Apparently, the line in the sand has been officially drawn (not that it kind of wasn't already). Tonight I just received this email message from the campaign:
The entire race has come down to this: we must win Wisconsin.
We must launch our new television advertisement on Monday in the major markets in Wisconsin. To do that, I need your help to raise $700,000 by Sunday. Please contribute $200 today so that we can reserve the air time:
We will get a boost this weekend in Washington, Michigan and Maine, but our true test will be the Wisconsin primary. A win there will carry us to the big states of March 2-and narrow the field to two candidates. Anything less will put us out of this race.
All that you have worked for these past months is on the line on a single day, in a single state.
Commentary:
So there it is: he's now stated out in the open that if he doesn't win Wisconsin, it's pack-up and go home time. Apparently DfA is not only not airing TV ads in Michigan, but will not be doing so in Washington or Maine, either. Michigan is Kerry's, but WA and Maine better be strong seconds if not wins, or even a blow-out win in Wisconsin may not be enough to turn things around for March 2nd.
New quote: I want a voice, not a damned echo.