Dean in the Danger Zone; MSNBC Charges Dean exaggerates his height

MSNBC ^ | Jan 10, 2004 | Howard Fineman

[nwrep]

Jan. 8 - Joe Trippi was on my mobile phone. I had called him for some poll numbers and he sounded, understandably, hassled. Not frantic, but stressed. He should be.

As Howard Dean’s campaign manager, Trippi has masterfully guided his man to the brink of the Democratic nomination. But Trippi has been around a long time, and he knows that in any campaign, especially a presidential nomination race, things can change faster than you can shout “Hart Upsets Mondale.” If you’re the front-runner at this point in a campaign, time seems to slow down to an agonizing crawl. Election Day can’t come soon enough for you. Trippi knows that leads can crumble, an unexpected rival can rise up suddenly and that voters do what they want, not what pundits expect.

[MotleyGirl70]

So how tall is Dean? The news articles I've read say he's about 5'6" ....

He's vertically challenged.

[Salvation]

Dean has to be standing on a platform here, because when they showed Dean and Bradley apart -- there was much more difference in height.

[night reader]

This is a non-issue in my book.

But maybe not in the voter's book: Advocates of the "Presidential Height Index" point out that since the age of television, only once has the shorter of the two major candidates carried the popular vote. Note also that at 6' 0" our last ten presidents' average height is some 2 inches taller than the average American adult male.

One does not even need go to politics. In the business world, tall men average higher incomes than short men. Hardly seems fair, and there are exceptions, but a presidential candidate, who should be aware of every variable, might easily be concerned about his physical stature.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

How's this?

[EllaMinnow]

This picture just arrived in my email, and I feel like sharing.

[EllaMinnow]

Great pic - now I can figure out the equation easily.

Bill Bradley is 6'5, and my husband is 6' even. I am 5'2, and I come up to my husband's shoulder.

Therefore, Howard Dean is 5'7.

[HighWheeler]

"Using the 'Man Measuring System'...

LOL! That's like the Woman Measuring System for giving weight. For men you add a couple inches, for women, you subtract 10 pounds.

[SkyPilot]

'Five-eight and three-quarters,' he continued.

This man is unstable. Perfect for the Dimocrats, but unsuitable for all of us.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Whenever a man gives me a measurement of something of let's say, 8 inches, I take out a dollar bill and say " This is six inches, do you care to recalculate?"

[rwfromkansas]

I am 5'5"....but that is just barely....

I couldn't fool anyone by claiming I am 5'7", so I don't try.

[rwfromkansas]

I am screwed then. :)

Then again, my inability to talk to a Democrat without my blood pressure rising also would not help things....

I think the size issue has to do with the belief that taller people are more authoritative or tough. I guess Napolean didn't get the memo.

[Clara Lou]

When I refer to Pipsqueak Dean, I'm not referring to his height. I'm referring to his character and personality-- or lack thereof.

[BushMeister]

If Dean faces bush in a debate, Bush should say to Dean:

"Stand up when you talk to me".

Dean will reply:

"I AM standing up."

We have to watch Dean carefully. He may be "heightening" out of desperation.

[BlueCat]

I'm with you....I've bet a bottle of nice wine that he doesn't make it.

I just can't get to the next step, which is who does get there.

[CFC__VRWC]

Oh Lord, now you've done it! I'll never be able to watch Sponge Bob with my nephew again.

[EllaMinnow]

Only his shoe-salesman knows for sure.

[Coroner]

bump

[Coroner]

sponge bob bump!!

[michaelt]

That's classic. If Dean doesn't realize that he comes across as sensitive about his height, which is something he's had to deal with for decades, how is he going to know how he's perceived on the issues or on his personality?

[upchuck]

I just can't get to the next step, which is who does get there.

Write this down...

Ashley whan he announces The Hildabeaste has agreed to run as his VP. LOL!