The Democratic party can't allow this campaign to drag on ...

[Alhena]

John McCain is coasting, rising in the polls and raising funds for the general election while Hillary is desperately trying to claw away at Obama and his lead even though everyone knows he's very likely to be the nominee. Mind you- I don't blame her for doing so, but this is clearly not in the party's interests. Many of Hillary's supporters are saying they won't support Obama in the general election and they clearly need a chance to cool off and get behind the party's nominee. All of Obama's fund raising is going towards defeating another Democrat.

So what can or should be done? Barring a convincing (and I mean convincing in both popular vote and delegates) win by Hillary in Ohio and Texas, I think Howard Dean needs to ask the uncommitted superdelegates to decide on a candidate shortly after the March 3 primaries. If Obama has the insurmountable pledged delegate lead everyone expects him to have, the superdelegates will break heavily towards him and he will be the presumptive nominee in the public's eye even if Hillary refuses to concede.

Hillary will want to fight on til Pennsylvania, but that is *7 weeks* after Ohio and Texas and the party just can't afford to wait that long. Dean said as much a month ago.

[babylonsister]

1. I'm not worrying about it til after next Tuesday.

I live in TX, and think Clinton should run through March 4. If she doesn't do well, we'll talk.

[TexasObserver]

38. Same. If I were for Hillary, I'd want to see how she does Tuesday.

I think she's beaten, but until the states come in, it ain't over.

I do strongly believe that if he wins Tuesday, or they split, the heat will be on the superDs to finish it off now, if Hillary fails to concede.

[democrattotheend]

72. I agree

I think calls for her to drop out are premature at this point.

[rinsd]

77. Agreed. This is a discussion for if she becomes mathematically eliminated.

[Dark]

2. McCain keeps shooting himself in the foot with his base.

And, considering that a politician is supposed to appeal to his base in the primaries, and the moderates in the general election, that's not good.

Besides, the Dems will rally around the candidate, as will the moderates.

[saracat]

3. So we get rid of the Democratic process because it might jeopordize the rep of a GE candidate? Isn't

that just the risk of politics? Let the people vote dammit! Victory at the cost of depriving people of their right to vote is disgusting. None of the candidates should be pressurred to drop out.We should be allowed a choice.

[Alhena]

6. Wouldn't be getting rid of anything- just telling superdelegates to make up their mind

Dean wouldn't tell the superdelegates whom they should support, he would just tell them the party needs a nominee so they need to decide quickly.

[saracat]

9. Yeah right. That is leaning on people and enough of that has been done.Let the process play out.

Howard should keep his mouth shut. He is supposed to be neutral.

[Joyce78]

23. Then Lewis should have shut his mouth until we in Ohio have

a chance to voice our votes!

[saracat]

29. And he should have.

[Jawja]

67. No, Lewis

based his switch from Hillary to Obama because his district went 3-1 Obama. It wouldn't have mattered what may happen in Ohio for Lewis, because his intent is to vote per his constiuents.

[anigbrowl]

57. Yeah, and then it'd be 'let it go to the convention...'

How many losses in a row is it going to take for you to see how things are? Even Bill Clinton says if she doesn't do it on Tuesday it's over.

[anamandujano]

15. Obama's campaign has done all the arm-twisting that it can. They

may have peeked in their super delegate quest.

[anigbrowl]

58. Bwahahahaha!

[Dinger]

28. Excellent Post. Thank You saracat

Why this urgency for Hillary to give up NOW???? I hope she continues to fight like hell! Go Hillary!

[Joyce78]

48. I agree with you. Also, have no use for Lewis at this time.

Known as a turncoat at this point.

[Dinger]

68. People Do Have A Right To Change Their Minds, However,

how much does someone's support mean is it is temporary? I agree with you, but Lewis is, and always will be a
very important person in the history of the U.S.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

4. You are right on. Obama should drop out tomorrow.

God... you guys are un-fucking-real

[Alhena]

10. Did I say Hillary should drop out? She can do as she sees fit. All I said

was that the party should strongly encourage the remaining superdelegates to decide on a candidate.

We've had 20 debates and dozens of primaries. The political dynamics of this race are clear to the superdelegates. Why is it unreasonable for the party to ask them to hurry up and decide?

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

20. distinction without a difference

[anamandujano]

11. Finally someone gets a good idea.

[Joyce78]

18. Many of us are long-term registered voting Democrats

We understand when the Republican Party attempts to reduce us by the mere use of termonology ... "Democrat Party","Liberal", "Taxers & Spenders", etc. We are tired of it!

