[Peace-discuss] Re:[Peace] Criticism of media coverage of Dean

[jencart]

Hi Mary Lee and Kimberlie,

I'm a Dean $upporter, too.  I don't have a big problem w/ his gaffs, but I think he could do a MUCH  better job of defending his statements when he's criticised for putting his foot in it.  Why not admit he's angry w/ the Bush presidency?  Why not say he doesn't personally agree w/ displaying the confederate flag, but that it's a free speech issue, and that even black voters in MS voted to retain it, go figure..... Instead of admitting "the rant" was not presidential, Dean could respond, as he did, that presidents are human beings BUT then add  some examples -- was it presidential for Lyndon Johnson to show his gallbladderectomy scar?  Or Carter to admit he lusts in his heart/Playboy inerview, or Bill Clinton to say what kind of underwear he wears? For Kennedy to play football on the White House lawn, etc. I'm sure there are some great examples that don't involve Marilyn or Monica..... And it's def not presidential to steal from and and lie, etc to 
the Amer People (I think he covered this one)  

Mostly, I think Dean MUST do a better job of telling voters why they hafta loose their $2,000 tax breaks -- yeah, $300 came my way, along w/ the big real estate increases Dean mentions, ditto my sister, but my son, the Bush supporter (sorry, where did I go wrong?) got $2k breaks for marriage, 2 wage-earners, small kids/no college costs yet, and doesn't wanna give that up...... Dean also MUST explain why we need to balance the budget, bec regular folks don't understand that the huge amt of $ going out daily to cover interest on that debt is prob the second biggest $ outgo the US has -- after our own military costs, and right before what we give to Israel...... News to most voters....

Just my 2 cents, in case you have access to the ear of an advisor, out there in NH, Mary Lee...... Good news -- the more they air the "rant", the less hysterical and objectionable it seems, whereas when I tuned in and saw it live, I was pretty embarrassed and appalled, esp when I realized he'd only come in 3rd..... Also, if Dean doesn't get the nomination, he's done us the service of making the other top candidates into Democrats again -- speaking out against the war, the Bush policies, Patriot act, etc, because Dean showed that that was what folks really wanted to hear.  Our physician-candidate gave the Demo party the spine transplant it desperately needed.  Only 2 candidates won the IA caucuses and went on to become president, so I'm still hoping Dean can pull it off -- some say that any publicity is good publicity/name recognition, but if not,  I'm thinking a Kerry-Edwards ticket might have a great chance of beating Bush in November, maybe better 
than Dean.... and they're currently saying all the right, uh left, things..... I like the image of Kerry coming back from Vietnam, throwing down his medals and joining the peace movement....

Thanks for the forum,
Jenifer C.
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