Howard Dean says he is metrosexual.
In one of the weirder moments of the presidential campaign thus far, Howard Dean has called himself “metrosexual,” according to the Denver Post. (*) The exact quotation is not provided by the Colorado newspaper’s web site, but it appears he was attempting to burnish his image as the candidate most favorable to alternative sexualities. Dean said he was for “‘equal justice’ for gay and lesbian couples.” It should be noted that “equal justice” is a troubling compound. Is he saying that in other cases, there should be unequal justice? Justice is supposed to be, if nothing else, equal.
The word metrosexual is an unfortunate neologism of recent vintage. (†) (‡)
It is not merely Dean’s language that is so troublesome, however. Dean’s comment adds evidence to the already convincing case that the former Vermont governor’s character is explosive, out-of-control, and convulsive. The comment will be used by comedians and satirists. It proves that Dean is his own worst enemy.
Update: 12 December 2003. Linked by A Horse Is a Horse. (§)