Expectations

Aren't expectations wonderful? For example, during the 2000 debates Algore was supposed to be brilliant and Bush was supposed to be a moron. There were such low expectations for Bush all he had to do was show up and he could be successful. By holding his own and doing better than expected and beating the expectations, he won the debates.

So let's look at Iowa.

Dammit! I wish my friend Michael were not in France so I could say, "I told you so!" I told him if Gephardt didn't finish in the top two in Iowa he was done. Michael thought his union support would enable him to continue even if he didn't do well. The fact that he finished fourth when all the expectations were that he would finish in the top two, killed his campaign. He dropped out and returned to St. Louis. And now we're back to 7 dwarfs.

Howard Dean was also expected to finish in the top two. By not meeting expectations his campaign has suffered a real setback. He needs to finish in the top three in New Hampshire or he'll be in real trouble. It's not sumpin' he can't overcome, 'cause he has a lot of money, but South Carolina follows New Hampshire, and he doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell there. Low expectations. I mean, the line in his stump speech (since changed) that he wanted to be the "candidate for guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks", didn't help him. It offended blacks and insulted white dudes in the South. And his tirade on Monday? The man sounded like a raving loon. I saw Ric Flair do the same schtick ten years ago. The networks have been playing that sound bite over and over again. This could turn out to be the equivalent of Muskie crying.

So there were the high expectations which brought two candidates crashing to earth. We also had low expectations.

Two weeks ago everyone had written John Kerry off. He even had to lend his campaign money by mortgaging his house. Then, bam! He wins in Iowa and he's back in the race. This is a mixed blessing. Now he's expected to finish at least in the top two in New Hampshire. If not, he'll be in trouble again. I don't expect that he'll do too well in South Carolina.

The big winner in Iowa was John Edwards. By finishing number two his campaign has gained a needed boost. But, the neat thing is, just like in Iowa, he's not expected to do well in New Hampshire. No matter what happens there, it will not hurt him. But, if he doesn't do well in South Carolina, he'll be in trouble.

What about Lieberman? If he doesn't finish in the top two in New Hampshire, after all the time he's spent there, he may as well hang it up.

What about Rev. Al? He actually stands a chance to do well in South Carolina. I think that even if he doesn't, the Dimocrats, to level the playing field, ought to just give him South Carolina's delegates. It would show that the Dimocrat Party is committed to affirmative action. Can I hear an amen?

Then there's Weasley Clark. No expectations so far, but by golly, he's gotta be the best candidate in the race. Know why? Because Madonna supports him. The only woman who knows more about politics than the material slut is Barbara Streisand. Maybe Madonna will start sending faxes to members of the Dimocrat Party. Be still my beating heart!

We still have a long way to go, but if I had to guess right now, I'd guess Kerry with Edwards as his VP. Three weeks ago, both Michael and I thought Dean would get the nomination. We just wondered about the VP slot. Back then I said Edwards. We'll see if I'm right.

Maybe Dean can come back. I hope so. I want to see another tirade!

Arrrrrwwwhhhh!

Posted by denny at January 21, 2004 07:52 PM