The Scream Helped Dean

[Tweed]

While Dean was big news in the media beforehand, the Dean scream made him famous. Let's not forget the most important fact about the Dean scream; it came after a distant third place finish in a state he was suppose to win. Dean numbers should have dropped through the floor. His face was TV again and again and again. Some people like the Dean scream. Plus, it allowed the media to continue to cover Dean despite his low numbers in the polls and the fact that he didn't finish higher then third in any of the Feb. 3rd states. The media could cover him because he had obtained celebrity status.
Yes, the scream had some negative effects too, like some people won't even consider voting for Dean. I think overall though, the Dean scream helped keep his numbers somewhat high. Believe me, as a Clark supporter, it is important just for the media to cover you. There is no such thing as bad publicity.

[KissMyAsscroft]

1. Ummm..I dont think so...

It hurt him, bigtime.

[Eloriel]

15. No, the way the media played it hurt him bigtime

There's a difference.

[Dookus]

2. there certainly is such a thing as bad publicity...

especially in politics.

The Scream, combined with Dean's stunning loss in Iowa, sealed his fate as an also-ran.

[jpgray]

3. Bingo. Ask Dukakis, Muskie, Hart, etc. (nt)

[lancdem]

4. There have been 11 primaries and caucuses before today

and Dean has not won one. No amount of spin can change that.

[bigwillq]

5. I think it hurt more than it did him good`

It also fueld the Kerry-train chugging towards the white house

[shredder]

8. No ....

Republicans disgusted with Bush have fueled the Kerry train to the white house.

[bigwillq]

11. I don't see how repugs are helping Kerry

Now all the primaries have been open to all voters. Please explain why you think this way

[shredder]

12. Because you don't have to be registered as a democrat

In a good portion of the primaries and caucuses. Some disgruntled repubs have been changing their registration on the day of the primaries and caucuses. There was a big stink in SC because dems wanted to change this policy last minute to prevent Repubs from switching.... Didn't happen! All you have to do is look at Kerry's voting record since Bush took office, it wasn't just the war that Kerry supported, he has either sided with Bush or not shown up for the vote. Just ask a republican, if they are not going to vote for Bush, who will they vote for. It's Kerry almost everytime.

[Dookus]

14. Can you post some numbers

on how many people changed their registration on the day of the primary/caucus?

Surely there must be some published numbers, otherwise it would be silly to claim that they're doing so in large-enough numbers to sway the outcome.

[joshcryer]

6. It hurt him because it swayed NH from doing a Iowa reversal.

[MAlibdem]

7. Definitely not

scared people.

He was the front runner before, he was already famous.

[NashVegas]

9. Yes and No

Politically, it hurt him.

On the other hand, it did give him genuine cultural status.

[not systems]

10. If getting the center spot on Hollywood squares was the goal...

for getting a truth teller elected president it sucked.

I am a Dean supporter and some fence sitters have turned
hard against Dean because of the "embarrassing" scream.

I liked it and understand the context but for most
people it was all they know about Dean except that
he supports Bin Laden thanks to his fellow democrats ads.

Face it the media calls the shots. Don't like Dean
great wait till your ox gets Gored.

Clark is a truth teller also so must be keep out of
public view same with DK.

[ShaneGR]

13. "There is no such thing as bad publicity"

Yeah, if you're a Hollywood movie star. Not if you're running for President. The worst thing about the scream is not only did it brand him as a raving maniac (Right or wrong) with the general public, it also branded him unelectable with the majority of Democratic voters.

And now that the Edwards, Clark, and Dean people are busy cannibilizing eachother, Kerry wins by default.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

16. It helped all of us - by ending Dean's campaign.

He's been a dead man walking ever since.

[killbotfactory]

17. Helped him get tagged as "angry" and "unelectable"

The media killed the Dean movement. Happy?

[eileen_d]

19. never mind

I may be interpreting this wrong, so I won't ask.

[tobius]

18. Deans scream

came from the heart and I have seen the videos from the audience. If it was a net positive he and the majority of his supporters dont act like it. He has seemed to accept the CW that the image did not come across as presidential.
Ken Laye and Martha Stewart probably would disagree with your thesis.

"If you are sure you understand everything that is going on, you are hopelessly confused."
                                        -- Walter F. Mondale (D-MN)