Posted on 12/05/2003 6:49:08 AM PST by FlyLow
On Monday’s Good Morning America, guest Howard Dean defended not releasing his gubernatorial records, from his time as Governor of Vermont, by charging: “President Bush sort of takes the cake for his sealing. He actually had his sent, as I understand it, to his father's presidential library, where there's a 50-year seal, so what I've said is every Governor does seal their records. I'll unseal mine if he'll unseal all his." In fact, Bush’s records are publicly available, but GMA didn’t follow up the next morning and has yet to correct Dean’s misstatement on their show, the MRC’s Jessica Anderson confirmed for me.
At the time, Dean’s answer came at the end of the session and ABC’s Charles Gibson simply wrapped it up: "Alright, Governor. Appreciate your being with us."
But as the AP’s Will Lester pointed out in a Monday dispatch after GMA aired: “Bush's gubernatorial documents are in the custody of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and are open under Texas public record laws. After Bush's term as governor ended, the documents were sent to his father's presidential library at Texas A&M University. The documents were moved back to archive them.” See: story.news.yahoo.com
(OpinionJournal.com’s Best of the Web www.opinionjournal.com highlighted the AP story.)
Gibson set up the December 1 segment: “We're going to turn to the front-running Democratic candidate for President of the United States, Howard Dean. He has a new book out. It is called 'Winning Back America,' and the former governor of Vermont, Governor Dean, is joining us live from Burlington, Vermont. Governor, good to have you with us."
After some questions about his reaction to his brother’s remains being found in Laos, Gibson got to the book and Dean’s efforts to “reassure people” he’s not a liberal: “Let me ask you about the book, 'Winning Back America.' As I read it, and was able to read some of it last night, it seems to me there's a conscious attempt -- and I don't mean to put words in your mouth -- but it seems to me there's a conscious attempt in here to reassure people that you're not as far to the left as some Democrats fear and as the Republicans will try to paint you. Is that a fair reading?”
Gibson cued him up for his a talking point: “You mentioned the President and the Iraq policy. I'm curious, what did you think of the President's trip to Baghdad?”
Gibson’s last question dealt with him hiding his records: “I'm curious, you mentioned in the book you tried to tell the story of your governorship in Vermont. A lot of reporters and, indeed, representatives of the candidates who have gone up to Burlington to try to find out a little bit about your record as Governor have found a lot of those records sealed. I wonder why. Is there something in those records that you don't want public?" Dean: "No, sealing gubernatorial records is routine. You don't actually get to seal the majority of your records -- just those sensitive parts that apply to other people. President Bush sort of takes the cake for his sealing. He actually had his sent, as I understand it, to his father's presidential library, where there's a 50-year seal, so what I've said is every governor does seal their records. I'll unseal mine if he'll unseal all his." Gibson: "Alright, Governor. Appreciate your being with us."
One wonders if GMA will ever set the record straight, or will at least challenge Dean to fulfill his promise to match Bush on releasing them.
Speaking of lying. Let's see Chris Wallace on FoxNews Sunday ask Old Doc Dean this one!
Doc Dean, what was your preference in skincare in Aspen when you went skiing for eight months directly after the military let you out of your obligation -- after you showed them those "x-rays"? Did you prefer 'Reflectant Sunscreen Cream', 'Sun E45 High protection Lotion', or the 'Coppertone Ultrashade 23 Lotion' -- it provides your skin's natural sunburn protection while simultaneously providing a unique method of skin hydration. Skin protection is maintained for eight hours during water sports and vigorous exercise such as skiing in Aspen. So Doc, what's the scoop, eh?"
What do you think?
I don't even wonder about it, I know they won't. Why should they? It's not like they are real journalists with a yen for truth or anything.
Really. I personally think Chris Wallace will come out swinging. Tony Snow was a very nice guy, but a little to soft for my taste. This Wallace may be out to make an impression. (And who knows, Hillary might order him to cut Dean to ribbons. ;) )
Mike Wallace Chris' father, could be a real a**-kicker back in the '60's when he lit into someone. I think the kid has some of that inborn trait. I agree with you that letters of suggestions would be great.
That Sunday show, will not be missed here. I think if Dean is confronted with the skiing thing, it could be just the thing that will make him 'lose it'. And we're all waiting for that aren't we?
This Sunday interview of Doc Dean, in my opinion, is going to be a keeper! See it.
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