What DOES second place mean for Howard Dean?

[mb7588a]

Again, I apologize profusely for my last thread. I will watch myself forever more. It was a shortsighted observation made without reflection.... I've asked that one be locked and the key be thrown away - it was a worthless attempt at starting a real discussion on the value of second place. I haven't ever bashed Dean or any candidate, and have denounced such activities on many ocassions. I have always admired the Dean campaign and the carefree honesty of Howard Dean.


SO... What does a second place mean for Howard Dean?

Healthy civil debate on the advantages/disadvantages going into next week?

I think it does give him some momentum. He will get some press out of this, and I expect his speech tonight will have to be one of his best ever. I'm very curious what he says about his showing today. People definitely want someone who stands up for his beliefs and is willing to go toe to toe with George Bush and both John Kerry and Howard dean are exactly that.

[BeatleBoot]

1. It means, "fight on"

I'm a Kerry supporter, but Dean is still viable!

[killbotfactory]

2. Considering he was pronounced dead last week

And has been savaged by the media, it's not bad.

[mlawson]

15. That's right. This is more than just raw numbers. eom

[mzmolly]

3. It means the attempt to finish off Dean in the media was not a success.

Were heading onward!

[economic justice]

6. I think you're wrong

I think Dean is "finished off." You can't make Iowa and New Hampshire your home for two years -- lose them BOTH and have a calendar ahead of you that doesn't look good.....and to top it off, be BROKE and expect to "move on".........It's not right, but, he's finished.

[Padraig18]

8. Who says he's broke?

First I've heard of it.

[displacedtexan]

16. Was reported all afternoon

on CNN and MSNBC.
I was surprised, but then I also heard that he had to suspend his TV ads in other states to focus on NH. He must have been spending a lot of money on ads.
I have no doubt, though, that Dean supporters will send more $, in order to fund the next primaries.

[Padraig18]

18. Rumor, or substantiated?

He's not even close to broke.

[economic justice]

17. I have heard twice....

I have heard twice today - on CNN and again on MSNBC that Dean is said to have emptied his resources in his bid to salvage the race in New Hampshire. They said a loss by 10 points or more would further dry up his fundraising and it would be tough to recover. Seems only Schneider on CNN thinks Dean has any chance at all next week - in Arizona. But, after tonight, that may change as well. Just an honest observation.

[NashVegas]

31. And I Heard Al Gore Says He Invented the Internet

..

[Padraig18]

4. It means we live to fight another day.

See ya next week! :)

[sonias]

11. Right on Padraig18 - It means we live to fight another day

We ain't leaving because we're still steaming. Some exit polls were showing 41% of the people were "angry" (their word) at bu$h. These voters will come back in November and they will vote for the Democratic party nominee. So I hope that as these primaries continue, that all candidates keep the electorate in mind. Don't tear each other to bits and do the bu$h repukes and RNC's job in the fall.

I stand firmly behind my candidate, not giving up hope and not yielding my support. We live to fight on.

On to AZ, DE, MO, NM, ND, OK, SC!

Go Dean Go!

Sonia

[poskonig]

5. Dean lives to fight another day.

Dean still has money, organization, but most importantly -- hope for his supporters.

The drawback is that Kerry is now more entrenched.

[bbmykel]

7. Dean needed to get closer

I don't think he will drop out, but it will be harder to attract voters in the subsequent states. Momentum counts for a lot.

[mb7588a]

14. You're absolutely right...

I think it will become very difficult for Dean to attract new voters. Real poll numbers, and big headlines with somebody else "WINS" are difficult to overcome.

You've got to keep up the fight, Dean folks. In my whole humble opinion, the debates going on in the democratic party are healthy. It is getting a whole lot of attention, and it's a whole lot of Bush-bashing, which are pushing his numbers down.

[polmaven]

23. I could not agree more!

I don't want to see this as a one candidate race. I am a Kerry supporter as well, but Governor Dean has a great deal to add to the debate.

I am a little insulted, however, by some of the Dean supporters who simply refuse to give Senator Kerry his due. As recently as 3 weeks ago, the media had held a coronation for Dean, and a cremation for Kerry. The only question remaining, they said, was who would be chosen for the second spot.

John Kerry has turned that around, not the media. It was Dean who slipped into third, and now second...the media did not push him there. I will agree the "scream" was overdone, but that was not a factor in the Iowa result!

Please, Dean supporters....you are constantly asking everyone on this board to respect you and your candidate. Is it possible for you to give John Kerry the credit and respect he has earned in the last few weeks?

[Abigail147]

24. If you just could have lost the first sentence,

you would have had more credibility. Without Dean, the energy is gone. You guys know that so it is wise of you to encourage Dean supporters to continue. You need Dean for the coverage he generates and the excitement. The media and good old boys have not beaten us yet. I stand with Dean until it is over and it ain't over till it's over.

[bigwillq]

9. The Doctor is back on track

Although many feel this is not a victory, the week from hell is over and Dean and company can move on and as you all siad, "fight another day." It's not over yet and I hope the media just doen't hand the nod to Kerry. But I do congratulate Kerry and his supporters for their big win. If he does get the nod I will vote for Jk

[Redneck Socialist]

10. begining of the end, and...

I say that as a Dean supporter. It will be up to Edwards or Clark (probably Edwards to become the anti-Kerry.

[Abigail147]

27. Edwards is good looking,

but the man has not even served a full senate term, and most of that was spent campaigning. If it's a choice, choose Clark. He has the common touch and a hell of a lot more experience.

[displacedtexan]

12. It means he lost.

JK overcame a 30 point Dean lead to cruise to a 20% lead. Dean supporters will continue to fund his campaign for a while, though. I just hope we all keep our eyes on the prize.

[overground1]

13. 2nd place means he's still in, and like Clinton and Mondale, will win

http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/000487.html

[Abigail147]

29. Carville, bite me.

How can he presume to tell Dean to leave the race? His man Clinton did not after losing in Iowa and New Hampshire. I love Clinton and I used to love Carville, but I am thinking he is becoming a hack.Dean reminds me of Carville BEFORE he was neutered.

[calimary]

19. Apology accepted. Thanks.

[quaker bill]

20. It means we press on

The race is about to get much broader and more southern. I see Dean, Clark, and Edwards doing much better next week.

[ScreamingMeemie]

21. I think with two *small* states voting, it's anybody's race to win.

:shrug:

[Baclava]

22. "pop"

Toast is done...

[populistmom]

25. It means they can't kill him

He's still in the game and it's not over by a long shot.

[BlueEyedSon]

26. Didn't the Big Dog come in second?

[JCMach1]

32. Yeah, but Tsongas was basically OVER going into the South

Kerry won't be with three candidates splitting the ABK vote.

Kerry will do fine. If someone drops out, then the dynamic changes.

[John_H]

28. Dean's only chance was to be ahead going into next week.

That chance is gone. End of story.

[kentuck]

30. He lives to fight another day....

:) If his momentum continues, he may win the next one..