I couldn't understand why Dean would write off winning anywhere Feb. 3 and just concentrate on "vacuuming up delegates" everywhere he can, focusing more on big (and more Dean-friendly) states like Michigan and Washington and Wisconsin, as he said recently. It just seems like that gives him no chance of winning the nomination (not that he has much left anyway, but taking a stand on Feb. 3 in at least Delaware and North Dakota would seem like his only way of making a last stand in terms of media momentum and fundraising).
But then it occurred to me: maybe he's given up on winning a majority or even a plurality of delegates, but he wants to win enough to have leverage at the convention. He can go to the guy with the most delegates and say "I'll direct (that is, ask, but I bet his delegates will be particularly loyal) my delegates to support you if you agree to take me as running mate". In such a scenario, Dean would continue to have a platform to carry his outsider message to the people, and would be situated well for a future presidential run.
If he doesn't get on this presidential ticket, OTOH, the only way I can see him keeping his political career viable would be to run for senator in '06 (not sure how that election will shake out--is Jeffords planning on retiring, running in the Dem primary, or running a third party campaign?).