I was disappointed with Dean on "Meet the Press"

[Mich Otter]

I didn't get to watch all of "Meet the Press" so I might have missed it if he talked about the Human Rights violations being committed by America in Iraq and Guantanamo. From what I did hear, I didn't hear a word of condemnation for the criminal acts being done.
Why aren't the Democrats raising this issue at every opportunity? This is as big an issue as America has ever had. In addition to violating International Law and religious standards, it is in opposition to any American who believes in decency and rule of law.
America is being shamed more and more each day that these crimes are going on.

[TheFarseer]

1. I think that's a very bad strategy

It's very hard to look good demonizing our troops and protecting the rights of "terrorists"

[welshTerrier2]

6. it's hard to look good ...

when all you're doing is trying to look good ...

[Mich Otter]

7. It not the fault of the troops.

The reason Guantanamo exists is so the cabal in power can avoid American law. This is an intentional act on the part of the Bush administration. There is nothing in the policy to blame on the troops.

[Poppyseedman]

2. He was having a difficult time talking

though that muzzle the DNC put on his mouth

[renaissanceguy]

32. I don't think he had a hard time talking

because of the DNC. I think it had more to do with Russert's moderation and attacks on Dean. Dean had limited time, and he had to defend himself against what Russert was saying. So, he had to go according to Russert's moderation of the program.


http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.21272885

[zulchzulu]

3. Meet The Russert is like being on a Heavyweight Professional Wrestling gig

You don't have time to really be totally clear-headed...it's not the BBC or NPR's Fresh Air.

Somehow Russert seems to enjoy the possibility of taking someone down on a cheap shot, a quote taken out of context, a nervous mistake that is forever put in the Timmy's Trophy Room of chickenshit questions turn gaffe category.

I would imagine that someone like Edward R. Murrow would ask him to politely shut his piehole and let the interviewee speak without getting interrupted by another dimwit attempt as seen in Fat Timmy's Powerpoint presentation for the Masses.

Wow....someone made a mistake. KILL THEM! (evil laughter...)

On edit: typos and tuna fish recipes taken out

[reality based]

31. It's like wrestling a defecating pig. n/t

[MADem]

4. Because the issues that are close in on the radar

are the filibuster and social security. Tactics, not strategy. Shoot those down, then move on to other issues.

[jasmeel]

5. This cautious attitude is killing the Democratic party!

It's the same issue as John Kerry had. As long as we're cautious and scared the other side smells fear and takes advantage. The wait and see approach just gives the issues time to fall off the radar screen. I wish they all talked like Galloway!!!

[MADem]

16. Galloway is strategy, we must now be TACTICAL

Next week, the GOP is going to steamroller the advise and consent process. Right now, bringing that issue up is JOB ONE. If we don't do it, stop it NOW, we are done for and I'll see you in the line at the Canadian border....!

Galloway and the memo will come in handy, in the runup to the 06 contests. Framed properly, doled out in small doses so even the dunces can get it, it will resonate.

But right now, we gotta put out the fires closest to the house (or the Senate, as the case may be).

[Mich Otter]

18. we gotta put out the fires closest to the house

This I don't accept. We ought to be standing up for decency for all Human Beings before we worry about our internal politics. Nothing is more important than Human Rights issues in my book.
As we work to stop torture, we need to make sure all people have Women's Rights, Civil Rights, the right to marry anyone who wants to and can give consent, health care, as clean an environment as possible..etc.

[MADem]

19. You cannot win if you cannot play

If our avenue to play is cut off, we are finished. You can howl into the wind all you want, but the biggest thing on the plate is the filibuster issue--it determines if minority voices are heard.

You can keep standing up for decency, truth, justice, and the American way, while the GOP congress votes your human rights away. Without a voice in that body, we are sunk. They win.

[Michael_Bush]

24. I don't know why more people don't understand this

Perhaps it is because it is hard to tell those thinking of the long haul to the White House and those thinking about making a haul.

