Dean Campaign Issues False Info on Kerry Record

[jadesfire]

Here is part of the Press Release Issued by Kerry's Campaign, for the full text (and other false statements Dean has made about Kerry) visit:
http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2003_1230d.html

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Dean Campaign Issues False Information on Kerry Record on Farming
Dean again shows bad judgment by not following his own advice and attacking fellow Democrats

December 30, 2003

For Immediate Release
Des Moines, IA -

Today, the Dean campaign issued a release regarding a letter sent by Dean supporter, Chris Petersen, Vice President of the Iowa Farmer's Union that criticized John Kerry’s record on farm issues. The problem: Once again Howard Dean gets it wrong.

It’s possible that in their rush to smear, they confused votes cast by John Kerry and former Nebraska Senator Bob Kerrey. And, the misfire failed to include Dean’s own dismal record of choosing corporate farming interests over family farms.

“Once again, Howard Dean has issued a statement that will likely result in a clarifying statement to correct the record. This time, Dean wrongly accused John Kerry of supporting farm legislation he didn’t support and voting against flood relief for farmers that Kerry did support,” said Stephanie Cutter, Kerry campaign spokesperson.

Cutter added, “This is another example of Dean’s reckless statements obscuring reality. John Kerry will not let Howard Dean distort his record on family farms. In fact, Kerry is responsible for making flood relief programs work for farmers. He worked WITH, not against Tom Harkin to oppose the 1996 Farm Bill and fix the problems in 2002. The reality is that it’s Howard Dean that has victimized family farms in Vermont, where he lured corporate farms, refused to enforce regulations and chased nearly 900 family farms out of the state.”

Just yesterday, Howard Dean called on Democrats to stop attacking him. Now, he’s not only attacking others, he’s distorting the long-established and OPEN records of Kerry and others in this race for his own short term political gain.

“Dean’s distortion of Kerry’s record is wrong, and Dean should apologize,” said Cutter. “At the very least, Dean should issue a clarifying release that corrects his false and reckless accusations of John Kerry.”

[corporatewhore]

1. Suprise Suprise Suprise Lets all send dean a pinnochio book or doll

[zulchzulu]

2. Do you think this will get ANY press?

Probably not.

[MuseRider]

3. This is a regular

habit with this guy isn't it? I wish I could feel good about him but all of this just leaves me cold and worried.

[Democrats unite]

4. Typical of the Dean campaign.

[libview]

5. Strange comment coming from someone called......

Democrats unite.

[RUexperienced]

6. Don't hold your breath

"Dean should issue a clarifying release that corrects his false and reckless accusations of John Kerry."

The was definately written by a staffer.

[jadesfire]

7. well, it was a copy of the press release...

( :

[RUexperienced]

10. Kind of like some Congressman saying

"I call on the President of the United States to resign and denounce his father while he is at it."

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jadesfire]

9. which threads?

[ErasureAcer]

11. My plea to Kerry supporters

as a Kucinich supporter...I say if Dean gets the nomination...we stick it to him and don't vote for the liar come General Election time.

I'm sick of Dean lying about our candidates.

Liars should not be rewarded.

This is a lesson all should learn.

[HPLeft]

12. If your guy goes 3rd party...

he has my vote instead of Dean.

Dean is playing as fast and loose with the truth as Dubya. What a choice - our liar versus their liar. What a triumph of American democracy.

[sandnsea]

14. I'm with that

but it won't happen. I just don't see Dennis doing that. I have no idea what to do if Dean wins.

[JohnKleeb]

19. youre gonna have to vote for him I guess

I know that may be tough, and I have no room to speak because I am not eligible to vote, but hold strong, work your butt off for Kerry and maybe he will taste victory. I know its hard for people.

[ErasureAcer]

20. thank you

we don't need liars holding the office of the presidency.

We have enough liars in congress and we have a liar in our president's office now.

We gotta say enough is enough.

[pezcore64]

16. YOU ARE SO SMART

Right on! If you dont get what you want, screw it! Screw the party! Let Bush have another 4 years! Lord knows that'd be better than Ole DEANIE up in the white house!! RIGHT!?!?

Alright, ill turn the sarcasm off now....

[Northwind]

17. By all means

Do that!

We will do the same.

That is millions of Dean supporters against about 17 Kerry people and 4 Kucinich supporters. Let's dance.

NBD '04

[JohnKleeb]

18. only 4 Kucinich supporters?

:eyes: I got more than that in my family dude. I will support your guy if he should get the nod. NBD and ABD or just as stupid equally IMO. Though stuff like this does alienate people about Dean. I know you did this in response to what erasure said, but I find NBD absurd too, and equally as ABD.

[ErasureAcer]

21. let's rock

If it is Dean vs Bush I'll be out there campaigning against both of them.

I will reveal their lies to everyone in my polling district...

I stand up to liars...you vote for them.

