'I am an underdog,' Kerry says

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | 1/20/04 | Ron Fournier

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Their campaigns jolted by upsets in Iowa, Democratic presidential candidates sparred over each others' experience and electability Tuesday in a race suddenly lacking a front-runner.

''I am an underdog in New Hampshire,'' John Kerry said in words echoed by Howard Dean as the volatile campaign moved east.

A day earlier in Iowa, Kerry and John Edwards blew the campaign wide open with a one-two caucus finish, stripping a humbled Dean of his front-runner's mantle.

As Rep. Dick Gephardt exited the race, his fourth-place finish a political death knell, the remaining major candidates adjusted their strategies for a weeklong sprint to New Hampshire's Tuesday primary and a seven-state contest seven days later.

''I used to be the front-runner when I went out to Iowa, but I'm not the front-runner any more,'' Dean said at Portsmouth, N.H., after making the traditional overnight flight from Iowa to the Granite State. ''But New Hampshire has a great tradition of supporting the underdog. So guess what? Let's go get them.''

The topsy-turvy results produced smiles at the White House, where advisers hoped for a long, nasty race that would produce a damaged nominee.

''They have 17 contests over the next five weeks,'' White House communications director Dan Bartlett said without a hint of regret. ''So it looks like the roller coaster is just beginning,''

After New Hampshire, where polls show the race tightening, the next twist comes Feb. 3 when seven states hold contests, including Gephardt's home state of Missouri. The state, now up for grabs, has 74 pledged delegates at stake, more than Iowa and New Hampshire combined.

It will cost upward of $1 million a week to air ads in every Feb. 3 television market, not to mention the cost of travel. Kerry, who dipped into his family fortune last year to keep his race afloat, is the only one of the five major candidates not advertising in any of the Feb. 3 states.

Edwards, whose candidacy hinges on a victory that day in South Carolina, is hoping to carry his Iowa momentum to New Hampshire. One of his events was so crowded Tuesday that New Hampshire Democratic Party chairwoman Kathleen Sullivan was turned away at the door.

''This race is wild and wide open,'' she said.

In South Carolina and elsewhere, Democrats were questioning Dean's political judgment after a bombastic election-night speech.

A chastened Dean toned down his stump speech Tuesday. ''Those of you who came here intending to be lifted to your feet by a lot of red-meat rhetoric will be a little disappointed,'' he told New Hampshire supporters.

Seeking answers in Monday's results, Dean's advisers said they concluded that voters craved change but failed to see their candidate as the agent of reform.

They sought to return Dean to his political roots, spending tens of thousands of dollars in the next week to cast him as a reformer who produced results as a governor in Vermont.

[Redcoat LI]

Good old "catch-up"Kerry.
If only he were as humble and loveable as shoe-shine boy.

[ken5050]

Kerry is a "putz"

[MamaLucci]

[Bush Cheney]

Here is what I think of John Kerry:

[Levante]

'I am a dog,' Kerry says. "WOOF"

[TheBigB]

Now he just needs to hire Naomi Wolf to teach him how to be an alpha-underdog.

[dead]

Not Underdog. Droopy Dog.

[dead]

[mass55th]

No, you're just a dog Mr. Kerry.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Underdog? I thought he was Herman Munster.

[Conspiracy Guy]

He should be under A dog that is pooping.

[BunnySlippers]

Anyone have that pic of Gore in his UnderDog suit?

[maggief]

[Conspiracy Guy]

I wrote this when the polls had him in 3rd. I'm sure he can get back to 3rd or worse in no time.

CG

Ketchup Boy

You’re a Vet from Viet Nam,
My question is which side?
There is another problem too,
You’ll never get the ride.
It looks as though you’re in third place,
Behind both Dean and Clark.
Though there are nine dems in the thing,
Your fire is just a spark.
I have a plan to help you though,
So listen up to me.
Just offer pickles and ketchup,
To all the voters free.
You still won’t be the nominee,
But your point will be made.
Free condiments is so much more,
Than any plans you’ve laid.

Conspiracy Guy 12/22/03

[Conspiracy Guy]

Ketchup Boy Revised

You’re a Vet from Viet Nam,
My question is which side?
You pulled ahead in Iowa,
Hope you enjoyed the ride.
Dean is toast and three dropped out,
But you don’t have a chance.
Weasel Clark will take the lead,
New Hampshire is his dance.
So sit back down and shut your yap,
The party soon is over.
Underdog you call yourself,
Please do not insult rover.

Conspiracy Guy 1/21/04

[Cobra64]

''I am an underdog...''

How can he be an underdog, when he looks like Mr. Ed.