Why are 41% of DU'ers still "Undecided" ?

[kentuck]

Are they waiting on someone else to get in the race?

Perhaps they have a candidate of choice but do not wish to declare it just yet? That might promote more productive debate and less confrontation between the different camps? That would make sense.

Just curious as to why so many are still "undecided".

[thesquanderer]

75. re: "bernie or liz. makes zero difference to me"

But you can only vote for one. So, you probably do have an answer to the question, "If you were to vote in a presidential primary today, you would vote for..."

Unless you'd just flip a coin.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

2. Perhaps waitin on Hillary to be drafted at the Convention? While its remote, it's certainly possible

Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join The Revolution!!

[TwilightZone]

5. The only one who believes that is you.

And why you continue to insist it's a possibility and post about it is beyond comprehension.

Well, there's one possibility I can think of.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

15. LOL! This is the 1ST time Ive EVER mentioned the possibility of draftin Hillary at the coconvention.

Please show where I suggested that as a possibility ever before... I'll wait...

I know I didn't cuz I'm NOT in FAVOR of it... I just raise it now as a POSSIBLE explanation for why there are so many undecideds here.


Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join The Revolution!!

[TwilightZone]

23. You were saying she was going to enter the race months after it was clear she wouldn't.

Stop being disingenuous.

[irisblue]

27. Why are you considering this?

She has said she is not interested several times

[LanternWaste]

31. Movin' your goalposts to specify "at the convention" is decidedly obvious.

Maybe the undecideds ate pizza last night and have indigestion today. "I just raise it now as a POSSIBLE explanation..."

[Moderateguy]

18. Please GOD, NO!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

32. I wasn't sayin that Hillary SHOULD be drafted at the convention... not at all!!

As a Bernie supporter, I'm against it too... it's just ONE explanation in response to the question posed by the OP.


Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join The Revolution!!

[LanternWaste]

28. Perhaps it's simply another unsupported sentiment you and you alone share.

"While it (sic) remote, it's certainly possible..."










(and you'd been doing so well)

[StevieM]

67. I can't believe that you are still on this.

HRC ran for president, like countless other people in American history. When she lost, however fraudulent Trump's victory was, that was the end of it. Hillary was swift boated. Democrats shoot their wounded, we don't stand by them and lift them up.

It's over. You have what you wanted. Move on.

[TwilightZone]

3. By choice.

It's easier not getting emotionally involved in one particular candidate, so I'm going to see what the status of the campaign is shortly before my primary and decide then. I know a few it won't be, but I'm fine with many of the majors.

[cwydro]

80. This.

[Codeine]

4. For some it's plausible deniability.

They can behave unpleasantly while pretending to be neutral.

[Moderateguy]

24. This

I have seen many posts where supposed Undecideds are arguing passionately for a particular candidate. They think it appears to make them neutral and the rest of us can't see through the charade

[boston bean]

71. I argue against one. I am decided on that one.

But Biden Buttigieg, Klobuchar, Warren, Bloomberg, Steyer are ok with me.

[Sympthsical]

73. Similar

I am vigorously anti-Bloomberg. I can live and happily vote for anyone else.

[HarlanPepper]

6. Not sure it matters.

I see people here all day with names in their sig of candidates they are clearly not supporting.

[Kali]

8. I am truly undecided

got my early mail in ballot, going to wait until I see if anybody drops out next week, I will take ANY of them at this point. I like things about all of them beyond just being better than drumpf, but I don't have a favorite or much of a non favorite other than Bloomberg. (and I don't even count Gabbard)

[Dream Girl]

9. Cause some are trolls?

[kentuck]

10. Interesting theory.

It might take away some options?

[PatSeg]

14. I think trolls are more inclined

to pick a candidate and get into fights with people supporting other candidates. Of course, we'll never know. After the election, they will most likely disappear for at least four years.

[PatSeg]

11. You know,

I think a lot of people do have a preference, but aren't prepared to share it yet. They may not want the stigma that goes with a particular candidate and they may be receptive to changing their mind. The primaries in 2016 were awful here at DU and not everyone is willing to go through that again.

I don't think 41% of Du'ers is actually undecided.

