Dean needs rest badly. Physician: Heal Thyself. Anybody agree?

[Merlin]

One of the things JFK always did was to get rest--even during a busy, critical campaign swing. It's way more important to show up at one campaign stop rested, refreshed and fit than to show up at two dragged out and tired looking.

He's losing his edge. He won't be a good President if he allows himself to get so rundown that he can't make a proper presentation in a debate, can't think on his feet, or goes over the top when somebody harasses him.

During yesterday's appearance with Gore (or was it Saturday's), he looked like he would fall asleep standing up.

Godam it, Howard's handlers, get your stuff together! This is really important!

[Hep]

1. Well golly.

if YOU say so.

[MuseRider]

2. I agree

he is beginning to look tired and a little out of sorts. I really noticed it during the Linn County speeches, he put me to sleep and that rarely happens when I listen to these guys and last night he just looked very on edge and worn out. I hope they take care of him because there is still a long way to go. He looks worn out, they all look a bit weary.

[bitchkitty]

3. Well, when you're

campaigning, you have to do stuff like attend debates, etc. Unless of course you are Wesley Clark, then you skip the debates.

[deminflorida]

5. Really, I've been hearing rumors too that Dean is in Poor health

now...is this just more evidence of some sort of illness? Anybody else heard anything about that?

[AP]

7. Are you trying to start a rumor or do you have facts?

16. Anybody who runs for president

is sick I tell you, sick!
Good thing some people do though.

[Merlin]

6. That's no excuse. Rule No. 1 is to take care of yourself first.

If you don't take care of No. 1, you can't help the rest.

Public perceptions now are everything. He's all over the news all the time. He's got to stay sharp. And that means getting enough rest.

Shame on his handlers for not knowing this. Shame on Howard for not having enough savy to realize it.

[AP]

8. Clinton wore out his vocal cords and still won

in '92.

[spooky3]

13. yes, but every person is different.

And Clinton was ALWAYS late to his scheduled events (often, by more than one hour). so I feel certain that he was able to beg off of some of them later in the day and people knew he just couldn't fit them in, even when he might have been able to do so.

[blm]

17. Dean has savvy.

Why else would a doctor attack an opponent relentlessly for weeks while he was OFF the campaign trail during his cancer surgery and recovery period?

He knows what he's doing. Not ethical for a doctor, but definitely ruthless for a politician.

[CWebster]

4. Considering the bombardment he has endured

it is a tribute to him that he is still standing firm.

[wtmusic]

9. His Jan. meetup video was scary

He had big rings under his eyes and looked exhausted. Get some rest HD!
:-)

[rucky]

10. Dr. Dumbya recommends a month-long golfing vacation in Texas

[Padraig18]

11. They ALL looked like walking death last night!

I've never seen that many sleepy adults all trying to feign interest in an event, when deep down you just KNEW all they wanted was a hot shower and 8 hours' sleep.

[spooky3]

12. I think that's an excellent point.

Even with his prepared comments, he seemed halting; fatigue and what I call people-overload are probably the best explanation. Edwards also seemed tired in his quick and more pronounced than I would have expected anger over Braun's charge. Since I like these 2 I focused mostly on them so I don't know whether the other candidates also seemed tired to their fans.

Another way of putting it to these hard-working candidates (who will likely respond, "but I have to keep going or I'll lose") is that if they get themselves really sick or disabled, they will not be able to help anyone. It may not be possible to cancel immediately upcoming events, but in the future, the "handlers" simply MUST not schedule so much. Two fewer events per day (plus travel) may matter a little in the short run, but in the long run, will be more than offset by good health.

[chimpymustgo]

18. Edwards wasn't tired, he was angry at CMB's lying about his record.

It was such a cheap shot - and so STUPID - to drag out the CQ ratings, where EDWARDS was ranked NUMBER ONE in the Seante for voting against *.

CMB was so desperate to cover Dean's *ss, that she came off looking really bad. She's gone from sticking up for him to sucking up to him.

Edwards let her have it - and he doesn't do that alot. IMO, Edwards was so energized by the Register endorsement, he looked GREAT last night - AND early this morning on the Today show!

[stopbush]

14. I thought Dean just took a few days off last week.

Am I wrong?

[KaraokeKarlton]

15. Dean always does this and he won't rest a bit

He'll push himself beyond the limit working hard. That's just how he is and has always been. He won't rest more, in fact, he's liable to kick it into even higher gear at any second. He doesn't use "handlers" because he wouldn't listen to them anyhow. Dean will work as hard as he possibly can, and that's just how it's going to be.