Houston Democrats

Chair Dean comported himself brilliantly on Meet the Press on Sunday, given the "lets nail him with his own out of context words" line of questioning Russert was able to muster in lieu of substantive dialogue. Oh how I long for the robust, challenging interviews of elected officials by BBC. But, then again, knowing that TV news is relegated to the entertainment departments, what more can we expect?
I missed parts of the interview but it appears Iraq and exit strategy did not come up. Can other bloggers enlighten me?
I have re-thought my view of Dean's role vis a vis an exit strategy. His job is to reflect the view of the rank and file of the Party and communicate that to our mostly reluctant(on the Iraq issue) national Legislators. Polls of Democrats uniformly reveal a strong majority of us want out with a coherent exit strategy....not unlike that proposed by Kucinich, Hayden, et al. State Parties are beginning to stake out strong exit positions as they meet. So, Governor Dean, it is time to challenge our Dem. legislators to deny Bush the funds necessary to continue this insanity in Iraq.
You did us proud on Meet The Press. Press on.

Yes, you are correct about the Iraq war not being discussed in any significant way during the interview. Dean mentioned some about it in regards to Bush's case for going to war, but Tim Russert didn't ask him what he thought we should do in Iraq. I was disappointed nothing was really said about it. I think at the moment it is being overshadowed by the filibuster battle in the Senate.

I think you are right on the mark with your description of Dean's role regarding an Iraq exit strategy. Additionally, I do think that the Progressive Democrats of America have some good methods for how we can disengage from Iraq and for an orderly withdrawal. I'm just a little hesitant on how fast US troops can come out, and how willing other nations would be to support a UN-led effort after what the Bush administration did. Nevertheless, I think that the PDA is much closer to having a viable answer about getting out than this administration ever will.

The main topics discussed during the interview that I heard were the filibuster and judicial nominations, Tom DeLay, abuse and corruption that develops when one party controls all the power, Social Security, abortion, Terri Schiavo, and then at the end Dean was asked about his strategy and the future of the Democratic Party.

Here's some quotes that picked out from the interview:

REP. TOM DELAY, (R-TX): Democrats around the country are growing more and more alienated every day because they see that the once-great party of Roosevelt and Kennedy has become the party of Howard Dean.

I would much rather be in the party with Dean instead of DeLay. What ever happend to the once-great party of Lincoln that has become the party of extremists and their corporate interests?

Howard Dean in February: "This is a struggle between good and evil and we're the good?"

MR. RUSSERT: Do you really hate Republicans? Do you consider them evil?

DR. DEAN: I don't--well, actually that was a little out of context. But I don't hate Republicans as individuals. But I hate what the Republicans are doing to this country. I really do. I hate deficits, as you know. When I was governor, I really was very tough on fiscal responsibility. Deficits in the long run aren't good for the country, and they do lower our standard of living. Every American family knows that you have to pay your bills. I hate the dishonesty, you know, the idea that you'd put a program through Congress without telling people what it costs, I think that's wrong. Some of the things that the president said on our way into Iraq, they just weren't true, and I don't think that's right.

I thought Dean had a very good way of making the case on the need for abortion, and the need to address why abortions come up in the first place to make them rare. Here's part of what Dean said:

But when you talk about framing this debate the way it ought to be framed, which is "Do you want Tom DeLay and the boys to make up your mind about this, or does a woman have a right to make up her own mind about what kind of health care she gets," then that pro-life woman says "Well, now, you know, I've had people try to make up my mind for me and I don't think that's right." This is an issue about who gets to make up their minds: the politicians or the individual. Democrats are for the individual. We believe in individual rights. We believe in personal freedom and personal responsibility. And that debate is one that we didn't win, because we kept being forced into the idea of defending the idea of abortion.

Here's the link to the complete transcript of Howard Dean's interview on Meet the Press.