I found it ironic and amusing that yesterday Gephardt -- after doing the hit on Dean for Kerry -- has finally endorsed him. Makes sense given that most of Gephardt's org is now working for Kerry (Elemendorf, maybe Murphy's going to help out). Good way to keep your job (and guarantee one in the next admin).
I only wish that some of the journalists who cover the campaign would report on what a bunch of thugs Murphy and Elemendorf turned out to be (instead of focusing on what a decent man Dick G was)
Here's a nice piece about the cooperation between Kerry and Gephardt to kill Dean
Gephardt and Kerry unite against Dean
David M. Halbfinger NYT
Monday, October 13, 2003
MANCHESTER, New Hampshire Perhaps it was not so surprising to see Representative Dick Gephardt of Missouri and Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts arm in arm, all smiles, whispering in each other's ears on stage at the Democratic debate last week in Phoenix, Arizona.
These two contenders for the U.S. presidency, who for months have been eclipsed by the surging campaign of Howard Dean, the former governor of Vermont, have been fairly chummy of late - at Dean's expense.
At a debate two weeks ago in New York, for example, when Gephardt questioned Dean's support for Medicare, it was Kerry who defended Gephardt's tactic.
Aides to both men say there is no overt conspiracy, but they acknowledge hat at a staff level, the Gephardt and Kerry campaigns are more than friendly: They are sharing intelligence about Dean that helps fuel each other's attacks on him. On Sept. 30, for instance, the two campaigns fired off press releases within 18 minutes of each other referring to a column in The Boston Globe critical of Dean.
And, here is another one when Gephardt just stopped short of kneecapping the Gov by inferring he was not qualified to be President
GEPHARDT: There's a pattern with Governor Dean. First, say something indefensible, then deny you ever said it. Then when it's proven you said it, don't tell anybody why you said it. And then go and say it all over again. If you're confused, imagine how Governor Dean must feel.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Is he qualified, in your opinion, to be president of the United States?
GEPHARDT: Well, I think I'm more qualified to be president of the United States. And when he takes positions and then says he didn't take that position and then says that we're all lying about his position, it makes him in a bad place to take on George Bush and win this race.
Look, we need a candidate who can take on George Bush and defeat him on issues like trade, on issues like Medicare, on issues like assault weapons ban and the Brady bill and how we deal with gun safety legislation.
This man is not in a place where he can take on and defeat George Bush. We have to defeat George Bush.
BLITZER: Let me rephrase the question, or restate the question. Is he qualified to be president of the United States?
GEPHARDT: I think I am much more qualified to be president of the United States. I think I can beat George Bush, because I have the most experience. I have translated that experience into the boldest and best ideas that are resonant with America's voters. And I can beat George Bush in the Midwest, which is where you've got to beat him. You've got to beat him in the states like Missouri and Illinois.
BLITZER: I understand you feel you're more qualified, but is he qualified?
GEPHARDT: I think I'm more qualified than he is. I really believe I can beat George Bush, and...
BLITZER: You're not going to tell me if you think he's qualified?
GEPHARDT: ... I'm not sure that Howard Dean can, with his stand on the issues, and some of the statements he's made on foreign policy, and the way he has dealt with his own positions, saying that everybody's lying about what he's already said.
BLITZER: Can I conclude from what you just said that you don't think he's qualified to be president?
GEPHARDT: Wolf, I think I'm more qualified than he is. I think he's going to have real trouble beating George Bush with the positions he's taken and the statements that he's made. I just think he's going to have real...
