Edwards Doesn't Have To Win New Hampshire, But He Does Have To Beat Clinton

in order to stay in this race.

It will be hard for the media to ignore Edwards if he beats her twice in two elections.

Plus, if she comes in third in New Hampshire, the media WILL write off her campaign. Oh, they'll say she'll still compete, but the meme going out will be that the country has moved on, passed the Clinton's by.

THEN the media will set up the Edwards v. Obama storyline.

But only if Edwards comes in second in New Hampshire.

A second 3rd-place finish for Hillary will doom her. Money will dry up. Supporters will abandon her. The campaign itself will implode.

It won't be pretty.

But Edwards has to do his part and finish 2nd. Finishing second, for Edwards, might just as well be a victory. Then HE can claim to be the comeback kid.

it becomes harder for the media to ignore him.

If he is a distant third or lower, they will still ignore him, but that's only the first primary! Dems., not the media, will determine their nominee, though the media do have far too much irresponsible influence.

but neither did Ted Kennedy, after it because more than clear he wouldn't beat Jimmy Carter.

Just because you don't drop out doesn't mean your campaign isn't dead.

state up, but tend to agree with your assessment. That said, he'll do well on Super Tuesday, but does need some momentum to get past the media blackout, that is unfortunately continuing despite his strong debate performance and 2nd in Iowa.