2/4     The Democratic motd wonks may be interested in this forum held
        in South Carolina before its primary. Instead of the candidates
        going at each other, each takes a turn answering questions from
        pre-selected audience members (who, in this case, happen to be
        low-income and associated with community-based organizations).
        In this format, there's nowhere for the candidates to hide. Go
        to http://www.cspan.org enter "candidate forum" in the video
        search box, and click on "Democratic Presidential Candidate
        Forum" (1/30/2004: Columbia, SC). Running time: 1 hr., 28 min.
        My impression: Gen. Clark, hit with the most difficult
        confrontation, responded masterfully; Edwards makes me
        suspicious of smooth-talking pretty-boy Southerners; Kerry
        will get his ass kicked by Dubya; even the liberal activists
        in the audience were wondering what Kucinich was smokin'; Dean
        kept his confidence and enthusiasm in check (which was too bad);
        and Sharpton executed a couple clever (though ill-deserved)
        one-liners. -elizp
        \_ I like your summary. Do this more often. I esp agree that Kerry
        has no hope. I think Clark or Edwards have the best shot.
           \_ Edwards looks like a little boy. Nobody wants a little
              boy being president of the United States (with the
              exception of the monkey currently holding the POTUS seat),
              I think Clark has the best shot.
              \_ Kerry is out-marketing Clark. People seem to go for Kerry's
                 tough-guy talk and corny one-liners. When you get right
                 down to it, Clark may indeed be the strongest, but he'd have
                 to win the nomination first. Clark's not as good a politician
                 as Kerry. Which is a good thing, but cheap politics works.
                 \_ Clark is a Republican.  Anyway, if Bush is so weak and
                    such a blazing idiot then it shouldn't matter.  _ANY_ of
                    these guys should be able to obliterate Bush so you should
                    be voting your concious, not based solely on who you think
                    has the best chance.  They all have 100% chance of success
                    because Bush is such a stupid monkey.
                    \_ Don't get cocky. -liberal
                       \_ I'm not cocky, we all know Bush is a stupid monkey
                          and we all know he stole the election and didn't
                          even get the popular vote so of course he'll lose
                          this time.  How can a stupid monkey like Bush get
                          into office twice?  He can't steal it twice.  Thus,
                          Bush must lose because he's a stupid monkey and every
                          single Democratic candidate running is superior.
                          \_ You are not a very good imitation of a lefty,
                             righty troll.
                             \_ I wasn't imitating.  I'm mimicking which is
                                intended to be seen for what it is for
                                effect.  I guess that was lost on you.  Losing
                                only one of you isn't too bad.