Kerry's mettle will be tested tonight...

[QuidditchFan]

Disclosure: I'm a Kerry supporter

I'm very much looking forward to seeing how Kerry handles the bull's eye that *contributed* to Dean's fall-off in Iowa. The candidate who will serve the Democrats the best is the candidate who can perform under fire. Kerry seems to have a track record of doing just that; will he tonight?

Going to be fun.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

1. Kerry's been a target before...

"for real"

[QuidditchFan]

5. Definitely...It is just such a trip how much the dynamics have...

changed in just two weeks. It is beyond belief that over the course of a month there has been a 40 point swing in NH between Dean and Kerry. I am so used to everyone slinging mud at Dean and not at all used to Kerry being in the cross-hairs.

Question: Are the other candidates going to be stalled by the what appears to be the electorate's visceral reaction against negativity? If so, and the debate is "elevated" to one on policy, is there anyone who is as good as Kerry?

[vi5]

2. I agree. I am an undecided but tonight will sway me...

If he can use the momentum to his advantage and learn from some past mistakes, and to some degree stay above the fray then I may become a Kerry supporter. If he falters and allows himself to fall into bad habits and traps(long, laborous answers, too much of an emphasis on attack rather than defense, etc.) then I may refrain from believing the hype.

[phillybri]

3. He'll hold up just fine....

He can certainly take it, and he'll be able to shut a lot of people up...

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. His mettle has already been tested with the IWR vote. He ducked.

[LuminousX]

6. I believe the slings and arrows will still be pointed at Dean

Clark and Edwards know they can still take Kerry on after NH, so it is most important to seal the coffin on Dean and then hammer Kerry in the South where they have an advantage.

[QuidditchFan]

7. BUT...

I see your point, but would it be political suicide to allow Kerry's momentum to continue to surge? I know that New Englanders don't have a great history in the South, but if the voter sentiment amongst Democrats, as evidenced by Iowa, is to elevate to the nominee whoever *appears* to be best suited to beat Bush, will regionality be trumped?

This is good stuff.

[Nicholas_J]

8. True

Every polls shows Dean slipping a few points each day and Kerry and Edwards rising a few points. Virtual mirror of what happened in the last days before thr Iowa caucuses, and having one endorsement in New Hampshire decide that Deans performance in Iowa was enough to make this elected officcial drop Dean does not bode well for Dean at all. Sort of like what happened to Lieberman who was running up front until he had endorsers decide to drop him.

Deans overly angry concession (?) speech in Iowa has scared most people over the age of 50, as many have indicated that it appeared more like a religious revivalist than a presidential candidate speaking. His die hard supporters liked the speech, but in for those who were merely leaning in his direction, and ready to vote for him, it was an action that has begun to drive many people off. In New Hampshire, given the rather reserved nature of the people of that state, this speech has many people thinking twice about putting Deans finger anywhere near a nuclear button.

[GalleryGod]

9. Recall When Pat's Brigade Said "What's the Fuss?" in '96 ??

Buchanan's rhetoric scared the GOP electorate silly! However, his "True Believers" saw nothing wrong. Just Pat being Pat. Pat just firing-up his troops. What's wrong with that? Hey,it was a great speech!?
Silly. Overblown. We're getting screwed.

Anyone see a parallel,here.

Thanks,
G.G.:smoke:

[LuminousX]

15. Actually, no.

I've been talking with my apolitical coworkers. For those who hadn't seen the Dean Scream, I showed it to them. I asked all of them what they thought about it.

One person, sadly, said "What do you expect a person who just won to do?" I had to inform him that Dean didn't win. Others said it was a bit over the top but said that it really didn't sway them one way or another.

[Hawkeye-X]

10. Kerry will fall very flat

so will Edwards and Clark.

Clark and Kerry will battle each other out making them look VERY bad, and Edward/Kucinich's deal will be discussed by the candidates and thus flattening them -- Dean is the only one that didn't make a backroom deal.

Clark will lose and drop out after Feb 3rd. Yes, you heard me right people. Clark's baggage is too far severe to use. Kerry will be questioned regarding his push-polling tactic which will be exposed.

Dean will rise from the ashes of the phoenix to claim major victory in NH.

Hawkeye-X

[robsul82]

12. Sounds like a plan, Stan.

Sounds like something that will likely happen as well.

Later.

RJS

[piece sine]

19. The phoenix was (and still is) a myth.

So is Dean's "inevitablity." It's now Kerry's to lose but I think he's up to the job tonight; he's on a roll. And the media doesn't knock him all the time like they do Dean. The media respects Kerry.

[robsul82]

24. It was Kerry's to lose once before...

...and whoopsie daisy, it went away. I don't think his butterfingers have gone away so easily.

Later.

RJS

[zulchzulu]

22. I hear bongwater sounds n/t

[paulk]

23. and the Rockies are going to the World Series...

we can all dream, can't we?

:)

[HFishbine]

11. Clark Knows

That Kerry has the votes he wants. Watch Clark challenge Kerry on the IWR.

[Leilani]

21. I don't agree

I think Clark will stay positive; he is not a career politician & people are still getting to know him. The dustup earlier in the week about Clark/Kerry military rank was not helpful. It started because of Dole's insult to Clark, but the media built it into a Clark vs Kerry battle, & that is silly.

Clark should just stay positive, & not attack.

[Adjoran]

13. They are ALL being tested

tonight, and every day now that the campaign is on in earnest.

The race is wide open. Truth is, it always was: there are several contenders with broad appeal.

If Iowa and NH were the whole story, we wouldn't bother with all those other primaries over the next three months.

[mmonk]

14. He will draw fire tonight from pointed questions

and from candidates who feel he is a threat. Let's see how he does.

[quinnox]

16. Maybe

I'm not sure though. It seems the lesson from Iowa was a positive campaign wins. I don't think Edwards will attack anyone, and Clark probably won't either because he hasn't been doing that in the debates.

The only one who might attack Kerry is Dean, but I think Kerry is capable of handling that.

[Native]

17. More than capable. n/t

[adadem]

18. Kerry will handle it

well ... he's a great debater.

[shivaji]

20. Can someone tell me where I can see the debate on the internet

since I do not have access to cable here tonight.

TYIA.