not at all. that "threat" has been around since VA first started its primary in 1988 with no party affiliation requirement. The statistics have long shown that any such threat is overplayed.
Besides, from that particular gene pool, what is a "weak candidate" anyways? Looking at anything else besides money, and any one of those 6 could still take the nod by the time this is over.
The SCARE, the absolute TERROR in the Republicans minds really is that the religious right will NOT support Romney or any of the more secular candidates like McCain and Guiliani. They really do fear that the core religious groups in the south and in the Valley will simply stay silent and stay home and give the state to the Democrats in November. It really is. They'll vote for their nutcase, he won't get the party nod, and then they'll just not support anybody at all.
For that matter, the Democratic pool is just as divided and Democratic supporters NEED to get out there and keep someone strong up front. Only if someone is absolutely the big winner of Super Tuesday (which is the week before VA's primary) and thus has the nomination in a lock will that circumstance change. This year, I doubt that's going to happen. The press still needs to crucify the winner of Iowa, as they've done every election since Carter won.
no subject
Besides, from that particular gene pool, what is a "weak candidate" anyways? Looking at anything else besides money, and any one of those 6 could still take the nod by the time this is over.
The SCARE, the absolute TERROR in the Republicans minds really is that the religious right will NOT support Romney or any of the more secular candidates like McCain and Guiliani. They really do fear that the core religious groups in the south and in the Valley will simply stay silent and stay home and give the state to the Democrats in November. It really is. They'll vote for their nutcase, he won't get the party nod, and then they'll just not support anybody at all.
For that matter, the Democratic pool is just as divided and Democratic supporters NEED to get out there and keep someone strong up front. Only if someone is absolutely the big winner of Super Tuesday (which is the week before VA's primary) and thus has the nomination in a lock will that circumstance change. This year, I doubt that's going to happen. The press still needs to crucify the winner of Iowa, as they've done every election since Carter won.