It's official: Presidential candidate Howard Dean is the "polarization" candidate in the 2004 campaign.

In a piece in today's New York Times, Dean campaign manager Joe Trippi reacts to news that President Bush's campaign will focus on issues and the direction of the country during the upcoming election season.

According to the paper, here was what Trippi said:

"That's the only shot they have, to depolarize the race," Mr. Trippi said. "If the race is a referendum on Bush, that's going to be very polarizing.