Dean, The Day After...

[returnable]

Is Dean changing gears after the Iowa loss?

From Josh Marshall's TPM:

He said there’d be no red meat (his words), and that he wanted to give a policy speech. He said it would be a “different kind of speech.” And it certainly was.

He didn’t talk much about the war. It was mainly balanced budgets, health care, etc. He seemed to be working at least in part from prepared remarks. It was nothing like the speech I saw down in DC a few months ago, a raucous rally.

It was hard to call it a rally. It was, as Dean said, a policy speech.

Dean's rationale for this was as follows: he said he got into the race because he thought Democrats weren't standing up for Dem principles, that they weren't taking the fight to President Bush. He said his opponents are now doing that -- something he took credit for. So he'd go back to discussing policy issues, what he did in Vermont, what he'd do for America, etc.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2004_01_18.html#002448

Marshall does add that Dean started to heat up again when taking questions from supporters, so the fire is still there.

An interesting read.

[cthrumatrix]

1. let clark and dean slug it out and Dean take the path of least resistance

[Democrats unite]

2. If only he knew how.

eom

[cthrumatrix]

4. there are going to be some crow eaters on here...hope you are hungry

[Democrats unite]

6. There was so much eating crow today...

I don't think there is any left to eat.

[bigwillq]

7. I totally agrees

Let's just wait to see where the chips fall

[kentuck]

3. I was just getting ready to post this subject matter....

Should Dean change his message? Obviously, his "anti-war" message is not enough to carry him forward. But that is not the only message that the Good Doctor has put forth. He has talked about healthcare and jobs and deficit spending. Perhaps he should take a less strident tone and let the others fight each other in NH and try and stay above the fray? Or should he continue to fight in the same manner as he did in Iowa?

It is a sad fact that anybody can be destroyed by the media or by his opponents if the attacks are loud and constant and negative. That surely played some part in Mr Dean's performance in Iowa. There is little doubt that most of the other candidates were shooting at him.

[cthrumatrix]

5. everyone knows this....this is war...this is spin...this is how politics

is played...if the media wanted Dean..would they be killing him or helping...

I still have heard from a Kerry supporter on what happens if they come in 3rd in NH....no answer

[Cleita]

8. I have always maintained that the candidate who

offers hope will rise to the top. Bashing other candidates no matter how much they are bashing you doesn't offer a message. The guy who promises the forty acres, the mule and the chicken in every pot is offering hope. When it gets negative and the candidate starts expounding on why the other candidate can't do these things, it only focuses on that candidate instead of the message.IMHO

[Ramsey]

9. His message is good

And for a time it was resonating well. He needs to get back to what has been working for months.

It always amazes me that people say they hate negative campaigning, yet seem to believe every TV ad poking holes in every candidate. That hurt Dean in Iowa, among other, obviously complex, reasons.

Anyway, Dean needs to focus his message, hone his delivery. But part of his message is that he is strong enough to stand up to Bush, so he cannot be seen as backing down over a little set-back either.

A delicate balancing act for sure.