no candidates should have 'dropped out' - the expectation should be that once in, you finish it

[darue]

it should be the rare exception when a candidate completely pulls out of the race for nomination. It's a damn shame Edwards pulled out. Frankly wasn't he hectored into it by the media and groupthink? the same thing is going on with Hillary. In the end, we'll all be grad, damn glad, she road it out to the end. I guarantee there's about 50% more coverage of our candidate at this point in time than would otherwise be seen. driving the media instead of being driven by them is the only way to a: look like a leader, and b: lot's of free exposure.

One thing is clear, no _democrat_ will fail to vote for the nominee, and that's the way it is.

[NewHampshireDem]

1. Money, money, and, uh, money

How will candidates with no support run their campaigns?

I supported Edwards, and I don't think he was hectored into anything by anything.

[cyclezealot]

5. Had Edwars remained in the race

I bet he'd won several more states. But, money and media limits our choices.

[Wetzelbill]

6. I believe he may have been Achillesed into getting out

but what do I know, I'm just here for comic relief..... :)

I know the media was making a big deal about him having to win one or he should just get out. This was after New Hampshire too. I actually got in a bit of an email tussle with Chuck Todd, of all people, over it. I said the media shouldn't call for anybody to get out and just let it go since it was early, and he said he understood, but that Edwards still had to win one or get out. I mean after two primaries? Seriously odd stuff.

[darue]

9. ya it's just nuts for paid shills to sit on TV and demand our candidates leave our elections.

who the hell do they think they are?

I smell another backlash against the media brewing...

[darue]

8. how about they drive around in a bus or two and have a web site with videos?

doesn't have to cost millions per week to be in the race.

[Why Syzygy]

14. I was going to say Money.

[lligrd]

2. Then You'd Need Run Offs

or risk having a candidate that can't even get a majority of Democratic party votes.

[darue]

11. not really, the delegates will decide, that's who we're electing - delegates

it's unfortunate because it weakens party identification, but it should be made more clear that what we're voting for is for fellow party members from our local area to go to the convention and pick. for this stage of things a human delegate system is probably the best over any system of direct election. if we were to go to direct election it would have to be some sort of special pick your top three in order of preference type thing, which would be too complicated really, and though it seems fair, alternate voting systems like that can lead to odd outcomes on occasion too. Our current nomination rules are fairly good really.

[cyclezealot]

16. Enough. I don't want delegates

counted. Indirect democracy stinks. Totally unnecessary and a waste of time. Its time for a direct democracy, directly reflecting the will of the voter. Not this BS of electing someone else only distorts our wishes.

[bluestateguy]

3. Fine, but come June 4th, I expect her to drop out

I don't have a problem with her staying in the race until the end, but she needs to accept that Barack Obama will be the nominee, and she cannot take actions that will only damage his prospects for the fall. She can promote herself as long as she does not do it in a way demeans Obama. If she wants to throw mud, throw it at John McCain. Follow the Mike Huckabee model of finishing out the primaries with grace and class.

[Wetzelbill]

7. she's fine to stay in I think

but I think it's long past the point for her to be attacking. She's really been out of it for a few months, after February she had to be nearly perfect. I could see her staying in and fighting, because she did has some big wins in that period, but after last tuesday she was done for sure. Yet we still see some questionable, if not despicable tactics. That's uncalled for at this point. She wants to stay in, I say fine, but it's over, so she should back off the damaging stuff.

[cyclezealot]

4. So true. And what allows NH, Iowa the right to take away our best candidates

The reason we are proud of the Michigan/ Florida actions. After Super Tuesday our interest was minimal because the finalists were duds. Why vote in the later primary states, if you find the candidates flawed. ?

[bowens43]

10. Nonsense. When the outcome is know. the Primarys should be over.

[darue]

12. then all the primaries have to be on the same day n/t

[NewHampshireDem]

20. There are so many reasons why that would be a bad idea.

Look at how the candidates run during the GE. Once the New Hampshire primary is over, we never see the candidates again. Same for Iowa. Heck, look at the past couple of weeks. When was the last time any presidential candidate really spend time in Indiana, WV, or KY?

A single-day primary would mean that candidates would focus on the big states, and not even just the big states, but the handful that their polling showed they should spend time in. Hillary wouldn't have done any appearances in NY, Obama in Illinois ...

I think you get the idea.

IMHO, a regional primary system would be a better idea, with 4 contests, each 2 weeks apart.

[darue]

22. well no one would have come to Oregon if more than one person wasn't stll in the race n/t

[NewHampshireDem]

23. Exactly why what you are suggesting about a one day primary is a bad idea n/t

[shenmue]

13. Thank you. On that front, at least.

:)

[WeDidIt]

15. In Chess, when it's mate in four

you generally admit defeat rather than attempt to play out the game knowing you will lose. All you do by continuing to play is to tell all who understand chess that you do not understand chess.

Topple the king already, Hillary. Everybody can see how it plays out and you cannot win. It's mate in four!

[izzie]

17. I think all states should be able to pick the person to run but

it seems to be set up poorly. I think we need a new over all plan. I heard of one set up the US in 4 groups of states with each group taking turns on who would be first ever 4 years. Sounds pretty good to me.

[Youphemism]

18. Stay in? Fine. Scorched Earth Campaign? Bad.

I agree that everyone can run for as long as they like.

But she's making her campaign about why Obama can't win, rather than anything about her merits as a politician.

If she would stop deliberately trying to torpedo Obama's general election bid, I don't think the Obama folks would really care.

But she plays dirty pool, plain and simple. She and Bill love wallowing in the mud. ("If you don't want to get hit, don't suit up for the game.") They make it clear that dirt is the part of politics they like the most.

That's what is really sleazy about the Clinton campaign. You really have to be blinded by desire for Hillary to win not to see what she's doing to Obama in the short run, and to her party in the long run.

[rucky]

19. We can't start fundraising for the GE until June

McCain started weeks ago.

Getting the free press means taking the good with the bad, and having no control over the message.

[knixphan]

21. $$$$