Dean in denial: "'not much is happening in the polls"

[Feanorcurufinwe]

Kerry, Edwards showing muscle

"First of all, not much is happening in the polls, and second of all, the polls really don't matter much in the last few days," Dean said. "It's all organization." At the same time, Dean gained the endorsement of former ambassador Carol Moseley Braun, the only African-American woman in the race until she bowed out yesterday.

<snip>

For Kerry, a second-place finish would help boost his New Hampshire campaign, which has slipped behind Clark's into third place. For Edwards, a North Carolina senator, a second- or third-place showing would add legitimacy to the long-shot bid of a relative newcomer, whom many voters speak of admiringly but find inexperienced (after five years in politics) to lead the nation.

Edwards and Kerry downplayed the significance of any poll for fear of raising expectations. A Research 2000 poll conducted for KCCI-TV in Des Moines indicated Dean was at 22 percent, Kerry at 21 percent, and Gephardt and Edwards at 18 percent. The margin of error was plus or minus four percentage points.

"I feel momentum; I feel energy in the campaign out here. The crowds have been incredible. People are responding," Kerry told reporters after the Sioux City rally. Careful not to let expectations grow out of hand, he added: "There's a lot of talking and a lot of work yet to be done. This is a tough race, and it will remain that. I've always said there are three tickets out of Iowa, and I'm looking for one of them, and we're going to try to do the best we can." Kerry sought to put his own sense of momentum into action yesterday, adding two events at the last minute and announcing last night in Council Bluffs that former senator Bob Kerrey, who sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 1992, would campaign for him. Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, planned to return to Iowa and campaign for Kerry on Sunday and Monday.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/01/16/kerry_edwards_showing_muscle/

I still can't get over the positive coverage Kerry is getting from the Globe. Maybe the editors decided he had a chance after all and it might be nice to have a hometown President.

[Melodybe]

1. As usual Dean is right, no votes have been cast.

That being said, Kerry is my new second choice. He actually got points for using the f-bomb, but he is a strong candidate and I am very proud of the truly patriotic things he has done for this nation. Many Americans have no idea, just how in debt they are to Kerry for his hard work.

Good luck, I do like the man.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

2. Dean didn't say no votes have been cast

he said: "not much is happening in the polls". Which is patently ridiculous. But he is right about the organization being so important in Iowa. It's gonna be a nail-biter.

[threemilemind]

3. Dean's fitness for the presidency has taken some major hits.

[Melodybe]

4. I don't think his ability to be a good president has changed at all

I think he is the strongest candidate we have.

[threemilemind]

5. I mean, come on, what else would you say at this point?

[Melodybe]

9. Look I'm being honest, that is why I like Dean. The man is teflon

his folks really care, and we work very hard. If for some reason I chose the wrong candidate and the nomination goes to someone else, fine. I will still work my ass off. I have two little boys, 3 draft age brothers, and a husband I love more than life. I will work hard to help this country and whoever the nominee is, end of story.

[threemilemind]

11. Doesn't seem like teflon to me

Beginning to seem more like tar.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

13. I like your sentiments, and your sig

even if we've chosen different candidates.


BUSH: OUT THE DOOR IN 2004!

[Raya]

6. Corporate Media is Manipulating for Dean/Clark as usual.

That seems to be the accepted story for the primaries and it looks like they will do anything to keep Kerry excitment down and let Dean's "organization" take Iowa.

I guess Iowa is going to be the next Florida.

[the populist]

12. I've noticed.

The media has been promoting Dean so much (FOX News has been doing it through reverse psychology) that I'm sick of the man. I want him out of the spotlight.

I give Dean two thumbs down.

[sandnsea]

7. That's what they all say,

If Kerry was having poll problems, he'd say the same thing. No big deal. It really is going to come down to who gets the vote out on Monday and how it adds up across the whole state.

[indigo32]

8. Ummm what did you expect him to do

nash his teeth and pull out his hair?
I heard him call into Larry King last night... and he stated it was a 4 way race... but he said he would continue to work his "you know what" off and see what happened.

[Snivi Yllom]

10. nothing has changed

Dean is not in denial...he may be sweating slightly, but he is solidy the leader.