WP Marjorie Williams shares same concerns many of have re Dr. Dean... [View All]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43185-2003Dec30.html

The Doctor Factor

By Marjorie Williams

Finally, let's turn to what newspapers delicately title "the temperament question." Dean's been called arrogant, angry, condescending, prickly. He has gotten this far by playing his chesty irritability as a sign of honesty and integrity.

But I have enough brusque, irritable doctors in my life without sending one to the White House.

I have the same concern about Dean. Why should Democrats choose to stand around all spring and summer holding their breath against the moment when Dean says something arrogant or impolitic? (Think Southern guys with Confederate flag decals on their pickup trucks.) We're the ones who are supposed to be allowed to go on with our temperamental little lives, while our major-party nominees are the poor chumps who have agreed to adhere to the rigid, Ken-doll theater of politics.

And so I bring to my assessment of this year's Democratic candidates one requirement that never crossed my mind before. First, do no harm.
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"Don't just send them a message. Send them a President." - John Kerry