Isn't it interesting that there isn't a harsh word exchanged between JK/JE

[DJcairo]

Even though the one state where Kerry is definately behind is SC, there hasn't been a volly of attacks between the two yet.

Here's the thing that makes me start thinking political conspiracy theories. SC is definately in play for Kerry. He's making up his deficit in white voter support by appealing strongly to black voters in the state and polls show there are large numbers of undecided black voters in SC. Consider this: Political observers here say black voters are still up for grabs.

Rep. Jim Clyburn, South Carolina's most influential African-American politician, estimated that as many as 30 percent of black voters here remain undecided.

Clyburn, who endorsed Kerry on Thursday, added, "I'm going to try to talk to that 26 to 30 percent and try to get them to see it my way."
http://zogby.com/Soundbites/ReadClips.dbm?ID=7430

However, after spending a day and a half there, Kerry is not planning to return before Tuesday. I'm thinking that he doesn't want to sour things with Edwards by getting intoa dogfight with him in SC. He's playing nice in the hopes that he can convince Edwards to drop out after next weekend and take the VP slot. The states that vote in the next couple weeks heavily favor Kerry and Edwards is no doubt running out of money. The key thing is, if you want Edwards to bring his big'mo over to your side, you want him to stay on teh trail. I'm thinking that Kerry gets Edwards to drop out next Sunday, endorse him and than hit TN and VA. Kerry then leaks that Edwards is "at the top of the list" for VP candidates.

[sandnsea]

1. Oklahoma either

Maybe it's got something to do with the candidates in question. :shrug:

[jenk]

2. with Edwards being the hometown favorite

perhaps it's not the best strategy to go after "one of there own"

clyburn isn't that well liked anyway, and endorsements are overrated, look at where gore and harkin got Dean.

what can throw a monkey wrench into the strategy is if edwards wins South Carolina AND Oklahoma, finishes 2nd in Missouri, Dean is gone, Clark is gone, and all of a sudden Edwards is the anti-Kerry and that could give him major momentum. It's possible. not probable as of this moment, but possible.

[DJcairo]

3. This is true, although I don't think attacking each other is the ?

I meant more that Kerry doesn't seem to be contesting it like he might. What the hell is he doing spending all this time in MO and ND? He's got those in the bag. I think he just wants the chance to demonstrate that his campaign is national and hanging out in teh midwest helps him in the upcoming fights in WI and MI. However, it's interesting none the less.

[jenk]

5. well...

I wonder why Edwards spent time in Missouri with him being down 30, I wonder why he went to Arizona.

I haven't seen a poll from ND, perhaps Kerry's internal polling have it a close race???

maybe Edwards has some dirt on kerry, maybe they just made a truce to not go after each other months ago?

[DJcairo]

7. I saw a ND poll. Kerry is way ahead.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

15. He's partially campaigning for the GE

he doesn't have Missouri in the bag for November, so it doesn't hurt to put some time in.

[DJcairo]

4. I'm telling you man, he's trending down in OK

Anything is possible but I don't see it. I think Edwards is second in MO (albeit a distant 2nd) and third in OK (don't forget about Clark). Still - the question is, where does Edwards go after SC and does a win only there enforce the notion that he is a regional candidate.

[jenk]

6. Edwards is a stable 18 in OK

And I think he was just there recently, he may move up.

he was 18 on jan 25, 18 on jan 31, so it's good the 4th place finish in NH didn't hurt him.

[DJcairo]

8. Edwards is down a point in Zogby OK poll

But whatever. I like Edwards. I just think that if Kerry gets it, Edwards is a shoe in for VP. But maybe I'm wrong!

[jenk]

9. you're right

but I see him as within striking distance, most polls have him around 16-18 with Clark and Kerry in the lower 20's. anything can still happen, it's a 3 man race.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

16. Did you see this website?

http://draftkerryedwards.com

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

10. I find it infinately more interesting that not one of the candidates

had any challenge for Kerry in the last debate. Before the primaries, they had no trouble at all attacking the frontrunner. Now, when their ambitions are more threatened than ever, it's all powder puffs and ice cream.


John Kerry's theme music should be "Free Ride."

[DJcairo]

11. Dean got the free ride of the year

But unfortauntely, like we had all warned, he peaked to soon. Maybe all that crooning about money and endorsements and organization just dorve up expectations while no one did the hard work of message management and converting his insurgent support into votes.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

12. Be that as it may,

why didn't the other candidates challenge Kerry? Don't you find this suspicious? Kerry has Iowa and NH under his belt. He is more of a threat to the Presidential ambitions of the other candidates than Dean ever was. Yet, mums the word.

Fishy.

[juajen]

14. Nothing surprising here

Neither Clark or Edwards dis other candidates. That only leaves Dean, Lieberman, Kucinich and Sharpton. I believe both Dean and Lieberman are attacking. Kucinich will only attack if the issue is way out there; same with Sharpton. So, IMHO, nothing new here.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

17. And what issue was "way out there" before?

Edwards had his "We don't need your kind coming down here telling us" attack. Was it way out there for Dean to campaign in the South? But it's OK if Kerry campaigns there and offers his opinions, I guess.

Kucinich had his "raising the age of MediCare recipients" attack, an attack on a position that Kerry held himself.

MR. RUSSERT: In ’96 you told The Globe you would look at raising the retirement age. You—no?

SEN. KERRY: I would not—I said that was one of many options that were out there that people would put on the table. Back then we were talking about putting everything on the table. I would not do that, period. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3080246/

Identical to Dean's position. It was on the table. Was that "way out there?" I guess Dennis doesn't have a problem with that any more.


I could go on but I think that it's pretty obvious that Kerry is receiving different treatment as the frontrunner than Dean. To deny the obvious is only fooling yourself.

[PurityOfEssence]

13. Mayhaps it's 'cuz they's the two best POLITICIANS in the race?

And I use that word with less of the usual nasty connotations than usual...

Things may very well change with a turnabout, but Edwards has pledged fairly often to not go negative against a fellow Democrat. (Note how he gives himself the "out" for the general election...)