POLITICS - Biting The Hand That Feeds You

Here's a recent quote from Howard Dean:

"I intend to support the Democratic nominee under any circumstances," Dean said. "I'm just deeply disappointed that once again we may have to settle for the lesser of two evils."

I'd like to know exactly what Howard Dean means by that statement. It is very similar to remarks made by some voters during the 2000 election, specifically about George W. Bush and Al Gore. Ralph Nader attracted independents and greens because they viewed Gore as the lesser of two evils.

So I'd like to know if Howard Dean was referencing the 2000 election, or if he is extremely naive and doesn't understand that such a remark will be construed as related to the 2000 election.

In addition, I'd like to know how Al Gore, the lesser of two evils, now feels about endorsing Howard Dean. How does an established Washington insider like Gore feel about Howard Dean's rhetoric about Beltway insiders like John Kerry? It's ironic that Wesley Clark appears to be creating a "outsider" niche for himself inside the Dem party, while Howard Dean seems to be arguing himself out of the accepted boundaries of the party.