Loose cannon watch: Howard Dean

Here's the DNC chairman displaying some of his trademark subtlety and discretion:

Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Party, said yesterday that the US House majority leader, Tom DeLay, ''ought to go back to Houston where he can serve his jail sentence," referring to allegations of unethical conduct against the Republican leader.

Dean's remark, in a speech to Massachusetts Democrats at their party convention, drew an immediate rebuke from US Representative Barney Frank, the Newton Democrat and one of DeLay's harshest critics. ''That's just wrong," Frank said in an interview on the convention floor. ''I think Howard Dean was out of line talking about DeLay. The man has not been indicted. I don't like him, I disagree with some of what he does, but I don't think you, in a political speech, talk about a man as a criminal or his jail sentence."

When Barney Frank says you're being too partisan, you've clearly crossed the line. Let's all stop and thank the Iowa caucusgoers who kept this man far away from the presidency.

Comments

[brent]

I know you're wary of Dr. Dean's rhetorical excesses, and your reputation as an un-spinner warrants that. However, I probably don't need to remind you that in the Dean vs. DeLay crossfire, the good doctor is hardly the looser cannon. Nor has he the heavier, um, ammunition.