It is the Democratic Party, the DNC, Dean, something that has the impriateur of "leaer" (umm, do we have ANY) that responds to attacks in the NY Times from the likes of Brooks, who also is features on PBS Newshour.
When Dean gets nailed in the press, where is the DNC to cause some serious damage back, to engage in a discussion.
The stalwart ass that will not move unless and until it is actually called to do something: that figure seems to be dreadfully appropriate for the Democratic Party.
We just got ground into the dirt by silent John Kerry... Dean was outspoken, but alas, no more.
Look up front. See that big empty space? It's not supposed to be empty: that's where there is supposed to be a leader.