Dean Says Goodbye to Arab Votes

Wed, Sep 10, 2003 at 8:52:07 am PDT

Democratic Presidential candidate Howard Dean executed a beautiful half-double-gainer with a twist last night (judges awarded him a 9.5), blatantly reversing his position that the US “should not take sides” in the Arab-Israeli conflict: Dean Flips on Israel.

September 10, 2003 -- BALTIMORE - Under fire from pro-Israel leaders, Democratic 2004 front-runner Howard Dean last night retreated from his statement that America shouldn't "take sides" in the Mideast, and said he backs a "special relationship" with Israel.

"We've had a special relationship with Israel," Dean said at a Democratic debate last night, insisting, "I don't mean any such thing" as changing America's support for Israel or cutting aid.

Dean's switch came after his demand that Israel withdraw from an "enormous number" of settlements drew fire from Jewish leaders and praise from an Arab-American leader.

Rival Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) charged at the debate that Dean is "not standing by our values." He added that Dean actually took sides - but against Israel - by demanding withdrawal from settlements instead of leaving that to negotiation.

Dean shot back, "I'm disappointed in Joe - my position on Israel is exactly the same as Bill Clinton's."

Lieberman retorted, "Not so," and Dean sounded annoyed as he complained, "I didn't interrupt you" and warned against trying "to demagogue this issue."

Pander, pander, pander. The Democratic party is in a complete shambles; what does it say that the most entertaining person at last night’s “debate” was Al Sharpton?