Maybe the most important lesson is that in an open primary, the presumptive front-runner at the beginning is wearing a big "kick me" sign--it is a very bad position to be in. It was instantly fatal to Dean, and kicked the crap out of Hillary. (The same rule worked on the Republican side, too, though they didn't really have a clear front-runner; the guy who was left for dead months ago turned out to be the biggest winner once the voting started.)
Lesson: Don't ever tell the voters who's going to win before anyone votes.
I agree totally. in fact, I'd extend it to being just simply the front runner. Obama has had his worse days when he's been considered the "front runner." New Hampshire did him a great favor. had he won Iowa and New Hampshire back to back, Hillary would have kicked out that Penn guy, retooled her campaign, called on her supporters, started the internet fundraising she didn't start until the thing was practically over, etc. etc. She would have also probably thrown the kitchen sink back then, rather than wait for Obama to run away with the thing. On well. There is still hope though. Much can happen between now and the convention.
Now the interesting question is: is the front runner status deadly because of public perception, or media treatment?
bingo. media treatment, or mistreatment. the media certainly have a dog in this fight. ad revenue. they're making millions. i believe we will see the pendelum(sp) swing again and again before this is over.
