Obama as an INDEPENDENT candidate..would this work?

[my3boyz]

I was thinking about something this morning. "IF" Barack Obama wins the elected delegates AND the popular vote and the super delegates give it to Hillary, do you think Barack would run as an independent? Do you think he would be able to win as an independent? I was just thinking that if the Super Delegates did that there would be so many people pissed (especially African Americans) that they might switch and vote as an independent. Some would say that Obama would not do it because he would not want to give the Republicans a chance to win by splitting the vote. However, if a lot of people see it as an injustice they might vote for Barack. He might have a chance to win. If Barack feels strongly enough that he is the only one that could bring about the changes he might take the risk. Thoughts?

[Stinky The Clown]

1. Al Gore couldn't win as an indepedent.

Our entire system is set up for two parties. Third parties (or indies) only serve to siphon votes and give it to the party most opposite the third party candidate.

[DrDan]

2. will not work - voters will choose between an R and a D

I don't see I's catching on until they have proven themselves as viable in several elections - being close 3rds.

[LuckyTheDog]

3. The super delegates are not that stupid

I am not worried.

[calico1]

4. He would split the Democratic votes and throw

the election to McCain.

FDR if he came back couldn't win as an Independent.

[End Of The Road]

5. It would ensure that the Repub would win.

It would split the Dem vote, leaving McCain in the lead -- which he would interpret as a mandate from the people!

[Alter Ego]

6. Not right now.

I'd lose all respect for Obama if he lost the nomination battle and then ran third party.

[Independent-Voter]

8. Why - he's got more votes that Hillary at this point. Voters clearly want him in

[Alter Ego]

19. I don't know...I think his most effective vehicle is the Democratic Party.

I don't know if the country will ever be built to accept a viable third party.

[Perky]

7. The Scenario is unlikely but....

I think there are enough frustrated republicans out there an ther certainly would be enough disgruntled Dems that he could put together a center-left coaltion that could on paper win...

the proble he would have is time. He would have the money. and the momentum, he clearly has a message that resonates.


I just do not know if he coul get on enough ballots to win it out right. I suspect it would go to the House because no one would get a majority of electoral votes and I suspect the House, realizing that Hillary and MaCain would be both lame ducks from day one in that scenario thatthey would all wind up supporting Obama.


But the hypothetical you proposes is not realistic. I think whoever wins the PV in any state is going to win the Super delegates from that state.

[MADem]

9. Pull a Lieberman, you mean? NT

[theHandpuppet]

10. No, it wouldn't

I would like to see a viable multi-party system in this country (that is, more than two main events and a handful of irrelevants) but it's just not feasible at this time. To my mind there is no true progressive in the current race. In the last primary I voted for Kucinich, who's about as close to a progressive Dem as we're likely to get. Parties are based on differences in platforms. I could see a Kucinich heading up a new party before Obama.

[w13rd0]

11. no

I am an Obama supporter, an enthusiastic one at that, and I would not vote for him as an Independent. Such a move would be disasterous, and he would be greeted with doing it, regardless how the nomination were decided, with the same attitude as many of us now greet Lieberman with.

[tyne]

13. Given the scenario

of...most votes...most delegates...most states and yet the SD's give it to Clinton.

The dem party will implode anyhoo.

[Renew Deal]

12. I don't think he'd do it.

But if he did, he'd get 20% of the vote. Probably not enough to win.

[Independent-Voter]

14. An Obama / Hagel / Bloomberg ticket would be interesting

but I doubt you'd ever see it. Hillary's going to blink on Texas anyway, so this is all conjecture.

[Eurobabe]

15. No

[rox63]

16. I don't think he'd do something that damaging to the Dem Party

It would almost ensure McCain would win in November. And I think he cares too much about the country to do anything to make that happen.

[tyne]

17. Again...

if he has the most votes, delegates, and states yet the SD's give it to Hillary, there IS no longer a dem party.

[Apollo11]

18. NO it would not work.

One of the craziest ideas I ever heard.

If Obama wins the elected delegates AND the popular vote then he will be the nominee. I am pretty sure of that.