Foot in the Grave

Dean to End His Campaign

Just a few days ago, Howard Dean was saying it was too early to write his political obituary. The link above shows that at least two reporters paid him no heed; it's a pretty good obit of his campaign, which will end this afternoon.

It's my birthday today, and the gift I'd like from Howard Dean is this: drop out with grace, and don't endorse anyone yet, but make it clear that you intend to support the Democratic nominee and that you will push to get your supporters to do the same. Offer to continue to organize support on the internet. And please, reprise the scream! And my requested gift from Kerry and Edwards is this: thank Dean for changing the shape of this race, awakening the Democratic Party's soul, and getting so many people excited about politics again. During the long, parabolic arc of his campaign, it's undeniable that Dean changed the debate and showed that taking Bush to task for his failings can be a more effective strategy than coddling him. For that alone, we owe him a debt of gratitude.