Likeability = Electability
How can you not like this guy?


"Today the voters of Wisconsin sent a clear message," Mr. Edwards said, "and the message was this: Objects in your mirror may be closer than they appear."

Folks, despite the media being joined to Kerry at the hip (Time/Warner donated a bunch of money to his campaign; Kerry drafted the media conglomeration bill- while Edwards was opposed to big media), the sea change might be a-comin.
Kerry's votes supposedly come largely from those thinking he's the most likely to beat Bush. This has been, of course, nonsensical reasoning; it is bandwagon driven and reality blind. And the latest from Rasmussen secures my belief: Kerry's now LOSING to Bush: Bush 48%, Kerry 43%.
1) Kerry's boring. Did you see his speech last night?
2) Edwards does much better amongst Indies and Repubs than Kerry. I saw a Dem strategist last night say that didn't matter- that this was the Dem's candidate to choose. What utter dumbness that is! It's the country's candidate. If the dems choose someone ONLY their party likes, disaster. Wake up folks.

Update:
Eric Alterman in Altercation WI:

On Edwards: Is perhaps part of the reason tht he media keep missing his late surges because they treat with contempt his message about jobs, NAFTA, and free trade? Damn right it is. Edwards is an almost magical candidate once you get to see him up close. In Wisconsin he showed his ability to bring in Republicans and independents which I believe is another way of spelling "electability." The big question becomes, will voters ever get to see him up close?

But Terry McC and the other machers in the Democratic party designed this process in large measure to prevent something like a late surge for Edwards from happening. This was self-defeating lunacy.

Having a Democrat wrap up the nomination in the beginning of process prevents people form taking a good hard look at his flaws before deciding who to choose, and increases the likelihood of buyer's remorse--a la Dukakis. It also takes the Democrats and their framing of the issues out of the news. This primary season has done nothing but good for the party and for the nation’s debate. The longer it goes on, the longer the Bush team will be incapable of defining things the way they want them defined. (By the September convention, it will be Kerry who deserted his National Guard post.)