What most people are missing is how Clintonesqe Dean is. Dean is all over the place changing his position to fit his audience and parses words on par with Clinton on Clinton's best day. Big media is doing its part by playing down inconsistencies or ignoring them so that if Dean wins the nomination over the media's favorite or favorites big media can still promote him over Bush.
Also a possibility, however, I think Dean has stuck his neck WAY out there by promoting things such as the complete withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, universal healthcare, a massive tax increase on everyone, and a host of other issues. Clinton at least did offer a moderate tone and did not try to appeal to just the angriest elements of the Democratic Party. In Dean's case, I believe that at the beginning of his campaign he adopted a very short-term, short-sighted strategy of harnessing the angst of the party's angry-left to pull of come-from-behind win in the nomination process.
His strategy has been very effective, but what is not guaranteed is how that will play against him once he becomes the party's official candidate. Even though Americans are concerned over the deficit, they are not real gung-ho on a massive tax increase either. As well, a significant majority of Americans, including most of the presidential candidates, believe that pulling completely out of Iraq would be a huge mistake.
So Dean has really built himself a vehicle that travels well with one very distinct group within his party, as long as the media does not shine too much light on him. But, if he is nominated, he won't be able to avoid the significant attention that will be focused on him by the media. Either he will have to shift his message a great deal or he will crash in the polls with mainstream Americans.
Thanks.
David Flanagan