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I'm starting to see a trend in the threads here since support for Howard Dean has begun to slip in the polls, and the support for other candidates has increased.
There seems to be a growing conviction among some Dean supporters that the reason for this recent turn of fortune is due to unfair "bashing" of Dean by his opponents and "the media", as well as some sort "Stop Dean" conspiracy involving the DLC, the Clintons and another player to be added later.
Which brings me to my point. I believe that Dean's problems are, in part, his own creation. The so-called "bashing" is something the frontrunner in any campaign goes through, and any weaknesses, inconsistencies or problems that candidate has will be under the glare of criticism once the race comes down to the wire. His success or failure under such scrutiny is the true test of his viability as a nominee.
The bulk of the media coverage he has received until recently has been one of amazement at his campaign's success, the inroads he has made through the internet and grassroots support, and his ability to tap into the anger of the Democrats. There has not been, in my opinion, much criticism or attention paid to the candidate himself or the details of his run. The media is mostly obsessed with the horse race. He was the presumed frontrunner, and has been proclaimed the most likely to win despite the fact that the primaries had not yet got into full swing. However, it is natural that a campaign that has led for so long before the actual primaries would eventually get a second once over by the voters now that it is time to make an irrevocable choice, and that other candidates would also get a much closer look now that attention is finally turning fully toward the primaries.
It is also worth remembering that, in past primaries, frontrunners in December have been blown out of the water by candidates with single digit percentages of support.
It also does a great disservice to the candidates other than Dean, to imply that external influences trying to stop his nomination are the only reason for their newfound support. As much as Dean has brought to the table, all of the candidates have appeal and merit on their own terms, and are every bit as worthy of support as he is.
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