Looks like Dean is on the attack, no more "mister nice guy". He is speaking at Lansing, in Michigan, and his remarks are posted on the BfA. I wonder if he will be attacking tonight in the debate? Some of his remarks are shown below.
Following are some of Dean's remarks. His language is bold, critical, and aggressive. He is not the sweetly reasonable man like he was in the week between Iowa and NH. He is going to try to set the agenda, especially in criticizing Bush. And he is again overtly critical of the Democratic party and his rivals. I wonder how he will sound tonight in the S.C. debate? And I wonder how this new tone will play in the Feb. 3 primaries? Looks like it's a new ball game, folks!
"I was outraged at the direction of the country - but what struck me quickly was how deeply my outrage was shared by the people. Outrage not just at the President but at the Democrats in Washington for failing to stand up to George Bush.
Our economy is at risk. Our international reputation is in tatters. The fabric of our society is being ripped apart.
These aren't petty political differences to be papered over. This is a fundamental disagreement over the very nature of what it means to be an American.
Eleven months ago,...I asked some fundamental questions.
I wanted to know what the Democrats, including many of my opponents, were doing give George Bush a blank check for his war in Iraq.
I wanted to know about the deficit, health care, and No Child Left Behind.
I am still waiting for the answers.
This campaign is about who has the courage to ask these questions, the judgment to find solutions, and the toughness to fight for real change.
Today, all my opponents are talking the talk. Even those who voted for the war speak like they opposed it.
Those who voted for No Child Left Behind, now criticize it.
Those who shrank from confrontation in the face of polls and pundits, now compete to outdo each other in their condemnation of George W. Bush.
But in 2004, Democrats must decide: Who will stand up for you against George W. Bush?
I ask Democrats to imagine 2005. Radical Republicans of the Bush-DeLay school will press their divisive agenda:
o more tax give-aways, driving national debt higher;
o phony health care plans that transfer your money to HMOs and drug companies;
o efforts to slice away further at the Bill of Rights, threatening a woman's right to choose, and giving government greater power to search our homes, read our mail, monitor our Internet use;
o maybe even another dangerous, preemptive unilateral war that puts our brave men and women in uniform at risk and further damages moral leadership.
When that happens, who will stand up for you?
A Washington insider who shifts with every poll? Who cuts deals that sell out the interests of ordinary Americans? "
And there's more. It looks like he ain't going to take no prisoners.