Howard Dean is more than a little confused

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

I've been trying to figure out where Dean is coming from... it's baffling.

The stuff about compromise and how there's no point to outreach that raises hackles and all is stuff one could maybe argue about as a practical matter. It's the starting frame I can't get past...

"It is a real affront to those who lost their lives, including Muslims. That site doesn't belong to any religion."

The old Burlington Coat Factory doesn't belong to any religion? Or does he mean the neighborhood? Does having a church in a neighborhood mean the church "owns" that site? Is the site lower Manhattan... the Bowery... the financial district... Manhattan... New York City?

Is a Muslim community center really an "affront" to Muslims who lost their lives on 9/11?

Really?

(When you are on the radio rambling about how a Muslim community center is an affront to Muslims it suggests you haven't thought the thing through enough.)

I've listened to that answer several times and it keeps getting weirder.

All I can figure is that Dean thinks he is trying to show Dems up for election the "reasonable" way to finesse the issue. (And doing a poor job of it!)

His answer and op/ed are that kind of ultimate falling-into-a-black-hole stupid that only politics can generate.

[wellst0nev0ter]

1. There Are Easier Ways To Get To China

Well, Dean did say he wants to represent those voters who have Confederate flags on their pick-me-up trucks :eyes:

[geardaddy]

2. Maybe he doesn't want it there, because

It will remove the store bearing the name of the largest city in Vermont?

;)

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. I wonder what came over him.

Drugs?

[DURHAM D]

4. The time to ask what is wrong with Howard Dean was when -

he hired this woman as CEO of the DNC.

http://www.democrats.org/a/2007/04/democratic_nati_21.php

Also time to review his (their) history with regard to handling of LGBT issues and staff.

This is one of those situations where people are waking up to the fact that their ox is finally being gored. Before now the gored ox didn't really matter.

[TheKentuckian]

5. I really don't get it. Nor the sensitivity of the victims argument

What is it that is supposed to be offensive?

What do these folks think these people have to do with 9/11?

What is the minimum acceptable distance from the WTC location that is acceptable for religious organization?

How is something "sacred ground" with a bunch of money changers, stores, strip clubs, and every kind of money making and activity?

Why does everyone all the sudden care?

[DFLforever]

6. I think he volunteered for the assignment

A prominent Democrat not up for election and willing to "defuse" the controversy for the party, so it can't be blamed on the Dems, That helps explains to me his incoherent argument and seeming ignorance of the facts. And that he would repeat it a few times and then write it up?

He's taking one for the team.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

7. I agree (But doing a poor job of it)

[DFLforever]

8. He's doesn't much believe what he's saying.

But the key message is conveyed: Top Democrat opposes mosque at Grd Zero.

Repubs no longer own the issue.