Dean's thoughts on foreign policy, gay rights, abortion have not changed.

[madfloridian]

An important aspect of Howard Dean's view of national security.

http://forward.com/main/article.php?ref=kessler200502021129
He has said this many times, but this is a good summary:

"Regarding foreign policy, Dean said that we need a "national security policy consistent with American morality. It's not enough to have a strong military. We need to regain the moral high ground we had before this administration took over."

CAMPAIGN CONFIDENTIAL
By E.J. KESSLER
February 4, 2005

Hailing Howard: About 400 Democratic activists came out Sunday to hear former Vermont Governor Howard Dean in Manhattan at SEIU 1199's union hall. Dean, who appeared to have sewed up the race to head the Democratic National Committee as the Forward went to press, seemed to have changed nothing from the standard red-meat stump speech he gave hundreds of times during the Democratic presidential primary campaign. "We are at risk of losing our democracy," he said, charging that "the far right now controls the White House, the Supreme Court and both Houses of Congress."

He has said this before, but I am very glad he continues to say it even now. This was last Sunday:

"We're not the pro-abortion party; we're the party where women are allowed to make up their own mind. We're not the party of gay marriage," he said, but the party of "fairness" for every American; not the party of raising taxes, but "the party where offshore corporations pay their fair share."

Regarding foreign policy, Dean said that we need a "national security policy consistent with American morality. It's not enough to have a strong military. We need to regain the moral high ground we had before this administration took over."

HD receiving some buttons from supporters at Sunday's rally in NY.

[Melodybe]

1. I'm going to meet Dean on March 1st

in Jackson, Ms.

I can't wait!!

[madfloridian]

4. Lucky you. I found this write-up on it at the blog.

http://www.wtok.com/home/headlines/1200612.html
"In a little over a month, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean will be in the Magnolia State. While here he will serve as guest speaker for a dinner in Jackson to honor Democratic elected officials in the state.

Dean has made public his desire to be the new chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Local party officials say it appears his wish could become true.

SNIP..."While the visit in March will mark Dean's first official stop in Mississippi, Clark says the visit is not a strategy for Dean to get elected as DNC chair.

"Of course," says Clark, "the election for the DNC chairman is going to be held before then. So, when he comes to speak to us, the election will already have been held."

[cornermouse]

2. Well said, Howard.

In other words, a party of inclusion, not exclusion.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. what Dean says is practicle

and in line with what Americans like to think we are really like-moral and inclusive.

[Adelante]

5. That's what we wanna hear nt

:thumbsup:

[DFLforever]

6. Look at the man standing behind Dean

- his expression and attitude. I know how he must feel. It's just such a relief to be around a man of firm conviction like Dean.

[TheOriginalAmerican]

7. We do need to gain our morality back.

We lost it before we got Bush in office though. We've had a horrible foreign policy before Bush.

Bush just showed us to be the asses we really were. Plus, he's scary as hell with some of his insane policies.

It's nice to see Dean standing up to Bush and the Republicans though. I've been fearing that some like Hilary will go too far to the right for the purpose of gaining power.

I don't believe we've lost our democracy. The far right might very well take away many American freedoms before the next four years is over with, but whose fault is that? It's the fault of Americans who voted for him. Voting in the leaders (even the far right ones) is democracy. Fifty-eight million people can be wrong.

[Sterling]

13. Plz explain cuz you sound like a freeper.

"We do need to gain our morality back"

"We lost it before we got Bush in office though. We've had a horrible foreign policy before Bush.

Bush just showed us to be the asses we really were"

[w4rma]

14. TheOriginalAmerican is saying that our foreign policy has been immoral

for decades now, but Bush has really brought out the immorality for much more of the American public to see. Nothing freeperish about it.

Don't be so skiddish about using the word "morals". Morals are something that, whether you like the word or not, you seem to be trying to promote.

[Sterling]

15. I am not so sure that was what he was saying.

I would like to hear it from him.

[Me.]

