[Originally published at The Political Dogfight as part one of four this is a slightly edited version.]
I seriously question the value of the new Primary System developed by the DNC then jumped on by other opportunistic states. February 5, 2008 looms large as a result of these changes.
David Brooks recently had a column about the advice he had for Republican candidates. It was his contention that all the primaries on Feb. 5, 2008 wouldn't be the decisive ones. He still thought the traditional first three primaries would set the media tone. And he thought the Media tone would set the race on the first Tuesday of Feb.
While I don't agree that the first three primaries will decide the race, and I don't agree with Brooks in general, I think he is absolutely right about a slightly different topic: Media Tone
Think of the situation today as seen in the daily papers and on the news programs! According to them there are only 3 real candidates in the race: Senator Clinton, Senator Obama and John Edwards...and John Edwards is coming in a weak third in terms of media coverage. (Or his was until the unfortunate announcement of his wife's recurring health issues.]
This issue of Media Tone/Media Noice is the real problem.
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