Has It Come to This?

Political discourse in this country is supposed to be a fairly noble thing. A fair airing of issues and candidates positions, with an engaged electorate making a well reasoned choice at the end of the process.

Of course, it doesn't work that way. Any idiot can vote, for whomever they want for whatever reason they choose (if for any reason at all). This is why Howard Dean's misguided rally speech he banged out in Iowa the other night (you know, the one that ends with "YEEAAAHHH!!!!!!!") may cost him the Democratic nomination. Does the fact that Dean got carried away in an attempt to rally the troops after a dismal performance in Iowa fundamentally change the ideas he has for the country? Of course not, but the media pundits are already writing his presidential obit. Why is it that 99% of the time the voters complain about how dull, lifeless, and similar all candidates are. When you get one who (gods forbid) speaks his mind or gets a little pissed off now and then, he's branded as "unstable" and thus not suited for the office.

I'm not saying that Dean is the guy, but if he isn't let's make that decision on his policy positions and his ideas for the country. After all, it's not like he ripped off a series of racial slurs or something.