his policies in Iraq and elsewhere. "The capture of Saddam has not made America safer," Dean said in a speech here to the nonpartisan Pacific Council of International Policy. "The difficulties and tragedies we have faced in Iraq show the administration launched the war in the wrong way, at the wrong time, with inadequate planning, insufficient help and at extraordinary costs so far of $166 billion." Dean, whose antiwar message has propelled him past his eight Democratic rivals, sought to strengthen his image on foreign affairs by vowing that the "interlocking threats [of] terrorism and weapons of mass destruction will be America's highest priority" in a Dean administration. Dean described himself as a "multilateralist" who would not hesitate to use force, including in North Korea, if the United States faced the imminent danger of an attack. To help repair broken alliances, he proposed huge funding increases to clamp down on weapons proliferation and to fight AIDS and other deadly diseases. Still, the news of Hussein's capture seemed to overwhelm Dean's speech. His rivals charged that the arrest raised questions about his foreign policy experience and the appeal of his antiwar message. The domestic political ramifications of Iraq have changed rapidly in recent months, based mostly on death counts and perceptions of the war's duration. But Hussein's capture is widely expected to provide at least a short-term lift to Bush heading into the holiday season. It also could sap some energy from Dean's surge, Democrats said. If nothing else, it refocused the debate over Iraq and provided Dean's rivals a new, if uncertain, opening to challenge him. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.) is planning to deliver a broad attack Tuesday on Dean's policies. Previewing his attack, Lieberman on Monday accused Dean of climbing "into his own spider hole of denial" by saying the United States is not any safer with Hussein in custody. "Saddam Hussein is a homicidal maniac, brutal dictator, supporter of terrorism and enemy of the United States, and there should be no doubt that America and the world are safer with him captured," Lieberman said in a conference call a few minutes after Dean's speech ended. Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), who like Lieberman supported the congressional resolution authorizing the war, also challenged Dean's standing as a potential commander in chief. "Today's speech is still more proof that all the advisers in the world can't give Howard Dean the military and foreign policy experience, leadership skills, or diplomatic temperament necessary to lead this country through dangerous times," he said in a statement. There was little agreement over whether Hussein's capture would hurt Dean politically and, if so, whether Democratic primary voters would turn to a candidate who favored the war or one who opposed it. Private polling by one campaign last week showed Dean opening up a big lead in Iowa and holding on to his commanding lead in New Hampshire after his endorsement by former vice president Al Gore. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll showed Dean ahead of his rivals nationally as well, favored by 20 percent of registered Democrats surveyed. Lieberman was second, at 12 percent, with no other candidate in double digits. Almost one-third of those surveyed said they were either undecided or liked none of the candidates. About two in 10 said Gore's endorsement made it more likely they would support Dean, while about one in 10 said the endorsement made it less likely. Lieberman advisers argue that he presents the clearest choice for Democratic voters looking for an alternative to Dean. Lieberman strongly supported the war. But advisers to retired Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark said Clark, who opposed the war, will benefit from increased attention to national security issues because of his military record. Clark is testifying at the war crimes trial of former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic, but in a speech to the Netherlands Institute of International Relations, he called for rebuilding strained relations with Europe to make the world safer. "Capturing Saddam Hussein was important; but it was only one step towards those goals for Iraq. Meeting these goals will take years; it will take tens of billions of dollars, and it will take enormous stamina," he said, according to the prepared text. "And that's why I believe it will take Europe and America coming together again." Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) on Monday detailed a policy of "prevention, not preemption." Edwards applauded the capture of Hussein and said his eventual trial "will either cement or fatally undermine confidence in the rule of law in Iraq." Edwards said he doubted that turning over Hussein's fate to the Iraqi Governing Council would meet the standards of fairness. He also outlined steps to reduce the dangers of nuclear proliferation. washingtonpost.com

To: calgal who wrote (7737)	12/17/2003 10:51:30 PM
From: calgal	Respond to of 10965

Page 2 of 2 < Back Dean Does Not Waver on Iraq Criticism Dean's highly choreographed entrance onto the foreign policy stage was overshadowed by the events overseas and, to a lesser extent, strategic moves by his rivals. But the speech still drew considerable attention. Like the other Democratic candidates, Dean has built his foreign policy on a foundation of multilateralism. "It can at times be challenging, even frustrating, to obtain the cooperation of allies," he said. "But as history shows, America is most successful in achieving our national aims when our allies are by our side." Dean portrayed himself as a muscular multilateralist, highlighting his support for past wars in Iraq, Kosovo, Bosnia and Afghanistan. He often takes a harder line against Saudi Arabia than Bush. In a question period, Dean outlined what he called the "Dean doctrine" for appropriate military action: to defend the country, stop an "imminent" threat and intervene overseas when other nations refuse to halt genocide. The doctrine includes the right to unilateral, preemptive action. A key piece of his multilateral approach is to intensify negotiations with North Korea before it becomes an imminent threat fully loaded with nuclear weapons. "This president is about to be responsible for the fact North Korea has become a nuclear power under his watch," Dean said. If North Korea becomes a nuclear power, he said, the communist nation could qualify under his definition of an imminent threat. He also would ask former president Bill Clinton to take a lead role in brokering a Middle East peace deal. Dean said voters face a "crucial moment" in history with two distinct approaches to choose from: "They must choose between a go-it-alone approach to every problem and a truly global alliance to defeat terror and peace. They must chose between today's new radical unilateralism and a renewal of respect for" multilateral organizations and efforts. Balz reported from Washington. Assistant polling director Claudia Deane contributed to this report. washingtonpost.com