Dave’s Rants

The Guardian have made a number of predictions for 2004, following on from last year, where they did the same and almost were 100% correct. I’d agree with most of them, except they reckon that Howard Dean will be trounced by Bush. I couldn’t disagree more. It will be extremely close with either candidate winning by at most 3%.

Former Vermont governor Howard Dean dominates the early contests. On February 3, in South Carolina, the field winnows, with a single Stop Dean candidate emerging from the pack; there is a southern surge for former general Wesley Clark. But it is not enough: Dean is the nominee. Meanwhile, Bush enjoys the huge advantage handed him by the absence of a primary battle. Unopposed, he strives towards November, distracted only by a flurry of speculation as to whether he will dump the cardiacally challenged Dick Cheney from the ticket. With the economy improving, Saddam Hussein in captivity and Dean easily lampooned as a 21st-century McGovernite liberal, Bush walks it.