Dean Speechless as Clintons Hijack Campaign

Will Democratic Party presidential front-runner Howard Dean become Bill and Hillary Clinton's next Nita Lowey?

Lowey is the New York Democrat who was the odds-on favorite to run for Senate in 2000. But when Hillary made it known she wanted the job instead, Lowey gracefully agreed to bow out of the race.

Three years later it looks as if Dr. Dean is about to be "Loweyed" by the Clintons, and - so far at least - we haven't heard a peep about the challenge from the man who supposedly had the nomination all but locked up.

More than a day has passed since Mr. Clinton told a California audience that his wife would be forgiven if she breaks her promise not to get into the presidential race.

"I was impressed at the state fair in New York, which is in Republican country in upstate New York, at how many New Yorkers came up and said they would release her from her commitment if she wanted to do it," he explained.

No one doubts that if Hillary takes Bill's advice, Howard Dean's presidential juggernaut would evaporate in a nanosecond.

Complicating matters for the Vermont Democrat, at the same time Bill was talking up Hillary's presidential prospects Gen. Wesley Clark was busy throwing his helmet into the ring, complete with a campaign staff so packed with ex-Clintonistas that it looks like the advance team for DraftHillary.com.

For Dean, the handwriting is on the wall. Not only aren't the former first couple remaining neutral in the race, they're actively working to sabotage his chances to win the presidential nomination.

Sen. Clinton, for instance, refused to endorse Al Gore last year, explaining, "I don't endorse in Democratic primaries." But apparently Hillary is willing to bend her rules now that Gen. Clark is in the game.

Opinion Journal.com's John Fund reports today: "As for New York's junior senator, she distanced herself yesterday from reports that she had already agreed to serve as co-chairman of the Clark campaign. But Fox News reports that her office doesn't deny that such a role 'is in the works and might happen soon.'"

So far Dean seems to be in deep denial over the fact that the Clintons have now mounted a full-fledged effort to torpedo his chances for success. In his only comment to date on Gen. Clark's entry into the race, Dean said, "I think he's actually going to be helpful to me."

Dream on, Dr. Dean. Here's how the New York Daily News assessed the impact of the challenge by the anti-Iraq-war former supreme allied commander:

"Don't look now, Deanie Weenies, but your man just lost the strongest card in his hand."

A call to Dean's Vermont headquarters seeking comment on the Clintons' bid to derail his campaign was not returned by press time.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
2004 Elections
Sen. Hillary Clinton

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