[ibegurpard]

12. Probably because they don't want to be harrassed by the ultra partisan campaign apparatchiks

Every time they post something

[MichMan]

79. This

[abqtommy]

13. We Undecideds are probably the same people who have Reasonable Doubts when serving

on juries. It's in our nature to be skeptical and hesitant (but not unwilling) to embrace change. Back in 2016 I was undecided until the end then voted for The Winner, Hillary Clinton. I suspect we're headed
for the same ratfucking here in 2020 and in that perspective I hope your curiosity has been satisfied.

[iwillalwayswonderwhy]

16. My favorite is Liz Warren

But in the general, I’d happily vote for any of them.

I think a lot of people are just not invested in a single candidate, but are willing to vote for whoever comes out on top. I’m an absentee voter and I hadn’t really planned to vote in the primary until Bloomberg got in. So I voted for Warren, but mainly against Bloomberg.

[Sloumeau]

17. I have no problem with people being undecided.

This is especially true because of the habit of some people who like to react to criticism of their candidates with a, "Oh yeah, what about *YOUR* candidate?".

I can handle people however they come. In a field this crowded, I think some people want to see a few more people drop out before thei make their decision. Who wants to pick someone only to see him or her drop out?

[David__77]

19. I can understand it.

When this primary forum started, I had some moments of determining where to land. While I didn't truly consider myself "undecided," I also wasn't committed to any single candidate. So I thought through the matter of if I actually had to choose in an instant, and that's what I went with. I can imagine that many people who have a loose sense of where they would land might choose "undecided."

[unc70]

20. Truly undecided

Like most here in NC, I have had trouble deciding. (early voting is way down.). I may wind up making a tactical decision because few candidates will be viable in NC. I think many of us are afraid of making a mistake.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

21. I don't love any of the candidates and want whoever is the choice of the party to have been vetted

ruthlessly on their way to the nomination. While I do have preferences, each one is problematic to me in their own way, so I feel it's dishonest to pick any of them over any others before the nomination in this DU format.

[mahina]

22. Maybe they aren't active here anymore?

Maybe they are concerned with their privacy more than you and I.

Maybe they are waiting for another Barack Obama to fall in love with. I can relate. But every election is different.

[4139]

25. Super Tuesday here real soon, I have to decide then. SC should give a clear picture

[still_one]

26. Because they are not thrilled with the choices, and waiting to see how SC and Super Tuesday

come out

[Politicub]

29. I'm undecided adjacent

I have a short list of candidates that I prefer, and will vote for the one who is still in the race with the Georgia primary rolls around. We vote late in the game and our delegates may not even matter.

I have changed my preference from Harris to Warren to Buttigieg and back to Warren. I also have a list of people that I will not vote for in the primary but would support in the general election.

[irisblue]

30. Sen Harris & Sec Castro are no longer running for POTUS

They are/were my 1&2.

[PunkinPi]

33. Harris was my #1. Chose Biden hoping he'd pick her for VP, if she's willing. nt

[irisblue]

50. IMO, it would certainly be to his benefit. A 22yr younger obvious successor

Would help his campaign alot

[Codeine]

53. We are on the same page. nt

[PunkinPi]

62. .

[Sympthsical]

74. I was Yang/Harris

Now Buttigieg or Warren. Whomever. Just not Bloomberg.

[LenaW]

34. I can understand it.

My preferences by pure policy are Bernie and Warren. But I was leaning toward Pete because I'd also prefer someone young enough that I'm confident they can make it through not just the 4 years in office, but also run again as an incumbent. I switched from Pete to Bernie after looking at brokered convention discussions, and also from conversations with my daughter talking about who I'd rather have picking a cabinet or judges, even if Bernie/Warren didn't make it a whole 4/8 years in office. I switched my DU preference today, and came to terms with switching who I'm voting for in the primary within the last couple days.

[philf99]

35. I don't have to make a decision until March 17

My heart say Buttigieg but my head says Biden.

I like most of the candidates and I am awaiting for them to court me for my vote

[PETRUS]

36. In my case, there are two reasons.

One is that my primary isn't until after "super Tuesday," and things could be quite different following that.

The other is that I'm open to a number of candidates.

[CincyDem]

37. I'm undecided because my choices will be framed by Super Tuesday.

It does me no good to get attached to any of the great candidates we have right now. Its unlikely that I'll have the same set of choices on 3/17. In my experience, if I get attached to someone who's unviable by the Ohio primary - I start feeling resentful that the earlier voters didn't see it my way. Turns into a serial I just don't need.

