It's possible Dean may do much better than expected in Wisconsin

[ringmastery]

because of republican sabotage in the democratic primary. Wisconsin is an open primary. Democrats, Independents, and Republicans can vote in the democratic primary.. It's widely believed that Republicans would prefer Dean to be the nominee because he's easier to beat. There's also a bunch of local ballot initiatives that may draw republicans to the polls.

[Norquist Nemesis]

1. We can only hope

At least I am. The way it's looking, Dean won't be on my ballot next month here in Illinois. That just plain sucks.

[sallyseven]

2. Well good luck

to him. He has worked very hard but I don't think it will happen. Somehow he has alienated some people.

[Justitia]

3. nice "pre-emptive" offense

Dean could only get votes from Repubs - did I get that right?

Not true blue Democrats, mais bien sur!

So that's how Kerry got the lead from being nowhere the month before (slaps forehead)!

Like your sneaky set-up, trying to "explain away" any better than expected showing.....

[Robb]

28. Spot on.

If Dean loses in WI, it won't be by much.

[liberalmike27]

4. True

And in some ways, Dean is the most conservative in the bunch, particularly with his fiscal responsibility, and budget balancing.

[RetroLounge]

15. Wait, I thought Dean was too Liberal???

EOM

[bornskeptic]

27. No, that's just the media.

They're portraying Dean as the liberal one to make Kerry look more moderate. I've very seldom heard Dean referred to as a liberal on DU, except among his supporters.

[diplomats]

5. Wasn't this the case in other states (Repubs being allowed to vote)?

I wouldn't worry about it.

[ringmastery]

6. no

this is the first true open primary.

In other states, republicans had to switch their voter registration.

[GumboYaYa]

8. Not true in Missouri.

In MO all you had to do was request a ballot. There was no switch required.

[HFishbine]

22. False

Check your "facts."

[liberalnurse]

7. I think the scenario has already been in play with Kerry.

Kerry just does not seem electable. I'm a life long democrat and he appears to be a stalking horse. I think *bush has a playbook just for him. This intern stuff smells. I bet after the coronation......we get pulverized by *bush if Kerry is the nominee.

[Dookus]

9. right now

we have only two possible signs of electability to consider.

First, Kerry is winning handily among democrats in the primaries. In fact, he's winning at a rate that I would guess is unprecedented in a contested primary. He's winning in all regions, and winning strongly. This suggests Democrats think he's mighty electable.

Second, current polls show him beating President Bush. While polls aren't PROOF of anything, they are EVIDENCE. And the evidence suggests, today, that Kerry can certainly beat Bush.

No other candidate in the race meets either of those two criteria (Edwards virtually ties Bush in current polling, Dean loses badly.)

[Beaker]

10. it's also possible...

that monkeys will fly out of my butt.

(someone had to say it)

If Dean doesn't drop out after losing in wisconsin- as he said he would do-

let's just say that it would be sadly embarrassing to see him attempt to campaign any further.

the people have spoken- loudly.

The saddest part is that some Dean supporters seem so unwilling to accept that.
Kerry may not be the ideal candidate, BUT- people are voting for him, and we need to have a united front.

if people are unsatisfied with Kerry, then in 4 years make him defend his record in a contested primary...this time around 'real change' has to take a backseat to getting rid of the Illegal Bush Regime & Military Junta.

[JackRiddler]

11. Fourteen states not the people

And 25 percent of the delegates is not the primaries. In fact, 49 states don't count because I only vote in one and I don't want you or the other deluded "electability" fetishists and Democratic nomenklatura deciding who is still in the race when it gets to me. And I'm sure that's how people see it in every state.

Do you believe in democracy? Ha.

[Beaker]

12. "Ha"?

"Ha"?

I'm not the one that said that Dr. Dean would drop out if he didn't WIN in Wisconsin-

Dr. Dean is.

nobody else.

he made the bed, he's gotta lay in it.

[JackRiddler]

25. No he didn't

He said Wisconsin was "do or die" in an e-mail and the media immediately turned that into "Dean plans to drop out if he loses Wisconsin."

Look at how Lehane tricked Clark out and how former Kerry operative Grossman screwed Dean to get an idea of the dirty politics underway. You can complain about Dean's attacks on the other candidates but these were always open. He didn't arrange an attack ad through a third organization that compared anyone else to Osama!

[Cuban_Liberal]

13. With under 25% of the delegates having been selected...

I find the 'we need to be united' arguments rather suspect. There is no need on anyone's part to be united just yet, unless you're John Kerry. :eyes:

[Beaker]

16. hmmmmm....

:eyes: backatcha.

[Norquist Nemesis]

14. My vote is my choice

Your suggestion is that I should jump on the bandwagon because everyone else is. When it gets down to the General Election, I will support whoever is against Bush. Until then, I will make up my own mind, thank you very much.

[Beaker]

17. that's fine...

but Dr. Dean said that he would take himself out of the running if he didn't win in wisconsin.

When you roll the dice, you have to live by the numbers that come up-
and Dean rolled the dice...someone should tell him that it's his credibilty that's on the line.

[foo_bar]

18. tomorrow night on CNN

Larry King: When you said losing Wisconsin would "put us out of the race", what was going through your mind?

Howard Dean: Well, Larry, it's funny you mention that.

Bob Dole: Heh heh. *licks lips*

[stickdog]

23. The moment Dean gets out of the race is the moment the press attacks

Kerry.

[mot78]

19. Anything is possible

But I doubt he'll win, otherwise it will smack of BBV.

[Lefta Dissenter]

20. Frankly, I think that's overrated

The only Republican I know who is voting tomorrow is my brother-in-law, who, as I've bragged before, I forced to attend a Clark rally. He was really impressed with Clark's stand on National Security, Fiscal Conservatism, support for small business, education, etc........ So, I think he's still planning on voting for Clark in tomorrow's primary.

Now admittedly I don't know a LOT of Repugs, but most of them wouldn't take the time of day to vote in the dem primary, and they'd be too afraid to pick up a Dem ballot anyway... What if KKKRove or Asscroft catch them and cut off their.... well, whatever parts?

If Dean makes a decent showing tomorrow, I would give an enormous amount of credit to the Dean student groups around here - at least in the Madison area. They've been very active and have worked hard. And Dean has been very visible here, he's spent the last two weeks or so almost exclusively in Wisconsin. Give credit where credit is due - even if you don't like the guy!

By the way, I'll be proudly casting my vote for
****General Wes Clark****

[stickdog]

21. Karl Rove wants Dean like he wants a hole in the head.

Get a clue. Rove did everything possible to derail Dean and is now doing nothing whatsoever to stop Kerry.

In fact, Rove is STILL going after Dean, even as Dean lies on the ground bleeding.

[HereSince1628]

24. It's also possible that tomorrow will be the rapture

but I wouldn't count on it.

[bigwillq]

26. i think Dean will get 20-25% of the vote and maybe

even as high as 30%, I think that would be "better than expected", imo