TAP Attacks Lieberman

Some of the criticisms of Dean have crossed the line. Joe Lieberman in particular has behaved appallingly. No Democratic candidate should ever say that Democrat X can't win in November, as Lieberman has said and/or hinted repeatedly of Dean. Suppose Dean becomes the nominee. How does Lieberman endorse him? The answer is that either he doesn't, which would be an act of apostasy that should get him thrown out of the party, or he does, but in such a way as to be completely meaningless. In any event, he has already made it as clear as spring water to his supporters, such as they exist, that if Dean's the nominee, they might as well sit it out.

But for whatever reason, St. Joe enjoys the protective immunity of the pundit class, so he'll never be reproached for his behavior in the way that he deserves. Criticisms and attacks are fine, but saying, repeatedly, that a member of one's own party will lose in November is way, way, way out of line.

He has his core supporters; of that there's no doubt. But now arrives the moment when Dean, if he is indeed going to secure the nomination and become a credible general-election candidate, has to start thinking more about the voters who aren't already part of his movement than the ones who are. He needs to start brandishing his centrist credentials, and he should think a little more before he opens his mouth sometimes. Most of all, he must refuse to get dragged down to his opponents' level by responding to their attacks.

The Bush campaign plans to paint Dean as angry and pessimistic. There's a very simple way for him to appear sanguine and optimistic -- and, by the way, presidential. He needs to start today.