Should Democratic Primary Candidates Who Do Not Meet the Debate Criteria

[MineralMan]

withdraw from the campaign? That seems like a valid question to ask.

[brooklynite]

1. No...

...if they have the resources to campaign. There are future debates they can try to qualify for.

[Voltaire2]

2. No.

It is the voters who decide who is viable and who isn’t.

[Politicub]

3. No one can force them to withdraw

I don't think it matters a great deal if they stay in the race or not. At some point, they'll run out of money and will need to take out a loan or fold up their tent and go home.

[MineralMan]

4. I didn't suggest that they be forced to withdraw.

Nor do I think they should. My question was more to those candidates, actually.

At some point, if you are unable to garner enough support to meet the debate requirements, wouldn't you begin to recognize that you were not a viable candidate?

There is a long, long list of people who have filed to run, but who are not even being considered as real candidates here or anywhere else. They know that, too.

We have 24 declared candidates who wish to be considered as serious candidates. What is the line they should draw, before simply ceasing their campaign? That's my question. It's not about telling them they can't continue.

[kstewart33]

6. Those candidates already know they have no chance of winning the presidency.

IMHO, other motivations are at work. They include an oversized ego (potentially narcissism at least for one or more candidates) and/or the media publicity that helps to lay the groundwork for a future campaign for a higher office, one that is not necessarily the presidency.

Another is publicizing an issue that they care deeply about. Inslee comes to mind although he's also likely looking to run later for a national office.

[uawchild]

5. Nah, the voters will ultimately decide their fates.

And their donors.

I have opinions about what makes sense to my political view, but I have not been appointed Philosopher-King, yet.

I mean, in MY version of a perfect world, both Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders would withdraw now and leave the field to younger leadership.

Obviously, THAT's not going to happen either. lol

[Kaleva]

7. I don't think it's a valid question because it's not up to us to decide.

[left-of-center2012]

8. Lack of money and support will drive them out.

IMHO,
by the winter 'holidaze' we'll be down to maybe four candidates.

Biden
Sanders
Warren
Buttigieg

[customerserviceguy]

10. They should think about it

If you can't even get two percent of a single poll, then you have to question your candidacy's staying power. But, such candidates dropping out are not going to change the percentages of the leaders much.

[JI7]

11. no, but i think spiritual gurus should be disqualified from running

[BlueWI]

12. Nope. Not a valid question.

It's important to leave it to primary voters to choose the candidates who will run, not you or me or the DNC.

[MineralMan]

13. Of course it's their decision, not mine.

I didn't say they should be required to drop out. Not at all.