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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2003

Governor Dean: Where was the 'Leadership'?

MANCHESTER, N.H.-While campaigning in New Hampshire today, Governor Howard Dean made the following statement: "Nine months ago, the United States Congress considered the resolution to go to war with Iraq.

"At the time, even though I was a governor of a small state in New England, there were many unanswered questions in my mind and in the mind of many Americans about the nature of the threat posed. Many of us continued to ask these difficult questions in the months leading to the war, and continue to ask those questions to this day.

"Last week, I called upon the Administration to answer sixteen questions about their leadership and candor in leading us to war.

"Today, I ask some important questions of those in Congress who had the power to seek the truth nine months ago, who had the power to involve the American people in the debate prior to the Congressional vote, who had the power to ask the tough questions of the Administration, and yet voted to give the President blank check authority to go to war with Iraq anyway.