BURLINGTON, Vermont - With his front-runner status a fading memory, Howard Dean has made a bold move toward reestablishing his democratic presidential candidacy. In addition to replacing his campaign manager, he has replaced himself with professional George W. Bush impersonator, Brent Mendenhall. "There's a lot of wisdom in the saying, 'If you can't beat 'em, join 'em," quipped Dean, "and I think we have in Brent a person that can beat the real George Bush."

This sort of candidate swapping is unusual, but not without precedent. "In 1924, the Democratic party put Clem Longfootle forward as their contender against Calvin Coolidge. When it became clear that Longfootle's 'electability' was in question, his campaign replaced him with the more common-named John W. Davis," explained Political Scientist Rick Hardy, "While it didn't create the turn-around they'd hoped for, it did allow them to pull in almost 30% of the vote, better than double what Longfootle was predicted to garner."

Other candidates have been quick to spin the move in their favor. "What Howard Dean has done here is to say to the American people, 'I think you're too stupid to know the difference between my new mouthpiece and your current President.' If I were an American voter, I would be insulted," said John Kerry, quickly adding, "I am an American. And I vote. For Americans. Vote American!"

Dean's new campaign slogan, "You like it, you love it, you want some more of it!" will be the focus of his campaigning for primary votes in South Carolina and Missouri, accompanied by Tim McGraw's "I Like It, I Love It". Who would actually occupy the White House if the Dean/Mendenhall team wins remains to be clarified.
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