Reply #31: I saw it live, and at first was glad that Dean had energy... [View All]

[milkyway]

I was smiling because the Gov was his usual feisty self, even after very disappointing results. But as it went on, feeding off the crowd, he was way over the top. I felt sickened because I knew I was watching something that could eventually end his campaign. It would be blown up to be bigger than it actually was. There are some Dean supporters trying to defend his speech, but I doubt any of them had hoped beforehand that his speech would be delivered like this. I love the Gov, warts and all, and I want him to be Howard Dean, especially when after taking a tough punch from the Iowa voters. But at the worst possible moment, he became Howard Dean squared, providing everyone the ammo to use against him.

Dean seems to have believed the media image of himself and ran with it. My fear is that the undecideds or uninformed will only remember this speech. Things look tough for him now, but he still has a chance to bounce back in New Hampshire. Thankfully, the people of New Hampshire know him well, and will not judge him solely on the speech Monday night.