[Inchworm]

5. But I'm in NC and I wanna play too!

:cry:

[Jamastiene]

14. We might as well give up.

The way things are going with this bunch of thugs, we won't even be allowed to have a primary here in NC or it'll be gutted and we still won't have a choice on the presidential nominee.

[Inchworm]

41. I ain't moving to Iowa

I've already decided that. :D

:hi:

[GarbagemanLB]

7. I'm in Oregon and I don't care. End the race now. Start uniting the party behind Obama.

[saracat]

13. Nice.You are free to throw other peoples votes way. What a concept.

[golddigger]

71. And I'm in Oregon and I care.

I want my vote to count.

[UALRBSofL]

8. If you want Howard Dean to commit political suicide along with the party

I'd suggest he not persuade any super delegate to maker there decision until they are ready considering there are a lot of Hillary supporters. Also, Hillary can stay in the campaign till the convention much like Huckabee is doing. I don't think it's breaking the law to do so.

[GarbagemanLB]

Won't happen, sorry. This race will be over on Tuesday, unless Hillary pulls a MAJOR upset.

[UALRBSofL]

21. And how are YOU going to force her out of the race?

Do you have the power, LOL.

[GarbagemanLB]

27. No, but the party elders see the writing on the wall if she loses Texas. They will support Obama and

end this thing.

[UALRBSofL]

33. What can they do, put her in jail

if she refuses to quit. I don't see Huckabee in jail, LOL.

[GarbagemanLB]

35. No, but they can push the superdelegates to vote in mass for Obama, and end the race. She could stil

l run, but it would be pointless.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

40. "they" ARE the superdelegates

[UALRBSofL]

42. Sure it would be pointless

But it would be unconstitutional to strong arm superdelegates. Obviously that's what your suggesting and if that's the case I'm sure we would have a litigation because it sounds fishy. Besides, if that happens I'm sure Hillary would stay in any way. For The Record, Huckabee is staying in the race and he knows it's pointless.

[saracat]

49. Wow, you want the "party elders' to force a decision? This is disgusting.

[cali]

66. She won't stay in if she gets humiliated on Tuesday

If she loses TX and Oh, she'll be out within hours.

[Alhena]

17. Political suicide is having this drag on til the summer, with all the hard feelings

within the party and none of the general election fundraising which will be needed.

Obama will have to fight Howard Dean and Hillary at the same time while Dean just raises money for November at his leisure. That's the political suicide, not my scenario.

Are you suggesting the superdelegates haven't had enough time to get to know the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate?

[saracat]

22. I am saying the "people " haven't finished voting.The primaries aren't over.

And why some think it is okay to protect one candidate at the expense of the vote is simply repellent to me.

[anigbrowl]

61. Spare us the sermon and get a dose of reality

If Clinton wins big on Tuesday, then I'll be impressed. If she doesn't, she's done. If she keeps on past that, she'll be lucky to even hang on to her senate seat.

[saracat]

63. Wow, is that nasty. But to be expected I suppose.

[leftynyc]

70. Really?

Who is going to beat her in New York?

[Joyce78]

50. Try SpellCheck and Grammar if you want to influence members.

[jackson_dem]

12. "Democratic". We aren't the Royalist Party. Let the people decide the nominee

[saracat]

16. Exactly. I would rather Edwards stayed in and Biden as well.

We should be allowed "choices".They want to take our "choices" away. But some view our "choices' as a waste of time.

[Joyce78]

37. Yep, me also.

However, caucs and primes deal us and our choices out early. I do have a question for you though ... I believe Edwards was still sincerely seeking the nomination for us. I sometimes wonder if Joe Biden was not as sincere as he was trying to just convey a message. Joe was actually my first choice. Joe Biden was my choice many years ago when he had to withdraw due to labels of "plagiarism". Oh well, it's either change or old at this point. More of the same old same old.

[Joyce78]

45. But it is OUR CHOICES, and that is what matters eventually.

Our "democratic" system doesn't exist.

[Alhena]

19. Here's a newsflash- Hillary's only hope is superdelegates, not "the people"

so spare me the democracy lesson. All I'm saying is the superdelegates should be asked to decide quickly.

[saracat]

26. The point isn't who wins.it is that the vote take place without intervention.

[UALRBSofL]

30. That doesn't mean she has to get out of the race

She can campaign till the convention. Besides the fact she can stay in as long as she wants, there is still the matter of florida and michigan.

[jackson_dem]

34. Obama has been winning with 60-65 points

Things can change and Hillary could do the same, especially with Obama finally get at least some scrutiny in the msm and there is also the Rezko trial starting on Monday. The only way to find out is through the democratic process.

