Reply #4: What Constitutes A Compromise On The First Amendment? [View All]

[DrFunkenstein]

MONTPELIER — Gov. Howard Dean is working quietly to try to broker a compromise in the prickly debate over a constitutional amendment banning flag desecration.

“I think this is a no-brainer; I think there is a compromise to be had and I’ve certainly made that clear to people who are involved behind the scenes,” Dean said during his weekly press conference Friday.

“I do think the Legislature should pass a resolution,” he said. “I think the public is going to want to know where people are standing in the 2002 election.”

But Dean is not apparently holding himself to that standard. He refused to reveal his position on amending the U.S. Constitution banning flag desecration, noting coyly that he would not be a candidate in 2002. He may, however, be a candidate in 2004, if he decides to run for president.

“First of all, I’m sure I’m on record on that at some point in last 10 years,” he said. “Second of all, when you’re trying to engineer a behind-the-scenes compromise it’s best not to be public about what that is.”

http://rutlandherald.com/hdean/38411