Tangled Web (TNR on Dean Blog)

[windansea]

"With grim poll numbers gathering over them like thunderclouds last week, Howard Dean's webhead supporters continued to blog optimistic. Those who acknowledged the ominous trends at all tended to dismiss them as conspiracy or sabotage. "Any polls that show Dean losing is a lie," posted one person at the official Dean blog. Another attacked pollster John Zogby, noting that Rush Limbaugh once called Zogby "my favorite pollster" and that he "works with a lot of Republicans." By the weekend, hope was very much alive. " are trying to make this as interesting as possible," argued one Deanie. "Then the media will go, 'wow,' Dean has such a strong base of support." Added another: "This will be Dean's weekend ... he will shine, shine, shine."

But Dean didn't shine so much as burn out. And the morning after his stunning third-place Iowa finish, the mood online is considerably less sanguine than it was last week. It's the difference between airplane passengers calmly shrugging off a little turbulence, and the panicked screaming that comes when both engines have exploded. Even accounting for the likely infiltration of Dean blogs by covert morale-sapping saboteurs, it's clear that a great many Deaniacs, people who once spoke almost no ill of "Howard," are now angry, disillusioned, and losing hope. It's what you might call the Deaniacs' first brush with the cold reality of politics--and reality seems to be winning."

more...
http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=express&s=crowley012004

[liberalnurse]

1. It is media reports such as this that

we will see about us in November. This type of beat'em up, beat'em to the ground, "Alarming" defeat rhetoric will come back and haunt the Democratic Party.

We are destroying our homeland from within and folks who push this type of communication are at fault for the American demise...

I'm ashamed of this behavior from those who say they are Democrats. I'm embarrassed by them too.

[windansea]

3. so nobody should report

on how Iowa results affect various campaigns??

[Rose Siding]

6. Is that the purpose you think this article is to serve?

I don't. It is an attempt to make Dean look ridiculous by association. Does your candidate have a blog that is open source. Or is it one of the ones started after Dean led the way but requires registration.

Soon there will be reg on BFA too, as a result of some prolific trolls. Sad, but necessary.

[windansea]

9. any journalist could sign up for Clark's blog

and do the same thing

I don't think TNR was trying to make Dean look rediculous...just reporting on how Iowa results affected supporters...it also reports taht they have hope and are continuing the fight

[Rose Siding]

2. What amazing courage

Dean has exhibited in trusting people and giving them voice. No Washington politician would take the risk of being associated with individual comments by ordinary citizens.

Thanks for posting this.

[windansea]

4. no problem

:)

[candy331]

7. It's getting easier to fathom why it just might come to pass

and handing a true statement to old Zeb when he said "A national Party No More". I know Zeb is hated by most but the more I read and hear from Dem/or it might be so called Democrats the more it begins to have a ring of truth. Dems seem hell bent on self destruct.

[windansea]

10. you think?

or are we just trying to find the strongest nominee?

[HFishbine]

5. Snoooz

If "Amatuer Pundits Were Wrong" is a story for Marshall, he should do a write up on DU. Pleanty of fodder here.

[windansea]

8. this story is by Michael Crowley

I don't know what Marshall has to do with it