The Dean Dilemma

Expect this to be a big theme of the campaign -- indeed, the Republicans are already starting to harp on it. Personally, I think his "anger" is a plus. Bush effectively neutered Gore in 2000 by forcing him to play on Bush's playing field -- remember that second debate? Super-nice, noncontroversial and completely lacking in any substance. The GOP is trying to force Dean to ignore his strengths -- his ability to get people riled up about what Dubya is doing to this country -- and play to his weaknesses. I like the angry Dean, and I think he should stay that way.

The other big theme, of course, will be Dean's supposed lefty tendancies, something being played up in his fight with the Clinton "New Democrat" wing of the party. But it's just not that simple. With the right VP candidate, Dean could beat Bush. And that, my friends, is why the GOP is bending over backwards to pretend it's delighted to see Dean as the nominee. (To their credit, another National Review columnist, and other conservative thinkers, aren't counting Dean out.) The Bushies are worried. And with a record like his, they should be.