Watching the Des Moines Register debate on C-SPAN, I just saw Howard's altar call -- (paraphrasing) that he has publicly committed (and is reiterating) his vigorous support to the candidate, whoever it is, and will vigorously ask his supporters to do so as well. Will the rest of the candidates do the same? (He raised his hand, and everyone else eventually did too.)

This directly refutes one of the biggest anti-Dean talking points in the blogosphere (he'll go third-party! he'll tell his supporters to stay home!). Critics have relied on deliberate misunderstandings of Dean's words and pooh-poohing of his prior statements of support.

This time, it's going to be pretty damn hard to spin Dean's declaration away (though I have faith many will try). Bravo.