The American Spectator

p> I’M GLAD YOU ASKED THAT br> First it was former Vermont Gov. Howie Dean seemingly planting sick people around him so he could appear to be a healer while on the campaign trail. ( Recall that early in the campaign, Dean was often coincidentally close by to aid people who had either fainted or fallen ill at his campaign events.) /p>

Now John Kerry’s campaign is planting volunteers at his appearances in order to make him appear tougher. At a rally yesterday at which he accepted the endorsement of Maine Gov. John Baldacci, Kerry faced down a heckler in the Portland audience who called out, “Why don’t you tell them about your vote on the war and the Patriot Act?”

Kerry responded that he would — but in time. “I never run away from anything, especially George Bush,” Kerry said.

The candidate seemed to be quick on his feet in the response, and his retort garnered applause. Perhaps his quick thinking was the result of knowing the jibe was coming.

According to a Kerry campaign source, the campaign has been looking to plant local volunteers in crowds to mix it up, and to make it appear their man is facing down tough questioning. “This kind of confrontation pushes him up the line in news coverage,” says the staffer. “Instead of facing a tough question from a reporter, the news guys have this seeming give and take to report on.”

p> BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO br> The meeting scheduled to take place yesterday between Howie Dean and his union supporters has been put off until this weekend, according to Dean campaign insiders. Instead of a meet in Michigan, where Dean has essentially shut down his campaign, the unions and Dean will gather in Burlington, perhaps as early as Saturday.