If Dean survives, could this immunize him from future attacks....?

[kentuck]

of the same mode, about his anger, his demeanor, etc? Is it possible that they played their hand too early? Just a thought, but if Dean is still in the race a couple of months from now, how effectively would attacks such as these work against him...since they have already been tried? Maybe this is a blessing in disguise for the Governor? Is this eternal optimism? :)

[BurtWorm]

1. I think the attacks will continue as long as Dean is seen as a threat

to the status quo. People who benefit from the way things are don't like people who attack it head on.

[Tatiana]

2. The attacks will never stop.

The will repeat them ad nauseum, as they did with Clinton, until the public becomes desensitized and annoyed with them.

Then they will invent new scandals.

These mediawhores are such disgusting bastards.

[Military Brat]

3. Dean will not just "survive," he will prevail

Apparently Dean and his wife gave quite an impressive interview with Diane Sawyer, and on Letterman, he was charming and funny.

This media feeding frenzy about his "enthusiastic" speech will very soon fade into oblivion.

[Melodybe]

4. Dean has 9 lives, you can bet he will be back stronger than ever

[jonoboy]

6. just watched the Dems debate in Australia on TV..Dean impresses

me a lot, as do all the candidates..except Liebermann.( Why does he keep pushing the furphy of the US being safe because Saddam is in jail.?)

Dean comes across as a very straight talker. I think these attacks early on show they are worried about him..it can only get better for him from now on.

[BurtWorm]

10. Did you vote in my poll for non-US DUers' preferences?

If so, could you post in the thread that you did? Trying to keep that poll honest and not doing a very good job of it.

[jonoboy]

14. I voted and voted for Dean on what I've seen so far..

very un-impressed with some of the journalists questions..why waste time on what Michael Moore said to Wesley Clark.?

To an outsider this looks like a race between Dean, Clark & Kerry..I like the others ( except Liebermann presentation on his war vote..handing it to Bush on a plate!)but they don't have a chance even though they are good men. ( I even liked Al Sharpton's replies)

[wtmusic]

19. Al Sharpton on the Federal Reserve was a nightmare

I actually would have felt sorry for him if I didn't feel it was a cosmic comeuppance for his jab at Dean! :D The poor guy was lost...

Al has some great moments though. He has an unchallenged gift for allegory among the candidates.

[countmyvote4real]

15. I hope so, but I doubt it.

Tweety has been replaying the Monday night clip over and over within the SAME broadcast every night since then.

While he's never been a quick study of trends, he might wake up when people who care what he has to say (I'm not one) can't stand to be subjected to that clip every ten minutes.

[oasis]

5. He may survive "the speech" but not the Iowa caucus results.

[Egnever]

7. Wow you have been all over the map today

from he should drop out to now he will be imune. You doing a focus poll here or?

[MercutioATC]

8. If I were a conspiracy theorist, I'd believe Dean's campaign had this

planned from the start. Of course, the primaries will tell, but this is a great strategy...sprint to the front and draw the fire, slip back a place or two but attract new voters with new information (Judy's appearances) while keeping all of your core supporters, surge back to the front around Super Tuesday.

Just a late-night rambling, but planned or not, I think this is what's going to happen.

[dreissig]

9. Dean's the Boss

It all gets back to Dean. He'll have a stormy presidency, but he will be the president. Scumbag George Bush will soon be just an unpleasant memory.

[Guaranteed]

11. Dean just proved he truly IS unstoppable.

He just beat the media at their own game. He DID win the debate, his interview with Diane Sawyer was charming as hell, and the Letterman bit was hilarious.

The Letterman bit was the kicker- he made fun of himself. It's all over for that stupid meme, now. Once CNN and MSNBC start replaying the Top Ten, that's it, he's home free.

He's in great shape. Totally unfazed. Everyone still working the "Dean's crazy" bit is going to get a rude awakening.

[wtmusic]

16. Dean is the only one with the humility

to admit he was wrong. Have any other candidates done that--about anything?

[ACPS65]

12. Big "if"

.

[Guaranteed]

13. Please.

The bit is dead. Get over it. Find something else to exaggerate and make fun of him about.

[RafterMan]

17. Not in the general election

I'm afraid it just won't play.

[wtmusic]

18. If Bush's numbers continue to slide (and they will)

it's not going to matter one little bit.

[Adjoran]

20. The only way to get immunity from attacks

is to die. Then everyone says nice things about you.

So, no.

What it can do is toughen the campaign up, for Dean and his supporters. They had a remarkable ride up, ran a nearly perfect campaign for months. But the penalty of a success streak like that is it doesn't prepare you for the inevitable pitfalls and sucker punches.

Better to get a good dose of humility now and get used to it, rather than get knocked out in April because you aren't ready for the hard shots.

Full disclosure: I'm uncommitted, and still considering all four of the main contenders (Dean, Clark, Kerry, Edwards, in no particular order).