Dean Loses It

National Review Online ^ | Jan 20, 2004 | Byron York

[Wolfstar]

...following his nearly over-the-top performance

Nearly?! That was the most startling display I've ever seen from a presidential candidate. If the "sit down and shut up" incident didn't entirely kill his candidacy, I believe last night's strange behavior did. Not even the Dems are going to be irresponsible enough to nominate a man who so obviously has a screw loose. Or will they? (Shudder.)

[Akira]

Yep, he's done. He's being ridiculed across the country, and he can't correct that via any commercial, press conference or email. His core supporters will stay with him, but he'll suffer in NH and the south. He's got a ton of cash, so he'll probably be stubborn and remain in the race for a while. As I remarked earlier, he's getting hammered on the forum of his own website.

It's a Kerry/Clark/Edwards race now. IMHO, it just became a little more difficult for Bush. I obviously don't want a Dem president, but I'd also like an opponent that allows Bush to move back towards the right (e.g. Edwards).

[petercooper]

Anyone have a link to the video?

[petercooper]

Got it - thanks

[Akira]

See my post #43. If you watch the video via Fox, you'll have to sit through the little commercial before the Dean fit starts.

[Aquinasfan]

We will take New Hampshire! We will take the Sudetenland!

Dean's Iowa concession speech, in which he appeared to lose control of himself and began screaming at supporters — all in front of dozens of television cameras — may be even more damaging.

He's toast. This speech will be played for years to come.

[petercooper]

DEAN IS A PSYCHO!

[CoolPapaBoze]

I haven't heard anyone mention the possibility of Dean as a third party candidate. He's got a ton of cash and a ton of ego to go with it. All his talk of "bringing new voters to the table" makes me think he really believes this nonsense and I just don't see him going quietly into the night.

[lainde]

bttt

[Akira]

I have heard that possibility, although I can't remember if it was discussed on FR or mentioned elsewhere. It was mentioned in terms of the apparent split in the Dem party (Clintonites vs. Gore/Dean). That would be delicious.

But I don't see it happening. It would mean an automatic win for Bush in 2004. We can't count on Nader taking any Dem votes this year.

[Political Junkie Too]

Then he let out a strange, extended, yelp that seemed to come from deep within him: "YAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!"

Maybe Dean was secretly appealing to the Stars And Bars crowd with a Rebel Yell!

-PJ

[Burkeman1]

I think I will take that drink now . . .

[KC Burke]

great minds think alike...LOL

We shall see if our prediction comes true.

[tuckrdout]

You know, I found it ironic, Dean sounded just like Hitler; in the Hitler ad his followers put out, trying to equate Bush to the former dictator.

What a contrast between Bush and Dean! So sorry he is ruining his chances at being the candidate....We all should have layed off him, until after the nomination! It would have been so much better to witness this meltdown in October!

[tuckrdout]

You got it Coolpapa! He needs to be a THIRD PARTY CANDIDATE!!! YES! YES! YAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH111

[CoolPapaBoze]

I'd love to see him in a debate with the President and whomever the Dem lamb is. Think of the fireworks: Mean Dean doing his hot head schtick, with the President looking, well, Presidential right next to him, and Kerry/Edwards looking befuddled as usual. It would be great.

[SupplySider]

At least Dean's primal scream was real, if disqualifying for higher office. Al Gore has that nauseatingly fake growl/shout were he tries to sound like a southern black preacher.

[NYCVirago]

I would have loved to know what Harkin was thinking behind that smile, which HAD to have been forced.

Not necessarily -- remember Harkin at the Wellstone funeRally?

[NYCVirago]

Dean likely believed his team was dispirited and needed to be be whipped up emotionally immediately. He thought it essential that they see him as a "winner" who had suffered nothing more than a minor setback. He has played football and my guess is he reverted to an emotional-coach-in-the-locker-room style because it is the only style he is familiar with for such situations.

I really like your comparison here; besides, I'm sick of people using Hitler analogies!

If Dean had been a coach exhorting his team at halftime, his yelling and his gestures and his weird primal scream would have been considered galvanizing. But football coaches can get away with a lot more emotion -- heck, Dick Vermeil's constant crying is seen as endearing, but put those tears on the campaign trail and it's a different story. Same with Dean.

[piasa]

What is consensus here, Clark or Kerry?

Kerry... Kerry is associated with former Ambassador Wlson, and anyone who could swing that silly Nigerflap/yellowcake tale in the press using Wilson's teadrinking CIA mission - all fitting perfectly with the most prominent rat senators' intel committee agenda to undermine the presidency, implies these big rats are betting on Kerry.