A Subdued And Reflective Dean Ponders Comments

[DrFunkenstein]

(Dean) said he had been up most of the night pondering the problem, and called former President Jimmy Carter yesterday morning for advice. Throughout the day Dr. Dean, 54, appeared subdued and reflective, a sharp contrast to the defiant tone he struck at Tuesday night's debate.

"When people get in my face, I tend to get in theirs," Dr. Dean said in the interview at The Times. "Al Sharpton was in my face last night and I was not going to step one step, half a step, backwards, and I don't care who's in my face.

"I tend to be reflective rather later than sooner," he added. "Now, unfortunately, we all know that nobody's personality is perfect. So the things that make me a strong candidate are also my Achille's heel."

He said in several interviews that Mr. Edwards' suggestion at the debate that he was being patronizing to the South had played a "significant role" in his decision that he had to speak out further and clarify his views. "I came to the conclusion that he actually had been really wounded, that he felt the patronizing personally," he said at The New York Times.

"You can blame the media or blame my opponents, but the fact is, I've got to own my own words," Dr. Dean explained yesterday evening in Manchester. "And that's what I decided at about 3 o'clock this morning."

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/06/politics/campaigns/06DEAN.html?pagewanted=1

As much as I feel the whole incident clearly illustrated Dean's character under stress, I have found a small degree of respect for Dean after these comments. If he demonstrated this level of humility on a daily basis, I would find him a much stronger candidate. Let us hope that he takes this lesson to heart.

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[GumboYaYa]

1. Thanks for the willingness to recognize a positive when it is there.

I know you will not turn into a Dean supporter over night, but if he does win the nomination I really hope you come on board.

[Cocoa]

2. excellent

a new side of Dean to me and I like it. It's something you won't see from someone like George Bush. :toast:

[blm]

3. Finally....

but where does he admit that he used the flag that day in the context of his support for the NRA and he lied about it being an effort to discuss race relations?

[helleborient]

4. Thanks...

After pointing out doctored photos attacking Dean elsewhere...

It was really nice to read this.

And yes, I hope, and I do believe he will learn and become a better candidate.

[Faygo Kid]

5. His advisors also blew it, big time

I appreciate Dean's comments; they are thoughtful and heartfelt, and he should take full responsibility. But it is NOT the first time he has talked about Southerners and their pick up trucks and Confederate flags (see today's New York Times - months of comments, just not picked up until now). WHERE were his well compensated advisors? Why did no one pick up this mine field? It was an insult to many groups - civil rights (not just blacks, folks); Southerners (who were stereotyped like crazy, and yet like the rest of us are the victims of this Administration's policies). He was left out to dry. What kind of incompetents is he surrounding himself with? I say this with 25 years of communications experience, and it just drives me nuts that this has happened and been so mishandled (that, my friends, is called plain speaking). P.S. I must add, I say this as a Dean supporter.

[AP]

6. Dean needs to get a few more southerners with humble childhoods...

...on his campaign staff if the first person from whom he heard this criticism was Edwards.

(And what about Sharpton? Did he already hear Sharpton's criticism from someone else? Had he discounted it? Does he still not give it any credit?)