NewsMax Report Prompts Dean-Bin Laden Retraction

NewsMax.com ^ | 12/27/03 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

Democratic presidential front-runner Howard Dean was forced to retract comments yesterday where he warned against prejudging the guilt of 9/11 terror mastermind Osama bin Laden, prompted by NewsMax.com's coverage of the story.

"As an American, I want to make sure he gets the death penalty he deserves," Dean hastily told the Associated Press, hours after NewsMax called attention to his bizarre comments to the Concord Monitor, which posted its interview with the leading Democrat earlier in the day.

In remarks that went unnoticed till late Friday, Dean had told the New Hampshire paper, "I still have this old-fashioned notion that even with people like Osama, who is very likely to be found guilty, we should do our best not to, in positions of executive power, not to prejudge jury trials."

The news was further obscured by Monitor editors, whose headline - "Dean's secure in his view of Saddam" - gave no clue of the bombshell quote obtained by their reporter Lisa Wangness.

Shortly after 5 p.m. Friday, NewsMax launched its own report under the headline, "Dean Defends bin Laden" - the first publicly available report highlighting the leading Democrat's astonishing blooper.

"It took the former Vermont governor a few hours after the story got picked up on the Internet and on wire services" for Dean to react, the New York Daily News acknowledged in Saturday editions.

By Friday night, Dean's tune had changed 180 degrees, saying of bin Laden, "I share in the outrage of all Americans . . . I just think this guy is outrageous.

[pikachu]

By Friday night, Dean's tune had changed 180 degrees, saying of bin Laden, "I share in the outrage of all Americans . . . I just think this guy is outrageous

Somehow I think that if Howard Dean was president, OBL would be sentenced to a queer makeover and a Diane Sawyer interview. Okay, maybe Katie Couric if they could prove he was REALLY bad.

[NoGrayZone]

Dean hearts Osama

[JLAGRAYFOX]

This man, Howard Dean is guilty of treason and is a traitor. He should be treated accordingly, along with 911 causers Bill & Hillary Clinton!

[Grut]

I think I have to side with Dean on this one; a fair trial is important, maybe especially when everyone knows the guy's guilty. NewsMax twisted his words; he defended our legal system, not Bin Laden.

[Johnny_Cipher]

No wonder Karl Rove is champing at the bit to take on the Deaniot in '04.

Can we get a tank and tanker's helmet for a photo-op, cheap? FOB Dean Headquarters of course.

[Imal]

This move could really cost Howard Dean the Al Qaeda vote, and thus the election.

[kattracks]

NewsMax twisted his words; he defended our legal system, not Bin Laden.

And then promptly did a 180.

What a champion.

[deport]

NewsMax twisted his words; he defended our legal system, not Bin Laden.

Dean's words to which Newsmax is touting their claim of reversal........

The Monitor asked: Where should Osama bin Laden be tried if he's caught? Dean said he didn't think it made any difference, and if he were president he would consult with his lawyers for advice on the subject.

But wouldn't most Americans feel strongly that bin Laden should be tried in America - and put to death?

"I've resisted pronouncing a sentence before guilt is found," Dean said. "I still have this old-fashioned notion that even with people like Osama, who is very likely to be found guilty, we should do our best not to, in positions of executive power, not to prejudge jury trials. So I'm sure that is the correct sentiment of most Americans, but I do think if you're running for president, or if you are president, it's best to say that the full range of penalties should be available. But it's not so great to prejudge the judicial system."

[Tired_of_the_Lies]

I'm all for defending the legal system. However, in this case, bin Laden has admitted to and boasted about committing mass murder, and he affirmatively states that he wants to keep doing more of the same.

The "benefit of doubt" afforded people who claim to be innocent (and who perhaps are) is utterly irrelevant in this circumstance. There is only one rationale punishment. Prejudging the outcome of his trial is not an attack on our legal system.

[Caipirabob]

Guess he figured the "Dean-Osama 2004" ticket was a no-win?

[hershey]

I get your meaning, and you're right. But every time Dean opens his mouth he reveals his impulsiveness, a dangerous trait in any leader, let alone the pres. of the US. Dean does seem to be a narcissist, too, and we had more than enough of that with Clinton. As to trying Bin Laden in a criminal court, that's a slippery slope. This isn't one individual deciding to kill another, they want to wipe out the entire country. That's the definition of war. Better let the military courts take care of his remains.

[Tijeras_Slim]

I'm pretty tired of the entire "innocent until proven guilty" thing insinuating itself into our culture just like "separation of church and state". The presumption of innocence in in the court and trial, not in fact or public discourse.

Dean... he's an idiot, until proven a moron.

[douglas1]

what the hell has our legal system got to do with this guy he is not a citizen ,and if he gets caught he needs to be tried by our military justice ,and not even in this country because I really believe most muslimes look up to this guy and they are living right here in the states, and more likely than not alot of dems support this guys brand of terror they think we have brought this all on ourselves.

[Yaelle]

I just think this guy is outrageous.

Wow, Bin Laden is just outragous! He is way out there, dude! As much as I hate to prejudge someone, it pretty much looks like he might have stepped over the line, guys!

[NutCrackerBoy]

Wouldn't most Americans feel strongly that bin Laden should be tried in America - and put to death? -Lisa Wangness, reporter for The Concord Monitor

We should do our best, in positions of executive power, not to prejudge jury trials. -Presidential candidate Howard Dean

Dean blundered. This question was no hardball. He volunteered the insinuation that full due process was an appropriate approach to justice for Osama bin Laden.

NewsMax.com is in the business of right-wing Gotcha Journalism. Fair enough. They got him.

[Paul Ross]

OBL would be sentenced to a queer makeover

A metro-sexual makeover, perhaps?

[NutCrackerBoy]

LOL, you nailed it. In both the original Monitor interview and in the AP mea culpa, Dean failed to convey the needed message. One wonders whether he accepts that Al Qaeda is at war with us, or whether each attack is a mere crime.

A front-running major-party candidate is a leader of this country, never mind whether elected or even nominated, from whom we have a right to expect statesmanlike commentary. He didn't deliver it.

[manic4organic]

Can you believe so many dims are backing this idiot?

[Frapster]

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