What will it take for a candidate other than Hillary to have a "breakthrough"?

[RiverStone]

Hillary's front-runner status is both a blessing and a burden for her campaign. Even if one questions the authenticity/objectivity of the corporate MSM (which I do), on balance - most would agree at the moment - Hillary leads the pack.

With expectations so high for HRC, any strong showing by another candidate in the primaries could derail her momentum. In particular, a second place finish by Hillary will give who ever beats her a HUGE push!

Minus the very remote chance of an Al Gore miracle, do you foresee any action, event, or controversy that could kick another candidate ahead of Hillary before the primaries? I imagine it will take a victory in an early primary state coupled with strong showings in others to alter the mentality of the pundits.

What will it take for anybody in the "rest of the pack" to have a breakthrough? A breakout moment that cascades into a great day, that propels them into a great week --- that shifts all expectations where pundits then say - all bets are off, its a new race!



on edit: kant spel

[MADem]

1. A major gaffe by a frontrunner OR frontrunners. A surprise win in a series of early primaries.

Politics is so chancy, ask Howard Dean!

[gateley]

2. K&R because I'm interested to see the responses you get. This entire

campaign has been fascinating to objectively observe. I wonder what would have to occur in order to change the standings of the frontrunner. Thanks for the thought provoking question!

[OneBlueSky]

3. it would take Al Gore announcing . . . or at least . . .

announcing that if American voters draft him through the primary and caucus process, he would accept their nomination . . .

might say something about being unable to campaign because he's allergic to the rancid swill that candidates have to swim in . . . "But you all know me," he might add, "I mean, you elected me in 2000 by a half million votes" . . .

[RiverStone]

5. That announcement would do it alright!!!

And probably blow out the servers on DU!

I hold out very little hope that Al will jump in, though enough hope to still say he is the ONLY candidate I'd trade my Kucinich vote for.

[Richard Steele]

4. A fair and unbiased media. nm