And the fact that so many people *do* think this is one of the reasons he's done so well... people keep underestimating him.

And, you know, it's my personal opinion that he's perfectly happy to be ridiculed by his enemies as long as it gives him an edge.

If his political opponents would take him seriously, well, they'd do better against him. That's why I think Howard Dean has a pretty good shot, even with the inevitable backlash the Repubs will try to exploit re. his anti-war stance. Dean (at least publically) takes George seriously, and is willing to go toe-to-toe with him.