What a scumbag! Gov Dean plays some rhetorical games with the press who willingly pass them on. He said that President Bush's decision to send troops to Iraq appears to have contributed to the bombing deaths of 201 people in Spain. He says he is merely repeating what was on a video tape from those claiming responsibility for the bombings that has surfaced.

"That was what they said in the tape," Dean said. "They made that connection, I'm simply repeating it."

The Kerry campaign rather than repudiating Dean's half-witted statement, backs it up and uses the opportunity to attack President Bush.

Update! Senator Kerry says he does not share Governor Dean's view, however his campaign said this while attacking President Bush:

Dean was speaking on a conference call arranged by Kerry's campaign. Campaign spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter reiterated Dean's clarification of his remarks and added, "It's clear that what happened in Spain is a painful reminder that the war on terror is far from over," said said, "and the nation would be better off if this administration took the time to rebuild our alliances rather than engaging in political attacks."

This is called 'having it both ways'. A surrogate takes the low road and the candidate takes the high road while his campaign waffles incoherently inbetween so as not to dim the message.