For Dean supporters - a good showing at the debate + TV coverage = rebound

[cthrumatrix]

The polls don't mean much ..as we have learned from Iowa. But suffice to say ...Dean was wounded by the media coverage of his "pep rally yell".

However, with a good showing tonight and it "appears" he will is coming out will a "fall on your sword" strategy that the "common person" understands -- he could rebound nicely.

* The $$$ continues to come in -- $600,000 + since Iowa

* His base is "trying even harder"

* And he has the endorsement of key names that back him.


IF this is as bad as he get's hit...and comes out "ok" on Tuesday. I think he has weathered the storm.

I don't wish this attack on any candidate -- but you know it will be this way in the GE. Better to be human "now"...and soldify your support going forward.

Tonight will be key.

[cthrumatrix]

1. Humble appears to "the right approach" for the Dr.

For Dean, humility can refuel campaign
By Peter Canellos, Globe Staff, 1/22/2004

GOFFSTOWN, N.H. -- Built on what seems like a mountain of ice, quiet Saint Anselm College has seen a lot of cold air, never more so than in its quadrennial hosting of political debates. Coming in the run-up to the New Hampshire primary, Saint Anselm's debate is often the last place of hope for struggling candidates. There, amid portraits of long-dead prelates, candidates offer their confessions and ask the voters for absolution. Howard Dean is the latest supplicant to climb the frozen hills of Saint Anselm, and his performance at the Democratic debate tonight will be closely watched.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/dean/articles/2004/01/22/for_dean_humility_can_refuel_campaign/

[cthrumatrix]

2. Dean Says Voters Will See Through Flaws

Dean Says Voters Will See Through Flaws
37 minutes ago Add Politics - AP to My Yahoo!


By RON FOURNIER, AP Political Writer

LEBANON, N.H. - A humbled Howard Dean (news - web sites) said Thursday, "I have my warts. I sometimes say things that get me in trouble," but argued Thursday that voters will see through the flaws and rally to his troubled presidential candidacy.

"In other words, I lead with my heart and not my head. That's the only chance we have against George Bush," Dean said as he sought to recover from his third-place Iowa finish and the fallout over his scream-filled speech on caucus night that raised questions about his temperament.

more

"Look, I'm not a perfect person. I have my warts. I sometimes say things that get me in trouble. I wear suits that are cheap. But I say what I think and I believe what I say, and I'm willing to say things that are not popular but ordinary people know are right," he said.

snip

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040122/ap_on_el_pr/dean&cid=536&ncid=536

[AP]

3. I don't think Dean's ever done well in the debates. He's never really

scored big.

He'd really have to step up his game to a level at which he's never played before.

Not saying he can't do it.

[Guaranteed]

4. Good research, cthru

Keep it up

[On the Road]

5. It's a Difficult Row to Hoe for the Doctor

I don't think an approach of pure humility and sobriety works. It makes the charge stick, and he can't do that.

Dean has got to show humor, humanity, and the ability to laugh at himself while not giving the least bit of credence to the insinuations about his stability.

[cthrumatrix]

7. well - I guess we won't know how it will play out --- but I am very hopefu

that he has the "ability" to work his way out and make himself "the people's choice"...

right now -- shrub is the corporate choice

[redqueen]

6. Very doable

But I agree with ribofunk that humor would be better than humility. Just MHO.

[Adjoran]

8. Good article from AP

It seems that Dean is now hitting his stride again. He's dealing with the blowback from the speech well. Even if it's too late to win NH now, he is clearly back on track, and with his money and organization, should be able to go the long haul.

EVERY major campaign has one of these terrible series of missteps. The advantage for Dean is that his is now behind him, and he can anticipate that each of the others will run into their own problems somewhere down the road.

He even mentioned his "cheap suits" a couple of times. Check out the suits on Kerry, Clark, and Edwards. Niiiiiiice. Also something the average guy can't relate to: spending $2000 or more on a suit.

I'm uncommitted, so I would like to think I am a somewhat objective observer. I think the "Dean is dead" pronouncements from the pundits is as far off base as their earlier statements that he was a "shoo-in."