Can Kerry tough it out?

[mikehiggins]

The thought occurred to me tonight that if Clark and Edwards and Dean simply refuse to give up, and keep on keeping on, will Kerry be able to see this campaign through to the end?

Certainly, he's the front runner at the moment but if he doesn't run away with it soon, how confident will the party be with his ability to carry the fight to Bush? Suppose there are still four candidates in the field when American Samoa votes on March 8? Or three?

There is a school of thought that feels Kerry's support is a mile wide and an inch deep. It should be easy for a true front-runner to garner enough committed votes by March 8 to overwhelm his opponents.

But what if he can't?

It's pretty clear the Clark and Dean people aren't going to give up without a fight to the death. As someone who's been involved in politics for forty-odd years (and some of them were very odd indeed) I expected both of them to pack it in by now. I suspect Kerry and the party pros expected the same thing. Even Edwards may be able to drag up enough money and supporters to go forward as well.

What will this do to Kerry?

Over time his strengths may come out, but so will his weaknesses. As the front runner he has benefitted from the collapsed schedule of primaries but will that last? I think it is doubtful, and if his "big MO" slows and stalls, things may look a lot different than they do tonight.

Damn, there's gotta be a book in this somewhere.

[bigtree]

1. I'll be strongly supporting the eventual nominee and cheering him on

There will be no stronger advocate for our party's nominee than I.

[Dookus]

2. I've seen no sign that Clark

will fight to the end (if that means to the convention). He's a smart man - he'll get out if and when he feels he can't win.

I suspect Dean and Edwards would, too, if Kerry continues his streak. The only "Stop Kerry" movement I see is here on DU. The rest of the party seems pretty happy with him.

[Tim_in_HK]

4. I think Clark will be in until March 2

If things don't happen for him by then, I believe he'll drop out.

[On the Road]

3. Kerry's a Pro

"Toughing it out" is not a problem. All he has to do is avoid scandal or major mistakes for the next few weeks.