Dean: I'll balance budget in 1st term [View All]

[Freddie Stubbs]

WASHINGTON -- Howard Dean said he would like to balance the budget in his first term even if it means limiting spending on domestic programs dear to Democrats.
But if he beats nine other Democrats to capture the nomination and then ousts President Bush, Dean said he might have to keep the budget in the red beyond four years to fund his plan for mass transit, renewable energy, road construction, broadband telecommunications and school building.

"I am determined to get rid of the deficit," Dean said in an hourlong interview with reporters and editors from The Associated Press. Later he added, "I am willing to run a deficit longer than I'd like to in order to create jobs."

Dean has yet to release his economic plan, but disclosed some elements during the interview. He said he and his advisers are still deciding whether he can pledge to bring government spending into black by 2008.

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