Someone smarter than me once said "politics is the art of the possible". I am the first to agree that what is possible depends largely on your ability lead, to unite people behind your message. However, that requires two things, a leader with a real vision, and a populace who can grasp it.

I too strongly believe in civil rights and that what we are doing to the Afghan prisoners (by the strictest of readings) is a clear war crime. However, based on the rather underwhelming outcry from America to change that, I don't think that issue carries much weight with the American people. Should it? Heck yes, but the sad thing is that it doesn't.

Social Security and the radical changes in the Senate DO resonate with America, so we win on those messages that DO resonate and once in office, start freeing some very pissed off Muslims.

I certainly hope we can find a candidate who DOES fire up America to oppose the war crimes we are committing daily, I want one who tries, but if they are a one track record and nobody but a handful of us on the left buy in, we get another Republican in the WH for four more years and those poor prisoners will end up spending at least a decade in stockades.

[Vektor]

25. It was Otto Von Bismarck...

A wise old Prussian indeed!

[karynnj]

28. If Kerry would have spelled out the human rights abuses

rather than simply occasionally mentioning "Abu Grabeh", even if everything he said was absolutely accurate, he would have been hit harder than Newsweek was. The Republicans would accuse him of inflaming the situation, putting our soldiers at greater risk and damaging the reputations of the US soldiers - just like he did in Vietnam. The fact that the ACTIONS in both cases were the problem, not JK's repudiation of them, would have been lost in the hatred. The people he needed to win were in the middle, no country wants to accept that they are committing war crimes. Running for President on that basis would have led to a landslide.

Kerry was actually in a unique position. Rather than talking about atrocities, he spoke a lot about respecting international law and engaging in real diplomacy. He also talked about the declining prestige of the US in the world due to Bush actions. Anyone concerned with human rights abuses would be able to put together Kerry's very famous denunciation of Vietnam atrocities and violations of the Geneva Convention and his fight against covert support of the contras with Kerry's stated concern for abiding by international law to realize that a Kerry administration would not put out a memo condoning torture.

There were many people who either didn't know or accept that the US did abuse prisoners or who felt that there were reasons to excuse it. Some of the comments in MSM stories about American opinion were startling. Things like "They behead people, so what we're doing is ok because it's not as bad".

Kerry's credentials on human rights were (and are) as good as they come. He likely got all the votes there were to get on this issue. The sad thing is that 911 caused many people to feel they were so vulnerable that we had to fight "the terrorists" to save our lives and way of live using ANY means. Many of these people were contemptuous of things like the Geneva Conventions.

[creeksneakers2]

8. Dean let the GOP have it for the whole hour

There was no way he could cover anything. It would be a mistake to try. Dean was right that its best to stay with a smaller number of messages.

[Mich Otter]

17. A smaller number of messages....

The first message of that smaller list ought to be the Human Rights violations. How can we deal with Humans Rights issues here in America when we are the biggest violator on the world stage these days?
Don't get me wrong here, I like Dean even though he is not as Liberal or Socialist as I am. I just find the priorities of the Democratic Party to be lacking in real values. I tend to view the Democratic Party as being Republican-lites.

[EST]

9. I watched this morning and am watching it again

He is/was absolutely terrific!
He answered every question clearly, succinctly, and without hesitation. When the interview began, I was quite angry. As it continued, I was completely mollified and actually very happy with the way he pinned Timmy's ears back-you'd have to listen to this ten times to absorb all the high-grade truth telling. AMEN, Gov. Dean!

[Hippo_Tron]

10. All I can say is... Jon Stewart had better be back on tommorow

He'll set ol' Timmy Russert straight.

[Mich Otter]

11. Actually, Jon Stewart is likely to ..

make fun of Dean when he mis-spoke about Osama Bin Laden when he really meant to be talking about Saddam. Jon Stewart does get after Democrats when they screw up also.

[Hippo_Tron]

14. He'll do that too, but Jon can't resist making fun of Russert

[Skip Intro]

12. Watching now and he seems to be doing pretty well to me.

russert's an ass.

