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Good-Bye Small Diners, Hello Airport Tarmacs

Ok, so much for the intimate gatherings in people's living rooms in New Hampshire, or kissing a pig on a family farm in Iowa. From now until Feb.5, not a pig will be kissed - candidates will leave behind the personal politics of the early states for the impersonal, big money TV-ad fueled, three-states-in-one-day national campaigns of the presidential races.

NPR's Senior Washington Editor Ron Elving looked at the advent of the national campaigns today on News and Notes and whose campaigns might be in trouble when the move comes to the bigger stage.

Now that Joe Biden, Christopher Dodd and Bill Richardson have dropped out, the next Democrat on life support is John Edwards. His campaign is in trouble. He has to win in South Carolina to go on to Florida and then to Super Tuesday.

"Money argues against him, momentum argues against him," says Ron

Headed into Michigan, Ron says the Republican to keep an eye on is John McCain. If he can win there, he can look like a totally remade candidate in Republican politics. It's between McCain and Romney, with Huckabee lurking, waiting for South Carolina - whoever wins gets "a really nice boost."

The perils of losing in Michigan are much greater for Romney. Romney built his strategy around winning Iowa, New Hampshire and Michigan. If he loses all three, you really have to ask "Why are you expecting this guy to win anything?" As Ron puts it, "The sale is not being closed by this master salesman."

 

Comments

Obama will win the Dem Nominee. Black voters in SC will jump on the band wagon! If Hillary Clinton is the Dem Nominee we are sure to have another Repub President! I refuse to vote for Hillary. I am a Dem but will vote Repub if Hillary is the Dem Nominee! Barack Obama is the true agent of change! Enough of the Clinton's and Bush's! Remember America Hillary voted to send our sons and daughters to Iraq to be killed while her daughter is on the campaign trail with her out of harms-way. Every mother who votes for Hillary betrays the grieving mothers still crying over the death of their children!
Send a clear message to Washington! Vote Barack Obama!

Sent by Joyce | 7:15 PM ET | 01-11-2008

The Florida Democrats have a present for Hillary, a WWBD bracelet.

You ask what a WWBD bracelet is: it's a 'What Would Bill Do' bracelet.

I think Hillary remembers her husband Bill was president once, twice. I mean, why else is Hillary running except she wants to get even with Bill for insider family reasons. Hillary should be thinking of 'What Bill Did' to get to be president.

For example: Hillary is boycotting Florida. While over the weekend Rudy made the effort to shake the hand of anything and everything that moved in Broward County. Broward County is the heart and soul of the Florida Democratic Party. Rudy has shown no compunction about shaking everyone's hand, both Republican and Democrat.

Meanwhile, not a Hillary in sight.

Yeah, I know. Something about the Democrats are punishing Florida for upsetting the tourist season applecart by pushing the primary thing up to January. Gee, I wonder about the wisdom of punishing the voters. Escpecially when Hillary may not have that many voters to punish to begin with.

So, What Would Bill Do?

Here it was I thought I'd come back to Florida to see a good old fashioned Florida style New York political fistfight between Rudy and Hillary, and Hillary is playing hide-and-seek, while Rudy is visible everywhere.

He's everywhere. He's everywhere. Rudy is like Chickenman in Florida.

Here's what Florida voters are thinking: If Hillary is afraid to face Rudy in Broward County, Hillary would be wetting her pants facing Vladimir Putin most anywhere.

The crying scene did not sit well with Florida voters, particularly female voters. Hillary is coming off looking weaker and weaker as the minutes fly by.

So, Friday night I shook hands with Rudy, along with thousands of other Floridian voters, both Democrat and Republican.

And there's no Hillary in sight. Nowhere. Nada. Zilch. Empty space where the Clinton machine is supposed to be standing.

I'd say these Hillary strategy of punishing Florida voters isn't going well for Hillary. She's not gaining a lot of popularity in the Sunshine State.

fred camorra call

Sent by fred camorra call | 1:42 PM ET | 01-13-2008

Rudy is covering Florida in a bus like Willie Nelson covering Texas for Farm-Aid concerts.

McCain's name is being mentioned along with Johny Wayne, Audie Murphy and General George S. Patton as war heroes Floridians most admire.

Meanwhile, the plot thickens: Will any Democrats cross the invisible boycott picket line into Florida?

Boca Raton's Florida Atlantic University has announced a debate first for the Repbulicans, followed by one for the Democrats. The Republican debate line-up is happily full. Alas, there's question whether any of the Democrats will show up for their scheduled debate.

The Broward County Democratic bigwigs don't know if any of their candidates will quit 'punishing' Florida voters. The idea is that if one Democratic candidate crosses the border for the debate, others will follow. Like Lemmings into the sea.

Boca Raton is a very upscale community who, I imagine, are more fond of Republicans. Though it's getting to the point that Floridians are not looking fondly at the boycotting Democrats.

Boca Raton translates from the Spanish as 'Big Rat,' that irony has never diminished the Boca Ratonian general love for their community, and America in general. When everything in Boca Raton is well tanned, what's to worry?

It could be that the Democrats have figured they have no chance of taking Florida in the general elections, so they aren't coming here. Logically, the Democrats have no chance of taking South Carolina in the general elections, but far as I know, the Democrats will be available for a Carolinian debate.

So, if a Democrat crosses the picket line, who will be the first? And if a Democrat is brave enough to come debate in Florida, will that translate into broader national appeal for Barack (if Barack is the first).

Florida is not disappointing me as much as I initially felt. Politics is getting to be more fun around here as the days number on down toward January 29.

We have our tans. We have our orange juice and Disney. We have plenty of Republicans.

Maybe Rudy is picking a guitar and practicing some Willie Nelson cover tunes as he crisscrosses the state in his campaign bus this week. He can sing 'Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain' at Hillary's political wake. Or, 'Momma, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys. (ake them doctors or lawyers and such).'

fred camorra call

Sent by fred camorra call | 12:19 PM ET | 01-14-2008



   
   
   
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