The American Spectator

Dean then introduced “the next president of the United States — John F. Kerry.” Kerry clearly did not generate the same level of applause and whooping as Dean did. Sensing which way the wind was blowing, Kerry took shelter in the groveling he has become so well known for.

“I was just so wrapped up in what Howard Dean was saying,” Kerry said, “I almost came up here and said, ‘Howard Dean for President.’”

It didn’t get any better. Kerry thanked Dean for starting a “conversation with America.” He then stole the former governor’s well worn slogan, “You have the power,” and then, pointing at Dean, asked the crowd, “Who am I quoting?” It was an easy question, but the students answered it with spunk.

AFTERWARDS I WALKED among the crowd and watched about 40 people holding Bush/Cheney signs be engulfed by crowds of obscenity-shouting Kerry supporters. When the Bushies refused to budge, the crowd flew into a strange verbal rage, acting like Democratic faithful seized by the spirit of liberalism, speaking in tongues.

“Bush hates Jews!” “WASPs for Bush!” “Bush is in bed with Bin Laden!” Some wound out very creative blue streaks. There was no arguing tax policies with these lunatics.

I asked one very sensible-looking girl watching the proceedings with a horrified look on her face why she came out.

“It was a good excuse to get out of class,” she said with a shrug.

So I inquired if she had been following the election.

“I haven’t been really, not until now,” she said. “I mean, I know we should get rid of Bush. I guess it doesn’t really matter who does it.”

I noticed a little guy in a Dean shirt staring intently at me, shifting his weight excitedly from one foot to the other. I asked him if he was okay with Dean being on the Kerry bandwagon now.

“Who cares?” he replied, and issued a manic little laugh. I thought about asking a follow-up question, but then took another look at him, and thought better of it.