A highly unscientific attempt to determine who will control the oh-so-valuable soccer fan voting bloc. If the Democratic primary or caucus were held in your state today, which candidate would you vote for?
One key question to ask is, "Who is REALLY good at raising money in this group?" While you have to have a good message, and have good stage presence, it's often the best money raiser who is the most formidable. As a result, I see John Edwards as the front runner right now -- smooth, Southern, well-heeled and well connected. Democrats like to go the Southern route; in the last three elections, it has worked pretty well, and with Gore they were ALMOST three out of three. Meanwhile, Kerry is stiffer than a piece of cured oak; Gephardt is a mannequin; Dean makes Nancy Pelosi look reactionary; religion aside as a potential handicap, Lieberman is just too centrist/conservative for the Democratic rank and file. George Bush Sr. may be the last true New Englander to be president for the next 50 years. Presidents to come are likely to arise from the South or the West. This is one reasons, among others, that Gary Hart would be interesting, but can he raise the dough? That I think might be his undoing.