E.J. DIONNE on the state of play:

The Iowa result was the worst possible outcome for retired Gen. Wesley K. Clark, who has been rising in the polls here for next week’s primary. As Clark happily worked the phones at his Manchester headquarters on Monday night, Eli Segal, Clark’s campaign manager, spoke to reporters just minutes before the Iowa results were known. Segal said he was looking forward to a two-person New Hampshire face-off between Clark and Dean — the contest Segal longed for because he knew Clark could win it. Now Clark competes with Kerry for the Cincinnatus role and the patriotic progressive vote, and with Edwards for voters drawn to a new Southern face.
A weakened Dean still has the money, the troops and the endorsements to push on and on. But can he win? His only chance is to realize that the best parts of his old message have been plagiarized and that he needs to consider a little larceny of his own. Can Dean do hope, optimism and patriotism and not simply shout himself hoarse with outrage? He’s got less than a week to prove he can.