[dead]

Maybe Dean will run with a paper bag over his head, like The Unknown Comic.

Couldn't hurt.

[Howlin]

Won't help.

In December '02, Bush would have beaten a "generic candidate" by 7 percent.

Today it's up to 10 percent.

BTW, for those who love records, this "barely half" is far and above the numbers Bill Clinton had at this point in his term; better than Reagan, in fact. According to Brit Hume.

[Pubbie]

And remember that this poll traditionally skews left so Bush probably does even better.

The most reliable poll is Gallup which shows Bush getting 59% in a matchup with Howie.