[UALRBSofL]

47. It's hard to believe Obama is trying to strong arm the MSM to force

his opponent out of the race. That shows lack of integrity.

[jackson_dem]

32. Really? How did Ohio, Texas, PA, NC, Indiana, Kentucky, etc. vote?

Damn. I thought there were still many states whose voices had not been heard.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

36. You are getting more obnoxious and confused with each post

Barack Obama will not get to 2025 delegates from "the people" so his "only hope" is also the superdelegates.

[jlake]

24. McCain will not be their nominee.....their race is about to become more turbulent than ours.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

39. Glad someone else recognizes that possibility.

[jlake]

44. Yes, I think it is a real possibility - and my previous post should have said

"McCain may very well not be" rather than "McCain will not be"

Because there is a good chance that he will get the nom, but it is simply not locked up the way that so many presume.

Glad I am not the only one "kooky" enough to think that.

[Joyce78]

52. I second, well, I suppose that thirdly.

Responding to agreement with Message 24.

[upchuck712]

25. Simple solution

The winner picks the loser to be the VP. Everyone is happy.

[Swamp Rat]

31. No way! Never make deals with fascists!

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[babylonsister]

43. No way! Bad, lousy, rotten idea!

:spank:

[casus belli]

55. If I'm not mistaken, I think that's how it used to work actually.

edit: I was close. From wiki:

Under the original terms of the Constitution, the members of the U.S. Electoral College voted only for office of president rather than for both president and vice president. Each elector was allowed to vote for two people for the top office. The person receiving the greatest number of votes (provided that such a number was a majority of electors) would be president, while the individual who received the next largest number of votes became vice president.

[DemGa]

46. Another one of these?.....nt

[anonymous171]

51. The problem is that Hillary won't attack Mccain.

She leaves her poison for Obama and double-teams him with Mccain on occasion. This is unforgivable.

[Liquorice]

53. In 1980 Ted Kennedy hung on in the

democratic primary until June against a sitting president. Can you imagine that? All of this stuff about Hillary hurting the party bothers me and seems disingenuous. She has a right to run and "claw away" at Obama, just like Obama had a right to "claw away" at her lead when she was the likely nominee.

[Colobo]

60. Yeah, and we lost in 1980. Your point?

[Liquorice]

65. If either of the nominees were to stay in the race

until June without any chance at all of winning enough delegates (the way Ted Kennedy did), then people would have the right to complain and the party should step in. This is February, and Obama's people have been calling for Hillary to get out of the race for weeks. That's just ridiculous.

[casus belli]

54. We'll be fine....

...if we rush this process and don't let it run its course, then some voters will most likely feel slighted and may sit out in frustration. I think not allowing every voter to see the process to its conclusion, and the possible ramifications with people subsequently refusing to vote for the remaining candidate, would be more of an obstacle than McCain getting a slight head start in the GE.

It's not an easy ride, I know...but it's worth it to let it run its course.

[Joyce78]

56. Older and wiser Democrats have this to say ...

regarding Howard Dean... I found him to be fresh and invigorating. I truly loved his "scream", his energy, and,yet, we all witnessed how the powers that are the rulers portrayed that energy ... the Corporate Media basically ran that clip over and over until most of Amerika (not me) would become convinced that he was crazy. Well, he apparently had the skill but didn't have the backing after the msm destroyed him ... then, we had Kerry/Edwards. As a Democratic voter who is waiting to cast her vote on March 4, I personally don't appreciate Barak Obama, Howard Dean or anyone here on DU DENYING MY VOTE by suggesting that any candidate concede until we here in Ohio have a chance to vote. This DU forum has become insane.

[anigbrowl]

62. The MSM killed Howard Dean! How dare Howard Dean stiff my candidate!

Nobody is seriously suggesting she concede before Tuesday.

[MagsDem]

59. Too fucking bad

She is within 100 delegates and you expect her to drop out? You Obama folks really live in a dream world of your own making. Hillary should not be going anywhere anytime soon.

[Corkey Mineola]

64. right on! Obamites and their friggin' ghoul-aid

:kick:

[SammyWinstonJack]

73. LOL!

ghoul-aid :rofl: :evilgrin:

[indimuse]

69. trying to claw away at Obama?

GO HILLARY!!!!!!!

[Occam Bandage]

74. Hillary is preventing us from bashing the hell out of Mac on his FEC financing issues.

[Little Star]

75. She should not drop out, until he has been fully vetted. Better

Dem's doing the vetting than the Republicans. jmho

[4_TN_TITANS]

76. One bright spot about the battle dragging on...

Obama is getting some righteous publicity. Hillary doesn't realize how much she is helping to make him more recognizable.