Clark and Dean should NOT drop out at this point, and I'll tell you why. The longer they stick the longer this election cycle stays in the news, in the public's mind, and the more people get energized to go out to the polls.
This primary season isn't serving to select the nominee, it's serving as an incredible machine to turn the American public's attention to the excesses of the Bush administration.
Think this through a little bit. The campaigns have not gone strong negative yet and there's little chance that they will at this point. The only person that is really being attacked at this point is Bush. When you add up Kerry, Clark, Dean, and Edwards ads and campaign funds how much is that against Bush's war chest?
It's time for this horse race to become a basketball game, and our team looks to be making a full court press against Bush. The longer that all four major candidates are in the race the more attnetion it is given by the press and the more chances the candidates have to bloddy Bush.
McCalufe may have wanted the Primary season quick to get a winner early so that that winner could lick his wounds and get ready for the General, but it's starting to look to me like we've created a field of, if not equals, then an ensamble cast.
I voted in a primary on 19 Jan, I'm done until the general, BUT it would be bad for all of us if the field faded away at this point. Keep contributing and giving our guys ammunition to level at Bush. The AWOL story is growing legs, and there are other issues that will, but the key ingrediant is Media attention. With a smaller field we have less of that, and we have a candidate that plays things safer. Dean is in the PRIME possition to be the Democratic attack dog against Bush. If he really doesn't have much of a chance for the nod he should use that amazing Deaniac legion and their money to fire a few broadsides into Bush before heis ship goes down. Likewise Clark. Loosen up General, tell us the definition of desertion and AWOL and why there might be something to these alegations, OR find a different issue to hammer Bush on. 'In my White House I'll listen to CIA analysts, not set up my own private Bush league analyst pool'.
Anyone thinking that some candidate or other should drop out think about this for a little bit. The longer they all stay the more damage they can do to Bush and the more targets Bush has to retaliate against. Me, I hope they all stay in until the convention. Keep the negative stuff for Bush and let's see a TEAM up there on convention night, backing whoever we decide that the LEADER is.