Lando 
Posted on 01/07/2004 11:07:42 AM PST by Lando Lincoln
It takes an AWFUL lot to make me quote Mike Dukakis. However, when I look at Howard Dean’s record of “misstatements” and retractions, I cannot help but think about what Mickey D. said to then Vice President George H. W. Bush during a Presidential debate: “You’re the Joe Isuzu of American Politics.” I can see it now, Dean campaign ads with “He’s lying” scrolling beneath. Or perhaps, the Dean Camp will just automatically list their candidate’s retractions at the bottom of the screen as Howard speaks (“What Dr. Dean really means is…”)
Dean’s propensity to shoot off at the mouth would not be a major issue if it where not for their FREQUENCY. I decided to conduct a little research to try to find a concise listing of Dr. Dean’s misstatements during his Presidential bid… Know what? There is not ONE because the LIST IS SO BIG!!! Literally, there are THOUSANDS of web pages documenting Dean’s errors. Granted, Dean’s supporters simply do not care how much he lies. (Left-wingers think lying is a virtue as long as you win). However, the rest of America does not share that view. So now, in the interest of PUBLIC SERVICE, and at NO COST TO THE TAX PAYER, I have compiled a SHORT LIST of Howard Dean’s “misstatements” and assorted idiotic ramblings (or, as my Grand Pap always called them: LIES).
THE ONES YOU KNOW AND LOVE:
1. “We’ve got rid of Saddam and I suppose it was a good thing.” SUPPOSE!!! I guess James Carville is right, this man has been lobotomized.
2. Said he heard an “interesting rumor” that Bush knew in advance of 9/11. Dean claims that he does not “believe” the rumor but it would “but it would be nice to know”. It would also be “nice” if Mr. Dean made sense!
3. “America is not safer because we caught Saddam” So, leaving him in power protected us in some way?
4. “The Orange Terror Alert is proof that America is not safer.” Now just wait a minute. Mr. Dean would like to know if Bush ALLOWED 9/11 to happen, but now is criticizing him trying to prevent another? Dean needs to learn that unlike Liberals, Conservatives TRY HARDER after they have had a set back rather than just give up.
5. Dean told a heart felt story about treating a young pregnant girl in his medical practice who was impregnated by her father. Dean went on to use this claim to justify his opposition to parental notification for minors before abortions. Unfortunately, (if you have not already picked up on the theme) this story was a lie. The girl was not pregnant to her father. Dean stated that the situation was more “complicated” than that. Well, gee whiz, sounds like something parents could have helped solve!
GETTING BORED, YET?
6. Said in a radio interview that he sealed his Gubernatorial records to “avoid” embarrassment”.
7. Claimed, later that the statement was a “joke”. Strange, nobody recalls anyone laughing.
8. Said that he would release his Gubernatorial records when Bush released his. (He claimed that they were in his father’s Presidential Library, sealed for 50 years.) NOTE: Bush’s Gubernatorial records are NOT SEALED. They are available for public research at the Texas State Archives. So Mr. Dean… Your records, please.
9. Dean is stating that he will speak more of Jesus Christ and his “deep faith” more in the South. Does this include or exclude white people with Confederate flags?
10. He claims that he has not spoken more about his faith because New Englanders are not “comfortable” discussing such issues. Either that or Dr. Dean is a PANDERING MORON.
11. Dean left the Episcopal Church over a dispute on the public use of a bike path. “Deep faith” my a**.
12. Dean alleged Vice President Dick Cheney committed wrongdoing for having closed discussions with major energy companies, including Enron. Governor Dean had the same types of closed discussions with energy suppliers, including Enron, BEFORE Cheney’s meetings.
13. When Dean’s duplicity on the Enron issue was reported, the Dean camp responded by stating that the problem was a “difference in interpretation”. Nothing like saying ANYTHING to become President, eh, Howard?
