Politics | Democratic National Committee Howard Dean, Shadow of His Former Self Dems now need the scream that ruined him, TNR scribe argues By Jonas Oransky Posted Feb 18, 2008 9:20 PM CST Copied Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, center, presides over the trooping of the colors during the Democratic National Committee Fall Meeting in Vienna, Va., Friday, Nov. 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) (Associated Press) The Howard Dean who once shocked Washington is now a model of docility, “unwilling or afraid to confront the establishment that was once so afraid of him," the New Republic’s Eve Fairbanks argues. The Democratic National Committee chair is also the wrong man for a bitter primary season, refusing to intervene when the party needs a strong hand. The ex-presidential candidate who once raged on TV now watches while Florida and Michigan delegations get trampled, causing untold headaches for the left. He’s a "chronically misunderstood man" who prefers peace to conflict, Fairbanks writes. The Democrats would fair better if he ditched the silent act and revived his famous, campaign-ending scream. Read These Next A space capsule carrying ashes of 160 people crashed in the ocean. A lesson in minding your own business ... at 30,000 feet. The death toll in the Texas floods has risen to 27, including 9 kids. Desperate search for missing campers continues in Texas. Report an error