I guess Bill Clinton, whose affectionate and not really serious naming as a black President is "ridiculous," didn't tilt left enough for this self-righteous author.

Clinton ran against Welfare because he understood his primary mission: to get reelected. How do you do that when Republicans have a demographic advantage? Flip a key wedge issue around on them.

I wonder what this guy thinks kept a real left Dem like Tom Harkin from winning in '92. Answer: the country is much closer to the middle than he's capable of perceiving. Clinton found that out in his first 2 years before pivoting and playing great defense -- at a time when no offense was possible.

So holding up this naive writer as some kind of black beacon for Dean is a big mistake. His tone is a bad complement to Dean's occasional and dismaying lecturing. Remember: only about 30% of the electorate are partisan Dems.

but Dean's speech was great otherwise.

Dean was absolutely right on with speech, as a white gal from chicago's south side I agreed with every word. Damn thing nearly made me cry. I don't think bubbas from the burbs should waste public bandwidth by speaking to this issue. They just don't have the experiential base to know how true it is.

if that was an accusation that I'm a bubba from the burbs with no experiential base, you could not be more wrong. You don't know me, or know where I grew up, or know who I know.

I'd put my "street" credentials against anyone'ss. Don't assume. In fact, this author's comments about Clinton betray a complete disconnect from how Clinton is perceived on the street.