Dr. Dean, or Former VT Governor Dean

In the NYT's, An Antiwar Democrat Leaves Room to Wiggle, By ADAM NAGOURNEY, Dr. Dean is used. In Iowa's DM Register, Candidate Dean rips rivals' stances on war with Iraq, By THOMAS BEAUMONT, Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean is used. So, which one? Given the choice, the Dr. title is probably more of a maverick asset for Dean than being a former Governor. There's something about having the 'former' there that is relates Dean to the past, instead of the future. The 'Dr. Dean' title also gives emphasis upon his signature issue, health-care.

UPDATE (by Aziz, via Lawrence): It seems that Dean has let his medical license expire:

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) Former Gov. Howard Dean has let his license to practice medicine in Vermont expire.

But Dean, who is a physician and a candidate for president, said it was an oversight caused by his busy schedule. He plans to pay the $25 penalty for a late renewal.

Dean's license lapsed Nov. 30. The regular renewal cost is $350, said John Howland Jr., interim director of the state Medical Practice Board.

Hundreds of nonpracticing doctors are similarly tardy in filing for renewal, Howland said. If Dean were practicing medicine, the lapsed license would be a much bigger deal.

''I find it quite unremarkable that he would not be renewing his medical license,'' Howland said. ''He's busy doing other things.''

Dean said his busy schedule contributed to his not renewing his license.

Dean told Modern Physician magazine that he wasn't in Montpelier last fall to receive the renewal application.

''I wasn't there much in November and December, so I never saw it,'' Dean told the Chicago-based magazine, which first reported the story on its Web site Wednesday. ''It will be taken care of, but I do have to pay a $25 fine.''


In light of this, I think emphasising the "Dr." when referring to Dean is going to be an easy opening for critics. The best strategy for Dean is not to insist on any title whatsoever, and let individual journalists decide on their own.

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