As an Edwards supporter and a veteran of politics I say it's not over by a long shot"

[Ninga]

Veteran Hillary knows better than anyone.

Hillary has been closely involved in the several campaigns of her husband, one race he lost and was booted out of the governor's office....and the won the next election.

Even though she is not my candidate.....kudos for her, and her staff to adjust and be able to pull out a win.


And one more thing......no one on God's green earth can attribute her win to particular event, speech or interview. If that were the case, then every candidate would go into their bag of tricks and start pulling out strategies.

Hillary experienced a sea change, she smelled what happened in Iowa and she adjusted on many fronts, from her demeanor to her message. The proof of that is in the very first sentence of her speech last night......"New Hampshire I heard what you had to say and I listened"....or something like that.

John Edwards :patriot: needs to infuse another layer, or several more layers into his message.

But he doesn't need me to tell him what to do.....he needs money and he needs to communicate to the voters the next chapter of his strategy.

He is NOT out of this game by any measure.

:hi:

[Donnachaidh]

1. not at all over -- the top three were so far ahead of the others

it was almost embarrassing. I expected better of Kucinich - what happened there?

[DangerDave921]

2. Fringe

Like the old suede Neil Young jacket I used to wear, the answer is FRINGE.

Dennis is one heck of an honest, decent guy. But man, he will never ever get any traction in a national election. He just won't. Why are you surprised he didn't do better? What percentage did you have in mind?

[Ninga]

4. Kucinich is a message man, strategy is not his strong suit. He struggles with leadership, which is

simply "getting people to follow you".

Kucinich and his campaign is a clinic that message alone, can not get the attention of the voters. is is sad but true.

That is why it will be fascinating to watch the Edwards campaign in the next 10 days or so. In his case, is it money or message? And if he has the chops of leadership, then what will he do and/or say to elevate his campaign.

Enough people voted for him last night to up his delegate count, and he needs to BUILD, and grow his campaign.

I am with him until.........

:hi:

[Ninga]

5. dupe - sorry

[OneGrassRoot]

3. I want to congratulate all the candidates and their campaign workers

This is a grueling process. To me, comparable to football season - we have to go through many contests before getting to the playoffs, let alone the SuperBowl. I admire anyone willing to take on such a task and see it through.

I am disappointed in John Edwards' distant third finish, but certainly haven't lost any of that proverbial hope that is making a comeback these days. ;) I agree with the OP: wins encompass many elements, as do losses. I don't think at this stage we can point to any specific reason for how the candidates finished. There are SO many variables going on, albeit I think many aren't very positive ones (influence of media - whether they're focusing in a "good" or "bad" or "no" way on a candidate).

I continue to support JRE and continue to admire the other candidates. I hope we all continue to learn more and more about all of them as this process plays out.

To me, the bottom line is that there has been a huge turnout thus far which is WONDERFUL. And it also seems to be a turnout FOR someone, rather than simply votes against someone else.



:patriot:

[Ninga]

6. Spot on! It really is the people in the trenches that make this process so much fun.

[Uben]

7. He took matching funds

...that will limit how much he can spend

[patrice]

8. It's never over. nt

[Evergreen Emerald]

9. I agree--however, Edwards said it was over after Iowa

Did you notice the difference in his speeches?

Iowa: America has spoken and they want Change. It is a two person race, he said, Edwards and Obama.

NH: Only a fraction of Americans have spoken. 99% of Americans have not voted.

Funny stuff politics. He tried hard to write of Clinton.

[Ninga]

10. Don't get so worked up - it's the game and even your candidate plays it -

And yes, I would expect his speeches to be different, depending on the venue.

[Evergreen Emerald]

11. I think Edwards helped in the Clinton Victory.

His attacks were personal and over the top. His arrogance in claming victory after only .3% and suggesting that Clinton should step aside so that he and Obama can get down to business and have a 'real debate.'

He not only did himself in, he boosted Clinton.

[Ninga]

12. Sorry, that dog won't hunt. Good try though.

[Evergreen Emerald]

13. I am not certain what you mean?

[Ninga]

14. What I mean is that every thing in politics is speculation - nothing more - so I do not

agree with your assertion.

[Evergreen Emerald]

16. see. now that was not so hard was it? Instead of sarcastic

short comments, just....talk.

[Ninga]

18. OK.

:hi:

[mcscajun]

15. Of course it's not over. Nothing will become 'definitive' until Feb. 5th.

By then, if we're still in a horse race, look to a brokered convention.

[robcon]

17. It's over for Edwards.

He's in third place in EVERY state that has a primary between now and Super Tuesday. He could jump to second in a state or two, and might even win a state, but as far as winning the nomination: not a chance.

[Ninga]

19. I don't agree with your speculation.

:hi:

[flyarm]

20. and you think you know this why??..oh and do remember these were "open " states...

lets just wait till we get to "closed " primary states..where only dems get to vote on our candidates..and we don't have indy's or repigs picking our candidates.

fly