Forget Nader
John Kerry needs Howard Dean.
Dean will not win the nomination unless something calamitous happens. Team Kerry will and they should feel mighty good about that. They get to go to the Superbowl.
But, they cannot count on Bush's current problems to continue. Just as Bush was never going to landslide the Dem's, we aren't going to landslide him. Bush is still rock-solid with his base. John Kerry, Senator from Massachusetts, will not sway them.
Bush has big cards in his hand. Watch him welcome the troops back. Watch the economy tick up a few notches. Watch the Amendment against Gay Marriage. Watch Osama get arrested. Watch a major terrorist attack get thwarted.
Kerry needs to think about the 200 million number.
Now, it will take some crow eating to go to Burlington. JFK will have to say that he played some hard politics and did some nasty things. He will have to be a little humble. Because he won. It was a rigged game from the outset, but Kerry won.
The Deaniacs are fiercely loyal to Howard. they are a force that the Dems must use. To wit...
- million raised.
- ,000 hand written letters.
- 4 million for a last ditch shot (when all of the momentum investors were gone)
- ,000 on the e-mail list.
If he wants to win, he needs the Deaniacs. Most will vote with him anyway, but he needs their energy and their money. JFK is going to have to offer something of low visibility, but high importance to Howard.
Howard is ready for it. He wants to "change Washington." So, you get him a position where he can. Youput him were his strengths come into play and most of the Deaniacs will be happy. Health King, perhaps. Perhaps Howard joins with MoveOn.org and forces the Deaniacs there. But if Howard goes back to Shelburne and treating patients, the Dem's lose.
JFK, these days are good days. They don't last. Howard knows that better than anyone else. After Tuesday, you need him more than he needs you.