14. He would break up major media companies and large private corporations. And his father was a stockbroker? No wonder he sent Howard to Medical School.
15. When confronted with statistics showing that a family of four, making $40,000 a year, would see their federal taxes go from less than $200 to almost $1,100, he said, “I do not believe them”. Perhaps, this “Man of the People” should ask his “house servants” what it is like to make less than $500,000 a year.
16. In February 2003, Dean boasted that ethical politicians should follow all campaign finance rules and use public matching funds. Dean was the first to opt out from collecting these funds, therefore, exempting himself from campaign finance rules. I guess things change when you think you think you are ahead.
17. While speaking to the AFL/CIO, Dean stated that he had “NEVER” supported upping the retirement age to 70. The next day, Dean issued a retraction stating that he had “MISSTATED”. Oh, so that is what you call a LIE in Vermont.
18. “We will not always have the strongest military.” Well, maybe if you are elected.
Hammas terrorists are “soldiers in a war”.
19. The United States should treat Israel and the Palestinians in an “evenhanded” way. OH, COME ON!!! If we did that then it would be AMERICAN tanks surrounding Arafat’s compound.
20. Complained to the DNC that his opponents were attacking him too much. You would think that THEY want to win! How dare they!
21. Warned that if he were not nominated then his 1.5 million supporters would stay home. Is that supposed to be a bad thing?
22. Claimed that his brother was a POW in Vietnam. Do not POW’s have to be in the military first? I am not 100% sure, but if my brother joined the Army, I would probably have noticed it (the uniform is a dead give away.)
23. Claims that he never said Saddam was a threat… Except for on “Face the Nation” in September 2002.
24. “I would be surprised if Saddam Hussein did not have chemical and biological weapons.”
25. Received a Draft Deferment for a bad back. Serving his country interfered with skiing in Aspen.
26. “This is an issue about nothing.” Dean’s statement on partial birth abortion.
27. Dean sees no connection between Libya’s capitulation on WMD and Iraq. Negotiations began 5 days before America invaded Iraq and concluded abruptly on December 19th (the day we caught Saddam.) Hmmm…
28. “I have no way of knowing if we could have done it [negotiated with Libya] without it [the invasion of Iraq].” Hey Howard! Make up your mind!
29. Would have to “consult with his lawyers” on what to do if Osama Bin Laden was captured.
30. “It does not matter where he [Bin Laden] is tried.” Sure, 3000 American dead in New York City, no big deal.
31. “I have this old fashioned notion about… [Osama being innocent until proven guilty].” Excuse me Dr. Dean; we are talking about the head of an international terrorist group, not your son who vandalized a country club.
32. “I don’t know.” Dean on how many active duty military personnel the United States needs for its defense.
33. “Had the United Nations GIVEN US PERMISSION and asked us to be part of a multinational force, I WOULD NOT HAVE HESITATED TO GO INTO IRAQ.” Too bad Osama will not ask permission from the U.N. the next time they want to launch a terrorist attack in America.
34. “I won’t be talking like this during the General Election.” Oh really? Have a brand new set of lies in the wings?
Is this the best the Democrats can do? Have they just given up this year? One or two missteps are human nature and while they may present a chuckle, rarely indicate true dishonesty. But just look at the “TOP 35” above! . Dean makes Clinton look honest and forthright by comparison! And this article is EDITED FOR SPACE!!! It is apparent that Dean does not “shoot from the hip”, but outright lies and says what ever he can to pander support. The harsh fact of the matter is that the Democratic Party is about to elect a man they know NOTHING ABOUT. All Americans know for certain is that Dean is a man consumed by hatred for George Bush and wants nothing in the World but to be President. Why? Only Dean really knows and he is not showing much inclination to let any of us in on the secret. It has long been said that for anyone to go through the pressures and sacrifices to be elected President of the United States they must be complete narcissistic egomaniacs. I do not know about most of the other 43, but this man trying to be 44 certainly seems to be one.
Lando
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