Former Governor of Vermont
Background Information
Howard Dean was born in 1948 to a wealthy New York family. He graduated from Yale in 1971 and started working on Wall Street, a position he left a few years later to complete a medical degree and set up an internal medicine practice with his wife in Vermont. Retaining his career as a practicing physician, he served as a Vermont state representative and lieutenant governor from 1983-91. The death of Vermont’s Republican governor in 1991 propelled Dean into the state governor seat and effectively ended his medical career. Elected to four more consecutive terms, he received national attention during his tenure as governor for turning Vermont’s large deficit into a surplus, instituting a successful health care program and signing America’s first civil union law for gays and lesbians.
Political Allies
The majority of American labor unions; Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix; Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii); Jesse Jackson; Kurt Schmoke, dean of Howard University Law School; Martin Sheen, actor and political activist
Political Fumbles
While being interviewed by Tim Russert on Meet the Press, Dean denied saying he supported raising the social security age to 70. He wrote an article proposing this in 1995.
Issues at a glance A: Occupation of Iraq B: Economy C: Environment D: Health Care E: Civil Liberties
A: Dean has been a relentless and outspoken opponent of the Iraq War. At the New Mexico primary debate, he criticized Bush for lying about Iraq possessing weapons of mass destruction and having a connection to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He believes that the pre-emptive strike doctrine is unethical and sets a dangerous precedent that other countries may follow. MoveOn.org quotes Dean as saying, “On my first day in office, I will tear up the Bush doctrine and rebuild a foreign policy consistent with American values.” However, now that the U.S. has already invaded and occupied Iraq, Dean says that we need to rebuild Iraq and establish order but should withdraw the bulk of American troops and internationalize the running of the occupation.
B: In a comprehensive economic plan, available on his website, he proposes a two-year $100 billion fund, which is designed to add one million new jobs to the economy. This includes an immediate increase in minimum wage to $6.65 an hour. His first step to balance the national budget would be to repeal the Bush tax cut to secure the future of Medicare and Social Security. He also wants to crack down on corporate tax shelters, loopholes and subsidies.
C: He wants to promote the use of renewable energy sources, work on countering urban sprawl and require trade agreements to include strict and enforceable environmental standards.
D: Dean wants to apply a similar health care model on a national level to the one he established in Vermont, in which 96.4% of the population has coverage. This would include guaranteed coverage for everyone under age 25 in a family that is 300% above the poverty level (around $55,000 a year) and prescription benefits for every senior citizen. At the South Carolina primary debate, Dean said, “Between 25 and 65, subsidize small businesses, don’t give the tax credits to the big corporations, subsidize individuals who need help buying health insurance, and then help individuals who work for companies that don’t do it”
E: Dean’s website quotes him saying, “The government must protect Americans against terrorism while protecting civil liberties every step of the way.” If elected, he will oppose any expansion of the PATRIOT Act or efforts to remove time limits and will work to repeal the unconstitutional portions of the law. He would also direct his attorney general to withhold federal funds from state and local law enforcement agencies engaging in racial profiling, including the targeting of Arabs and Muslims.
See also:
December 12, 2003
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