Dean NEEDS to go on letterman and leno this week

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

and laugh at himself a bit. It would humanize him and would get a ton of attention. He could laugh off the sppech and get his message out, while non-verbally assuring us taht he's not nuts and is, in fact, quite sane and a great thinker and human being.

[Padraig18]

1. I agree.

He also has a great sense of humor. :)

[adadem]

2. He has received

far more print and air time than any other candidate...I'm tired of all his backtracking. What's done is done...he has the debate to use to fix his mess.

[Padraig18]

7. There's no 'mess' to fix.

That particular meme is getting VERY tired. Bad enough that the media keeps spinning it that way, without seeing the identical spin on a progressive board.

[Guaranteed]

3. Absolutely. nt

[robsul82]

4. Screw Leno.

Do Letterman, Conan, and The Daily Show. Leno would just be a stupid whore who should die.

Later.

RJS

[zulchzulu]

5. Agreed

Leno is lame.

[SeattleRob]

14. Agree

Leno is a republican. He whored for Arnie the Groper and they use his democrat bashing jokes on Fox News.

[Anwen]

6. Agreed.

That would help shut up the pundits who'd like to make us believe he is wacko...

By the way, I love your name! :D

[Tactical Progressive]

8. Yes, this is exactly the time

both for him and for the shows who only want the most freshly controversial stuff.

Dean should make the point that the media attacks anybody who criticizes Bush even a little bit.

Labels like 'angry' and 'over-the-top' and 'conspiracy-theorist' show just how scared the media is that the American people are going to throw Bush out on his ass.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

9. But will they return his phone calls?

[maggrwaggr]

10. I agree 100%

especially Letterman.

[patricia92243]

11. Anybody know if he has been invited?

[AP]

12. I think people need to see photos of him for a couple days doing somber

things, like the one in the NYT article which Pitt posted.

I think after hearing his voice all day yesterday, it would be good if people DIDN'T hear his voice for a day or two. When his throat improves, he'll sound different, and hopefully people will take that as a sign that he's different, or will more easisly separate Monday's screamer from, say, Friday's somber reflecting, dignified politician.

So, keep your mouth shut. Get the photos out. Keep the jacket on. Or take the jacket off and keep the sleeves rolled down. It's time for him to look different and look serious. Stay off Leno and Letterman. He'd be better off going on Charlie Rose.

[On the Road]

16. No, He Can't Look Serious or Somber

That makes it look like he's done something wrong or has something to hide. Or that he's trying to "recreate himself" or "doesn't know who he is."

It's a psychological obstacle. It can't be addressed rationally. And Dean has to deal with it immediately, head-on, without changing who he is. That's the challenge. And ann_coulter_is_a_man's suggestion is the only one I've heard so far that actually has a good chance of working.

As far getting invited on Leno or Letterman, these shows listen to the buzz. If everyone's talking about Dean this week, it doesn't matter why. People will tune it just to see the crazy guy who's running for president. Then he can disarm them. Believe he, he will have no problem getting national attention. If Dean finishes third in NH, THEN there will be a problem.

[On the Road]

13. That's the Ticket!

I have been very disheartened at the fallout from the Iowa post-caucus speech. Your suggestion is the one thing I have heard so far that might enable Dean to turn things around.

In fact, I just went to Dean's website and urged them to do exactly this, citing your thread:

Dean Needs to be on Leno and Letterman NOW!

I just made my third contribution.

I am appalled and distressed by the fallout from Dr. Dean's post-Iowa speech. It is potentially much more serious than the third-place finish.

I believe it is imperative that Dean take the initiative and put himself in front of the American people NOW in a positive light. A place where people can get to know him and get comfortable with him. Where the phony image of the madman will fade into the background.

Dean has come this far by taking the bull by the horns. He cannot run from this accusation of instability, and he cannot do it by making a speech. It must be done in an informal, personal setting with a wide audience. And it must be done NOW.

Here's a link to a discussion on Democratic Underground which inspired this suggestion.

Jack Neefus
College Park, MD

[Anwen]

15. Hey that's a great letter...

I hope they consider it! :-)

[On the Road]

17. Thanks -- I Actually Think the Dean Campaign Listens Sometimes

I've posted a lot in the last few days on this one issue, but it's one I'm passionate about. This the type of hinge event that can kill a candidate.

McCain never recovered from his labelling of Falwell and Robertson as "agents of evil." A week later, it was too late. So far, Dean hasn't cracked this nut. The clock is ticking.

[tryanhas]

18. I agree because I am not too fond of Dean

Dean is TERRIBLE on television.

That's one of his biggest flaws. If he goes on television, he'll do himself more harm.

The attacks on him are not what hurt him in Iowa.

It was the television cameras showing people more than just a name or a clip here or there.

The more people looked at him, the more they disliked him...