[GeronL]

He has freed himself to say anything, to be anybody.

Thats liberalism for ya... truth is, like, you know, totally relative, dude

[vpintheak]

So basically he is living in a fantasy world. Sounds about right for a cowardly communist.

[txzman]

"It was then that I saw how Dean had liberated himself from his past, liberated himself from his record and liberated himself from the restraints that bind conventional politicians. He has freed himself to say anything, to be anybody"

Uh, this is part of the definition of a psycopath and was part of Bill Clinton's personality.

[hosepipe]

Sounds like Al Gore

[tinamina]

I'm wondering if the newly liberated Dean is trying to be a combination Ralph Nader/Al Gore and gets confused by which one he is at the moment. If he can keep Ralph out of the race he doesn't need to worry about those votes being siphoned off. He doesn't have to worry about Gore any more.

[kayak]

bttt

[Timesink]

Everybody talks about how the Internet has been key to his fund-raising and organization. Nobody talks about how it has shaped his persona. On the Internet, the long term doesn't matter, as long as you are blunt and forceful at that moment. On the Internet, a new persona is just a click away. On the Internet, everyone is loosely tethered, careless and free.

On the Internet, everything you ever say and do is being saved to a hard drive somewhere, ready to be resurrected and thrown back in your face if you flip-flop months or even years later.

[woofie]

Liberated from reality

[Lancey Howard]

"...us rural folk distrust people who reinvent themselves. Many of us rural folk are nervous about putting the power of the presidency in the hands of a man who could be anyone."

That is exactly the conclusion that shot through me as I read the piece. Dean cannot be trusted, and if there is one thing the American public can sniff out about a candidate, it is trust. Dean cannot be trusted and for that reason he is, sooner or later, toast.

[Stultis]

The theme of this David Brooks piece is what we need to be pushing around the water coolers and in interactions with swing voters who show enthusiasm for Dean: "Who is this man, really; what does he stand for?" (said with concern and consternation -- don't forget to furrow your brow). With moderates (but not die-hard 'rats) be sure and mention how much this superficially ingratiating rootlessness reminds you of Clinton.

With "progressives" and hard-leftists, lament (or laugh at) the fact that Dean has duped and used the left, and will dump them as soon as he gains office.

Don't be afraid or hesitant to engage in "whispering campaigns." It's not unethical when it's the truth!

[shrinkermd]

Dean has an incredibly strong need for power, attention, praise and fame. He posesses few inner core convictions and even his work history documents this.

After 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school and 3 years of family practice residency he threw it all out to become Lt. Governor of a state with about 600,000 residents. Also, he gave up his church for a bike path, seems to speak on any topic at any time with any position designed to please any audience at any time.

Just not the sort of person you would follow as a leader. Finally, behind his egoistic needs for accomplishment and recognition is also an overwhelming competitive drive that results in hatred for any opponents (real or imagined). He is not the "happy warrior" in any sense of the word.

I do believe Brooks to be among the best or the best of the pundits. He sees through Dean like he sees through many -- being published in the NYT gives him the visibility he deserves.

Dean's only claim as a candidate is he hates President Bush and recognizes the deep antipathy of the liberals towards bush on the war and other issues. If Clinton was a seductive narcissist then Dean is a ruthless, domineering narcissist.

[r9etb]

On the Internet, a new persona is just a click away. On the Internet, everyone is loosely tethered, careless and free. Dean is the Internet man, a string of exhilarating moments and daring accusations.

On the Internet, you can ping amazing people like Alamo Girl and suggest a sequel to her Downside Legacy. ;-)

[r9etb]

Another anti-Dean piece from the NYT.

Now, for whose candidacy do you s'pose they're laying the foundations?

[MEG33]

FYI

[The Raven]

He shoots from the hip...he's a gabber.....he'll go down in flames.....(future trivia question I'll get wrong)

[auboy]

He changes his color and sheds his skin,
and he'll tell you anything to win.

Like Al Gore, Dean's a graduate of Chameleon Tech with a major in Plastic Wood.

[tapatio]

How is it that one can deceive himself as to who he actually is?Will this same person deceive himself into thinking this country is free from those who want it destroyed?

[Hildy]

Interesting...from the New York Times.