-->ClickPosted on 01/09/2004 10:57:23 PM PST by kattracks
CNSNews.com) - Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean backpedaled Friday on comments he made in 2000, alleging that the caucuses are controlled by extremist groups. Dean made the comments four years ago on a Canadian television show, "The Editors," which covered U.S. and Canadian politics.
"If you look at the caucuses system, they are dominated by the special interests, in both sides, in both parties. The special interests don't represent the centrist tendencies of the American people. They represent the extremes," Dean said.
NBC News first reported Dean's comments about the caucuses Thursday night, after reviewing 90 of Dean's appearances on the show since 1996.
Dean told reporters Friday in Rochester, N.Y. that he never believed that Iowa was dominated by extremists. The Iowa caucus is scheduled for Jan. 19.
"If I knew then what I know now about Iowa caucuses ... you know, Iowa's been very good to me. I couldn't run for president if I didn't have Iowa," said Dean. Asked if he was retracting his earlier comments about the caucuses, Dean said, "Iowa's a great place for people like me who have started out with no money and now have a good message."
Democratic rival Dick Gephardt, who is closing in on Dean in the polls in Iowa, criticized Dean for his comments.
"To me, it's a cynical attempt to participate in the Iowa caucuses if that's the way he feels about it," Gephardt said Friday in Concord, N.H. "I don't find that people are extreme in any way. They're very moderate, they're very sensible, very central."
Send a Letter to the Editor about this article.
-->ClickOutside of Zell Miller, I cannot identify a single leading rat who is not either a mental or a moral defective. Or both.
I take some comfort from the fact that Dean's likely supporters (other than his wacko, far-left political-junkie "base") are more interested, at this point in the election cycle, aren't yet even paying attention to the candidates or their obviously partisan rhetoric.
The problem for Bush is that he is steadily pissing-off his base. I myself may just avoid the polling place, come November.
Ooops! Please allow the following replacement
are more interested, at this point in the election cycle, in beer-swilling and reality TV - they aren't yet even paying attention to the candidates or their obviously partisan rhetoric.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.