Reply #11: wtf?

[ima_sinnic]

as much as I'd like a candidate to be brave and take a stand against the sanctions, it's hardly a defining criterion. Of all the single issues by which I might judge a candidate this is not it.

BTW, I believe Dean might still be developing his stand on Cuba. The quotes I've seen sounded not that cast in stone. He is very amenable to voter suggestions. I have e-mailed his campaign many times with suggestions, often referring him to discussions here on DU for ideas and to see what people are saying & thinking. And very often I hear those same ideas expressed in speeches a little later. A reasonable e-mail with good ideas for alternatives will be read and digested.

This from his web site:

f. Trade with Cuba

The Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancements Act (TSRA) that passed in 2000 and allowed food and medicine exports to Cuba through third-country financing resulted in a $165 million increase in revenue for farmers in 2002. Lifting further sanctions and allowing the direct sale of food to Cuba could mean as much a $1.25 billion in added sales annually according to a Texas A&M study. We cannot reward Castro for his recent human rights abuses, but I believe that we will further the cause of democracy in Cuba with the eventual lifting of trade sanctions. As president I will:

--Move towards the eventual lifting of the trade embargo with Cuba in order to open a new market to American farmers and to push forward the forces of Democracy in Cuba
--Make clear that Cuba will not be rewarded for continued human rights violations

http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/PageServer?pagename=policy_policy_agriculture_summary

what else do you want re Cuba??

on edit: link
2nd edit: mix-up, fixed head