Will Gephardt drop out if he loses Iowa?

Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri has inched ahead of former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean as leader for the Democratic presidential nomination in Iowa, according to a new poll surveying registered voters who plan to go the caucuses.

Gephardt was the favorite of 27 percent and Dean, 20 percent, the Des Moines Sunday Register said in a copyright story.

That's a gain of six percentage points for Gephardt and a three-point drop for Dean since July.

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Among likely caucus participants who have formed an opinion about Dean, 73 percent rate their feelings toward him as mostly or very favorable.

"His intention was good, but he made a pretty stupid remark," said Debra Sanborn, 39, a firm Dean supporter who lives near Luther in Boone County. "I certainly don't think he supports the tenets of what the rebel flag stands for."

Gephardt, who won the Iowa caucuses in 1988 but lost the Democratic nomination to Michael Dukakis, had the highest popularity ratings. Among likely caucus participants with an opinion about Gephardt, 82 percent regard him favorably.

Gephardt's lead over Dean could be wobbly since more of Dean's supporters say their minds are made up and they are certain of their participation in the Jan. 19 caucuses, which launch the presidential nominating season for the nation.
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ct--iowapoll-gephardt1109nov09,0,419927.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire

OK, I think polls are bogus, but they are fun.

Everyone says Iowa is a must-win for Gep. So what if he doesn't win - will he drop out?

I don't want that traitor on the ballot, as candidate for President, Vice President or Waterboy. Ditto for Joe Lieberman.