My take on the candidates

[UrbScotty]

Arizona, South Carolina, New Mexico, Tennessee, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Missouri hold primaries on February 3, followed by Michigan and Washington (state) on the 7th, and Maine the following day.

Clark has fallen to third in New Hampshire, says that latest poll. So, what? Kerry and Edwards were trailing in Iowa a week ago. Anyway, I say that if Clark doesn’t take at least fourth in New Hampshire, he’s out. If he gets third, he needs to do well on February 3rd to stay in.

Dean needs to regroup, figure out what went wrong, PERHAPS tone it down, and be as positive as possible in New Hampshire. Dean’s campaign has been successful as of late in getting new voters energized. He needs to keep it up. Regardless of what happens, I see him staying until Super Tuesday, at the earliest.

If Edwards wins New Hampshire, wow. I think a win in South Carolina would be a mega-boost to his campaign. If he doesn’t win in New Hampshire, he will want to get at least second place in South Carolina.

Though I am a Dean supporter, I congratulate John Kerry and his supporters on his Iowa win! Regardless of what happens in New Hampshire, I see Kerry sticking around at least until the Massachusetts primary Super Tuesday.

I love Kucinich, but unless he gets some delegates, I see him dropping out in two weeks.

Lieberman’s campaign is on life support. Unless he pulls a Kerry – at least he should break the top three – I say he’s out. He is to New Hampshire as Gephardt was to Iowa: both have hailed from similar states as the one holding the contest, and each has invested a lot into winning there.

Sharpton needs to do well in either South Carolina, the black communities of Detroit, or DC (whose caucus is on the 10th) to stay politically alive.

[JByrd]

1. Tennessee Primary

Actually the Tennessee primary is February 10th.