Howard Dean defends himself and his foreign-policy today by responding to the Washington Post's review of him (original Post editorial here), and in doing so further demonstrates why he doesn't belong in the White House.

Out of the Mainstream? Hardly (washingtonpost.com)

Dean repeats all the wishful canards of the Left Wing - Bush unilateralism (ignoring the fact that Bush has, in fact, worked with allies and countries with common interest - its just that that hasn't always included the UN) and an unwillingness to acknowledge the Bush goal of salting the fertile ground of terror, rather than pursuing the War on Terror as an expanded police function. It must have come as a shock to be attacked as he was in a paper like the Washington Post, but sometimes the truth hurts. Dean simply has nothing of interest to offer in foreign policy but a surrender to other country's agendas - whether it be in North Korea, Europe, Africa or the Middle East. The fact is that we are engaged and providing leadership in all those areas. There is no reason to change course now.

Dean's weak reply, which comes down to yet another attack on the Administration while providing no appealing alternative to setting back the clock is a good portent for those of us desirous of seeing a second Bush term. If Dean wants to be taken seriously as person suited to be President, he needs to move beyond the boiler-plate, and in that regard, this reply represents a missed opportunity.