8. Excellent Way Of Framing The Message

and taking back the high ground on issues

[bread_and_roses]

9. Well, I hope he's changed his mind on Social Security

or that my memory that he supported raising the retirement age is incorrect. It is unconscionable that a physician would advocate seniors standing behind a grocery counter or working on a road crew.

Reading his statements lately has made me think more positively of him than I did in the Primaries, and to think he might be a change from the more Republican than the Republicans of which we see all too much. It's about time someone said "I hate everything they stand for," since whatever they once were they are now the party of death, destruction, and total war against the poor and working people. He also is right on the framing of our issues - the NeoCons have been getting away with stealing words like "fair" and "values" all too long. I am also encouraged by the Union support he is getting. All in all, from what I've read, he seems a better candidate for DNC chair. But with SS battle coming up, I would like to know that he will stand with working people on this issue.

[madfloridian]

10. Here you go.

http://www.issues2000.org/2004/Howard_Dean_Social_Security.htm

Reverse Bush tax cuts to shore up trust fund-don't privatize

Dean strongly opposes any effort to privatize Social Security. He said the government "must return to fiscal discipline and use some of the savings to shore up the Social Security Trust Fund." He said eliminating Bush's tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, closing corporate tax loopholes and spending cuts would provide money for the fund.
Source: Editorial, The State (South Carolina) Nov 16, 2003

Dean considered raising retirement age to 70-now keep it at 67.
Q: What is your position on raising the retirement age?
DEAN: We shouldn't do it. You know, Dick Gephardt considered means testing Social Security and Medicare both, something that I have never considered. I considered raising the Social Security age possibly to 70, possibly to 68. I've rejected that. I think Dick has since rejected means testing Social Security. So my view is, we do not need to raise the retirement age above 67. We do not need to means test Social Security or Medicare.
Source: Debate at Pace University in Lower Manhattan Sep 25, 2003

Maintain long-term solvency of Social Security and Medicare.
Dean adopted the National Governors Association position paper:

The Issue
With the first federal budget surplus in a generation and estimates of non-Social Security surpluses ranging from $750 billion to $1.9 trillion over the next decade, the issue is whether Congress and the President will agree to dedicate a portion of the projected surplus to tax cuts and, if so, what the impacts on states might be.

Tax issues raise several concerns for states.
How much of the potential non-Social Security surplus should be dedicated to tax cuts and breaks?
Absent any consensus on long-term legislation to ensure solvency of Social Security and Medicare, would major federal revenue losses for tax cuts risk shifting substantial entitlement burdens to states?
How would federal tax changes affect state income taxes?
What are key elements for states of any future major tax bill? In school construction? For retirement? For housing and economic development? For health care?
NGA’s Position
NGA opposes reductions from current discretionary spending levels or changes that could risk the long-term solvency of the nation’s Social Security and Medicare systems. NGA supports provisions to ensure reduced barriers to state and local capital finance through tax-exempt bonds and to ensure maximum flexibility in setting and maintaining state retirement plans and programs.
Source: National Governors Association "Issues / Positions" 01-NGA16 on Aug 1, 2001

[bread_and_roses]

11. Some better, not good enough, but best we'll get, I suppose

The Democrats should be advocating a LOWER retirement age. I guarantee you, when those born in 1960 reach 62, they are not going to be too happy about working as a janitor, or maybe even as a lawyer for five more years.

This, like income supports for poor and low income, is merely a matter of priorities. And as usual, the Democrats are willing to sell out, to screw working people for their share of Corporate largesse in campaign funding.

I forgot my usual disclamer in first post: I am not a Democrat, though I used to be. So to be technical, I've forfeited any right to an opinion on the DNC chair - not that my opinion ever mattered anyway.

But since I work on every election - even off-year local elections - and always for Democrats, since we have no viable third party candidates where I live, I have an interest in what the Party leadership does. It is too bad that the Democrats are willing to settle for so little, when the space is wide open for a Party willing to speak up for the 80% or so of us who make less than $80,000 a year.

[madfloridian]

12. I tend to agree with you.

I am afraid that our Democrats will sell us out on this. I hope I am wrong.