Excerpts of Chairman Dean's Remarks Before Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Today in a speech before the Annual Conference of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean detailed the weakness of the Republican party on matters of national defense, and forcefully detailed why Democrats are stronger in keeping America safe. Dean also discussed what the Democratic National Committee is doing to get democrats elected all across the country in order to restore honest leadership and open government, and contrasted the Democratic Party's positive agenda for America with the Republican Culture of Corruption and the Bush Administration's failed leadership.
Below are excerpts from Chairman Dean's speech:
Rove's Strategy on Security is a Loser for Republicans
"Karl Rove says that the Republicans are going to win on the issue of defense. I submit to you that if the issue is defense, the Republicans will lose because this is the weakest Administration on defense that we've seen in many, many years. What I mean is this. For five years this President has been in the White House. For five years North Korea continues to possess nuclear weapons. For five years this Administration has been in the White House, Iran moves closer every day to producing nuclear weapons. For four years, Osama Bin Laden has been on the loose and remains so. And today we see the specter, as reported in the Jerusalem post- of a company that is about to take over American ports, which actively continues today to boycott Israel.
"The Democrats have a better idea. First we will conclude the negotiations with the Chinese and the North Koreans to disarm North Korea. Secondly, under no circumstances will a Democratic Administration ever allow Iran to become a nuclear power. Three, we will kill or capture Osama bin Laden and four, the authority and the control of the ports of the United States must be retained by American companies.
"We are not simply speaking about the United Arab Emirates -- we are also speaking about the western ports which are controlled by companies controlled by the Chinese government. Foreign governments of any kind ought not to be controlling American ports, especially when the Coast Guard already recommended that they could not guarantee the security of the ports."
"We will defend America."
Getting Democrats Elected: Democrats Offer Competent, Honest Leadership vs
The Bush Administration's Failed Leadership and the Republican Culture of Corruption
"I'm trying to make sure that we have a government that actually works for the American people and tells the truth, that's my primary obligation. . .
"Republicans have been in power long enough to show that they can't be trusted with your money, your defense or power. The truth is today, 34% of the American people think that the President is doing a good job. So, we're not talking about a fifty-fifty country- we're simply talking about a country that wants competence and honesty in their leadership again"
"While the Republicans have done a good job winning elections the. . .way they win elections is the root cause for why they've done such a terrible job governing America. . .
"If you divide people in order to win elections, you can't govern. . .The president has to understand that they are the President of all people, not just 50.1%."
Together, America Can Do Better - A Positive Democratic Agenda
"So our strategy is very simple- we want to make it clear to the American people what the Republicans are about and what their discrepancies are between what they say and what they do. We also want to make sure the American people understand what we are going to do differently.
"One- we will pass ethics legislation within the first 100 days of our re-ascension to power, and eliminate the scandals and the corruption that the Republicans have brought to power. We want honest and open government in America again.
"Two- we want a strong national defense which begins with telling the truth to our citizens and our soldiers and our allies before we send troops abroad.
"Three- we want American jobs that will stay in America by creating a new energy independence industry, creating thousands of manufacturing jobs and construction jobs to retrofit our homes and businesses.
"Four- we want a health care system which works for everyone, just like 36 other countries in the world have.
"And five- we want a strong public education system so we can have opportunity and optimism back in America again. . ."
