Here's a quote from Trapper from Jan. 23rd...
I was having lunch today with a pretty astute watcher of politics, and he raised one of the more interesting questions surrounding this race: even if Kerry wins NH -- even if he wins by double-digits -- what then? He's got limited staff in the upcoming states, and his checking account has gotta be close to running on empty. Meanwhile, a Dean second-place finish sets up a big comeback on Feb 3, as Dean has the money and Feb 3 organization necessary to dominate the multi-state contest.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/1/23/225746/083
oops wait, he goes on:
Of course, the day that one of them falters, that'll be it for him. But at least one of them should be able to put together a run that allows them to overcome their organizational and financial inferiority. And that's why Dean doesn't have the thing wrapped up, despite his infrastructural superiority.
Or am I wrong? Can a consistent Dean eventually outlast the campaigns that are staying just one cent over the line, and win the nomination through attrition? I'd say no, as both the Johns should be able to beat Dean in the later multi-state television primaries, due to their superior TV personas and media people. But it's possible that Dean could just outlast. To do that, he'll need better ads.
Not only was he wrong...in fact both the John's blew Dean out of the water. Not only that, Dean was broke after NH. And I loved this line: "I was having lunch today with a pretty astute watcher of politics, and he raised one of the more interesting questions surrounding this race: even if Kerry wins NH -- even if he wins by double-digits -- what then?"
Yes, quite an astute political watcher...what then? He wins the damn nomination is what. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out.
Anyway, that is what I'm talking about. Trapper has not right to call a political organization incompetent.