Dean playing the expectations game?

[leyton]

It's my opinion that aside from energizing the Christian right after the whole drunk-driving story, George Bush won as many states as he did in 2000 because he was able to play the expectations game. He created an image early on of being a complete dolt (well, he is, but an image of being even more of a dolt). Then, when he appeared not quite as dumb during the debates and in appearances leading right up to the actual election, he was exceeding expectations, and appearing smarter than he actually was.

Could Dean be doing the same thing with his anger? Obviously, he's got a lot of passion, which is working wonders for him in the primaries. But he's also got this image as some angry liberal democrat, etc. And let's admit, though he's not this exactly, Dean is not quite as upbeat as, say, Edwards, CMB, or Clark. Is it possible that come September/October/November, he'll be a little more genial, making him seem (in comparison to now) a nice guy?

Disclaimer (since apparently around here, these are necessary): I'm not attacking Dean. I'm just saying, he didn't walk off the set of "The Brady Bunch." Or however you want to put it.

[sfecap]

1. He's peaked.

Ignore Dean. He's angry, he's short, he's imploding.

Forget Dean. Lieberman is the one rove wants.

[mkultra]

2. hmm

I'm not so sure that Bush actually scored any points by appearing slightly less dumb then he had earlier put forth. I think rather he scored points by insuring that Gore got attacked relentlessly by the media and certain conservative mouth pieces. Dean passion will serve him just fine if he gets nominated. The normal news is afraid to criticize bush for fear of being seen as biased and the sad reality is that no candidate will win against this lying fear mongering monkey boy unless they are really passionate about the presidency. People the middle will forgive mistakes as long as a sense of mission is involved. Bush's numbers are a prime example of this. He has lied multiple times and simple shrugged it off has an a mistake each time.

Dean's anger can easily be seen as disgust for the status Que and passion for the job.

imho

[Democrats unite]

3. His anger is hiding something but it's not passion

Hopefully we will find out soon.