Great column by Jonathan Alter

The Doctor's Switch to Decaf

The article discusses some serious weaknesses in Dean's campaign, but the last paragraph shows Alter's understanding of Dean's strength:

Last week at Martha's Exchange Restaurant in Nashua, N.H., a "recovering Republican" told the candidate that he was now working his heart out for him. You could see in Dean's eyes that he was deeply worried that he had let down this man and thousands like him. He will work like hell to redeem himself and what he created, if not to win. The wrestler won't quit until he's pinned to the mat for the full count.