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PrintThe Hiller Instinct: Kerry's Comeback
John Kerry (D) Presidential Candidate
"Where do I sign here?"
As Kerry officially enters the New Hampshire primary, either he knows something no one else does, or everyone knows something he doesn't.
Speaking to students at Concord High School, he seemed to acknowledge his rise and fall…
John Kerry
"Here in New Hampshire, I started out ahead and then I fell behind. But I'll tell you, I'm here today to say that I am going to fight back, that I'm looking forward to this fight."
But later, at a news conference, he sounded like he was winning the fight right now…
John Kerry
"We're still doing fantastically, Andy, if you look around at how we did out in Iowa over the weekend, I thought it was spectacular."
He dismisses New Hampshire polls that show Howard Dean beating him by double digits…
John Kerry
"The swings in polls are beyond your imagination. This race is there to be won."
Kerry even had an explanation "why" the polls are wrong…
John Kerry
"I don't think that people have yet focused on the race in the way that they do in the final several months. I'm convinced that Americans are now going to focus."
And then Kerry virtually promised that he'll finish first when the focus sharpens…
John Kerry
"I intend to win the New Hampshire Primary and I'm going to campaign for every vote in New Hampshire."
Kerry appears to be trapped in a campaign bubble that filters out the truth. He can say over and over that he's doing well, but the objective measures of success -- polls, money and momentum -- say he's not. So he can kick-off his campaign as many times as he wants, but that doesn't mean there's any air in the ball.