Howard Dean, Shadow of His Former Self

Dems now need the scream that ruined him, TNR scribe argues
By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 18, 2008 9:20 PM CST
Howard Dean, Shadow of His Former Self
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, center, presides over the trooping of the colors during the Democratic National Committee Fall Meeting in Vienna, Va., Friday, Nov. 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)   (Associated Press)

The Howard Dean who once shocked Washington is now a model of docility, “unwilling or afraid to confront the establishment that was once so afraid of him," the New Republic’s Eve Fairbanks argues. The Democratic National Committee chair is also the wrong man for a bitter primary season, refusing to intervene when the party needs a strong hand.

The ex-presidential candidate who once raged on TV now watches while Florida and Michigan delegations get trampled, causing untold headaches for the left. He’s a "chronically misunderstood man" who prefers peace to conflict, Fairbanks writes. The Democrats would fair better if he ditched the silent act and revived his famous, campaign-ending scream. (More Democratic National Committee stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X