[Freddie Stubbs]

26. Another lesson we should all learn

is what happens when the we don't all support the Democratic nominee.

[9119495]

28. Well there ErasureAcer!

Kucinich just lost MY vote if he gets the nomination. That'll learn ya.

[molly]

13. His campaign has always been agressive and

in your face. It appeals to some, but not everyone. He has charged full speed ahead - kind of like a steam roller. He can dish it out, but he sure can't take it. He throws accusations at candidates that have years of proven public service - but balks at unsealing his records.

[Cheswick2.0]

15. you might want to note

that we only have a rumor here. The lying might very well be coming from the Kerry campaign.

[drfemoe]

22. It wouldn't be the first time Kerry was less than truthful

Let's not forget DU rules state:
Democratic Underground, LLC, does not have a policy of checking the veracity of messages posted by users of our discussion board. Use discretion when evaluating unsubstantiated claims.

[jadesfire]

23. Here a few of the "Rumors" with citations

Dean False Negative Attack: 1993 Flood Relief Vote

“:You may recall my role in the debate between Vice President Al Gore and U.S. Senator Bill Bradley in 1999. I stood up during the debate to ask why, in 1993, Bill Bradley opposed important flood relief that would have made a world of difference to farmers like me. Now, four years later, we again have a Democrat U.S. Senator from an industrial state running for President in Iowa who voted against the very same flood relief legislation that would have benefited rural Iowans.”

Reality: 1993 Flood Relief Vote

On the Vote in Question, John Kerry Voted WITH Tom Harkin in Support of Iowa Farmers – John Kerry actually voted for the Harkin amendment which increased Flood Support for Iowa Farmers. Dean got it wrong.

Kerry Has A Strong Record of Supporting Greater Drought, Flood and other Disaster Relief – John Kerry knows that farmers and ranchers are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters and economic downturns. Kerry has consistently fought for disaster relief to help address the severe drought, floods and natural disasters that have plagued farmers and ranchers across the nation. In 2002, Congress passed Kerry's proposal that made low interest loans available to many rural small businesses adversely affected by droughts. Additionally, John Kerry has worked hard in the Senate to improve our nation’s drought and flood relief programs including his successful efforts to keep the National Flood Insurance Program solvent. In 1994, Kerry successfully wrote the amendment "to strengthen the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and to reduce risk to the NFIP by increasing compliance, providing incentives for community floodplain management, providing for mitigation assistance." Kerry authored the National Flood Insurance Reform Act, the Small Business and Farm Energy Emergency Relief Act, and other flood relief legislation. Kerry has voted to assist farmers’ cash flow by forgiving payment of ‘advanced deficiencies’ for drought damaged crops. <107th Congress, S. 295; S.2734; 102nd Congress, S. 1650, S.2907;103rd Congress, S.Amdt. 1541; Senate Roll Call vote 1990 #72; Greenville News, 8/3/02>

Dean False Negative Attack: 1996 Freedom to Farm Vote

“Senator Kerry also opposed our farmers in the fight over Freedom to Farm in 1996. Rather than stand with Senator Harkin and rural America, Kerry stood up for the failed farm policies of Freedom to Farm that have played a large role in destroying family farms and depopulating rural areas across the country.”

Reality: 1996 Freedom to Farm Vote

On the Vote in Question, John Kerry voted WITH Tom Harkin in Support of Iowa Farmers – John Kerry and Tom Harkin both OPPOSED the Freedom to Farm bill in 1996. Once again, Dean got it wrong.

Kerry Opposed the 1996 “Freedom to Fail” Bill & Supported the Improved 2002 Farm Bill – In 1996, John Kerry opposed the Newt Gingrich-backed “Freedom to Farm” bill on which soon turned into the “Freedom to Fail” for family farmers. Kerry joined other pro-agriculture Senators from Iowa, Nebraska, South Carolina and the Dakotas to stand up against the Newt Gingrich proposals to devastate price support and production controls. In 2002, Kerry worked with the Chairman of the Agriculture Committee and longtime friend to the farmer, Tom Harkin, to correct these “Freedom to Fail” mistakes and restore hope and opportunity to America’s farmers. The 2002 Farm Bill Kerry voted for included: Commodity support, Country of Origin Labeling for meat, fruits, vegetables and peanuts; and Family Farmer Bankruptcy Protection. http://harkin.senate.gov/ news.cfm?id=183275>

[sandnsea]

24. It's a Press Release

How can that be a rumor??

[MaggieSwanson]

25. I suppose Dean will

consider that statement to be an attack, and rally his supporters to loudly protest against Kerry's unmitigated gall.

*sigh*

[Alex146]

27. The statment was made by a 'Dean Supporter' not Dean for America

right?

[w4rma]

29. "…letter sent by Dean supporter, Chris Petersen, Vice President of…" (n/t)

[Mairead]

31. Has Dean's campaign repudiated it in a similarly widespread way?

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

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