Here's a suggestion for something Dean could say in the upcoming NH debates. I think it might help him regain his momentum.
I suggest that he make a strong public pledge not to engage in any negative advertising and commentary about other candidates for the rest of the entire campaign.
He could call attention to the process, saying he would raise the level of democratic debate in this country with his pledge. He could invite all other Democratic contenders to join him in this pledge, putting the onus on them.
Any candidates who continued to sling dirt, as Gephardt did, could then be made to look bad. They could be challenged to take the pledge. But Dean has hurt himself with the voters by descending to Gephardt's level.
Dean needs to find a tone similar to Edwards', who impressed many voters by his final statement once the Iowa caucases were over. And Dean can make his feisty side work for him if he can keep it within bounds. I have been hearing his post-Iowa "whoop" played on the radio in ways that make him look quite bad. I hate to see this happen.
Dean needs to do something to raise his stature in the eyes of the voters. It would really help if he could admit that his post-Iowa pep talk was a mistake, instead of continuing to defend himself about it. Admitting a mistake would raise his stature. Defending his behavior will not allay any of the doubts about his character that have now (unfairly) come to be conventional wisdom.
I want Dean to take back America.