The Hiller Instinct: Dean on the Defense

Blather going on from Washington, Dean delayed his scheduled speech on domestic policy to launch a counter-attack on his democratic rivals. Responding to their raw criticism, he repeated the statement that triggered it…

Howard Dean (D) Presidential Candidate
"The truth is that Americans are no safer today from these serious threats than they were the day before Saddam Hussein was captured."

A majority of Americans apparently agree with Dean about the impact of finding Saddam. A major poll out today shows 85 percent of democratic primary voters and 78 percent of all voters, don't think Saddam's arrest decreases the threat of terror.

Howard Dean
"I think the Democratic Party has to offer a clear alternative to the American people. We must make it clear that the capture of one very bad man does not mean that this president and the Washington democrats can declare victory in the war on terror."

In his speech, Dean outlined a new social contract for America's families…

Howard Dean
"Our party has to offer a new vision that speaks to families who make just a little too much to qualify for any kind of assistance for health insurance or college tuition, but not quite enough to make ends meet."

But it was his opening statement, he was asked to explain at a new conference after the speech…

Howard Dean
"It's not my nature to be a wallflower when people are going after me and I thought I showed admirable restraint for four days. But I really, you know, this is not good for the Democratic Party to have this blather going on from Washington."

Howard Dean showed again today that he's combative and cocky, certain he's correct. That's what makes Dean a love-him-or-hate-him candidate -- just like President Bush. So it's no surprise democrats have made Dean their frontrunner, they want to fight fire with fire.