And on the pedestal these words appear:
“My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings:
Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away. — from Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley

With all eyes on the Iowa caucus I have taken most of the day off for rest and relaxation. I for one am not surprised that Howard Dean din’t get this “in the bag;” I have discussed the cathartic role that Howard Dean has accidentally taken, in place of his previous galvanic role.

Having watched his reaction on FOX News my opinion is that he has gone off the deep end. I, just as most of us, will be watching him, but for different reasons. I would like to see him change the character of his campaign. I would like to see him finally not alienate the center, and pander, if you will, to their interests too.

Then I would like to see him crash and burn as he is called a heretic by his “solid base of supporters.” Such is the price of courting true believers. I have assumed Good Faith for Howard Dean that he does not truly believe what he is saying when he plays to his “solid base.” Judging by his current reactions, my faith seems to have been misplaced.

As it stands, this defeat in Iowa will be an oportunity for Howard to go ahead and learn something out of it. It may very well be a once and only chance to do so. This is also a chance for the Deanie Babies to learn something too: that their emotional investment in giving Howard a messianic air will not pay off when—and definitely if—he realizes that the rest of America does not necessarily share their voices.

Support is best shown by taking your leader to task; not by assuring him of blind loyalty.

Quick UPDATE: Now posted to Shackbar’s Duck Hunt.

Good night, everyone.