[Eloriel]

13. Yeah, I thought he did just fine

And it was great seeing him again, in fine form.

[MADem]

15. Next week -- CLOSET Ken Mehlman!!!

Wonder if 'Timmmmmmmaaaaay' will ask ole Kenny about THAT little issue??? Why do I think...not?

[Leafy Geneva]

29. I watched the whole program.

Russert was annoying but not at his worst. I thought Dean did just fine.

[dolstein]

20. Thank god nobody watches Meet the Press anyway

I saw it, and thought Dean was godawful. I found it pretty ironic that Dean talks about how the Democrats need to do a better job of crafting a message and sticking to it and he himself appeared on Meet the Press without any focused message. He was completely unprepared. He made a major gaffe of confusing Saddam Hussein with Osama Bin Laden (not once but TWICE).

Of course, dismal appearances on Meet the Press are pretty much par for the course when it comes to Democratic leaders. Both Edwards and Kerry sucked bigtime when they did MTP.

[Radical Activist]

21. He did a pretty good job.

Yeah, there are always things like that you won't hear Dean say.

One thing they didn't get into is why Bernie Sanders and Dean didn't always agree or get along in VT politics. Its because Sanders is a real liberal and Dean was always part of the moderate wing of the party. I think its a shame so many liberals wanted a moderate to lead them.

[Amaryllis]

22. Link to full video: http://www.dembloggers.com/

[Disturbed]

23. Russert frames the issues and...

the Dem, whoever that is, gets to be the Defendent.

[CWebster]

26. I wasn't.

Considering the dirty curve balls Russert threw him, I thought he did remarkably well for the duration.

[beaconess]

27. Why are you surprised?

Dean is no longer speaking for himself or his group of supporters. He represents the entire Democratic Party and, as such, has to be much more measured.

When Dean's name was first floated as DNC Chair, I was amused when people raved about how he would be a firebrand that the party needed, etc., knowing that he would have to temper everything he says in this sensitive position. I also wondered how long it would take for his biggest fans to turn on him once they realized that he would not use his position as DNC Chair to advance the agenda of one segment of the party.

Don't be surprised that Dean does not go around breathing fire as DNC Chair. No party chair - at least no successful one - can be that kind of rabblerouser. The party needs that, but the Chair is not the one to do it.

Dean is doing his job and, in my view, is doing it very well. Everyone should get off his back.

[reality based]

30. I think Dean did a good job

What do you remember after watching it? Dean stood his ground. He didn't back down on Tom Delay despite having Barney Frank thrown at him (thanks, Barney). In fact he may even have sharpened his "rhetoric" on that subject. He held out against the hypocrisy of the opposition. Pigboy Russert will now be forever linked in my mind with Pigboy Limbaugh after that weird attack by Russert on Dean's comment's about the addicted hypocrite. I wish Dean could have made a memorable headline with at least one new attack but going on MTP seems mainly an exercise in defense these days.

[DemocracyInaction]

33. Snapshot opinion

Didn't see the program but saw a clip run on MSNBC a few moments ago regarding his remarks about the graft and corruption ripe in this government, etc. I probably couldn't tell you what he said because his demeanor just stunned me. I don't know if he was like that throughout the program or just at that point. He looked unsure, scared, whipped, could not look up and was like he wanted to read a reply from a notecard because he was having trouble thinking fast enough. I didn't expect that he would be in a "come over the table and beat fat bastard to a pulp" but I didn't expect this. I hope the rest was better and that he was steady and forceful. For those who saw the whole thing, please tell me what you thought of his overall demeanor throughout the program. Would love to know. Thanks.

[spooky3]

34. I saw about the last 45 minutes of it...

I thought he was steady enough. He was especially good on the abortion question, maybe because his background as a physician gives him even more confidence.

One thing I would like all Dems to learn to do (from Galloway) is to take one or two sentences to address peripheral questions, then launch into making key points on whatever other issues they want to hammer home.