Dean says no foreign government should ever control our ports.

[madfloridian]

http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/02/governor_dean_i_4.php

The Weakest Adminstration on Defense We Have Seen in Many, Many Years"

(From a speech given by Governor Dean earlier today at the the Annual Conference of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. -- Tim)

"Karl Rove says that the Republicans are going to win on the issue of defense. I submit to you that if the issue is defense, the Republicans will lose because this is the weakest Administration on defense that we've seen in many, many years. What I mean is this. For five years this President has been in the White House. For five years North Korea continues to possess nuclear weapons. For five years this Administration has been in the White House, Iran moves closer every day to producing nuclear weapons. For four years, Osama Bin Laden has been on the loose and remains so. And today we see the specter, as reported in the Jerusalem post- of a company that is about to take over American ports, which actively continues today to boycott Israel.

"The Democrats have a better idea. First we will conclude the negotiations with the Chinese and the North Koreans to disarm North Korea. Secondly, under no circumstances will a Democratic Administration ever allow Iran to become a nuclear power. Three, we will kill or capture Osama bin Laden and four, the authority and the control of the ports of the United States must be retained by American companies.

"We are not simply speaking about the United Arab Emirates -- we are also speaking about the western ports which are controlled by companies controlled by the Chinese government. Foreign governments of any kind ought not to be controlling American ports, especially when the Coast Guard already recommended that they could not guarantee the security of the ports."

[The Magistrate]

1. Gov. Dean Knows The Score, Ma'am

He knows how the game is played, and how to fight.

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[Mythsaje]

2. Hmmm...

As much as I like Dean in general, some of this comes across as weak rhetoric. HOW, exactly, are we going to conclude the talks with China and N. Korea with the result we want? And HOW, exactly, are we going to prevent Iran from getting nukes--that's assuming they want nukes in the first place. And, last but not least, how are we going to find and catch Bin Laden?

At least he's right about the ports deal.

[blm]

4. Well, I think he's saying it all needs to be revisited to avoid charges of

being hypocritical.

This may prove to be a very smart move politically, even if it can't be acted upon practically.

[Mythsaje]

6. Oh, I agree...

It probably IS a smart move politically. But I also think we need to go to great lengths to figure out if they're just after nuclear power, or have an interest in nuclear weapons as well. One of these is reasonable, if possibly misguided, the other is something we should be concerned with.

I like Dean, and think he's refreshingly forthright most of the time. The tone of this just struck me funny.

[blm]

7. heh...it struck me as using the natural prejudices of Bush's base against

him. Not a compleely fair move by Chairman Dean, but, it will likely prove effective, and THAT is really his job.

[Mythsaje]

8. There is that, isn't there?

I suppose it's my fault for being such a nuanced thinker. LOL

[blm]

10. heh...we're ALL guilty of being nuanced thinkers - we're Democrats.

Proud to be a nuanced thinker.

[Mythsaje]

11. It's one of those...

Well, but... And... Then again... Maybeso... But... Might want to add... With the caveat...

Drives my stepmom nuts when she asks me what she assumes to be a "yes" or "no" question. She says I'm just like my dad in that. My wife knows better, my stepmom just doesn't get it.

Hand me a rule, I'm looking for the exception. LOL

[madfloridian]

18. Totally fair, blm. In politics and war....what's the term?

Of course that is what he was doing....and well done.

Mehlman tried to squirm out of giving straight answers, left the podium and disappeared. Dean stepped up and said he wanted to talk about it.

Dana Milbanks column tonight. Kind of funny.

Yes, part of politics.

[blm]

19. I agree totally fair in the political sense.

I just mean by the usual standards that Dems normally seek to attan as people, it's not really fair, but as a political tactic, I believe he's acting brilliantly with this move.

Heh - see mf - we really DO get on the same page more often than not when we see smart politics at work for an overall goal. ;))))

[spanone]

3. Is it just me, or does the news media ignore Mr. Dean?

I don't think it's just me.

[madfloridian]

14. Not sure.

He was traveling to western states and having meetings with local groups last week. I am not sure if they ignore, or if he was just unavailable. I notice they ignore the press releases more often than not.

Hard to tell if it is intended or just coincidental.

[EVDebs]

17. Hammer them on the similarity to the Ptech scandal...that never got public

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2481878&mesg_id=2482256

[iconoclastNYC]

16. Yes unless he gets a little exuberant

Then they are all over it.

[Norquist Nemesis]

21. Yes, unless they get an RNC or RoveAlert Fax n/t

[Minnesota Libra]

5. Exactly!!!!!! Our ports - our control nt

[Cleita]

9. That's a no brainer, isn't it. Why don't the Bushbots get it?

Oh, I forgot. It's because we no longer have a democracy and those fat Republican cats think that the masses are asses anyway. We are disposable human beings to them. Just use us and throw us away like a kleenex when we are no longer of any use to them or get in the way.

[me b zola]

12. I agree with Dean about the ports

A country can be your ally one day, and the next you can be at war with them. None of our national security assets should be foreign controlled.

[Just Me]

13. That's been my position. Moreover, no company gets a free pass,...

,...when it comes to complying with U.S. law. The contract with UAE basically has an immunity provision where NO business records have to be kept on U.S. soil precluding a court from obtaining those docs. I wonder if other contracts to foreign companies or foreign-owned/controlled corps have also been given such immunity. If so, I say "bullshit"!!!! :grr:

[understandinglife]

15. K&R.

Peace.

[helderheid]

20. Please sign the MoveOn petition

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x548676