Are Repubs disappointed that Dean might not win nomination ?

[kentuck]

Are there secret Repub memos out there that say how much they wanted to run against Dean, especially in the South? Are there comments on record about how much they wanted to run against Dean? Now that Dean is not considered the "front-runner", although that could change after tonight or after NH primary, it is a good bet that the Repubs are in political purgatory, just waiting for a candidate that they can start to destroy. They wanted Dean but they may get someone that they really do not want to run against. However, one must think they are a little disappointed at this moment.

[The Magistrate]

1. Short Answer, Old Friend?

Yes.

Gov. Dean is who the enemy would prefer to run against, among the major Democratic Party contenders.

[arewethereyet]

2. nah, they have a plan for all of our guys

Dean is one of the easier ones but they are flexible.

[cthrumatrix]

3. Bingo..........

[stickdog]

4. Yes. That must be why they've tried so hard to destroy Dean's candidacy

before the first vote was ever cast.

[liberalnurse]

5. Okay, now lets think about this a while.......

If Dean does not get the nomination, then *bush wins.....Thats the simple truth.

[The Magistrate]

10. Quite The Contrary. Ma'am

Gov. Dean would be by far the easiest candidate of the major contenders for the enemy to caricature to the people at large....

[polpilot]

15. It's such a simple world isn't it??

Dean '04...

[CMT]

6. Dean would be a very formidable general election opponent

as most polls have indicated. All of our opponents will give Bush a hard time.

[Cuban_Liberal]

7. No.

I don't think they want to face ANY of the top-tier candidates, and I also think that some Dems are unwittting dupes in spreading this RW propoganda.

[ShaneGR]

8. FEAR: Clark, Edwards, Gephardt WELCOME: Dean, Kerry

That's the general feeling I get from Republican politicos I know.

They most welcome a Dean or Kerry candidacy. Of all, in general it's a tie between Edwards and Clark for most feared. A guy I talked to felt Gephardt would do well in the Midwest. I tend to agree.

Of all the candidates, I agree that Clark and Edwards would be the most formidable opponents. I'm currently fractured by who I should support.

[Cuban_Liberal]

11. Fear: Dean. Kerry, Clark and Edwards

That's who the local Repubs here (and this is a Repub area) tell me they would rather not face, in an ideal world.

[Jackson Smith]

14. FEAR: Edwards, Clark WELCOME: Dean

[Khephra]

9. I think it's WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too early to be talking

About who has won the nomination and who has lost it. Kucinich's announcement today should teach everyone that this campaign is unpredictable and ANYTHING can happen over the next few weeks (even maybe months).

[kentuck]

12. I think any of the top 4 could beat Bush....

Although the Repubs think they can win the South and motivate their base by running against same-sex marriage and they were looking forward to that issue and also, they have been very busy programming the nation about how "angry" Dean is...I don't think they could beat Dean...

[jenk]

13. Yes