Meet Howie Dean, Right-Wing Extremist

Or so claims another lefty whose hobbies are shrieking like a cannon-sized dog whistle and running for president, Dennis Kucinich.

Democratic Party chairman Howard Dean got a tongue lashing from one of his former presidential campaign rivals yesterday, who complained that he had become too supportive of the Iraq war.

Noting Dean's comments to a Minnesota audience last week, where he said that "now that we're there" he hopes the war turns out to be "incredibly successful," Representative Dennis Kucinich insisted in an open letter:

"Did [Dean's] words really come from the same man who claimed to represent the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party," Kucinich fumed, "and who had recently campaigned on the antiwar theme?"

This has a number of fascinating incongruities.

For one, Dr. Demented actually spoke positively about the Iraq project? Did his white-hatted keepers overmedicate him that evening or something? What could explain this lapse of sanity?

For another, could it be that Dean is crafty enough to figure that by doing so, some fellow nutbag like Kucinich would get wind of it, jerk his knee as if on subconscious command, and make him look...well, less crazy by comparison?

Or, did Chairman How simply misspeak in the opposite direction and provoke an angry salvo of "friendly fire"?

You'll note that I did not include Dean moving toward the center as an option. I don't deal in pipedreams, y'see.

Kucinich may well be even crazier than Dean. Which is what happens when you have no responsibility for anything, no prospects of regaining it anytime soon, and consequently have nothing to lose from being a total ass:

"Perhaps you now believe that an electoral victory for Democrats in 2006 and beyond requires sweeping this war under the rug," the left-winger railed, ticking off a list of complaints that sounded like were lifted from a Michael Moore script.

Instead, urged the Ohio congressman, Democrats would do better if they openly advocated a cut and run strategy.

"The war will end when we say it's over," Kucinich advised. "The Democratic leadership should be pressing for quick withdrawal of all troops from Iraq."

Does that mess even require a fisking?

Makes me look forward to taking bets on what lefties will be saying when the draw-down of American forces from Iraq commences in earnest. My guess is something along the lines of dire warnings of where Bush is gonna send 'em next.

In the meantime, look for Dr. Demented to be living up to his nickname. He's got quite a "sin" to atone for.