I caught this confrontation on Hardball tonight between Howard Dean and Mary Landrieu. The fireworks begin at about the 5:45 point where Landrieu says that Dean wants "to eliminate the insurance companies in America" – an amazing distortion which sounds like something you’d hear from a far right wingnut, not a fellow democrat.
I guess I hadn’t realized how deeply Landrieu must be into the pockets of the insurance companies. The vehemence of her hostility was surprising. As if the big insurance companies have done no wrong – their actions have been pristine and the very idea of having the government compete against such bastions of good is outrageous.
At any rate, I thought Dean handled himself quite well. He kept his composure and put her on the defensive. I especially liked his points that democrats haven't been tough enough.