Update below: Chicago Tribune calls Missouri the "bellwether state that almost exactly mirrors the demographic, economic and political makeup of the nation."
Missouri has voted for for the winner in every election, but one, since 1904. In good news to Democrats, a female Democrat unseated an incumbant Republican Senator in 2006. Missouri is trending blue. This is always good for the Democratic Party.
Current breakdown....
January 26th poll Rasmussen Reports showed Edwards sitting in second place at 28%, Obama 24% and Clinton 43%. Interesting.
http://www.usaelectionpolls.com/
Mystery to me why Edwards is doing so well in Missouri. Edwards has not campaigned in Missouri more than the other candidates.
Delegates...
Results like this show not only delagate potential in middle America for John, but also raises two general independent questions: 1) Does this speak to John's ability to pick up ample delagates in Feb 5th states west of the Mississippi? 2) Does this speak, again, to Obama's weakness in bellweather and swing states?
Edwards or a General Election Winner...
If we don't get Edwards, then I want a winner in the general election. So, the second electability question continues to motivate me.
We already know Hillary Clinton has wide margins in national polls and big states. But, Hillary is taking on a lot of water due to the very bad judgment of herself, Bill and her surrogates. Will the recent Clinton negatives push voters in Edwards direction or Obama's?
This is an unanswered question in the Midwest and the West. George Will postulated today on ABC that this Clinton-negative, Obama-bickering, Edwards' equation was an interesting aspect of this race going forward. No, I don't like George Will. George Will does not like Edwards. So, we can assume his question is, at least, relevant.
Edwards' Opening...
In states like Missouri, who will be the beneficiary of Bill and Hillary mistakes if they continue to magnify as they seem to be? Obama or Edwards?
I still don't see a qualified answer about Obama's support or electibility in swing states, the Midwest, and border states where Obama seems to be flat, Clinton leads, but with some nasty Clinton negatives, perhaps this is Edwards' opening....
Stay tuned.
Update: There is a discrepency over the poll based on a Rasmussen typo, either in their table or their narrative.
It's either Edwards 18% and 15% undecided or, Edwards 28% and 5% undecided.
I thought midwesterners were more decisive, but it could be a mistake. They're been asked for correction. If it's a mistake, Jonny still has higher numbers than average, but the diary must be blown-up.