From the UK's Guardian, Jay Parini's take on "the real Howard Dean"...

With just about a week to go until the Iowa Caucus, it's fun to think what a year it's been - a surge from seemingly nowhere has lifted Governor Dean from Montpelier / Burlington, VT to national prominence as a presidential candidate, and purported frontleader....

It's now that the race truly begins - with over 550K supporters and plenty of energy, the compressed primary schedule will likely give us a nominee within the next two months or so.

Assumptions that Dean will be there at a minimum, possibly locked in contention with a strong second of Clark / Edwards / Gephardt, is still too much for me to call. Anything can happen, but the strength of support (Bradley / Gore / Harkin / etc.) across the party, the fundraising $$, the multi-state coverage of eager volunteers makes it more than likely Governor Dean can race successfully until the end, wherever that finish line may be....