On the trail with Joe Biden: What happens when the 'electability candidate' starts to lose?

[denem]

On the trail with Joe Biden: What happens when the ‘electability candidate’ starts to lose?

In former vice president Joe Biden’s case, it can seem as if he’s short-circuiting. In New Hampshire, his news conferences are a stream of “C’mon mans!” He fills his rallies with a repeated question about the state of the country: “What in God’s name is going on? What in God’s name is going on?”

Throughout this endless slog of a primary race, Biden has clung to his front-runner status primarily based on the fact that he could win. But after a “gut punch” fourth-place finish in the Iowa caucuses, no one is sure exactly where he stands, least of all him.

“I’ve never paid attention to all the front-runner talk from the time I entered the race,” he told a crowd in Manchester. “I’ve been the front-runner all the way through,” he said later on the same day.

“He is one of the most admirable people I’ve ever known,” said James Carville, the legendary Democratic strategist, who has thrown his support behind the presidential campaign of Sen. Michael F. Bennet (Colo.). “But he’s never been a good candidate. This is not his first rodeo, and he ain’t roped a cow yet.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2020/02/11/trail-with-joe-biden-what-happens-when-electability-candidate-starts-lose/

'Electability' is a two edged sword. Lead with it, you can fall on it.

[LakeArenal]

1. We can count on a lot of exaggeration about it.

[uponit7771]

2. 2 really white states out of 50 is "start to lose" ... really?!!? Good try M$M

[LexVegas]

3. Bill Clinton lost the first 5 in 92. nt

[denem]

4. 1992, Iowa was not in play.

[BluesRunTheGame]

6. Clinton was new to national politics in '92

[brooklynite]

9. He won the expectations game in NH

Biden appear to be...not.

[squirecam]

14. Hopefully Amy exceeds expectations

Nt

[brooklynite]

15. I think she has a good chance.

[BusyBeingBest]

12. I think that doesn't really matter anymore.

We're in a different world, a different media game, almost 30 years later.

[Omen78]

13. Exactly...

I wouldn't go counting anyone as out yet.

[wisteria]

5. I have about had it with the WP. They try to manipulate the public

And, write lies and smears.

[denem]

8. the writing is on the wall

Sorry.

[brooklynite]

11. Point to any lies and smears...

FWIW, this description is completely consistent with what I saw in person in New Hampshire this weekend.

[brooklynite]

7. "Maybe this is a strategic move by a candidate whose best play, for now, is to manage expectations."

It's the job of the campaign staff to manage expectations. The candidate is always optimistic.

[Garrett78]

10. It was entirely predictable. Some of us have said for 2 years that he's not a good candidate.