The Expectation Game

If the Iowa Caucus were held four month ago your mainstream media would of expected Senator Edwards to win because their polls told them at that time he would. The theory is if you win in Iowa it would create a slingshot effect to victories in New Hampshire, Nevada, and beyond propelling the victorious candidate to the nomination.
The expectation game the media plays is often as important as an actual victory in Iowa. For Example in 1984 Gary Hart finished a very distant second to Walter Mondale, receiving only 15% of the vote but Hart did better than the media expected. The next thing you know Gary Hart came within an eyelash of taking the Democratic Nomination away from Mondale, and the insiders. Another example was the unexpected victory of Kerry's and a very strong second place showing of Senator Edwards. We all know what happened then.
Since Hillary has been the undisputed front runner according to the all the polls showing strength in Iowa running first until recently, one poll showing Obama ahead which means little the numbers are still within the margin of error. The expectation game according to the media is, it's going to be either a Hillary or Obama victory in Iowa. I would argue if Hillary or Obama would lose in Iowa or finish a distant second they are in big trouble. It all goes back to the expectation game. All we have been hearing is Hillary or Obama, Senator Edwards is seldom mention. With all the money spent and press coverage that Hillary and Obama have been given the pressure is on both of them to win. As I stated earlier four months ago the expectation was that Edwards would win but not anymore. I am almost sure Edwards is going to win. His poll numbers are good enough for him to win but all he needs to do is to have a strong showing finishing a strong second to Hillary. Edwards would become the anti-Hillary candidate those results would be unexpected by the media because to them it seems that Edwards sometime does not exist. It would certainly be a sweet victory and beyond for Edwards.