DEAN AND GUNS

Just one small point, it didn't occur to me at first but now it makes much sense. Presidential hopeful Howard Dean was being interviewed by the "hot" girl from CNBC (Maria something), and he was asked about his gun stance, and the fond treatment he received from the NRA while governor of Vermont. His answer was simple: Vermont didn't need substantial gun control, often the annual homocide numbers there would be in single digits. This doesn't necessarily have bearing on Dean's potential nationwide gun stance, he expressed support for maintaining the assault weapons ban and other aspects of the Brady bill.

The other Democratic hopefuls, particularly Kerry, see Dean as a possible threat. That's why Kerry's spokesman, Chris Lehane (who worked for Gore in 2000, and whom I don't particularly like) went after Dean for his "we won't always have the strongest military" comment (which was a complete non-issue).

So far, the broad dialog on Dean has been one of pigeonholing him on issues: He's the antiwar candidate, he's against gun control, etc. Then again, let's all calm down, Clinton was at 1% at this point heading up to the 1992 election. Hmm, if only we could get that amendment repealed, sigh. (it would set the stage for Clinton vs Reagan in 04 or 08, hehe, I like our chances!)