WHY STAY IN?
The press is anointing John Kerry the Democratic nominee, just like they anointed Howard Dean just 3 weeks ago. So, if Kerry's got this thing wrapped up, why should the other guys stay in?

Howard Dean. Because Kerry doesn't have this wrapped up and Dean showed in his New Hampshire speech the ability to control himself and to sound something other than angry -- he was actually measured, mature and optimistic. If he doesn't win any of next week's primaries, he should stay in because he has the money, and someone needs to be there to pick up the pieces when people find out that allegedly proud Vietnam Veteran Kerry spent his post-war days doing Ho Chi Minh's dirty work on the homefront by maligning his fellow soldiers as war criminals.

John Edwards. He stays in because he can still beat Clark and be the southern friendly alternative to the northeastern liberal elites. If Democrats are really looking for someone who can beat Bush, they're eventually going to have to look at an electoral map and figure out where Kerry (who thinks he can win without any southern states) can get to 270.

Wesley Clark. If Edwards had been able to really beat the screwball General in New Hampshire, then he would be finished. But Clark has some hope that there is no viable looking alternative to the NE Elites, and that a poor showing by Edwards in SC will be enough to remove all hope for Edwards. Besides, Edwards won't go on any longer than he is viable in order to be in line for the Veep slot, which he must have to remain an option in 2008. Clark also has the ego thing, and he'll stay in as long as it doesn't put him in the poorhouse.

Joe Lieberman. It's probably about time for Joe to go, since his MoJoe doesn't seem to be working.

Dennis Kucinich. He'll stay in because he likes the attention and thinks it will help him pick up chicks.

Al Sharpton. He's hoping that Dean and Kerry battle it out all spring, with no one getting enough delegates to clinch the nomination. Al will hope to get over 15% of the vote in a few southern states, giving him enough delegates to throw some weight around in Boston and become the kingmaker. Now that's a scary thought.