One of the memes that the left likes to keep repeating is that the ‘So-Called Liberal Media’ (SCLM, for short), invented the truth problem from Al Gore. The fact of the matter is, that it was Gore’s own creation, since he was prone to exxagerate and stretch the truth. It looks like Dean is going to soon face the same problem, and I look to the partisan Democrats to blame Republicans and the SCLM for ‘creating’ this issue. Here, Dean is on the hot seat for his remarks about race during the panderfest (I mean, debate) last night:
Dean, defending himself against criticism that his supporters are mostly white, told the predominantly black debate crowd, “I’m the only white politician that ever talks about race in front of white audiences.”
Dean was wrong.
Edwards urges racial tolerance in nearly ever speech he gives on the campaign trail, including addresses to white crowds. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut talks about his efforts as a student during the 1960s civil rights movement. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts has discussed race and its role in his Vietnam service.
“What he said last night was devisive and devisive is exaactly what we’re trying to overcome. He’s right about one thing, politicans should talk about civil rights wherever they go. And in the future, I hope he leads by example instead of by attack,” Edwards said in a telephone interview.
“Sen. Lieberman marched with Martin Luther King. Sen. Kerry talks about his experience in Vietnam. I grew up in the segregated South. Fighting for civil rights is part of who I am which is why I talked about it in front of every audience and whoever I’m with,” he said.
The North Carolina lawmaker had avoided attacking his rivals until Wendesday, but his criticism is another sign that Dean’s eight rivals are throwing elbows at the front-runner in an effort to force their way to the front.
Dean, as I have noted, has a temper and plays fast and loose with the facts. This will be an issue in the future.
dwight meredith
“I’m the only white politician that ever talks about race in front of white audiences.”
By my count that is only 15 words. Whatever is said in 16 or fewer words doesn’t count, right?
Matthew
Dwight, if Dean had said, “The British government has learned that I am the only white politician who talks about race in front of white audiences,” you might just have a point.
RW
John Kerry served in Viet Nam?
Good one, Dwight!!!!
Moe Lane
Dwight, I was doing the exact same thing, albeit for completely different reasons. :)
Moe
Kimmitt
This really is getting frustrating; the Governor keeps saying extremely true things (“White politicians need to start offering up more than platitudes when talking to white audiences about race,”) then sprinting so hard for brevity that he loses enough nuance to cause untruth.
I find it interesting that the WaPo did not attempt to contact the Dean campaign for comment on Senator Edwards’s criticism. That’s part and parcel of presenting a balanced story, but I’ve noticed a WaPo bias against Dean. Dunno.
HH
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By the way, it’s two g’s and one x.