McCain is one republican I would happily support as a presidential and vice presidential candidate. I was very disappointed when he wasn't nominated years ago.
Back to Dean though. I'll admit he may have some liberal intentions on some issues. But he is socially conservative on many issues such as the death penalty, medicinal marijuana, the Kyoto treaty (and alot of other environmental policies), the Star Wars missile defense system, & the war on drugs just to name a few. But this isn't to say he is a bad person by any means nor that he is more to the left than say Leiberman. But if he is indeed more left than Kerry or Gephardt it isn't by much. Consider that Dean told Salon (Feb19, 2003) that "I don't mind being characterized as 'liberal' -- I just don't happen to think it's true."
Second, I critique his policies on an implentation level because it is one thing to talk the talk and it is another to walk the walk. More to the point, it is one thing to say you want to reform health care in America and to support homosexual rights, but it is quite a different thing to put a plan forth that would actually achieve those goals as opposed to offering a piece meal plan that doesn't fundamentally change anything, but looks alright on paper and for intent purposes. Dean seems like a good man. It does worry me that he has sealed his gubernatorial records for 10 yrs (enough for 2 terms as president), but secrecy doesn't necessarily entail corruption. All I am saying is that Dean is a moderate, even a self describe moderate. So it goes without saying that he is a far cry from a Green, a liberal, and especially a progressive. If people take him for what he is without all the hype around his name right now and I'll respect their decision in a heart beat as a difference of values, but allow yourself to be fooled that he is much different than Kerry, Gephardt, Clinton, or Edwards and you are just letting yourself be mislead by the press.
Link to Salon article I cited:
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/20.../index_np.html