Posted on 01/08/2004 9:08:33 PM PST by My Favorite Headache
Jan 8, 11:56 PM EST
Dean's 2000 Caucuses Remark May Haunt Him
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Democrat Howard Dean, engaged in a fierce fight to win Iowa's presidential caucuses, said four years ago that caucuses are dominated by special interests, words that could haunt him with less than two weeks before the Jan. 19 contest.
"If you look at the caucuses system, they are dominated by the special interests, in both sides, in both parties," Dean said on a Canadian television show in 2000. "The special interests don't represent the centrist tendencies of the American people. They represent the extremes."
Dean quickly sought to stem the damage Thursday night, saying, "I support the Iowa caucus" and will continue to press for its first-in-the-nation status. He did not specifically address his comments on the Canadian television program.
"I have spent nearly two years here in Iowa, talking to Iowans and campaigning in all 99 counties," Dean told The Associated Press.
"I believe it's time to stand together, in common purpose, to take our country back and the Iowa caucus is where it all begins."
Nonetheless, the videotaped comments put him at odds with the power structure he's trying to win over.
Iowa Democratic Party leaders quickly rejected Dean's assertion while the campaigns of his presidential rivals gleefully seized on it as yet another gaffe by a candidate who has made several.
"The governor believes the Iowa caucuses remain a good proving ground for candidates as they take their messages into living rooms and around kitchen tables of real people," said Amanda Crumley, spokeswoman for Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack, who is neutral.
Iowa Democratic Chairman Gordon Fischer said he disagreed with Dean.
"The Iowa caucuses are dominated by regular Iowans who are concerned about bread and butter issues that all Americans care about," Fischer said.
Dean's rivals seized on his comments.
Gephardt quickly called an airport news conference to label the comments "unbelievable" and say that Iowa Democrats deserve an explanation.
"I can't understand his comments about special interests dominating the caucuses," said Gephardt. "Who are these special interests?"
Gephardt said he sees only "ordinary people" as he campaigns for the caucuses and that Dean should address the issue.
"He should certainly give them an explanation of what he meant when he said these things," Gephardt said. "Iowans deserve an explanation."
Kim Rubey, a spokesman for John Edwards said the North Carolina senator "fully appreciates what he has learned by campaigning in all of Iowa's 99 counties."
Stephanie Cutter, a spokeswoman for Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, said Dean "is going to extremes of his own to win over Iowa voters."
"Which Howard Dean are Iowans going to vote for - the one who insults them, or the one who will be soon releasing yet another clarifying statement?"
Dean made the comments on "The Editors," which covered U.S. and Canadian politics and was filmed in Montreal, not far north of Vermont where he served as governor. NBC News reviewed 90 of Dean's appearances on the show since 1996 and first reported his comments about the caucuses Thursday night.
The broadcast comes at a crucial time in the race, just 10 days before Iowa's leadoff caucuses on Jan. 19.
Dean said he was confident that the comments would not damage his efforts in Iowa.
"On caucus night, I'm confident that we'll have terrific turnout that reflects a new energy and a new belief that people have the power to take back their country."
He touted his efforts to bring new people into the political process, saying some have projected that turnout for this year's caucuses could nearly double.
Dean also pointed to a recent appearance in Muscatine, where nearly half of those who attended had never been to a caucus before.
"It is about expanding the party, about bringing new people into the political process, giving them a reason to get involved - young people, union members, teachers, firefighters, farmers," Dean said.
Dean achieved his front-runner status based on his standing in the polls both nationally and in key early states. But he has come under withering fire from some of his rivals as the race has tightened and he has had to clarify previous statements and positions.
Polling shows Dean and Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt in a tight race for the caucuses, with Kerry in third place.
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On the Net:
Dean campaign: http://www.deanforamerica.com
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
| Rank | Location | Receipts | Donors/Avg | Freepers/Avg | Monthlies | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Missouri | 291.00 |
10 |
29.10 |
331 |
0.88 |
198.00 |
14 |
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That is bad for GOP. Howard Dean is the dream candidate for Bush.
No doubt - and they will go all out IMHO. Should be interesting to see if the media trumps the 'cult'...
LOL .. I doubt they'll trump the "cult" .. they think the media is in bed with the VRWC
Elections shouldn't be decided by interests???
Yes, it is obvious. Clark = Clintons, so Dean is in their sites. Fortunately Harkin came out and probably saved the day by endorsing, or saying he was going to endorse, Dean.
We'll get to Dean all in good time. Let him win the nomination outright first, then let all hell break loose.
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