In a small way it reminds me of Teddy Kennedy running against Carter in the Democratic primary of 1980.
Teddy played to the live audiences before which he was performing. The loud voice and large gestures work well before a live audience of hundreds or more.But on Radio or TV the screaming and big gestures fail to work. They come across as a wild man. That is as much as anything causded teddy Kennedy to bomb even against the wounded Jimmy Carter in the 1980 Democratic primaries..
Dean may be a Dr. but he has never studied how to use Radio and TV to win a broadcast audience. He was playing to a live crowd. He is indeed a not very bright politician. The first thing any consultant would tell Dean to do is avoid what he did tonight at all costs. Dean does not listen to people who know. He is his own worst enemy.
John Edwards.
Beating up on Dean is pointless at this juncture. He was done a week or so ago when the media decided he was done. Let's not wallow in the mud.
Dean is a doctor. He doesn't have to listen to anyone. (One reason flight instructors hate to have doctors for students. They think they know everything already.)
You've nailed it, 'Tator. Dean has exceedingly poor situational awareness and apparently little respect for the power of broadcast media. Edwards, lightweight that he is, has been well-schooled in how to present oneself in the cool medium. As a successful trial attorney, he's also mastered the art of putting the "jury" at ease up close and personal.
Edwards is a far more dangerous candidate than Dean in this regard. Nevertheless, Bush has these same qualities (telegenic, engaging, friendly one-on-one as well as across the depth and breadth of a broadcast audience) and would more than match up well against Edwards.
More than anything else, it is Dean's broadcast media awkwardness and incredibly poor situational awareness that has had Rove salivating for Dean's nomination.