Rivals Hit Dean for Criticism of Party Boss

[dolstein]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean's rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination lashed out Monday at his criticism of party chief Terry McAuliffe for failing to exert the leadership needed to prevent a bloody primary battle.

. . .

"If we had strong leadership in the Democratic Party, they would be calling those other candidates and saying, 'Hey look, somebody's going to have to win here,' " The New York Times quoted Dean as saying Sunday during a campaign swing in Iowa.

But Dean's leading rivals have accused Dean of being unable to take what he dishes out.

"That struck me as outrageous coming from Howard Dean, who launched the first negative ads of the campaign who has repeatedly and divisively attacked the Democratic Party, other Democratic candidates and the Democratic leadership," Sen. Joseph Lieberman told reporters Monday.

"What does he do now that he's being substantively challenged? He goes complaining to the party chairman that we're being mean to him," Lieberman said. "Well, I have some news for Howard Dean: The primary campaign is a warm-up compared to what George Bush and Karl Rove have for the nominee."

. . .

Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri, who polls show running neck-and-neck with Dean in January's Iowa caucuses, said any attempt to limit the debate among the candidates "would be an insult to Democratic voters."

"Howard Dean has spent the last year criticizing me and other candidates at every opportunity," said Gephardt, who is making his second bid for the White House. "Now, as he makes a series of embarrassing gaffes that underscore the fact he is not well-equipped to challenge George Bush, he suddenly wants to change the rules of the game."

http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/12/29/elec04.prez.dean.democrats/index.html

Personally, I think Dean is acting like a giant weenie by demanding that Principal McAuliffe tell all the other kids to stop picking on him. As one of the people who, at least according to Dean, isn't part of the "Democratic wing" of the Democratic Party, I think it's ridiculous that Dean is suddenly declaring himself off limits to negative attacks. I can't say I'm surprised though -- this kind of hypocrisy and arrogance is typical of the Dean campaign.

[LuminousX]

1. Dean didn't get any points from me on this

I think with Terry already giving up his position, he has indicated that he is 'out of this race' and is just waiting hand over the reins to whoever gets the nomination. Dean is, I hate to say, being slightly presumptious in his statement, but is just voicing his frustration over the attacks of a thousand cuts that seem to be coming at him.

It is a passing thing. If Dean gets the nomination, he'll be able to reshape the DNC.

[The Zanti Regent]

39. PLEASE REMEMBER--THE TARGETS ARE BUSH AND DE LAY!

Please, we cannot hand Karl Rove any ammunition!

[Martin_Frick]

43. Bush may be the target - the question is, can Howard Dean hit the target?

Every day brings some other new bizarre statement from him. In the last two weeks, we've seen a spectacular (almost daily) display of verbal gaffes from him, now this.

So, if we agree that the goal is to beat Bush, the question should be -- can Dean actually beat Bush? Or will Dean do all of Bush and Rove's work for them?

If Dean keeps this up, he may not make it past South Carolina. Iowa could tilt for Gephardt, New Hampshire may revolt from Dean since the state is notorious for abandoning front runners in the final weeks, and Dean has major weaknesses in the South.

Crazy thing is, Dean's worst enemy is apparently Howard Dean.

[Fleshdancer]

2. Who here thinks McAuliffe is doing a great job?

I don't neccessarily agree with Dean that McAuliffe should be a referee when Democrats decide to eat their own to regain frontrunner status, but does anyone here really think McAuliffe is doing a good job with the DNC?

[fjc]

5. The measure is winning elections...

so no, he's not doing a great job. And though what Dean said is an advantage for Dean, it is also true. We're eviscerating our own, and the so-called leadership of the party are, as I understand it, obligated to do something about it. Since they don't, I can only surmise they support this feeding frenzy. Another reason I don't think he's doing a good job.

[Cocoa]

8. suppose he censured Dean

say, when Dean used the cynical GOP medicare talking point, "Scaring seniors" against the dems?

Seems reasonable to me, dems shouldn't be able to get away with using Gingrich rhetoric against the dems.

[fjc]

10. That would be fine with me.

At least the leadership would show some backbone. Debate it the open, I say.

[IndianaGreen]

7. McCauliffe should be fired for his many failures

Being a Clinton crony is not enough qualification for DNC Chair.

[maggrwaggr]

14. yeah, look at the rest of the article and see all the GOP-like bashing

of Dean.

If the Dumbs had any leadership, somebody would be orchestrating this while still letting the candidates say what they need to say to compete.

What's been happening is a crystal-clear picture of how we don't have leadership in the Dumbocratic party.

