What Are the Odds. . .

“Wisconsin knows that what is on the line in this primary is the very heart and soul of the Democratic Party — and the very heart and soul of this country,” Dean told supporters in a hotel ballroom. The candidate has signaled that he will leave the race if he does not win the Democratic primary on Feb. 17.

. . . that Dean will really quit if he doesn’t win Wisconsin next week?

UPDATE: This just in, courtesy of Alert Reader Steve Teeter:

Democrat Howard Dean said on Monday even if he loses Wisconsin’s Feb. 17 primary he will remain in the race for his party’s 2004 presidential nomination.

“It’s critical,” Dean said when asked about the importance of the contest. But, he added, “It’s not going to be the end of the line.”

Asked if he would drop out if he lost Wisconsin as he had said he would just last week, Dean said, “No.” Asked if he was in it for the long haul, he said, “Yup.”