I have to ask - isn't it media that picks our candidates? Would Iowa and New Hampshire have the importance they do if media didn't keep telling us they have it?

How many good candidates would have won in the contry if media didn't tell them they had to do good in these states? How many people vote for the media's choice simply because they are being constantly told that these states always pick winners - sounds like a self-fulfilling prophecy to me.

We are talking about people - not horses or sports events. Who gains from all the money spent in these states........ media coverage to win........ hmmmm - media wins, the nation loses.

Sent by Linda | 2:13 PM ET | 12-26-2007

I was bussed by the Clinton Reelection campaign from Massachusetts to NH to volunteer back in 1996. It was fun.

Sent by Jonpaul | 2:24 PM ET | 12-26-2007

What do you make of Dinesh D'Souza's book "The Enemy At Home," which sort of expands on Mr. Falwell's remarks about how liberal American "culture" and "values" being pushed abroad as the model for the way the people of other nations should be behaving may have contributed to the anti-Americanism that led to 9/11? Although since, by definition, (as everyone knows) 'WE' don't blame
'US' -- 'WE' blame 'THEM,' asking that question to "The Enemy" might not be the best idea for an objective answer...

Sent by David | 2:49 PM ET | 12-26-2007

Today's political comments, as usual, apparently,included two negative references to the Clintons (Hyde impeachement statement and a former Clinton supporter-turned-Obama convert testimonial). Ironically Mr. Rudin made reference to Hyde's tepid endorsement of the impeachment proceedings but not the "why". Hyde, of course, himself was also involved in an extra-marital affair as was Clinton, an amazing example of political hypocrisy which both Mr. Conan and Rudin failed to note. Your bias shows again TOTN.

Sent by Ed | 4:06 PM ET | 12-26-2007

I haven't moved to work on a campaign, but I am getting in my car tomorrow to go to NH to work on John Edwards' campaign for the weekend. My bag is packed with warm sweaters, and I'm going out today to buy some new thermals so that I can survive the door to door and not freeze!
As a resident of NY, I feel like I have no say in who our candidates are -- by the time the primary gets to my state, the decisions will already have been made. So if getting in the car to go volunteer in NH can tip the scales even the tiniest bit for my candidate, then I'm going to do it! Go Edwards!

Sent by Cindy | 9:23 AM ET | 12-27-2007

The trivia question of the day on Dec. 26 was: what was the campaign slogan used by Jimmy Breslin and Norman Mailer in their run for mayor and vice mayor of New York in 1969. The answers given on air were close but no cigar. Their actual slogan (and I had a bumper sticker with it imprinted) was "No More B*** S***!".

Sent by Steve Sargent | 2:41 PM ET | 12-27-2007

David, thanks for telling me that you were blogging about me. And yes, I listen pretty much only to NPR.

Sent by Danny Kedem | 10:54 PM ET | 02-03-2008