Preach On, MeanDean!

Howard Dean was in the Republican stronghold of Collier County, Florida, yesterday, showing by example that Democrats have got to "show up." And true to his promise, he's carrying the banner of Terri Schiavo as Exhibit # 1 of Republican extremism: "It's a character issue and a values issue. The Republicans are willing to reach into our personal lives at any moment .... There is a deep scar on the American psyche. This is a great tragedy for the American people, and I think the behavior of the governor [Jeb Bush] and the president and the senator [Mel Martinez] is something that will long be remembered."

According to the St. Petersburg Times, "[Dean] is also determined to help combat Republican suggestions that Democrats are out the mainstream, and intends to develop a simple, overriding definition of Democrat."

"We need to kick the money changers out of the temple and restore moral values to America," Dean said, drawing roars from the crowd. "We need a message where people from the Panhandle [of Florida] or Alabama are just as comfortable running as a Democrat as somebody from New York," he said, arguing that whether it's balancing budgets or improving access to children's health care, Democrats are more in tune with most Americans than Republicans.

Looks like national polling backs Dean up, now don't it?