Dean on the spot in Thursday's debate (presidential stature -not anger)

[papau]

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/primaries/massachusetts/articles/2004/01/21/dean_on_the_spot_in_thursdays_debate/

Dean on the spot in Thursday's debate
By Stephen Frothingham, Associated Press Writer, 1/21/2004

CONCORD, N.H. -- When the Democratic presidential hopefuls line up for a two-hour showdown debate in Manchester on Thursday, it will be a whittled down bunch with no clear front-runner.<snip>

Dean will have to balance a more aggressive approach in the debate with avoiding the appearance of anger and aggression that some blame for his falloff in Iowa, Smith said. "He has to be careful not to show the face of Howard Dean that he showed (Monday night in a fiery speech following the Iowa caucus) -It's getting to the point where voters are really taking it seriously, they are saying, 'we're electing the leader of the free world,' and they want to see that presidential stature," ....<snip>

"A lot depends on what the other candidates are saying and doing," (Dean’s Dorie) Clark said. "Gov. Dean in past months has been under attack by many candidates. But we're focused on trying to put forward a strong positive message about Gov. Dean's vision."
<snip>

Saint Anselm College – 1/22/04 - 8 p.m. – moderated by Brit Hume and Peter Jennings.

[The_Counsel]

1. A Couple of Things Here...

"When the Democratic presidential hopefuls line up for a two-hour showdown debate in Manchester on Thursday, it will be a whittled down bunch with no clear front-runner.<snip>"

Actually, by most accounts, Kerry is the new "front-runner," by virtue of his Iowa Caucus win and his recent surge in the polls...


"Dean will have to balance a more aggressive approach in the debate with avoiding the appearance of anger and aggression that some blame for his falloff in Iowa, Smith said. "He has to be careful not to show the face of Howard Dean that he showed (Monday night in a fiery speech following the Iowa caucus) -It's getting to the point where voters are really taking it seriously, they are saying, 'we're electing the leader of the free world,' and they want to see that presidential stature," ....<snip>"

Dean certainly has painted himself in a tight little corner, hasn't he?

He'd been bashed for being "too angry" (as if that really meant anything) for Lord knows how long. Then he feeds into that madness himself with that charged up speech Monday night. Now he's either going to confirm his "angry insanity," or be a kinder, gentler Dean at tonight's debate. If he does the latter, he'll probably get bashed anyway for "reinventing himself" (as if that meant a hell of a lot, either).

My question is this: why wasn't/isn't George W. Bush held to the same standard? He'd done DOZENS of things that made me think he "wasn't very Presidential" before the 2000 primary season kicked off, but there he is, sitting in the Oval Office.

Laughing.

[buckeye1]

2. oh my.

dean needs to change course now. i hope can do it.

[adamrsilva]

3. Dean's trying to re-invent himself

Will see if he can do it tomorrow night.