November 1, 2003

THEY CAN'T POSSIBLY BE THIS STUPID.

Dean's comments on pickups, confederate flag, spark controversy (AP, 11/01/03)

WASHINGTON - A comment by Howard Dean about Confederate flags and pickup trucks has embroiled the leading Democrats in Iowa's presidential caucuses in a name-calling donnybrook.

"I still want to be the candidate for guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks," the former Vermont governor was quoted as saying in Saturday's Des Moines Register. "We can't beat George Bush unless we appeal to a broad cross-section of Democrats."

Dean said Saturday that he was intending to encourage the return of Southern voters who have abandoned the Democrats for decades but are disaffected with the Republicans.

Two Democrat rivals competing against Dean in Iowa's leadoff Jan. 19 caucuses saw the comment differently.

Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri, who shares the lead in Iowa with Dean, accused Dean of making a blatant move to win the votes of people "who disagree with us on bedrock Democratic values like civil rights."

"I don't want to be the candidate for guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks," Gephardt said in a statement. "I will win the Democratic nomination because I will be the candidate for guys with American flags in their pickup trucks."

Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts contended that Dean's "pandering" to the National Rifle Association gave him an inroad to "pander to lovers of the Confederate flag."

Because they've got votes to spare?

Posted by David Cohen at November 1, 2003 11:53 PM
Comments

Okay. It *is* Halloween season, after all. Pretend you're Dr. Frankenstein. Which bits and pieces of the nine Democratic presidential candidates do you combine to form one super-candidate?

Or do you just give up and send Igor back to the graveyard?

Posted by: R.W. at November 2, 2003 1:56 AM

Clark's military service and title, Kerry's medals and money, Dean's intensity and titles, Sharpton's glibness and humor, Moseley-Braun's smile, Lieberman's devoutness, and Edward's rags-to-riches story.
'Governor General Doctor Candidate X' - A shoo-in.

Posted by: Michael Herdegen at November 2, 2003 4:20 AM

A man needs a Democratic president like a fish needs a bicycle.

Posted by: oj at November 2, 2003 6:09 AM

That's like the new-car salesman who says to the customer walking in the door:

"Boy, you sure are fat!! What can I sell you??"

Posted by: John J. Coupal at November 2, 2003 9:34 AM

Dean- " I want all those metrosexual's with confederate flags in their pickup trucks to vote for me while they are mosturizing and applying hair gel."

Posted by: pchuck at November 2, 2003 11:31 AM

His remark would have played well in counties that pronounce the state's name Ioway. Alta Missouri.

Posted by: Harry Eagar at November 2, 2003 7:18 PM
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