I don't think that an 8 point defeat by Dean would do the Dems serious harm further down ballot. Dukakis and Dole both lost by similar margins, and neither did any damage at all to their party in Congressional races. Why would Dean have a much worse effect if he ran as well as those 2 did?
That being said, laugh all you want right now, Republicans. We'll see what happens in the primaries and in the general election next year. Democrats were pretty giddy about the GOP's self destruction in 1980 as well. I know I keep bringing it up, but it is solid proof that elections are about competence, not ideology. The key question now is: what will Dean's reponse be to the blistering attacks that are forthcoming on him? I sure hope his people are getting ready for it now, because it is going to be a downright dirty, nasty, mudslinging campaign.
Four or Five southern senate seats. Conservative rural Dems. If Dean crashes by eight percent is would be a blood bath for the Dems.
