(Less Than) Fifteen Minutes of Fame

While most American voters are not tuned in, for some Democrats running for President, tonight's debate in the palmetto state, South Carolina, may be their first and only chance to make a good impression on the red meat-seeking press.

The media plays a powerful role before the first vote is cast to shed light on the candidates who can only shine if the get coverage. As the 2004 campaign reflected, that glaring light comes with a price. Ask Howard Dean.

But for candidates like Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich, and Chris Dodd, this is one of the few opportunities they get to be on an equal footing with John Edwards, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton. If they do well, Bill Richardson and Joe Biden may become the odd men out, as they are seen neither as cellar dwellers or top-tier candidates.

Each candidate will have 11 minutes to make their points---660 seconds to score with a sound-bite or to tumble into also-ran obscurity. Even Andy Warhol would have given them 15 minutes of fame.