Garance Franke-Ruta on Dean in Plymouth, NH: About 1300 people turned out for the event, including Judy Dean, who is campaigning with her husband during the final stretch. Howard Dean spoke in more measured tones than I'm used to hearing from him, ending his sentences on a note of surprise instead of condemnation and replacing his trademark fiery "that turned out not to be true" denunciations of Bush with "there was no evidence for that," spoken in tones of eminent reasonableness... Dean managed to exude confidence and self-control where he used to exude toughness and strength, but I almost missed the old firebrand who played the crowd like an accordian. Still, the roar of the crowd made it clear that the attendees -- many of whom, when queried, said they'd been backing him since the fall or before -- still loved him. He made light of his screaming post-Iowa speech, and his supporters joked right back at him about it. One held a banner proclaiming a "Free Screech Movement" and another a sign that read "Scream for Dean" on one side and "After 4 years of Bush, we'll all be screaming" on the reverse. When Dean noted the sign, the audience whooped and shouted with delight, screaming their enthusiasm for Dean. ...The Deans today have doubtless been shaped by their profession as much as their state of residence...They are doctors, not Vermont hippies, and they helps explain their anti-aesthetic aesthetic as much as anything else. Meanwhile, Alyssa is right to argue that Dean appears to be trotting his wife out as the type of prop he promised she wouldn't be, although I'm not sure I find the Kerry approach as convincing as she does. It may be that the other men's appearances with their wives will be more convincing for their never having said in the first place We support each other's goals in life. Her goal is to be a good doctor and a good mom. I think that's a pretty good goal and I support that. I do not intend to drag her around because I think I need her as a prop on the campaign trail. But I do credit him for a remark that furthered a conversation about the essentialization of political wives that needs pursuing, even as it looks like he's failed to continue it. There is, of course, one candidate safe from charges of hypocrisy on this count.