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Dean Says He's 'Unlike The Old Me'

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By JEFF ZELENY, New York Times

Published: October 21, 2007

ST. PAUL, Minn. - There has never been a Democratic national chairman with as much first-hand knowledge about running for president as Howard Dean.

Four years ago, at this stage in the race, he was flying high. Now, Dean is being sued by Democrats in Florida over the date of the primary and is being second-guessed about how he is spending the party's money. He seldom receives so much as a call seeking advice from this year's candidates.

The rise and abrupt fall of his campaign seems to hold lessons for some of the current contenders, from what it means to assume an air of inevitability to the dangers of counting on grass-roots energy to translate into votes. But Dean also sees ways in which the field has adopted elements of his candidacy, like its strong opposition to the war in Iraq.

'I often find myself ahead of the curve,' he said, a satisfied smile falling over his face. 'Unfortunately, 'I told you so,' is an incredibly unsuccessful campaign slogan.'

For Dean, this could be a time of great prominence. But most days, he conducts business in near obscurity, rarely appearing on television or at public events.

Dean travels the country without an entourage, often stopping in state capitals like here in Minnesota, inspecting the progress of projects such as a door-knocking program that encourages people to stop by 25 houses three times before Election Day. To activists, he declares, 'We need to knock on most of the doors in America in the next year!'

Dean appears content with his current role.

'The only wistful moments I've had are at the debates,' he said. 'I relish the combat, and I miss it.'

A conversation today with Dean is a study in discipline, compared with his off-hand remarks that were prone to generate headlines four years ago. He doesn't disagree with the assessment, saying he is 'unlike the old me.' Why such caution? 'You live and you learn, right?' he replies.

How do today's Democratic candidates compare with those in 2004? 'They're starting to look presidential, which is how you win.' Pausing for a moment, he laughed. 'I'm not sure I ever looked presidential,' he said.

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