Granny Rant
Thursday, September 11, 2003
::: President Dean & Vice President Clark :::
Well, whaddaya think?
Published on Thursday, September 11, 2003 by the Washington Post
Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean has asked retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark to join his campaign.
[..]
Clark, in a telephone interview yesterday, said he did not want to comment about the private meeting. Asked about reports that the two men had discussed a wide range of issues, including endorsing Dean, joining the campaign, possible roles in a Dean administration and the vice presidency, he said only, "It was a complete tour of the horizon."
Later, an adviser quoted Clark as saying, "I have only one decision to make: Will I seek the presidency?"
It was the fourth time Dean and Clark have met face-to-face to discuss the campaign. No decisions were made at the California meeting because Clark is still considering a run for president. Clark is scheduled to make a speech Sept.19 at the University of Iowa, when many political insiders expect him to announce his intentions.
[..]
Last week, Dean said the United States should not "take sides" in the Middle East conflict and said that an "enormous" number of Israeli settlements would have to be dismantled as part of a peace agreement. Yesterday, Dean shifted course, saying the settlements should be left to negotiators.
The governor's original comments angered a number of Jewish leaders and drew rebukes from two rivals, Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.) and Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.). Dean came under fire yesterday from a group of House Democrats for his comments on the Middle East. "This is not a time to be sending mixed messages," the Democrats, including Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (Md.), wrote to Dean.
Hmmmm ... well ... I thought it was brave of Dean to speak his mind. (Perhaps a possible negative career move, though) . The Israelis and Palestinians are never going to get it together if the negotiators don't get some backbone and insist on both sides towing the line and following the road map.
