Democrat Dilemma, Slaughter or Schism

Democrat Dilemma, Slaughter or Schism

Democratic cognoscenti are convinced that the party will be swamped in 2004 if Howard Dean is the nominee. And, they have to decide what is worse - a 49 or 50 wipeout, or splitting the party by committing serious resources to stopping him?

"The Dean dilemma was spelled out to me by a sage Democratic practitioner whose views I have sought since 1968. He has felt for months that the former Vermont governor faces horrendous defeat against President Bush. Last week, this party loyalist told me he felt Dean will be nominated unless an act of intervention stops him. He added that he is sure Dean can be stopped but at the cost of unacceptable carnage. Implicitly and reluctantly, therefore, he is swallowing Dean."