Well, after the media pounding and pounding us with the 2008 horse race for the last two years (and missing the boat on several key stories, as a result), we are finally at least at the day of the first primary.
And, there's no thread in this usually spirited forum!?!?! :shrug:
Ok, onto my picks:
Dems: Obama......yes, yes, yes, by all accounts its Hillary's nomination to lose, but I think the junior senator from Illinois has a surprise up his sleeve and manages to squeak out a narrow victory tonight in Iowa. Here's a secret: Hillary is not that well liked. Really, Its the truth. I think I heard something about it on Fox. Seriously, though, she is not that popular within a lot of Democratic Party circles. Back in 2006, she ruffled a lot of feathers when she was not on board with the 50-state strategy during the mid-terms, thought the party was better off maintaining in 2006 and focusing instead on the presidency in 2008. Even as it looked like the 50-state stragety was making in roads, she still was 'meh' about it and had to be shamed to fork over any of her huge treasure chest of campaign funds for the cause. I think that hurts her tonight in the Caucus forum. Edwards will give a strong run, but as it becomes more and more likely that he will come up short, expect those in his camp to swing their support to Obama and net him the overall win tonight in Iowa. How Hillary will respond to this defeat will tell the tale of the rest of Democratic Primary Campaign.
Repubs: Talk about the epitome of wide open. Anyone of five different guys could end up on top tonight, and it would not surprise me in the least. Yet, I see Huckabee coming out on top tonight. He has the momentum and enough of the Christian base to put him over the top, albeit narrowly. In no way does a win in Iowa for any republican mean the nomination. This sucker will be undecided for quite a while. I expect Romney to show strong tonight. Guilliani to show weak. I honestly have no idea what kind of showing Ron Paul will. He could win. He could come in sixth. Neither would shock me.
I will add this.....the story of the night for the R's will be John McCain. Yep, he will beat Rudy. I dont know if this qualifies as an upset, but, heck, its my upset pick anyway. Saw a poll that had every single candidate in from both side. All had as much if not more unfavorable, than favorable reviews, except one--McCain...in the end, many Iowa voters tonight will go to the poll undecided. Enough will like McCain enough to pull the lever, give him a solid third place finish and resusitate a once seemingly dead campsign for the Oval Office.
And, finally, Rudy gives us a screaming Howard Dean moment afterwards....hopefully he wont be wearing a dress.
So, those are my picks.....good luck on whatever you play! Wait, what, this is not a picks forum. Ooops my bad.....maybe I'll come up with an Orange Bowl play or some college hoops then!!
And, there's no thread in this usually spirited forum!?!?! :shrug:
Ok, onto my picks:
Dems: Obama......yes, yes, yes, by all accounts its Hillary's nomination to lose, but I think the junior senator from Illinois has a surprise up his sleeve and manages to squeak out a narrow victory tonight in Iowa. Here's a secret: Hillary is not that well liked. Really, Its the truth. I think I heard something about it on Fox. Seriously, though, she is not that popular within a lot of Democratic Party circles. Back in 2006, she ruffled a lot of feathers when she was not on board with the 50-state strategy during the mid-terms, thought the party was better off maintaining in 2006 and focusing instead on the presidency in 2008. Even as it looked like the 50-state stragety was making in roads, she still was 'meh' about it and had to be shamed to fork over any of her huge treasure chest of campaign funds for the cause. I think that hurts her tonight in the Caucus forum. Edwards will give a strong run, but as it becomes more and more likely that he will come up short, expect those in his camp to swing their support to Obama and net him the overall win tonight in Iowa. How Hillary will respond to this defeat will tell the tale of the rest of Democratic Primary Campaign.
Repubs: Talk about the epitome of wide open. Anyone of five different guys could end up on top tonight, and it would not surprise me in the least. Yet, I see Huckabee coming out on top tonight. He has the momentum and enough of the Christian base to put him over the top, albeit narrowly. In no way does a win in Iowa for any republican mean the nomination. This sucker will be undecided for quite a while. I expect Romney to show strong tonight. Guilliani to show weak. I honestly have no idea what kind of showing Ron Paul will. He could win. He could come in sixth. Neither would shock me.
I will add this.....the story of the night for the R's will be John McCain. Yep, he will beat Rudy. I dont know if this qualifies as an upset, but, heck, its my upset pick anyway. Saw a poll that had every single candidate in from both side. All had as much if not more unfavorable, than favorable reviews, except one--McCain...in the end, many Iowa voters tonight will go to the poll undecided. Enough will like McCain enough to pull the lever, give him a solid third place finish and resusitate a once seemingly dead campsign for the Oval Office.
And, finally, Rudy gives us a screaming Howard Dean moment afterwards....hopefully he wont be wearing a dress.
So, those are my picks.....good luck on whatever you play! Wait, what, this is not a picks forum. Ooops my bad.....maybe I'll come up with an Orange Bowl play or some college hoops then!!
