It looks like they're calling for Edwards to concede, now, also.

[w4rma]

AP: Democrats Face Off As Wis. Primary Looms
Feb 15, 7:42 PM (ET)
By RON FOURNIER

John Kerry pledged Sunday to combat Republican attacks as rivals Howard Dean and John Edwards faced pressure to cede the nomination to the Democratic presidential front-runner.
...
Kerry leads Dean, Edwards and two other Democrats in polls of likely Democratic voters in Wisconsin, which holds its critical primary Tuesday. The Massachusetts senator, victor in 14 of 16 contests, hopes to force his major foes from the race with another overwhelming victory.
...
But campaign chairman Steve Grossman told the AP that with a loss Tuesday, Dean would seek to convert his grass-roots network into a movement that helps expand the party and elect Kerry.
...
Uncharacteristically, Dean pulled his punches in the debate - passing up an opportunity to repeat his criticism of Kerry for accepting special interest money. Instead, the fallen front-runner seemed to defend Kerry against criticism from the White House.
...
Edwards also focused on Bush, not Kerry. "Certainly, the integrity and character of the president of the United States is at issue," he said. "No question."
...
http://apnews.myway.com//article/20040216/D80O13UO0.html

[Kathleen04]

1. Having everyone drop out is a BIG mistake

Even if Kerry is destined to win the nomination, he needs to stay in the news! Debate between Kerry and another candidate is important to keeping the free media coverage coming. If the race is over now..we still have 8 months till the GE and they'll either fill the news with Kerry vs. Bush mudslinging or there'll be a disinterest and drop off in coverage.

[bushwakker]

3. Good point

[democratreformed]

22. That's what I think too

The presidential race will become a non-story until closer to the election. We are losing valuable coverage, IMO.

[bushwakker]

2. As a Kerry supporter

I've never been of the opinion that the other candidates must get out. I think they are all (with the exception of Sharpton) a credit to the party and have really opened the eyes of the American public. I say let the process continue.

[salin]

19. I would include Sharpton in that assessment... did you see the debate

tonight? Just caught the tale end of it... and Sharpton's answer to the question... are you suggesting that Bush lied (about WMD) and why.

In essence Sharpton said there is no dispute about the lie... bush and his admin said they KNEW iraq had weapons and they KNEW where they were... and clearly they didn't know that... he pointed out the question of which is worse that he knew he was lying or if he didn't know he was lying (again pointing out that the question of lying - is a given)... that if bush didn't know he was lying, then we are all in trouble given the power bush has at his finger tips (eg nukes, etc.)

Sharpton can be more candid and to the point than some of the others - and in the debate he says some things that are beneficial to all for having been said. I am not going to vote for him - but I am glad he is in the race.

[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[spooky3]

4. I'll support him until he's good and ready

to leave the race--IF it comes to that.

[Renew Deal]

5. I have been saying this for a few days now.

I think Dean and Edwards will be pressured and there is a decent chance (better than 50%) that they will be gone this week. I wonder if Kucinich will demand debates when the others leave.

[MurikanDemocrat]

9. Why would the debates cease if the others leave?

[Renew Deal]

10. Who is Kerry going to debate?

I think Kerry will be seen as the annointed one. They probably won't put him up there against Kucinich and Sharpton.

[MurikanDemocrat]

23. I don't see why they wouldn't. I hope they do.

Kucinich and Sharpton add a lot to the debate, and help keep the focus on Bush. And it's free airtime.

[dfong63]

6. i hope i'll have the chance to vote for Dean

[bushwakker]

7. Write him in

[AP]

8. He must be moving up in the polls.

[ngGale]

11. If Kerry wins now and the others are forced out...

then Bush will have until August to bash the heck out of him. All the candidates in, help the party to forge ahead. I resent the media or the DNC for putting pressure on the candidates...

[Shanty Oilish]

12. Edwards conceding would be madness

John Edwards is pulling off the remarkable feat of looking more and more like a winner, while every day he isn't. That man's going to be president someday, no doubt about it.
I missed the debate---we have company :grr: but I'm sure he won, since every time he goes onstage, he's better than the last time. And last time he was fantastic.

[54anickel]

17. He was great. Local TV interviewed a couple of switchers, from

Kerry to Edwards. It was a very "civil" debate. They all attacked Bush, no attacks on each other, just pointing out differences. Seemed almost like it was conciliatory? :shrug:

[mlawson]

13. Who is "they"? McAuliffe??

Yeah, let's have everyone else concede, so Kerry can stand alone against the KKKRove machine for 9 1/2 months. Great idea, then the uninformed voters will hear nothing but Kerry bashing from the media whores (who will start it, the moment Kerry is confirmed as nominee).

I have never heard of a nonincumbent nominee being chosen by Mid February. This is a new level of efficiency for a party machine.

[mzmolly]

14. Well shit maybe Bush will concede too and make it easy on poor Mr. Kerry?

;)

[Taeger]

15. Kerry staff

The Kerry staff pointed out on Scarbourough that they were in a Kerry love fest.

Kerry was evasive on jobs issue. He was given options to take up the jobs crusade and dropped the ball by talking about "side agreemants".

I think she NAILED Kerry. It's about the jobs stupid!!!!!

End FREE TRADE!!!!!!

[spooky3]

18. did you mean Palmieri, Edwards' spokeswoman?

[RafterMan]

16. Heh.

Did Edwards get that "character and integrity" line from his pal Shelton?

[John_H]

21. I suppose Edwards is the best fallback if Kerry goes down.

Although It'd be better if Clark gets back in.

[mikehiggins]

25. Agreed.

The advantage Clark has is that he already has a widespread base of support. If he did come back in (postulating a Kerry collapse, which really is sort of reaching don't you think) his supporters would likely come roaring back like gangbusters, including a lot of the GOP and Indy activists that could work for Clark but not a NE liberal from Taxachusetts.

However, the liklihood of that is somewhere between thin and none, with none getting the nod.

[genius]

24. If all the Democrats people here have requested drop out did so

Bush would be running unopposed.

[rucky]

28. But "Unnamed Democrat" polls the best against Bush.

}(

[spooky3]

26. The two biggest newspapers in Wisconsin have endorsed JRE.

[RetroLounge]

27. If Dean and Edwards drop out then you can

Say hello Ralph Nader...

Goodbye Kerry

Hello bush* for 4 more...