Dean say its his job to insure a clear difference between Dems and GOP

[madfloridian]

He also addresses port security outsourcing and outsourcing military.

From Renee's transcript of Dean interview on Fox tonight, some snips. It was a good interview, but very edited, down to about 7 minutes. Most shows don't edit the interviews. Makes one wonder what else was said.

http://howardempowered.blogspot.com/2006/03/howard-dean-on-hannity-and-colmes.html

On the Katrina fiasco:

"Colmes: How do you respond to that--how should Democrats react to this?

Dean: Well, I don't think it's a matter of how Democrats react to it, I think it's a matter of how the American public reacts to it. Anybody who wants to see this for themselves should go to our website, Democrats.org. You can see this tape--it's linked to the Democratic party's web site. And I advise Americans to do that, because I think they need to make up their own mind about about this. This president has a pattern of not being truthful to the American people about Iraq, about Katrina, about the Medicare prescription benefit--a long history of saying things that just aren't so.

On outsourcing and port security.

Colmes: But no American company bid on the ports, so maybe that's one of the problems. There was not a bidder--there was not an opportunity for an American company to be involved in this.

Dean: Well, I'm sure that an American company *would* bid on the ports if this was restricted to American companies, and I really do think that we can't outsource port security. You know, the president's outsourced most everything. But this is something you can't outsource. And one of the reason's we've gotten in trouble in Iraq, is we've outsourced our security to private firms. Abu Ghraib I think--the abuses in the prison in Iraq, was a product of contractors also in the chain of command, in terms of telling soldiers what to do and how to treat prisoners. The president seems to want to outsource our security and our military, and I think that's a very bad idear. Federal employees ought to be controlling the security of the United States, and I think that's why this is a bad idear. I think it's important for us to be sure that we don't allow anti-Arab bias. And I think that some of the statements on the right, particularly Senator Santorum, which I thought was appalling, are not necessary. We don't need to go down that road. But we do need to question who runs America's ports.

And Colmes questions him on whether he should be so outspoken. Snide question...

Colmes: You know the Republicans like to often go after you because of things you say, and they underscore some of the rhetoric that Howard Dean says. That seems to be a diversion from real issues, but do you feel you have to watch what you say sometimes so that that doesn't become the issue, and so that the focus can be on what the vision is for going forward.

Dean: No, I think I have to say more of what I say, and the reason is that the American people understand what I'm about. They understand that I want the truth, and honesty and openness in government, and that in fact is now a Democratic party position. In order for Democrats to win, we have to differentiate ourselves from Republicans. We have to stand up for what we believe in and show a clearly different path on issues like defending America, on issues like honesty in government, on issues like jobs, healthcare, and public education, and retirement security. That's exactly what we're now doing. In the 2006 congressional elections, Americans are going to see a very clear difference between Republicans and Democrats. And my job is to try to make sure we have that clear difference in the minds of the American people, so that they have a real choice in this next election.

[madfloridian]

1. Good statement on people being sick of being misled.

"Colmes: What would you predict in terms of House, Senate, how many seats will Democrats take--

Dean: Well, I'm not going to make specific predictions, but I'm going to tell you if we can clearly differentiate ourselves from Republicans, I believe we'll take back the House and Senate and the governorships. I think we're going to pick up 5 to 7 governorships. People are sick of this, they don't like being misled, they don't like the budget deficits, they think that Iraq is a mess, which it is, and I think that people want a real change in this country. And I think if the Democrats make it clear to the American people that we *will* bring change to America, that we'll win overwhelmingly."

[Rageneau]

2. We need more Howards and fewer Ducks.

[fknobbit]

3. Yep....I too would like to see

them differentiate themselves from Republicans. So far all they have had to offer, with exception of a hand full, is some S.O.S. warmed up.

[Skidmore]

4. As it is EVERY Dems job to do so.

Some legislators need to be reminded of this.

[Minnesota Libra]

5. I hope Dean does his job and DOES IT WELL........

.....I want all Americans to see a very distinct difference between Democrats and neocons.:bounce:

[madfloridian]

6. Newshounds take: Dean takes back seat to Holloway on Fox.

Yes, he does. But they did get part of it wrong. He did say if we could differentiate clearly we could take back congress.

From the transcript I posted, what Dean said.
"Colmes: What would you predict in terms of House, Senate, how many seats
will Democrats take--

Dean: Well, I'm not going to make specific predictions, but I'm going to
tell youif we can clearly differentiate ourselves from Republicans, I
believe we'll take back the House and Senate and the governorships. I think
we're going to pick up 5 to 7 governorships. People are sick of this, they
don't like being misled, they don't like the budget deficits, they think
that Iraq is a mess, which it is, and I think that people want a real change
in this country. And I think if the Democrats make it clear to the American
people that we *will* bring change to America, that we'll win
overwhelmingly."

What Newshounds said:
Newshounds' take on it.

"Howard Dean got 4 ½ minutes to talk about the Katrina tape, port security, Iraq and the upcoming mid-term elections. He refused to speculate on whether Democrats would take back the House or Senate (which tells me he doesn’t think so) and then added that he expected Democrats would pick up 5-7 governorships. Frankly, I was disappointed that Dean didn’t face down Hannity but it was still a refreshing change from the usual H&C roster of guests."