Candidates who aren't conceding anything.

(Note: On CNN the night of the New Hampshire primary, a spokeswoman for Joe Lieberman said the candidate was encouraged by his third-place showing in greater Manchester.)

Q: Governor, in light of your seventh-place showing in five successive primaries, some people are saying it's time for you to withdraw from the race. What is your reaction to that?

A: Larry, the American people have spoken, and I have heard them loud and clear. They want change, they want leadership, and they demand accountability from all of us who have the privilege of asking for their votes for the highest office in this great country. To withdraw now, simply because the going is tough, would betray everything I stand for. I cannot let down my supporters in that way and still call myself "that krazy kick-ass comeback kid."

Q: Many people have been hoping you would stop calling yourself that anyway.

A: Well, they hope in vain. I am that krazy kick-ass comeback kid. I always have been and always will be. You have to be true to yourself, Larry, to who you really are. Because the American people can spot a faker. You know, Larry, unlike some of my rivals who went to fancy prep schools, my family didn't have a lot when I was growing up …

Q: Yes, we know, we know.

A: … we didn't have a lot of money for things like tracking polls and negative advertising. But my poppa used to say, "We don't need focus groups to tell us what's right." My parents raised me not to give up. I'm a fighter. And I'll keep on fighting for my message of hope and for the American people.

Q: But nobody's voting for you, Governor. At what point do you say, "They've heard my message and they just don't like it"?

A: How can they not like it? I mean, let's get real here. It's a message of hope and a message of change. It's a message with every cliché that's worked for every winning candidate of both parties. How can it not be working for me? I mean, let me ask you that. Why isn't it working? Why, why?

Q: You tell me, Governor. Why isn't it working?