Dean Lashes Out at Rivals; Democrat 'Tired of Being a Pincushion'

Washingtonpost ^ | 01/13/04 | John F. Harris and Dan Balz

[Pikamax]

washingtonpost.com Dean Lashes Out at Rivals Democrat 'Tired of Being a Pincushion'

By John F. Harris and Dan Balz Washington Post Staff Writers Tuesday, January 13, 2004; Page A01

PELLA, Iowa, Jan. 12 -- Former Vermont governor Howard Dean opened the final week of campaigning before next week's crucial Iowa caucuses with a sharp attack on his leading rivals Monday, charging that they are part of a Washington establishment that failed to hold President Bush to account and that they cannot bring change to the capital or the country.

The campaign in Iowa remains extremely fluid, with many undecided voters. Dean's decision to push back against his opponents underscored concerns among his advisers and supporters that he has spent too much time on the defensive in recent weeks and that he has sometimes appeared rattled by rivals' attacks and lackluster in debate.

Dean's advisers have worried for some time about how other candidates can gang up on him. On Monday, Dean explained his new, more aggressive posture by saying, "I'm tired of being a pincushion here."

[ChadGore]

Poor Coward Dead . . he just doesn't get it.

[Keith]

thinskinned people don't make good presidents..this is gonna be one hilarious campaign...pop the popcorn...

[Paleo Conservative]

I think piñata is a better metaphor.

[RoseofTexas]

OHHHHHH PLEZ!! Let it be WINGY DINGY DEAN as the nominee! PLEZZZZZZZ!!

[Jumper]

The good Doctor better understand the prescription for the leader of the free world, e.g., exclusively the United States today (as EUrope is now socialist) is a heavy dose of bandaids for pinpricks who like a pack of dogs will nip at his heals.

[AdamSelene235]

pin cushion?

More like feces throwing schizoid chimp.

[mylife]

this is gonna be one hilarious campaign...pop the popcorn...

Agreed

[Let's Roll]

Must be gettin' pretty hot in the kitchen ...

hehe - it's just gettin' started

[pacpam]

What kinds of crackers and cheeses does HD want with his 'whine'. He is becoming comical with his sucker punches and then saying he can't be hit back. WHAMO!

[mylife]

thinskinned people don't make good presidents.

I like the way GW responded to Oneils accussations. He refrained from saying anything bad about the guy and thanked him for his service. GW knows he doesnt need to say a word in order for the guy to look bad.

[Ronin]

This guy is squealing like a fat kid on an elementary school playground. LOL.

[mylife]

What kinds of crackers and cheeses does HD want with his 'whine'

Hey is that a vermont thing? ;^)

[Owen]

This is what happens when internal polls indicate a problem. Replying to attacks is always done to stop bleeding.

[mylife]

Well Deans gonna hemorrage before its over

[vpintheak]

Dean has just been showing his true colors lately, with his outbursts at old men and lying until called on it on the race issue. It is great to see, even if he gets the nomination there are enough people out there with common sense to see right through him. W is assured victory.

[Mark]

Calling Terry McAwful! Bring hot milk and cooookies.

[Howlin]

He's gonna blow.

[Paleo Conservative]

GW knows he doesnt need to say a word in order for the guy to look bad.

That goes all the way back to his 1994 run for governor. Ann Richards really looked bad when instead of returning more mud, W ran ads asking the governor to stick to the issues and stop running personal attack ads.

[Howlin]

This is what happens when internal polls indicate a problem.

I thought the same thing when I saw him on TV tonight; he knows something.

And I'm getting worried about Edwards again.