The great thing about having a 24 hour news cycle is that anyone who cares to do so can remain constantly informed. Of course, 99% of all news is analysis these days, so within minutes of becoming informed, one also gets slapped in the face with the accepted media zietgeist. For example, you didn't have to wait for today's newspaper to find out that John Kerry won the primary in New Hampshire. But, if you watched the cable news networks, or listened to the results on the radio, you've also been treated to the media party-line that Kerry will most likely be the Democratic candidate for this year's election.

Sure, that sounds reasonable, given the fact that Kerry has won two states so far. Of course, there's 48 more to go, but given that crowds tend to attract crowds, voters in the next few primaries will most likely follow along. But, the media has gone a bit further than simply projecting who'll get the nomination and have decided that the reason for the two victories is that the voters chose the most electable candidate.

The electability question is one that is vexing the Democratic party. Things are not really looking good for them these days. Even with the recent damage that Bush has taken on weapons in Iraq, the Valerie Plame leak, the historic deficits, and ridiculous plan for a manned mission to Mars, the president is still a pretty popular guy. This might change in the next few months, but it's not likely. As a sitting president, Bush hasn't had to spend much of his $200 million fending off other candidates in the Republican primaries, and that has to worry the DNC. They want this “electability” thing sort it out quickly, so they can consolidate their fund-raising. And, for good or for ill, it's the money that determines the victor.

Super Tuesday is going to be a very important since it's the first time in twelve years since we've seen a Democratic primary season hit that date without a strong front runner. Iowa, for al the coverage tends to exaggerate the top three contenders due to the properties of the caucus system, and New Hampshire is only the first primary. While Clark, Sharpton, and Lieberman probably don't have much of a chance to rally, Edwards and Dean are still serious challengers, and it's anyone's guess as to where this thing is going. But if the Democrats don't have a clear winner after March 2nd, they're going to have some serious money problems.

Even if Kerry waltzes through the primary season, and even if the DNC's fund raising can reach parity with the Republicans, the electibility issue is still going to be on the table. While many Democrats are heartened by the record turn out in New Hampshire, they need to remember that just because someone is popular with Democrats, he still might not clinch the election.

-B. C. Silvia -1/28/2004