Thanks New Hampshire, Hello Michigan and Nevada and South Carolina, Goodbye Bill Richardson

New Hampshire is now over and the lessons learned are probably more important for the media than for anyone else. Um Polling...well...accurate...yeah. That's it...within +4/-4 points unless it's Tuesday in New Hampshire and then, well all bets are off. Consider it political fisbin!

What's more exciting than a "coronation"? (Don't really like that term -- we are a democracy not a monarchy!) A knock-down, drag-out may the best PERSON win, neck and neck dramatic story. Gets people excited. Makes them feel like their vote matters. De facto = low voter turn out. Any body's guess = high voter turn out. Weather, not a factor! (grin).

So far the results are (not delegate numbers):

Clinton (D): New Hampshire
Huckabee (R): Iowa
McCain (R): New Hampshire
Obama (D): Iowa
Romney (R): Wyoming (yeah...remember them??)

Total delegate numbers are (remember, it's really not about the popular vote folks!):

Clinton 183
Edwards 44
Giuliani 0
Gravel 0
Hucakbee 31
Hunter 1
Kucinich 1
McCain 7
Obama 115
Richardson 20
Romney 19
Thompson 3

So now we move to:

• Michigan - Jan. 15th
• Nevada (Caucus) - Jan. 19th
• South Carolina (GOP) - Jan. 19th
• South Carolina (DEM) - Jan. 26th
• Florida - Jan. 29th.

How many times do you think the political pundits and media commentators will "declare" this a "done deal" for someone? I'm sure it will be more than once!

And as we move on to Michigan and leave New Hampshire behind, the AP is reporting that one more has dropped out on the Democratic side: Gov. Bill Richardson. However, this article at MSNBC tells a different story. So it would seem that the MOST EXPERIENCED candidate (really...check out his record) will, at the very least be focusing in on New Mexico work (he is Gov. after all), and backing off on the campaign. Reports stated that he would announce on Thursday.

Hmmm....

I'd assume that if the candidate was dropping out, he'd know that, wouldn't he? Perhaps it is on the campaign website -- which isn't loading. Wonder if he is getting a spike in traffic, or if it's just "comcastic"?

Nothing new at MySpace. (website still trying to load...perhaps its the wind?) Over at Facebook there is much support:

Noooo!! I'm still a devoted Richardson fan till the end!!!!

PLEASE DONT DO IT!! DONT DO IT RICHARDSON!!please, keep your hope up!!
AMERICA NEEDS YOU!!!

Please Bill, Don't Leave Us

I am so disappointed. Bill, please keep your voice LOUD, our country needs
your ideas and experience. Are you endorsing another Democratic candidate? You
will always be my #1.

So I wonder if he has any staffers to get in there to provide some information...that's that engagement factor!

The site will barely load -- and it doesn't look like much has been updated. If that is any indication, I'd say we'll hear more tomorrow, if the candidate doesn't do something tonight.