TAPPED (Franke-Ruta, specifically) suggests that Beltway CW is coalescing around Howard Dean as the eventual nominee. Fascinating.

In the past week, I've been surprised to discover a consensus emerging among the journalists and political consultants with whom I speak regularly -- namely, that Howard Dean is very likely to win the Democratic nomination. I say surprised because two weekends ago I was up in Burlington, where Dean's team isn't yet acting like it's convinced of any such thing. While the journalists and consultants (and none of these folks are Deaniacs) said they were giving Dean anywhere from 70 to 85 percent odds of winning the nomination, the candidate's team in Burlington (made up of the Deaniest of Deaniacs) was busy trying to figure out how to respond to the growing chorus of attacks from Dick Gephardt on the Medicare issue; how to create a Democratic version of the GOP Team Leader organizing tools; and how to prepare its followers -- many of whom are political newbies -- for the increasingly nasty attacks they're anticipating as the campaign enters its next phase.In a field this big, overconfidence is an error no campaign -- even a top-tier one -- can afford.

Perhaps this discrepancy exists because Burlington is isolated from any and all conventional wisdoms and from the chattering classes, in general. Last summer, these folks ignored the negative talk about Dean after his painful Meet the Press performance, and this fall, despite loads of cash on hand, enthusiastic volunteers and positive polling data, they are not taking anything for granted.

Good that Beltway insiders are starting to adjust to their new reality and major kudos to HQ for not taking anything for granted. Ignore the chattering classes and keep your noses to the grindstone! (I wrote 7 letters this past week, so I'm trying to do my share.)