The Dems have got themselves into the position where they can't even try any more to get the support of the third in the middle without losing the third on their side. In part, Clintonism is to blame, because the Left can see what happened the last time they moderated their positions for the sake of winning, then having won, going head with imposing their agenda (most notably in the form of Hillarycare)-- they got Republicans first in Congress, then the White House. They are determined to not repeat that mistake, as it's better to go out in a blaze of glory followed by four more years of vicitmhood and moral exhibitionism. (Which is much more fun an actually having to govern.)

Howard Dean just missed his Sister Souljah moment. All the thoughtful moderates who have been (somewhat) intrigued by Dean should recognize now that he is but a shill. In one sense, defending Davis is worse than defending Clinton, because Davis has no Rubin for a backstop.

Actually, backing Davis in the long run is probably the lesser of two evils for Dean. His other alternative would have been to go hang out with Cruz in California, but if he never renounced his MEChA ties and ends up elected governor, his issue would become something Howard would have to comment on sooner or later, especially if some of Bustamante's past associates in that group feel empowered to speak out if he assumes the top office (Dean's best choice really would have been to have said nothing about either candidate, but since he's the Democrats' superstar right now, even that would have caused a few ruffled feathers on the left coast).