So in the end, the media got the story they wanted.
Gephardt, with a big assist from the media, pounded Dean. Dean pounded Gephardt. And Senators Goodhair and Badhair blew straight past 'em for a stunning upset.
I?ve become, in the past couple of weeks or so, a raving Deanie, largely on the strength of articles like this one and, oddly enough, this one. Watching all the cool kids of the political press -- the same ones who gored Al four years ago -- pile on him has only reinforced my growing conviction that this guy's for real. I've gone from agnostic admirer of Dean's ballsy style to true believer. So seeing him pummelled by late-deciding voters who bought the talking points of his rivals, the GOP and the solons of Washington's chattering classes really rankles.
Dean still has far and away the most firm and early support across the nation. But assuming he takes New Hampshire, the loss of which could doom his candidacy, his numbers are going to plunge as the weaker of the would-be anti-Deans drop out and their supporters line up behind Clark, Kerry and Edwards. What's more, the decidedly Dean-averse South and West await.
On the upside for HoHo, he'll presumably see far less poisonous coverage as the media turns its scrutiny towards the men that only yesterday seemed destined to be also-rans. The "remorse" stage of the media tear-down cycle was already taking hold, as the excellent Columbia J-School campaign blog and even The Times' ombudsman Okrent have noted. Of course, he'll also have a harder time getting positive coverage.
For the party, it was, in many ways, a great night. Turnout -- particularly among first-time caucusers -- was astonishing, and the last-minute upset made the race the story of the week, which is key since this is about the only way Dems can get coverage these days. The benefits of foregoing an early decision -- hot and bothered horse race coverage -- easily outweigh the detriments -- party unity balanced with unrelenting, withering coverage of a single candidate and an easy target for the GOP. Unfortunately for Whistleass, speculation about New Hampshire will probably overshadow his SOTU address tomorrow night, carefully timed to steal thunder from the Dems. His poll numbers are sliding, so that's not good, but then, he didn't have much to say, anyway -- something about the moon, a Ralph Kramden impression for comic effect, etc.
So all told, a very unhappy night for Septic Tank. But the fat lady ain't even getting warmed up, yet.