Donna Brazile says on Inside Politics that Kerry is still in it in Iowa

[DJcairo]

BRAZILE: But the person that I would also put on my radar screen is John Kerry. Now, the reason why is that Michael Hooley (ph), who is -- Michael Hooley (ph) is a good friend, he's been sent out to Iowa. He is perhaps one of the leading Democratic strategists on the ground, and he understand how to convert twos to ones. That is, get people who are undecided to go with his guy. So I would put John Kerry in that mix in Iowa as well.
http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0312/18/ip.00.html

[blm]

1. Michael Whouley.

And, yes...this thing isn't over by a longshot.

[DJcairo]

2. blm...I wish I could agree more

But there's never been so clear a frontrunner going into the primaries as there is right now, not even close.

Dean is in the lead or close behind in every early state, is poised to win IA and NH and very likely SC, NM, and OK and possibly AZ on Feb.3. He also has the most money and the most grassroots support. Unless something sticks to him and sticks big, it's over.

[blm]

3. Nah...you'll see.

;)

[cindyw]

4. Unless you win every state with 40 % or more, you can still lose,

if the superdelegates decide they do not want you.

[9119495]

5. And if superdelgates went against Dean

the Dean army would not support the nominee. Hello GWB for 4 more. The Dem establishment is not so dumb as to go against the will of caucus and primary attendees and pick a loser (like Gep, or Lieb.). Who would step in if it were up to the superdelegates? H. Clinton? Don't think so.

Like Dean, or hate him, if he wins the votes in primaries, he will be the nominee--just as he should be if he is the winner.

Note: Of course everyone is still in it.

[Jerseycoa]

9. Hmmm

"the Dean army would not support the nominee"

Sounds like what the Greens are saying here on DU this week.

Remind me to take another unity pledge.

[9119495]

10. No, you miss my point

I would support the nominee, but if Dean's supporters feel like an election was stolen from them (similar to 2000 and Gore) they would be less likely to support the party. Would you? Lets say Gephardt had the most votes, but Dean had more money so the DNC picked him. Wouldn't that alienate you? This isn't about Dean or unity. This is about ensuring that the will of the people in the democratic party is represented at the convention. A very wise man said recently that "This time, the guy who gets the most votes is going to be in the White House."

[Freddie Stubbs]

6. If no candidates except Dean gets 15% in a state

Dean gets all of the delegates from that state. And Dean is doing quite well with the superdelegetes. He has more than any other candidate except Kerry, and it seems like every day he gets another one or two.

[Meshuga]

8. More Superdelegates Than Anyone Except Kerry

But superdelegates aren't that important, right?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

7. perception battle is the key

Iowa is the first test. Kerry will do very well there. If he shows he's a contender then the battle will be joined.
Kerry's been fighting for Democrats for 30 years- if he draws out the fight for a few weeks deep into March and it comes down to him and Dean- then the depth of his committent and the appropriateness of choosing him to lead us can be demonstrated to a larger audience, and Kerry can certainly and legitimately make that case.

[Nashyra]

11. No Deans will accept the nominee

I hope people wake up, the arrogance of SOME Dean supporters is a losing strategy and I am not refering to the poster, but this is exactly what pushes me to work even harder for my candidate. And this is what is so galling about having to work for the Dean campaign IF he gets the nomination. Dean is my second choice but working with supporters that will give * the WH for four more years if he does not get the nomination is disgusting.