McAuliffe needs to go. They all need to go. Except for Byrd and Kucinich. The rest can go be corporate "yes-men" somewhere, which is what they're really cut out for.

[Cocoa]

15. what's more GOP-like than "scaring seniors?"

Maybe Zell has topped Dean on that one, but I doubt McAuliffe has ever said anything close to that Dean gem.

[Lefta Dissenter]

3. If Dean isn't careful,

he's going to end up sounding as whiny as Lieberman!

This is what the primaries are all about. I don't know where this idea came from that the entire Democratic Party is supposed to unite behind one candidate before even one vote is cast. Why even bother with the primaries?

(oh, by the way, if we are going to do away with the primaries and all unite behind one candidate, let's make it Clark, ok?)

[Demobrat]

11. Ummmm...

No. I want a president, not a commander in chief.

[KittyWampus]

22. So You're Suggesting That The Military No Longer Be Under Civilian Rule?

or are you admitting that Dean as Commander in Chief would be not such a good idea...

[Demobrat]

28. I'm suggesting that the president

should have experience beyond the military. Every time Clark says "I want to be commander in chief and that's why I'm running" I want to puke. Who's going to run the country while he's busy micro-managing the pentagon and waving bye-bye to our software jobs?

[Cocoa]

4. It's all about winning

They're all trying to win, of course, but this gets tiring. Dean just knows that McAuliffe isn't popular with the dem rank and file, and that he can score points against him by bringing him into the thing. McAuliffe has been pretty fair this primary season, imo.

It's clear that he and Dean don't see eye to eye, but I've heard him heap just as much praise on Dean and others like Kucinich, even though they have criticized the party.

But McAuliffe can and should be able to take it. I just hate seeing a new cycle of this crap.

Stop the madness!

[KittyWampus]

23. It's All About "Winning"? No, Lately With Dean It's All About "Whining"

and I am sure only a certain small minority of Democratic Rank and Filers are really anti-McAuliffe...

and a sizeable number of Democratic Voters don't even know who Terry McAuliffe is.

[shance]

6. Of course McCauliffe should be showing some leadership.

It appears these engagers of badwill towards Dean would rather fuel flames so establishment and business as usual can prevail.

I cannot believe the lack of discipline and self control from most of the other candidates.

And you are bringing up whiners?

I have seen more larger than life drama throughout these past few years, but I have never had the opportunity to use more fictional comparisons than now. The Congressmen running for president right now remind me of the wicked stepmothers children in Cinderella. Guess whos the wicked stepmother? Terry McCauliffe must be quite panicked about his powerfully connected and lucrative position because hes doing nothing to save the Democratic party. Nice to see such an authentic leader selling the Party down the river.


So these esteemed Congressmen are upset and panicked because they arent winning it seems, and so, by revealing their true leadership skills, they engage in a pirahnna fest because they know thats the ONLY chance they will have to even make it to the general. These highly esteemed Congressmen have shown the lowest level of leadership throughout this election, save Kucnich, who has thrown some cheap shots, but at times they all have save Braun. They are consumed with saving a system that is killing us, our country, our way of life, our world, which to say the least is the antithesis of leadership. And now they are blaming the one who so far has been the maverick in blazing a trail for change.



The saddest part is due to these so called "leaders" own fear and greed for power and all that comes with it, they are attacking the candidate with the most integrity, guts and courage. This could be the end of America if we continue to attack the good ones. This is what scares me the most.

Other than focusing on the possibilities and moving forward, we should be attacking George Bush's policies and THATS it. It seems we are having to be more adult than they are.

[KittyWampus]

24. Dean Is The One With NO Discipline Over What Comes From His Mouth

At this point, it has become epic... and embarrasing.

And Dean IS the establishment and no less connected to Big Business and Wall Street than any other caniddate.

Apparently not all Dean supporters got the memo... you don't say Dean is anti-establishment or an outsider anymore... since that line has become absurd.

You must now remember to say Dean is anti WASHINGTON Establishment.

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[PassingFair]

36. Right On, Mr./Ms. Shance!

I saw Reed on a talk fest with a cadre of American Enterprise Institute jackals, and it was clear that he was sliding over to their side of the table. Can't remember the name of the good guy speaking for our side, but Reed and the mad-faced hyenas made him look like Gandhi.
The DLC has been attacking Dean since day one, and it's clear that the DNC has a stake in sinking him, too.

Screw them. I say let's get to the bottom of just WHO had partnerships in the Enron Raptor deals and the like. We know that some dems are up to their necks in muck from Global Crossing, etc. If it takes a Howard Dean to clean up our Augean Stable of a Congress, then so be it.

GIVE 'EM HELL, HOWARD.

