The Real Reason Howard Dean's Presidential Hopes Went Down in Flames

A new book reveals the inside story of the infamous "scream" that ended Dean's run for the White House

In a moment that has become etched in political lore, Democratic presidential hopeful Howard Dean let out an earsplitting "scream" on the evening of January 19, 2004, after coming in third place in the Iowa caucuses.

The sound, which was captured on video and quickly went viral, was widely mocked and ridiculed, and many believe it was the moment that effectively ended Dean's campaign for the White House.

In a new book, "The Scream: The Inside Story of Howard Dean's Presidential Campaign," author Michael Tomasky reveals the inside story of the infamous moment and its aftermath. Tomasky argues that the scream was not simply a gaffe, but rather a symptom of the deep frustration and anger that Dean felt after years of campaigning.

Dean had come into the Iowa caucuses with high hopes, but he was ultimately defeated by John Kerry, who went on to win the Democratic nomination and lose the general election to George W. Bush.

The scream, Tomasky writes, was Dean's way of expressing his disappointment and frustration over the loss. It was also a way of letting off steam after a long and grueling campaign.

While the scream may have ended Dean's presidential hopes, it ultimately did not derail his career. He went on to become the chairman of the Democratic National Committee and is now a professor at Columbia University.