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.
Explain, please.