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Revision as of 06:01, 5 August 2003 by Stevenj (talk | contribs) (another quote regarding the liberal vs. conservative question)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Howard Dean (born November 17, 1948) is the former governor of Vermont and a member of the Democratic Party. He is campaigning as a candidate in the 2004 U.S. presidential election.
- Wife: Judith Steinberg, M.D.,
- Education and Medical Career
- 1971 - Bachelor's degree from Yale University
- 1978 - Medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City
- Completed residency, Medical Center Hospital of Vermont
- Opened an internal medicine practice with his wife in Shelburne, Vermont.
- Political career:
- Volunteer in Jimmy Carter's reelection campaign
- 1982-1986 Served in Vermont House of Representatives
- Elected assistant minority leader in 1985
- 1986 He was elected lieutenant governor
- August 14, 1991 - Assumed governorship (previous governor died of heart attack)
- May 31, 2002 - Announced intent to run in 2004 presidential election
- June 23, 2003 - Formally announced intention to run for President in 2004.
Howard Dean began his 2004 Presidential campaign emphasizing his opposition to the U.S. plan to invade Iraq, using momentum from the online anti-war movement to build an impressive online campaign. He contrasted his positions with those of other Democratic candidates in an early debate by claiming that he was from "the democratic wing of the Democratic party" (implying that the other candidates' positions were barely different from those of their Republican opposition).
Some claim he has shifted towards the right since his official announcement, upsetting many Democratic party progressives. Reports of his tenure as Vermont governor, however, paint a picture of a man who has long been more moderate: "Dean's emerging national reputation as a liberal tribune obscures the centrist course he steered during his tenure as governor of Vermont" (Washington Post, Aug. 3 2003). As he told Salon.com: "I don't mind being characterized as 'liberal'—I just don't happen to think it's true."
- Death Penalty - Favors for "extreme" crimes like terrorism or the killing of a police officer, although critical of Bush administration's "careless" approach to executions
- Roe v. Wade - Pro-choice, but refuses to make Roe v. Wade a litmus test for federal judges
- Kyoto Protocol - Says we must "take another look," but has "concerns" about some provisions
- Pentagon waste - Disagrees with any proposed Pentagon cutbacks, and advocates aggressive expansion of intelligence, police, and special forces
- Gun control - Supports closing the gun show loophole, but opposes other new federal regulation; considers guns a states' rights issue; an "A" rating from NRA most of his career
- Medical marijuana - Firmly opposed, although promises to abide by a proposed FDA evaluation