All about Image
I posted this in the comments below, but it’s worth a look for those of you who don’t read the comments. The Columbia Journalism Review has excellent synopsis on coverate of Dean’s I Have a Scream Speech.. Bryan Keefer’s position: the coverage has ceased to be about Dean’s speech and about who can come up with the most extreme langauge.
I have seen the video several times now, and what I see is someone who’s determined and excited. I do not see Mansonesque psychosis. And while he might sound laughingly like Hulkamania about to Run Wild On You, he is participating in a political pep rally. If Dean’s behavior here makes him insane, also insane was my high school principal.
Edit: Just added the CJR’s blog to the ol’ blogroll after reading this entry. It occurs to me that the reason I have trouble stomaching modern political debates is not so much the smarmy self-importance of the candidates but the smarmy self-importance of the moderators. Zachary Roth does some counting and finds that Peter Jennings actually spoke more in a recent debate than three of the candidates. Jeez, Jennings; take a breath and let someone else talk awhile.
