In a state that lost 16,900 manufacturing jobs in the past year

to a changing economy, John Edwards’ appeal should come as

unsurprising. Smooth-talking Southern lawyers play well to the

ears, the face and the palm. Edwards’ style and substance, a

fascinating meld of Bill Clinton’s new Democrat and rhetorical

skills that evoke the memory of John F. Kennedy, held sway in a

state where the term “Democrat” is synonymous with blue-collar

protectionism and an optimistic outlook. Edwards’ populist appeals

to rid the country of “two Americas” injected faint new life into

what had been a stagnant race last night with Wisconsin up to bat

in the nation’s primary lineup.

Exit polls from several major news organizations all indicate

that educated Democrats, those who take an optimistic view of the

economy and especially those who made late decisions about whom to

support — a clear sign of successful retail politics — went for

Edwards. Kerry supporters represented liberals and classical

Democrats, while Dean’s meager support was drawn heavily from Dane

County — he picked up 37 percent in Madison’s student districts

while pulling 18 percent statewide.

The North Carolina senator’s upbeat message drew a striking

contrast to Kerry and Dean during Sunday’s Milwaukee debate, where

most accounts held Kerry to be haggard and aloof. This disposition

is appropriate posturing for a frontrunner to be certain, but the

Badger State isn’t much for Boston Brahmins in the first place —

resemblances between Rib Mountain and Bunker Hill are hard to find

— and Kerry did not dedicate the kind as much time to the state as

did his challengers.

While Kerry’s resume and sound bites continually resonate more

appeal than the rest of the candidates, his lack of charisma in

contrast with Edwards served to keep his closest opponent in the

race. Should this campaign have been contested without the benefit

of television or radio and only in print, one must believe Kerry

would be running away. But on the airwaves, where elections are

ultimately decided, Kerry pales to the charisma and sunny populism

of the former trial attorney.

Wisconsin, put simply, attracts populists in the tradition of

Bob LaFollette, Tony Earl, Tommy Thompson and Russ Feingold. All

are men who bore great individual appeal and bucked just enough of

the establishment to be original without being risky. Gov. Howard

Dean, who stands not so much to the left of the party establishment

but brazenly beneath it, resonates well with the angry and the

idealistic but holds little sway otherwise; as his reflected by his

on-campus support. Wisconsin has never been an angry state.

Last night, television cameras allayed the crackling of Dean’s

voice in his concession speech but failed to convey his tear-filled

eyes, noticeable everyone crowding the Concourse Hotel ballroom.

Dean’s election night gathering was a strikingly somber affair. In

his tearfulness, the former Vermont governor showed a rare glimpse

of pure emotion beyond anger in his entire campaign. Dean rose

before his supporters and spoke with trademark brimstone of pushing

special-interest money out of Washington, securing universally

funded health-care and urging, “Finally, Democrats in Washington

can stand up to the most right-wing president of my lifetime.”

Throughout what may prove to be his final stump speech, the Good

Doctor spoke at length about changing the platform of the

Democratic Party, but made no reference to actually winning the

White House.

In his now-doomed campaign, he under-relied on the establishment

he is still trying to shake up. Special interests, for all their

ills, still fund and ultimately buoy national election efforts.

Dean’s enigma, driven by the Internet and youthful zeal, will be

out of money and out of gas before the week is out.

The campaign quote of the week clearly belonged to Kerry when he

stated that candidates cannot “cherry pick” elections — advice his

opponents literally can no longer afford to take. The fundraising

operation of the Democratic establishment now stands firmly behind

him, as Wisconsin’s leading Democrat, Jim Doyle, stood behind him

at the podium tonight. With the opportunity to slam the race shut,

Edwards stuck his wingtip in the door at the last moment. The

two-man race Edwards has so desperately sought to establish is now

firmly in place.