Will Kerry drop out if he loses New Hampshire?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean has expanded his lead over his rivals in the New Hampshire primary race, according to a new poll.

The telephone poll of 446 likely voters, conducted by WMUR-TV and the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, shows 38 percent of New Hampshire voters plan to choose Dean at the polls with less than three months to go before the Jan. 27 primary.

Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry is second, with 16 percent of voters. Retired Gen. Wesley Clark and North Carolina Sen. John Edwards have 5 percent support, while Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman is fifth, with 4 percent.
http://www.thewmurchannel.com/politics/2638619/detail.html

OK, I think polls are bogus, but they are fun.

Everyone says NH is a must-win for Kerry. So what if he doesn't win - will he drop out?

[WindRavenX]

1. No

All he has to do it stay close to Dean. If he finishes second in NH, takes NC, he is still in great position.
These polls are bogus btw :) Most people that we talked to yesterday were still undecided. 446 people polled is an insanely small sample.

[Pez]

4. i agree -- i think he's in it until the convention

with so many people undecided the polls (as you pointed out, some of which are not broad enough to really warrant credibility) aren't what i would call a concrete sign of victory or defeat. everyone has their work cut out for them; and there are plenty of people who went on to win the nomination without NH...

plus there's a ton of time for the candidates to make massive gaffes or inspirational speeches... with so many people undecided or not paying attention it leads me to believe none of the candidates have really made a bang-up case to vote for them. maybe it has something to do with the fact that most people are working multiple jobs or worrying about keeping their houses. great strategy dubya! distract the population by keeping them too busy and too tired, then swamp the airwaves with BUSH INC ads. uuuuugh...

[WindRavenX]

5. 70+ days

I think people need to take a gigantic chill pill and realize that just because Dean is 10+ points ahread of Kerry in many states doesn't mean that it's going to stay that way.
There's a lot of time left for Kerry to start kickin' some ass...

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. No. He'd hang in until later.

But he'd still be toast. He must win NH. Where else is he strong? (Besides MA)

[quinnox]

3. No, only in the minds

of certain over zealous supporters of a particular candidate. As so often, it is wishful thinking.

Kerry would stay even if he comes in second, which would still get him delegates as long as he has a certain percentage of the vote.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. Kerry has deep pockets

He can afford to stay in the race until the convention.