Stephanie
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- Jul 11, 2004
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Dem chairman says party stands for 'moral values'
By Bill Cotterell
DEMOCRAT POLITICAL EDITOR
whoooooooDean fires back at GOP on Iraq
LAKE BUENA VISTA - Stung by a Republican charge that his party wants to surrender in Iraq, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said Friday night that Democrats stand for "moral values" at home and winning the war on terror.
About 2,000 wildly applauding Florida Democrats turned out for a pep rally at Walt Disney World, on the eve of their state conference, to hear Dean and other national party leaders blast President Bush and Republican policies in Congress. Earlier in the day, the GOP had posted an Internet advertisement featuring a white flag - with sound bites from Dean and Sens. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and John Kerry, D-Mass., sharply attacking military policies in Iraq.
In his 20-minute talk, Dean did not mention the new Republican broadside. But he said the Bush administration has not "learned the lesson of history," and compared its policies to those of President Nixon in Vietnam.
"Our troops deserve better," he said. "This time, Democrats are determined to set a different course for the nation - now - to tell the truth to the American people and save the lives of American soldiers, and keep America safe.
"We want no more walls with 55,000 names of courageous Americans who were let down by their government," said Dean. "Democrats are united - we are united in our belief that we can and must win the war on terror."
The GOP advertisement featured a quote in which Dean said the Iraq war cannot be won by American forces. In his speech, he distinguished between Iraq and a broader terror war - saying 50,000 National Guard and reserve troops should be withdrawn within six months and that 20,000 others should be deployed to Afghanistan.
Dean also said American forces should "be stationed in the region, but not in Iraq" to deal with insurgents.
"I, as a Democrat, am proud of our troops," he said. "I am proud to lead a party offering America a new direction and together, America can do better."
Panhandle Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Pensacola, and Congressman Tom Feeney, an Orlando-area Republican, issued statements blasting Dean's estimate that the Iraq war can't be won. Miller said his comments were "a direct attack on the morale" of American troops and "bordered on treasonous."
Feeney said Democrats show "liberal rhetoric and defeatist mentality" in dealing with serious issues.
Dean said Democrats "stand up for moral values" and should not let Republicans capture the "family" issues next year. He said poverty and health care are "moral issues" on which the GOP should be vulnerable.
"Most importantly, the only way we're going to win this race - for governor, the race for Senate, for the House - is to be Democrats," said Dean. "The biggest mistake that any minority party makes, and Republicans once made this mistake too, is to try to be like the other party."
U.S. House minority whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., warmed up the crowd for Dean by predicting that Democrats can pick up as many as five House seats in Florida next year. He said middle-class Americans are growing skeptical of deficits, military policies and cuts in college aid, poverty programs and health-care programs under the GOP.
"This is an extraordinarily serious election," Hoyer said. "America knows that this administration is an administration for the wealthy, privileged and powerful." hehe, and what is kerry, boxer, clinton, dean. Oh yea I forgot their poor people. :duh3:
Same ole BS, different year!!!
http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051210/NEWS02/512100315/1010
By Bill Cotterell
DEMOCRAT POLITICAL EDITOR
whoooooooDean fires back at GOP on Iraq
LAKE BUENA VISTA - Stung by a Republican charge that his party wants to surrender in Iraq, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said Friday night that Democrats stand for "moral values" at home and winning the war on terror.
About 2,000 wildly applauding Florida Democrats turned out for a pep rally at Walt Disney World, on the eve of their state conference, to hear Dean and other national party leaders blast President Bush and Republican policies in Congress. Earlier in the day, the GOP had posted an Internet advertisement featuring a white flag - with sound bites from Dean and Sens. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and John Kerry, D-Mass., sharply attacking military policies in Iraq.
In his 20-minute talk, Dean did not mention the new Republican broadside. But he said the Bush administration has not "learned the lesson of history," and compared its policies to those of President Nixon in Vietnam.
"Our troops deserve better," he said. "This time, Democrats are determined to set a different course for the nation - now - to tell the truth to the American people and save the lives of American soldiers, and keep America safe.
"We want no more walls with 55,000 names of courageous Americans who were let down by their government," said Dean. "Democrats are united - we are united in our belief that we can and must win the war on terror."
The GOP advertisement featured a quote in which Dean said the Iraq war cannot be won by American forces. In his speech, he distinguished between Iraq and a broader terror war - saying 50,000 National Guard and reserve troops should be withdrawn within six months and that 20,000 others should be deployed to Afghanistan.
Dean also said American forces should "be stationed in the region, but not in Iraq" to deal with insurgents.
"I, as a Democrat, am proud of our troops," he said. "I am proud to lead a party offering America a new direction and together, America can do better."
Panhandle Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Pensacola, and Congressman Tom Feeney, an Orlando-area Republican, issued statements blasting Dean's estimate that the Iraq war can't be won. Miller said his comments were "a direct attack on the morale" of American troops and "bordered on treasonous."
Feeney said Democrats show "liberal rhetoric and defeatist mentality" in dealing with serious issues.
Dean said Democrats "stand up for moral values" and should not let Republicans capture the "family" issues next year. He said poverty and health care are "moral issues" on which the GOP should be vulnerable.
"Most importantly, the only way we're going to win this race - for governor, the race for Senate, for the House - is to be Democrats," said Dean. "The biggest mistake that any minority party makes, and Republicans once made this mistake too, is to try to be like the other party."
U.S. House minority whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., warmed up the crowd for Dean by predicting that Democrats can pick up as many as five House seats in Florida next year. He said middle-class Americans are growing skeptical of deficits, military policies and cuts in college aid, poverty programs and health-care programs under the GOP.
"This is an extraordinarily serious election," Hoyer said. "America knows that this administration is an administration for the wealthy, privileged and powerful." hehe, and what is kerry, boxer, clinton, dean. Oh yea I forgot their poor people. :duh3:
Same ole BS, different year!!!
http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051210/NEWS02/512100315/1010