And so I wait for the parade to head to Ohio and see who's on the menu.

And no matter what, it's Blue in November - 1000%

[keepthemhonestO]

38. good question

LOL until today I was "undecided" but really in the Biden camp or moderate camp. I do like Elizabeth too. I guess really I just wanted to back who ends up being the nominee, it's not like whoever I like ends up being that person normally.

[democrattotheend]

39. My state doesn't vote until April 28

So I may not even have all of the choices that are currently available by the time I vote. That's the logical reason I give.

The less logical reason? Because none of them are Barack Obama, and as much as I'd like to I can't get nearly as excited about any of them as I did about him 12 years ago.

[Thomas Hurt]

40. It doesn't matter who the nominee is, whoever that may be is the one we support.

[Kablooie]

41. A new candidate enters the race every few days so I might as well wait til they're done.

[BusyBeingBest]

42. I already voted, so for me to be "undecided" would be dishonest.

But a lot of people don't make their minds up until the last minute--I didn't.

[tandem5]

43. Are they undecided or undeclared? Half of DU doesn't wade into the

primary forum and I can't blame them.

[Laelth]

44. We have a particularly deep bench this year. It's hard to choose.

This is a good thing.



-Laelth

[flying_wahini]

45. So they can post anywhere.

[Sunsky]

46. This is the first I'm undecided so close to an election

I'm planning to early vote (week after next) as usual in FL. However, I just don't see anyone with the fire that I'm looking for. I don't see who can take on the lying and mudslinging Trump machine. Too many hurt feelings and delicate candidates. If we think the primaries are too tough, then we aren't ready for the general.
I bounce back and forth between Warren and Biden. Klobuchar also has my attention. Buttigieg impressed me last night. Whoever wins I'll vote for them but I'm not enthused, esp about two of the candidates. This is my honest opinion.

[samir.g]

47. because we have an embarrassment of riches

So many great candidates to choose from.

[Dem4Life1102]

48. Mainly because my state primary is not until April 28th

And I prefer to wait until then to make a choice based on the state of the race at that time.

[mcar]

49. I was for Harris

when she dropped out, I became undecided.

[Lucid Dreamer]

57. I agree with you.

I hope that our eventual nominee/Prez will put Harris in a responsible position befitting her skills!

[mcar]

61. Yes. I'm hoping for VP

[Midnightwalk]

51. I'm decided

There’s a lot of vitriol in the primary group. I’d rather discuss based on what is said rather than who is supported.

Maybe a little sanctity of the secret ballot but that’s mainly an afterthought.

[Lucid Dreamer]

52. Undecided because I don't know what to decide on...

Some months ago when Harris was still in the race I posed a question on
this forum something like
"Should my preference be the candidate who has the best policies? [Harris at that time] or
the candidate who has the best chance of winning the GE? [Biden at that time, maybe still]

So after Harris was eliminated as a preference option the same question was in my mind.

I just decided that I wouldn't change my preference to Biden unless he declared Harris as choice for VP or AG or some other worthy position.

I do have another "Policy Preference" but frankly she has a low chance of winning the GE.

I am going to stay undecided. Sorry

Do you think I should start a thread on
What are your preferences for Issues vs. trumpstompability? (C)

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

54. Speaking for myself,

I know exactly who I support and who I don't support, but I don't feel like telling the whole world. Or even DU.

Just like I never put bumper stickers on my car.

[JakeBailey]

55. I've never, ever been undecided in a primary in my voting life...

but this time I simply cannot choose and I have no idea how anyone in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada or South Carolina has or will be doing shortly.

All I can think about it how great all of our candidates (current and former) are - I hope that if we win in November that just about everyone who ran this time out gets picked for a position in the new cabinet or posted to some other position.

So many great people with so many great ideas - we need them all.

[Maeve]

56. I'm from Ohio

And that means that the choice is usually clear long before we get to vote---so why commit if it won't really matter?

However, this year we vote March 17th (St Patrick's Day?? That's a problem for so many people I know! But that's another post...) and since I work the polls, I voted early. My ballot sat all weekend mostly filled out, except for the presidential choice. I finally chose to vote for the person I want to have more power should the convention be it be contentious.

