Dean: New Bridge 'represents everything that is wrong with the Bush admin'

BURLINGTON—Howard Dean issued the following statement today:

"In the midst of a brewing Washington scandal over reckless leaks and a debate over whether to spend $87 billion to rescue a failed policy in Iraq comes word of close Bush associates feeding at the Washington special interest trough. Joseph Allbaugh--who, with Karl Rove and Karen Hughes, comprised Bush's 'iron triangle' of handlers--has founded a new firm, New Bridge Strategies, with a number of other Republican cronies. This firm represents everything that is wrong with the Bush administration--and why change is so desperately needed in Washington.

"Joe Allbaugh was the Chief of Staff for then-Governor George W. Bush and the campaign manager for the 2000 Bush-Cheney campaign. Until recently, he was the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"Now he and two of the most prominent Republican lobbyists in Washington, along with other veterans of the Reagan and Bush years, have started this firm with the openly stated purpose of using their close ties to the Bush administration to help companies earn lucrative contracts in the reconstruction of Iraq.

"The American people have serious questions about the credibility of this Administration's actions regarding every angle of this war:

"They question why we went to war, when the stated rationales are apparently false.

"They question the lack of adequate planning for post-war Iraq, as more soldiers have been killed in the post-major combat phase than in the actual invasion.

"They question the Vice President's continuing ties to Halliburton, and why Halliburton is entitled to upwards of $2 billion in no-bid contracts.

"They question the motives of the 'senior administration officials' who allegedly engaged in criminal wrongdoing by disclosing the identity of an undercover CIA operative, thereby jeopardizing national security interests, her career, and possibly putting the lives of her contacts at risk.

"And now we learn about New Bridge Strategies, a company that confirms people's worst fears about their government by blatantly seeking to trade its insider-influence for lucrative contracts. Is rebuilding Iraq a humanitarian enterprise, or a massive giveaway program for Republican conglomerates and insiders? Who does this government belong to--the people or the special interests?

"Since January, my campaign will have raised $25 million dollars in average donations of less than $100 in almost 200,000 separate contributions. If I am elected, my government will belong to the people and theirs will be the only interest that I serve"

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http://blog.deanforamerica.com/archives/001731.html

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He just keeps coming up with the goods :D

this is real insider profitering. Dean calling out
the WH insiders crooked dealings now that he has a
platform to do it from will have more and more
impact on Bush's ability to steal with impunity.

The current drum beat of scandle must be exploited
in order to bring in a independant counsel.

Go Dean...

The institutional war profiteering by the Republican Corporate Party has got to cease before they completely destroy this country on every level.

I hope every Democratic contender makes equally strong statements.

Way to go Howard!