[Name removed]

40. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sendero]

37. Oh sure.....

.... I'd rather hear the measured, don't offend anybody, don't say anything, waffle house comments that many of the remaining candidates are so fond of making. Not.

Did it ever occur to you that Dean's propensity to say what is on his mind just might be a big part of his appeal?

Didn't think so.

[Melinda]

25. Brilliant synopsis, shance, & exactly what I think as well.

Thank you. :hi:

[shance]

34. Thanks.

Its hard not to take the bait, isnt it?

but sometimes you just gotta say what the f***?

:)

[tsipple]

9. Terry McAuliffe Didn't Even Expel Zell Miller

"Democratic" Senator Zell Miller has announced that he's endorsing George W. Bush, and not a single one of the nine (nine!) Democrats running will get his precious vote.

Now that's a weak DNC if they can't say, "Thanks, Zell. You're an independent now. Buh-bye."

I'm not saying the Democratic Party can't be incredibly tolerant and big tent-ish. But if that's not way past crossing the line, I don't know what is.

On edit: I think there is a role for McAuliffe in being a party leader, and part of that job is pulling back some of the extreme rhetoric going on. I don't necessarily fault McAuliffe for that, though. He's not the strongest party spokesman, but is good at certain other things, such as the Demzilla project. Perhaps adding an official party spokesman to the roster would help?

[velocity]

12. Terry McAuliffe is an ASS

and Dean is right on the dollar.

All the Dems are attacking the leader in the polls. As for Terry just talk about 2002 and 2000 elections.

[maggrwaggr]

13. Once again Dean tells it like it is

How do you think Dean got to where he is?

Because the Dumbocratic party has no leadership.

He's the new leader as far as I'm concerned and he can criticize McOlive all he wants. Somebody should for cryin' out loud!

[Cocoa]

17. not even close to how it is

compared to the failures and crimes of Bush and the GOP, and the lapdog media, the flaws of the DNC are simply not worth talking about.

All this is about is that Dean gets a comparative advantage from strife within the party.

That's good for Dean's limited self-interest, but it's not good for you or me or for the country.

edit: it's also good for the media, who has been feeding off and encouraging this "dem division" issue, which in reality has as much importance as Scott Peterson. Shame on Dean for exploiting this.

[ldf]

38. bullcrap

the flaws of the current power brokers of the democratic party are the very reason that we are being subjected to the failures and crimes of Bush and the GOP.

more power to dean, may he speak his mind more often.

and that "dean's limited self-interest" bit is a crock, too.

dean wants to save our democracy. the democrat powers that be want to make some "slight adjustments", as long as they continue to call the shots.

it is time for wholesale change, and WE should be calling the shots, and that is exactly what dean is saying.

[SharonAnn]

16. Well, I told the DNC fund-raising guy who called me

that I was very unhappy with the national leadership of the Democratic Party and would not be contributing to it at this time (I've always contributed before). I feel they led us to a loss in 2002 and are continuing the same-old, same-old.

I was also particularly unhappy with the criticisms by some of the candidates about other candidates and that stronger, more focused leadership would guide the strategies of the candidates.

Until I saw something positive change at the DNC level I was giving my contributions only to individual candidates who speak about the issues important to me, and they relate to "How are we going to beat Gearge Bush!"

I told him several times I was disgusted with the DNC leadership and also the DLC and that a strong DNC leader would've also reined in the DLC and their negative comments.

I know, McAuliffe's job is fund-raising but I think he should also be a leader.

[thinkahead]

18. Establishment candidates

support establishment leader.

No big surprise. This was a tactical move on Dean's part - and allows him to point out the failures of McAuliffe, which are many. He is in no small way making it clear he would replace McAuliffe, who as Richard Gephardt might say (if he weren't an establishment Dem) has been a miserable failure.

I think Dean has earned the right to criticize the party chief, having outfundraised (McAuliffe's job for those of you not paying attention) the DNC - and brought Hundreds of Thousands of new people into the process (another of McAuliffe's jobs).

I'm not saying the other candidates shouldn't criticize Dean, that's what primaries are about... but it doesn't have to be this ugly. If you read between the lines of Dean's statements lately, he makes it clear he doesn't appreciate the party leaders egging on sometimes clearly false attacks against him when he is doing more for the Democratic Party than they have been able to.

Rather than bolting and running as an independent, I just think Dean is gearing up for what might have to be a hostile takeover, since it appears the establishment is out to sink him.

More power to him I say - we need effective leadership, and we don't have it now.