And no, I have no intention of saying who. Y'all can fight, but I'm not getting into it.

[IrishEyes]

58. I can only speak for myself.

There are three candidates left in the race that I would really love to be the democratic nominee. I'm not able to vote in my state for another couple of months. I don't know which candidate I will vote for at that time. I have time to decide and will vote for the right person. If all three of my candidates have dropped out then I will chose among my three okay candidates. If it is done to just the two candidates that I'm not fond of then I will have to think it over.

I think some people may be hesitant to chose a candidate because their favorite candidate or candidates have dropped out. We have had 21 candidates drop out so far. Many of them were fine choices.

Of course, whichever candidate wins the democratic primary has my support. I will vote and campaign for them in the general election.

[H2O Man]

59. Recommended.

I suspect that the 41% includes people like myself, who like each of our candidates, and will be pleased with which ever one heads the ticket in November. As for myself, I am only concerned about internal & external forces that might split the party during the primaries.

[kentuck]

60. I began as undecided...

then went to Elizabeth Warren, then went back to undecided, then went back to Elizabeth Warren. Maybe it's time to go back to undecided? In the interest of uniting the Party.

[H2O Man]

63. No, I don't think so.

A large portion of the people posting here make valid points in favor of the candidate that they support. I've "liked" and "recommended" numerous posts about each of the candidates. Those are the types that add value to this forum.

Unfortunately, some others take "the sky is falling!" in regard to the primary opponents of their favored candidate. And they opt to insult those who support those other candidates here. Those are the things that create divisions.

I, for one, think that Senator Warren would be a great candidate, capable of uniting the party in the fall, and kicking Trump's ass. More, I think you are an ideal advocate for her. Just my opinion.

[Iggo]

70. Word.

[maximusveritas]

64. Waiting to see who emerges as strongest competition to Sanders/Bloomberg

I would do little more than vote for those two. I would donate my time and money to whoever can best challenge them. But no one has taken that mantle clearly as of yet. Maybe it'll be Biden if he can build on momentum from SC.

[Blue_Tires]

65. If someone created an

"anybody but Bernie or Tulsi" avatar, I'd use it...

[ripcord]

66. My problem is the President Obama spoilt me

I keep waiting for a candidate who excites me and it isn't going to happen this cycle. I have to decide soon, we vote on Tuesday, I find myself leaning towards Bernie but a lot of that is in response to the never ending attacks on him.

[treestar]

68. I'm for anyone but Bernie or Bloomberg

But you can only pick one.

My primary vote I think won't matter much; I'm in Delaware.

[Iggo]

69. "Oh yeah? Who's your team?"

That's why.

I'm not attacking Dems this time around. I defend them individually every now and again, but that's it.

I'm for Any Dem vs Trump.

[Sympthsical]

72. Waiting on SC to decide

I’m between Buttigieg and Warren. How SC goes will determine what I do Tuesday. When I cast my final vote, I’ll change my preference.

[Hassler]

76. Maybe they live in states like mine, Oregon, where our primary

Is in mid-May. Who knows who'll still be running by then?

[BilltheCat]

77. to be honest I'm not

pardon as I'm new. I lean toward Biden or Mayor Pete but I have heard rumors that people who support Joe Biden particularly are targeted by Bernie Bro types and posing GOP trolls having their messages contiuously flagged trying to get them locked out. Based on some of the responses I've had from fairly innocent postings that imply concern about BS in a GE, it seems entirely realistic

Admittedly it's hearsay to me but I'd be curious to know the experience and opinions of Biden supporters here.

[Still Sensible]

78. I am undecided at this point. Up to now

I have donated to three candidates. I intend to donate to the nominee--no matter who.

[BigBoss26]

81. My preference is obviously Warren but I would happily vote for any of them...

other than Bloomberg. Don't get me wrong, I'd still vote for the guy just to remove Trump, but it would definitely be a "hold your nose" vote. He's the only one in the field that I just don't get it. They all have something I can point to that makes them appealing except for him. *shrug*

As for why there are so many undecideds, well, I suspect there aren't really as many as it would seem and that some combo of trolling/plausible deniability/avoiding harassment would account for most of it.