I haven't decided for whom I will be voting but I've decided how I will decide.

[TomSlick]

My rule from the beginning has been which candidate has the best chance to beat Trump. The results so far have not answered my question of which candidate fits that bill.

Since I have to vote no later than Tuesday, I've decided to wait until after the South Carolina primary this weekend. Whichever candidate does best with the AA vote in South Carolina gets my vote.

If we are to beat Trump, AA Democrats must turnout in force. At this point, the only metric I have is how the candidates do with AA voters in South Carolina. I'm waiting for Steve Kornacki to give me the breakdown.

[onecaliberal]

1. It's a good metric since we cannot win nationally without their support.

[TomSlick]

3. I think you're right that we cannot win without enthusiastic AA support.

However, right or wrong, I'm running out of time and that's the best metric I have found.

[mr_lebowski]

2. First off, that is awesomely Meta ... secondly ... plan seems pretty sound :) (nt)

[TomSlick]

4. Thanks - I think.

I'm unclear what it meant by "Meta" and Google is of little help. (It may be a generational thing.) However, on the whole you seem to accept the soundness of my plan - so thank you.

[Jamastiene]

5. Just remember, also, that SC is an "open primary" state.

Anyone, regardless of political party can vote in the Democratic primary elections there.

[TomSlick]

7. Sure, but that won't effect my metric.

I'm not basing my decision on who wins the South Carolina primary but who does best with the South Carolina AA vote. If all of the AA South Carolina Republicans vote in the Democratic primary, it will not be a statistically significant number.

Steve Kornacki will be able to tell us how the AA vote broke before NBC calls the total vote. With that information, I'll be able to make my decision.

[Sugarcoated]

8. This metric is critical

to winning my state. The AA vote in Philly and Pittsburgh has to be big, urban vote must be high to overcome the rural vote. I imagine this is true for MI and WI

[captain queeg]

9. Ok, what is AA?

[Sugarcoated]

10. African Americans

[TomSlick]

11. Sorry. I thought that abbreviation was well accepted on DU.

Once again, proving what happens when we assume.

[captain queeg]

12. Thanks

[MoonlitKnight]

13. What if

All of those AA voters are voting based upon their guess of who white voters prefer?

Quit trying to game it out and just vote for the candidate you agree with, like best or feel has the most experience. Kind of like how you would hire someone for an important job.

[TomSlick]

14. I don't see that as a serious problem.

I don't see AA voters looking for permission from white voters on for whom they can vote.

The most important issue in this election is beating Trump. I cannot ignore which candidate stands the best chance of winning. The general election will turn on AA turn-out.

[Jakes Progress]

16. The trouble with waiting on SC for the AA vote

is that the SC primary will take place without Obama speaking up. I think African American reticence to vote for one candidate or another will be replaced by enthusiasm once Barack weighs in. I could be wrong - I often am in these issues - and am willing to hear from someone with better bona fides about this.

I know why Obama hasn't had a say yet, but in this case, in this year, I think we would have been better served had he helped to stop the Democratic hemorrhaging that has been our primary.

[TomSlick]

17. Yeah, but my primary is Tuesday.

Unless President Obama speaks this weekend, it will be too late - not just for me but for about a third of Democrats.

I have to gauge AA support on something. SC is all I've got.

[Jakes Progress]

18. Mine too.

My point was that the vote from SC won't tell us that much about eventual AA support. It will be Obama's job to generate turn-out. I think there are a couple of candidates that even Obama couldn't sell, but most would get the AA vote if they have Obama's endorsement.

With me, it's a matter of do I Vote Warren, who I believe is the most qualified candidate and whose policies I agree with. Or do I switch to Biden to keep Bernie from piling up the points. I would love all of Bernie's polices to be enacted, but I firmly believe that his heading the ticket in November will result in us losing not just the presidency, but also the house.

[TomSlick]

19. I would love to see Sanders' policies enacted but that isn't going to happen - even if he's elected.

I think Warren would be more effective as President and I like her "plans" too.

The point is that if Trump is re-elected the Republic dies. Nothing else matters. I would vote for a three-legged yellow dog in the primary if I thought it had the best chance to beat Trump.

[Jakes Progress]

20. A three-legged yellow dog should beat trump

by a mile. The fact that this isn't so makes me very sad for the level of honesty, morality, honor, and intelligence of the population. Those people really bring down the averages of all of those things for America.

People keep saying how close the election was. It shouldn't have been even close to close.

[TomSlick]

23. Agreed on all points.

[LAS14]

21. That had been my plan, too, until last week when I decided to just go for the best and vote Warren.

[TomSlick]

22. I would be very happy to see Sen. Warren as the nominee.