ElectionWatch: Howard Dean Gives West Coast Voters a Reason to Stay Home

Howard Dean just finished a jaw-dropping interview with Lou Dobbs on CNN, seemingly designed to inspire voters in states where the polls haven't closed to just stay home. Among the lowlights, he promised voters they wouldn't see Democrats "cut-and-run" in Iraq (is that what he thinks Jack Murtha's plan is?), called for a "thoughtful" exit from the country after it's been "stabilized", and told Dobbs "there isn't much we can do to change the president's policies" in Iraq [when the transcript is posted, I may have to change a word or two in this last quote since I'm doing it from memory, but, trust me, this pretty much what he said].

Memo to Howard: What do you mean there isn't much you can do? I know it's been a while since you guys have been in the majority, but remember, Congress has the power of the purse and the power of investigations.

And waiting until Iraq is stabilized sounds a hell of a lot like the president's plan -- staying the course until the Iraqis stand up, so we can then stand down. Take a look at Iraq. Does it look like it will be "stabilized" anytime soon?

And why would you use the GOP's "cut-and-run" framing, even as an example of what you won't be doing? Time to change your talking points.