Dr. Demented Bites Off Own Foot

I noticed this story yesterday over at GOP Bloggers, but didn't think too much about it.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean is endorsing a Socialist to replace retiring Vermont Senator Jim Jeffords.

"A victory for Bernie Sanders is a win for Democrats," Dean told Vermont's Bennington Banner in a telephone interview Monday.

Big surprise, right? But then just now I came across this additional little detail:

Reminded that Representative Sanders is not a member of his party, Dean quickly backpedaled, explaining, "We've got a few things to work out with Bernie. Bernie's not a Democrat."

Asked to explain what he needs to work out with Sanders, Dean said: "I'd rather tell him in person."

Dean needed to be reminded that Sanders isn't a Democrat? Isn't Dean from Vermont? Can he really not be aware of this?

But more to the point, why did he backpedal? Did he realize that nobody besides himself missed the fact that Sanders is a self-proclaimed socialist? Does he think that his reflexively gushing embrace of a self-proclaimed socialist is a gaffe that could be damaging to himself and/or Sanders and or the Democrat Party? Just exactly what "few things" would Dean need to "work out" with "Bernie"? And how eager would Bernie be to take part in this "working out" given how quickly Chairman How "backpedaled"?

FWIW, Sanders is the logical choice to run for Jeffords' seat. Since Governor Jim Douglas has disavowed any interest, there doesn't seem to be anything standing in Sanders' way. And really, would an affowed socialist really take that seat much, if any, further left than it is already?

But as he does so, ol' Bernie wouldn't hurt himself to keep in mind the old adage that it's easier to slip a knife in a friend's back than an enemy's.