it's simple: Dean needs to clarify himself

[liberalcapitalist]

He was wrong to invoke the Confederate flag, period. It was not only wrong, but a horrible political mistake, especially when he's already vulnerable on issues of race. Third, it was stupid on his part, because idiots with confederate flags are never ever going to vote for someone who signed a civil union bill, EVER.

I think this is a HUGE gaffe on Dean's part, HUGE. If he wants any chance of salvaging his chance at the presidency, he needs to clarify what he means. If he says he does not support the confederate flag flying over state capitals, then he has just completely alienated the voters he was attempting to attract, and has done nothing but lose voters on both sides.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

And for the record, if he does support the confederate flag, then I will NOT support his canidacy.

[DoNotRefill]

1. Too late, he already did.

"In response to the criticism, Dean released a statement saying: "I want people with Confederate flags on their trucks to put down those flags and vote Democratic - because the need for quality health care, jobs and a good education knows no racial boundaries.

"We have working white families in the south voting for tax cuts for the richest 1 percent while their children remain with no health care," Dean said. "The dividing of working people by race has been a cornerstone of Republican politics for the last three decades - starting with Richard Nixon. ... The only way we're going to beat George Bush is if southern white working families and African-American working families come together under the Democratic tent, as they did under FDR." "

http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2003/11/01/build/nation/67-deancomments.inc

[w4rma]

4. Also, it wasn't a gaffe when he said it in nearly every stump speech he's

given for nearly a year.

[sandnsea]

9. Is he going to talk about racism?

Is he going to call this flag a symbol of racism, separate from any other Democratic issue? Because the need to lay down that flag is beyond the boundaries of health care, jobs or education. That flag stands in the way of equal health care, jobs and education for minorities. That's why Dean is wrong on this and even gets it wrong in his 'clarification'.

[E_Zapata]

11. Bingo

I am so grateful for the DUers who are so eloquent and articulate.

[Classical_Liberal]

16. It stands in the way because you think it is more important than those

issues.

It isn't. Most Dean people aren't going to throw everything away on the culture war. DLCers do that, because dlcers want to throw economic issues a way in favor of their corporate libertarian buds anyway.

[Guaranteed]

18. So no Democratic presidents until the South cuts it

out with the Confederate flags? You know we won't win any southern states at this rate. We have to actually do something about it.

[Forkboy]

2. Like it will make a difference

judsing by tonights threads it's far more important to the Dem cause to be completly reactionary.The last thing these people want is a clarification.

[BadFaith]

3. Can this be dropped already? Please?!

Eleven threads on the front page alone is an agonizing display of backbiting and demagoguery. Candidate loyalty is all well and good, but this is starting to look like an infantile clusterf*ck.

[jeter]

5. People are getting desperate when it comes to Dean

Jesus, this is hardly a scandal. I don't think it's even a gaffe.

He said he wanted people with "confederate flags in their trucks" to support the Democrats. What's wrong with that? He was talking about southerners who have abandonned the Democrats. He was saying that these people need health care too. These people need good jobs and education. That we should be on the same side.

This was good. I have a feeling that this was a trap. That Dean set out a trap with this and guns and everything else, hoping the Dems would attack him. That way it would get coverage. Then he can run against Bush as a social moderate. Attacking him on the economy and war.

His opponents are so desperate that they fell for it. Hook, line and sinker.

Another thing. Many of the southern DLCers, who hate Dean, are always screaming about how wrong it is to attack the south and their values. Yet when Dean stands up for them. The DLCers and Southerners attack him for it.

[FrenchieCat]

6. Glad that's your feeling, cause it ain't mine...

Those right wing confederate flag waving bigots will never vote for Dean....I don't know what great strategy you are talking about?

At least, when one panders, it should be done in hopes of getting something for it.

So far, Dean is going to lose a lot of black votes. Al Sharpton will make sure of it.

It's like a "done-deal"

[E_Zapata]

14. And I pray to God he loses a lot of WHITE votes too

and yellow ones and purple ones and well, let's just say, he will lose a lot of AMERICAN VOTES.

Then again, we know who counts the votes, so why get in a worry about it.

[E_Zapata]

13. And the prize for SPIN OF THE WEEK

goes to our very own JESTER!!!!!!!!!!!

WTF???????

[Classical_Liberal]

19. Exactly

The DLC represents the yuppy south.

[andym]

7. What's Dean's position on flying the Confederate flag on public buildings?

What's Dean's position on flying the Confederate flag on public buildings?

Anyone?

[Classical_Liberal]

21. Who gives a shit

since it is only states that do it, and it is there problem.

[quinnox]

8. This one is a doozy

Dean has put his foot in his mouth before, but this one takes the cake. I said before Dean might end up stopping himself, not one of the other candidates.

If Dean's candidacy can survive this, I will be surprised. Oh sure, he will still be around but he is bound to take a big hit in support, especially in critical southern primary states like South Carolina and others. And he is so boneheaded he doesn't apologize for it, but just defends himself. Oh boy, someone needs to slap Dean's campaign manager.

[w4rma]

12. IMHO, the Dean bashers just assured Dean of the nomination

by bringing so much attention to this portion of his stump speech.

And that's not even considering that they all are shooting themselves in the foot, credibility-wise, by 'crying wolf' over a partial quote.

[SahaleArm]

17. This wasn't part of his Seattle stump speech.

1 or 2.

[w4rma]

20. His stump speech is actually a a mish mash of little speeches

He might not have used this little speech during that Seattle visit. But, he's been giving this in stump speeches for about a year, or at least since February or so.

[Classical_Liberal]

22. Whatever

I think you are one of those people that applauded you dlc buds for their nascar madness.

[E_Zapata]

10. How much CLEARER does the guy need to get?????????????????

Do I have to come and blow up your house before you consider me a threat????????

[Classical_Liberal]

15. He said it a long time ago!

If it hasn't hurt him thus far it won't in the future. You are probably just trying to boost another candidate.