[DennisReveni]

20. All about Hillary

It is all about Hillary 2008. Terry has no need to step in his priorities are for then. The DNC leadership has been treating Dean crappy.
Here is an example,
http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=17438
"n an open letter dated Sept. 10, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Assistant Minority Leader Steny Hoyer, and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Robert Menendez led dozens of other top Congressional Democrats criticized Dean for his statements. Other signatories included such Democratic stalwarts as Howard Berman, Gary Ackerman, Robert Matsui, Tom Lantos, Nita Lowey, Barney Frank, Patrick Kennedy, Edward Markey, Ellen Tauscher, Linda Sanchez, Jose Serrano, Harold Ford, and Shelley Berkley.

The letter characterized Dean's call for a more balanced approached by the U.S. government in the peace process as questioning Israel's right to exist in peace and security. In their letter, the House Democratic leadership also declared that U.S. policy must be "based on unequivocal support for Israel's right to exist and to be free from terror," even though Dean has never given even a hint of believing anything to the contrary.

Ignoring Governor Dean's repeated and categorical denunciation of Palestinian terrorism, the House Democratic leaders also declared that Americans must "raise our voices against all forms of terrorism" and that "this is not the time to be sending mixed messages."

To have virtually the entire Democratic House leadership openly criticize a policy statement made by their own front-runner is unprecedented. It is also indicative of Pelosi's determination to make clear that such voices of moderation have no place in the Democratic Party."

Is it any wonder that the DLC types would act the same way?
They fear not Dean but the base he motivated. They see a potential Reform party movement.
And they definitely don't want that.
Many people think that the Dems started failing the people with the Bush election. But Clinton gave us NAFTA, Defense of Marriage, Welfare Reform, Increase in drug war ( according to Harrelson's WEED documentary 3 million more people were jailed under Clinton),Bill Clinton was the one who signed the Digital Millennium Copyright Act,Bill Clinton was the one who signed the Sonny Bono Copyright Extension Act, Media deregulation, and had ambassadors shilling for the arms industry.
http://www.motherjones.com/news/special_reports/arms/
"Early on, Clinton required our diplomats to shill for arms merchants to their host countries. The results were immediate: During Clinton's first year in office, U.S. arms sales more than doubled. From 1993 to 1997, the U.S. government sold, approved, or gave away $190 billion in weapons to virtually every nation on earth.

The arms industry, meanwhile, has greased the wheels. It filled the Democratic Party coffers to the tune of nearly $2 million in the 1998 election cycle."

Could that be the reason for the near daily bombings of Iraq after he pulled the inspectors, repay for the donations? After all only the Defense industry profited by that.
http://www.motherjones.com/news/special_reports/arms/lobbying.html
"In 1993 Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) proposed that arms sales to Indonesia be linked to that country's human-rights record. Lobbyists immediately went to work opposing Feingold's proposal. As one complained to the Legal Times, "Every time a human-rights issue comes up, they jump on it and say, 'Let's cut off arms sales to Bongo Bongo.'"

The lobbyist then became defiant: "We'll fight Feingold; we'll fight each senator if we have to. The defense industry has to fight each one of these battles."

The Indonesian government's "registered foreign agents" -- its lobbyists in the U.S. -- disengaged from the fray and let American arms exporters do the fighting. The arms makers impressed upon legislators that tying arms exports to human rights meant the loss of jobs to foreign competitors. The State and Defense Departments phoned Feingold to let him know of the Clinton administration's opposition to the bill. The Feingold bill went down in flames."

Clearly they didn't care about accountability.
Terry M is just another in this chain. The chain hopes to put Hillary in as POTUS in 2008. They could care less about what four more years of Bush does.
Because they protect the same people. The swill at the same corporate trough.
It is just horrible that this party has become so corrupt. That they would good decent people to suffer so that one of their own could carry on for their own corporate interests.

[w4rma]

21. Drudge -- Wrong Again

Anyone who knows anything about how the DNC works -- knows that there is no way any of the candidates for president could have any impact on the DNC chairmanship -- least of all the Dean Campaign. Particularly in the days following the New Hampshire primary regardless of the result. No one from the Dean Campaign leaked anything to Drudge -- this report is like a National Enquirer headline proclaiming "Martians surprised that George Bush is our leader"

Now back to the process of encouraging Americans to participate in their democracy.... Keep the focus on how each of us can encourage one more friend, co-worker, or family member to join the Dean Campaign this week.

Ask them to visit our website or this blog and sign-up.

Joe Trippi
campaign manager
Dean for America

Posted by Joe Trippi at 11:15 PM
http://blog.deanforamerica.com/archives/000630.html

[Martin_Frick]

44. Unless one of those candidates win -- and then they have huge influence

<<Anyone who knows anything about how the DNC works -- knows that there is no way any of the candidates for president could have any impact on the DNC chairmanship -- least of all the Dean Campaign.>>

But Dean apparently feels the opposite is true -- that the DNC chairmanship can have an impact on the strategies of his opponents, hence his complaint to the DNC in the first place.

