The Hiller Instinct: Kerry on Road to Nomination

Sen. John Kerry (D) Presidential Candidate
"Thank you, Virginia; thank you, Tennessee."

Kerry celebrated his twin victories hours after the results were clear. In fact, the minute the polls closed in Virginia, NBC called him the winner...

NBC Report
"…A substantial one at that."

And an hour later…

NBC Report
"The polls have just closed in Tennessee and based on exit polls, Kerry wins."

Kerry can now focus on George Bush. Winning 12 of the 14 democratic primaries and caucuses held so far proves he's a national candidate…

Sen. John Kerry (D) Presidential Candidate
"George Bush, who speaks of strength, has made America weaker -- weaker economically, weaker in health care and education. And the truth is, George Bush has made us weaker militarily."

John Edwards, who saved his presidential candidacy last week in South Carolina, can now save himself for the vice-presidency…

Sen. John Edwards (D) Presidential Candidate
"We're going to have a campaign, and an election, not a coronation.”

And while Wesley Clark can carry a tune, he couldn't carry a southern state, so his campaign song is over.

And then there is Howard Dean, the one time frontrunner, whose anger has turned into frustration…

Howard Dean (D) Presidential Candidate
"Who do you want to stand with you in the foxhole? The guy who'll stand up when it's right... or the guy who just stands up when it's popular. We can do better than that."

It's stunning to say "Kerry can't lose the nomination" when, not so long ago, it made sense to say "Kerry can't win." Books will be written about his turnaround, but the “Cliff's Notes” version is, Howard Dean opened a window, Kerry ran through it and the window closed on Dean's throat.

There will be more primaries, but they won't change what today's confirm -- democrat-land is Kerry country.