] Dean needed the Zogby and this SUSA poll to fuel the
] media "Dean is closing in fast" theme. Drudge has it
] splashed all over his homepage. AP and Reuters both have
] big headline stories with the Zogby poll.
]
]
] And whether it's based on reality or not is beside the
] point. Most polls show Kerry comfortably ahead. Zogby and
] SUSA -- two of the least respected polls in polling
] circles (unfairly so, imho) -- may very well be outliers.
] But given the media need for ratings, creating an
] exciting NH photo finish is imperative. And it may be a
] self-fulfilling prophecy. Demoralized Dean supporters are
] newly energized. Voters who tuned out Dean after the
] Rebel Yell may now be willing to give him another look.

we shall see, i guess. maybe the media can help now in roughly equal proportion to the hurt it inflicted last week. doubt it, but every bit helps.

I don't think dean has to win NH to stay in this, but he does need a decent second place... like, within 5 points at most i think. anything outside that and Kerry's meteoric rise will probably continue, and he'll probably get some fundage from those who were holding out to give to the most likely candidate, instead of "wasting" money on the early primary contenders. Dean's still got a lot of cash, and more infrastructure in the Feb 3 states, so a good second in NH should be enough to regain some momentum.

It'll be interesting.