Dean: I Didn't Say 'Panic Attack' [Yes, He Did]

NewsMax.com, Fox & Friends ^ | Jan. 19, 2004 | Carl Limbacher

[Carl/NewsMax]

Democratic presidential front-runner Howard Dean denied that he ever suffered from "panic attacks" during a Monday morning interview with Fox News Channel's "Fox & Friends," insisting that neither he nor a reporter who recently interviewed him had used that term to describe an episode where he hyperventilated upon taking office as Vermont governor in 1991.

Citing a recent interview he gave to People magazine, Dean complained to "Fox & Friends" host Steve Doocy, "I think if you read People magazine it says no such thing. The quote that you just read, it didn't say anything about a panic attack."

People's interviewer did, however, twice ask Dean about past "anxiety attacks," prompting the former Vermont governor to detail his hyperventilation experience.

Noted People's Ann Driscoll, "It sounds as if you had a little bit of an anxiety attack when you got the word that you were now governor."

"I did," responded Dean. "I hyperventilated and I started hyperventilating and I thought, You better stop that or you won't be much good to anybody. . . . To suddenly get told that you have responsibility for 600,000 people — it provokes a little anxiety."

And in fact, it turns out that Dean himself has used the term "panic attack" to describe his old ailment.

Just three months ago, the Associated Press reported, "The candidate, who rarely talks about his personal life, said his brother's capture and death caused him to seek therapy for bouts of anxiety. Dean was quoted calling the episodes 'panic attacks,' although his aides said he quickly described that as a poor choice of words."

Still - despite his own use of the term - Dean complained Monday that Fox had hit him with a low blow.

"It's amazing to me the kind of stuff that you just did," he told Doocy. "It says nothing of the sort that I had a panic attack in People magazine. I'm shocked that you'd say such a thing."

[OldFriend]

So the shrink knew the brother was dead, when no one else had any idea what happened to the brother?

[DallasMike]

I don't care whether he's had a panic attack -- perfectly sane people can have those and at least they're a sign that he's human if he had them after the death of his brother. What bothers me is that Dean is a total nutcase. That has nothing to do with panic attacks.

[OldFriend]

Doocy did well and really 'got' dean telling bigger and bigger lies.

[xsmommy]

sounds like he is having a panic attack over being ACCUSED Of having panic attacks!

[OldFriend]

Dean's brother's remains were only recently found. Dean said he had no idea why his brother was classified MIA/POW all these years. (Have no idea if that was true) but when the remains were discovered they were returned home with a military honor guard as with other remains found from that war. I don't think the honor is all that unusual when American remains are recovered abroad.

[OldFriend]

Notice too that he tried to say that since his medical experience meant he 'knew' what had occurred.....Doucy then asked if Dean would release ALL his medical records......lololol.......

Be sure Dean will NOT be appearing on FNC any time soon.

[DallasMike]

To suddenly get told that you have responsibility for 600,000 people — it provokes a little anxiety.

I was in a hardware store while ago and two guys were laughing at this. They said that being governor of the 600,000 people of Vermont is like being mayor of a medium-sized Dallas suburb.

[LibWhacker]

. . . caused him to seek therapy for bouts of anxiety.

Ask him if he'll release his psychiatric records. Make sure the cameras are rolling when you ask. Also, ask him if he'll submit to an independent psychiatric evaluation. The people have a right to know just what kind of nut he is!

[Cboldt]

Dean complained to "Fox & Friends" host Steve Doocy ...

Steve surprised me this morning. He asked Dean if "we should watch out for him breathing into a paper bag"

Bwahahahahahh. That'll be the last interview Dean gives to FoxNews.

[Jaysun]

Lay off the Tourettes. It's about as funny as jokes about cerebral palsy. Not very funny if you know someone who suffers from it.

That pretty much puts all conditions on the "do not say" list doesn't it? Everything from anxiety attacks to obesity. Nevertheless, I don't post things with the goal of offending people. It seemed a fitting thing to say, but it's a little over the line. Sorry.

[Cboldt]

Judging by some of his bizarre statements, he may also suffer from Tourett's Syndrome.

That'd be John F'in Kerry, who may trot out Tourett's as his excuse.

[mystery-ak]

What was Doocy's reply?

[republicanwizard]

Imagine what it must be like for Rudy Giuliani or Mike Bloomberg. I mean, you don't have to agree with either of them on every issue. However, governing seven million New Yorkers, of all people, hasn't seemed to bother either man. I suppose the critical word is the final.

[hosepipe]

The vision of dean in the oval office is:
Running around the office saying, "Oh! my God!,,, Oh! my God!"

When approached with some world problem...

[Indie]

Ask him if he'll release his psychiatric records. Make sure the cameras are rolling when you ask. Also, ask him if he'll submit to an independent psychiatric evaluation. The people have a right to know just what kind of nut he is!

By golly if I had to submit to a battery of psych tests to be a police officer, why in heaven shouldn't presidential candidate? I only had a gun; he has nukes and can make decisions which could have world destructing consequences.

[Cboldt]

Doocy moved on, after Dean twice asserted that the People magazine article did not intimate that Dean had ever experienced a panic or anxiety attack. Doocy didn't answer any questions, to the best of my recollection.

[Jaysun]

That'd be John F'in Kerry, who may trot out Tourett's as his excuse.

Kerry's problem is that his oblong shaped head makes it difficult for sufficient oxygen to reach his brain. I think that his decision to use the "F" word has been his only independent thought. Most of the time, he appears to just write down what everyone else says, jumble some of the words, and then repeat it.

[mystery-ak]

Thanks

[honeygrl]

techinically, i'm pretty sure there is a difference between anxiety attacks and panic attacks. I've looked it up before but I can't recall the details. you can probably google the answer though.

[Cboldt]

techinically, i'm pretty sure there is a difference between anxiety attacks and panic attacks. I've looked it up before but I can't recall the details.

Hardly the kind of difference that one would play to a presidential electorate, eh?