Dean's Cheer in N.H. Extends Beyond Holidays

Washingtonpost.com: "Merry Christmas, everybody. Who wants to say anything mean on a day like today?"

His response showed more than just the ordinary holiday cheer -- with most campaign activities on hold until Friday, Dean will enter the month before this state's Jan. 27 primary with a comfortable advantage. He leads all rivals here by at least 25 percentage points in polls.

Over three busy days of stump speeches, Dean fended off the latest barrage of criticism from his rivals, while drawing large crowds to each of six town meetings.