Howie Dean did it, then choked. Jimmuh Carter did it. Sick Willie did it. The MSM made empty suit "ears" Obama a frontrunner in the course of 3 weeks. Sorry, the game is not the same anymore.
Howard Dean had not gone far when the Media pulled his plug. Jimmy Carter had been campaigning for YEARS and he was NOT obscure but a celebrated example of the "New South" you may not be old enough to remember his campaign but I am.
Ears will also get pulled. And in any case he was not made by the media in three weeks. He was the keynote speaker at the last Convention and won the Senate seat in Illinois after the media destroyed his GOP opponent forcing his withdrawal at the last minute.
The game is still money, and name recognition.