Who Can Win in November?

From my perspective, the reason that the Democratic field of presidential candidates has becomes "muddy" (i.e., a three-way battle with no decisive front-runner) is the following:
Hillary Clinton has absolutely raised the level of a clean and intelligent campaign strategy. It has been simply amazing to watch the other candidates basically copy and emulate her style, her solution-oriented ideas, and her tendency to stay on-point rather than revert back to the typical "Who's the bigger man?" routine in debates. It has also been incredibly frustrating to watch the news media turn a blind eye to this activity, as if those fellows could have possibly pulled off this kind of clean campaign without her leadership.
For proof of this phenomenon, we can simply go back to the initial Democratic debate which shows Mrs. Clinton standing back with something of a smile on her face while the men bickered and squabbled with each other. They certainly never did that again! What has happened, however, is that the emulation has taken on something of a secretive, almost stalking-like character which makes it look as if none of the candidates has had a single innovative idea on their own. It makes it look as if all of the candidates came up with the same ideas for universal healthcare, renewable energy, economic revitalization, a realistic strategy for Pakistan, etc., all at the same time. Imagine that!
All of this said, emulation is the greatest form of flattery and so congratulations to Hillary Clinton. She will make a marvelous president.

Hey, Jonathan, you want a "do over?" I cannot believe the inanity of your omission of Ron Paul. Oh, I forgot. You get instructions as to which people to mention and which to ignore, don't you. Mention Biden and Dodd...safe, huh? Ron Paul is a tiger by the tail and will bite your handlers "where the sun don't shine."

Spinorama...step right up folks! Get you spectacular, easy to swallow, snake oil, courtesy of our corporatist owners, unless of course you happen to know about Ron Paul. If so, imbibing could make you throw up.

Huh, you consider Chris Dodd and Joe Biden? Chris and Joe Who? And, you ignore Ron Paul who may have raised the most money this last quarter of all candidates? What is wrong with this Alter-world picture?

His argument is as thin as his hair.

Watch Ron Paul take it all.

What an idiot. He probabley believes the goverment prints our money and the Federal Reserve is ran by good honest people that are not out to take over the world. If you love your childen and grandchildren, the clock it ticken, find out why so many people love ron paul. I can assure you these spin doctors in the media who world for the coperations controled by those who print the money are not going to tell you. Please

Not a very informed pendent. Sure he believes the Government prints our money too. Ron Pall must win, and if you love you children and grandchildren you will study Ron Paul and the Federal Reserver cooperation until you know why I say this. Screw the talking head, spin doctors who get paid big bucks buy the cooperations to tell you to vote for their guy. Unfortunately, we as Americans always do as they say.

LOL, he includes Dodd, but leaves out Ron Paul? I guess the Paul campaign forgot to send in their check LOL.

Wow, what terrible journalism.

Hey, asswipe, you forget somebody? Ron Paul's way more electable than any of the Republican warmongers you mentioned, plus he's raised more money than any of them has. Oh, yeah, and he's also ahead of Thompson in most of the polls. Maybe you better call your editor and ask if you can do this article over again.

I'm not a regular Newsweek reader (maybe this is why), but this analysis is absolutely inane. Clinton as the 2nd most electable Democrat? Is he kidding? It's New Years, not April Fools, right? Maybe Alter has already made his preference for Obama public, but for those of use that aren't regular readers, a disclosure would be appreciated. Opinionated takes are fine, but they shouldn't be disguised as objective analysis.

Mitt Romney = "the John Kerry of the Republican Party". Nice, aristocratic, doesn't connect except with high income Republicans...

Why does the mainstream media outlets discount Ron Paul but include people like Biden and Dodd who have lower poll numbers.... (even using the screwed up polling method of people who voted in the last election and have a land line telephone... what percentage of Ron Paul supporters do you think this leaves out... ) ....

I believe Mitt Romney to be the most electable as he will bring the most positive change to our nation! Improved economics, security, family life and image abroad!

Romney is an outstanding leader and an exemplary person!

There may be some anti-LDS sentiment that would take votes away, there are always misinformed voters. These people need to understand that Romneys religious upbringing and service are part of what makes him an excellent husband, father, business and political leader! I will choose those atributes regardless of how he attained them!

Romney 2008-2026!

I think you've missed the boat. The media coverage and the mega millions that Obama and Clinton have spent in Iowa and New Hampshire hasn't knocked Edwards out of the race. One or two polls show Obama winning in head to head match-ups with the Republicans, but the aggregate of all of the last several show Edwards winning by a larger margin. Rasmussen's latest shows Obama and Clinton losing against at least one, while Edwards polls better than all the others. Further, you have missed the message: The American people are tired of being "trickled " upon and we're not going to take it anymore. Edwards is the only candidate who gets it and has the balls to fight for us. I know ALL about his voting record, his house, his hair...I also know that he has spent the LAST three years working to put his positive vision of the future of this country into practice. Obama's bad votes are right behind him and his inability to show up or take a position on issues creates mistrust. With the media providing free publicity for the two "firsts"...and that extra sweet 60% favorable coverage of Obama thrown in for good measure, you've set him up to LOSE the general should he gain the nomination. Clinton's "inevitability" is all but gone and will be by the time Feb. 5th roles around.

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Jonathan, You have provided a fair analysis, please give us all your analysis of the Iowa winner!