I'll tell you, Dean's complaint is one of the strangest campaign statements I've heard a candidate say since Bush said Social Security was not a Government Program. If he keeps this up, Rove is going to eat him alive.

[shance]

33. Has anyone ever told you, you should be in politics?

:)

Very inciteful.

and I love the handle.***

[NNN0LHI]

19. Does someone here think Lieberman is wrong for suggesting this?

>>>Lieberman said. "Well, I have some news for Howard Dean: The primary campaign is a warm-up compared to what George Bush and Karl Rove have for the nominee."<<<

[thinkahead]

29. No he is not wrong

referring to him as a "mad cow" might be, but that's debatable.

Dean has no illusions about how tought the GE will be - he's probably just wishing he could use more of the massive warchest he is building up against Bush - rather than playing defense against some wild and fearful assertions from his own party.

[Isere]

31. The other nominees are doing Dean a favor

and he should listen up! He needs to get control of his mouth and his message if he is going to make it in prime time. Throwing raw meat to the believers is one thing and winning over the rest of the country is quite another.

It amazes me that Dean supporters seem to think that he should be above criticism because he is ahead in the polls. Earth to Deaniacs: not one single vote has been cast yet! I know that since Florida the value of the vote has been diminished, but let's try to act as though this is a democracy and not a monarchy.

I wish Dean well and I hope he pulls himself together as a candidate who can reach out to the entire party and the entire country. I have donated to his campaign and have admired his spunk. But I don't like his lashing out at the Clintons and the DLC and I feel he is becoming unnecessarily divisive.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

35. Lieberman's dead on right

and Dean looks like a dolt here. He shows his complete lack of pedigree in the party- and politics for that matter.

[RetroLounge]

47. You would agree with ANYONE

that says something critical of Dean.

It pretty obvious to me and lot others that your opinion means squat.

So type your Dean Bash, then...

:boring:

[GRClarkesq]

26. At this point Dean will be criticized for suggesting

the sun rises in the east.

[Emillereid]

30. Don't know about you guys, but I'm losing faith in the Democratic Party --

it won't matter who wins the democratic primary because whoever emerges will be so beat up, all Rove will have to do is pick through the transcripts of the primary season for great lines to throw against 'our candidate.' Here we are in an historically critical election to determine the fundamental direction of our nation and we have the Dems eating their own. Leiberman particularly galls me with his unwarranted and vicious attacks on Dean. He should just drop out -- he has no real support. As for the others, I have no problem with their airing their genuine policy differences or even differences in the proper direction of the Democratic Party, but when they start making statements asserting that Dean can't win, etc. etc., they're just making it harder for us to recoup if Dean is the winner. I think they should all make a statement that any of the others would be vastly superior to Bush and that they are prepared to give they're unwavering support to whoever wins. But that doesn't seem likely. At this moment I desperately wish we had a viable third party.

[GRClarkesq]

32. Always like this for the party out of power

At least Dean, if he is indeed nominated, will have the cash to keep fighting. Any of the others (Kerry included since he has no cash) would have to take a beating while waiting for more public financing.

[Danieljay]

41. and the current administration...

sits back, props up their feet, and watch the democrats self destruct.

I'm not sure who I support, I was leaning toward Dean, though watching Kucinich speeches.... the guy blows me away! I'm unsure of his chance of winning (or any democrat for that matter), especially with a corporate owned media, republican sponsored voting machines, a brainwashed short sighted American public, a fear mongering idiot in the White House, and a democratic party that is so focused on criticizing each other they forget they are supposed to be on the same side.

What gives?

[Manix]

42. Jeez and I thought the enemy was Bush!!!

nt

[Voltaire99]

45. Go, Dean! Squash the cockroaches!

And no bigger cockroach than the corporate flunkie McAuliffe, who has helped make the party a collection of whelps. The Dem collapse that has allowed the disastrous current war and tax cuts are testaments to crypto-conservative McAuliffe's failures.

Hight time for this kind of confrontation. I like Dean more by the day.

[leesa]

46. Dean's right to criticise him. He has been working to hand the

Democrats over to the GOP for years...and Lieberman and Gephart are helping. McAuliffe deserves to be called what he is, a weak and ineffective leader who is ensuring the chaos that might allow the GOP to win.

[edzontar]

48. Go Dean! Smite the loser-DINOs.

It is about time someone told the truth about Terry and the other authors of our party's decline.