| If I'd voted yesterday, I probably would have voted for John Edwards. If I was voting today, I'd probably vote for Barack Obama. Truth be told, I like Edwards more, but these fields inevitably narrow and I really like Obama quite a bit as well.
Sa la vie.
Have to say, though, that it is tough for me to swallow Colby's thoughts, knocking Obama's chances because he brought out new voters and young voters. The truth is, youth voting has been on the uptick for two cycles in a row, with every indication that it will tick up again in '08. Getting upset with Barack Obama for doing well in this regard is like getting mad at a swimmer for performing well in water -- ideally, that's what swimmers do.
And, ideally, political leaders give previously disenchanted people enough, yes, hope to get involved.
So good for Obama.
What of the Republicans? I have to admit, I'm slightly taken aback by the loathing for Mike Huckabee. He kinda strikes me as the GOP equivalent of the Dems' Bill Richardson. Fairly charismatic Governor of a mid-size state who is generally in touch with the base of his party on some key issues, but is also a bit out of whack on some key economic stuff.
If Richardson had won Iowa, would the Democratic establishment be trying to tank him the way the GOP establishment is trying to destroy Huck? Doubtful, but who knows? They did go after Dean in a fierce (though less fierce) fashion.
I'm curious to see how the Republican's evangelical base, the people power of their party, reacts to this obvious condescension. I know I'd get pretty pissed. The question (perhaps inartfully worded) is whether they turn the other cheek. Or maybe they've come with a sword to cast the money changers out of the tent. Who knows?
Ron Paul's fervent base turned into tepid support. John McCain is the establishment's new man now that Romney has faltered. Fred Thompson, beating McCain, is strangely forgotten.
And we waltz on into New Hampshire.
No predictions on NH -- at least not until some post-Iowa polls come out. But on the GOP side, the big question is this, if Iowa's Corn lovers went for Hucking, will the Granite State go for the chiseled Mitt? |
