It's time for certain candidates to drop out

[Iluvleiberman]

M-B, Sharpton, Graham, Kucinich, Edwards, (yes) Lieberman.

Only Kerry, Clark, Dean and Gephardt should stay for the primaries.

The other candidates don't have a prayer (unless Bushco puts out some hits) and should bow out with class and dignity.

It's basically between these "top 4".

Flame away!

[Tansy_Gold]

1. no flames -- I agree

Not only should they drop out GRACEFULLY, but they should throw their support behind the eventual nominee. I do not think they should become partisan, ie come out for one or another of the others. Keep it pro-Dem, anti-Awol.

There may be FEC considerations regarding campaign funds, but I would like to see this become a strengthening of the party's force for unity, not more divisive.

[blondeatlast]

92. It's not just about the candidates, it's also their agendas.

I'd rather see them go down screaming at the convention than dropping out gracefully. They each have some good policy on their side that can be used to construct the party platform.

I also want to see them happily giving endorsements when the do concede.

I've been a Democrat my entire life and I like to see lots of action and scrapping at the conventions!

Damn the DLC;

GO, LOSERS!!!

Besides, Clinton was way down in the polls going into the convention the first time he ran; what would have happened if he had conceded???

[kentuck]

2. I don't think so...

They deserve at least to see how they do in the first couple of primaries. Why should they waste their time speaking and traveling all over the country just to drop out before the first vote is cast? It doesn't make any sense. Sounds very undemocratic...

[JohnKleeb]

10. because people are skeptical of them and dont care

kidding
they all should be in. If Kucinich was forced to drop out I dont know who I would support honestly, but you know I am gonna keep on supporting him, and win or lose, I will know I supported the candiate with the views closest to my heart, and I will remember Kucinich fondly if he doesnt run again.

[karlschneider]

30. I know what you mean. If I had a magic button that would ELECT Dennis,

I'd punch it in a heartbeat, but it just seems to me that in the real world we inhabit, he has the usual two chances.

[MGKrebs]

3. I will disagree- but no flame.

As long as they keep it relatively civil, the process is designed to work a certain way, and for good reason. Things can change-skeletons in the closet and whatnot- that make a good variety of candidates desirable.

And there is no crisis right now as far as the Dems are concerned. We see a lot of divisive behavior around here, but I don't think that is the case in the general population.

I don't see how you can include Clark in that group, though. He's not even running. How can you include him but not Hillary or Al Gore? They've got great polling numbers too.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

4. It's SIX MONTHS until the Democratic primary begins

We'll decide when we VOTE.

[Iluvleiberman]

5. Yes but the front runners can bash Bushco more than attacking

all the other candidates- some of whome have little chance.

[jagguy]

46. sure would be nice if they just told us what THEY stand for

insted of trying to discredit one another. I seem to have heard more about who is a lying stinking no good varmit more than I've heard what they think.

Except for Edwards.

Negative stuff is worse than futile at this level. Its cheesy and gets you the runner up spot.

[bearfartinthewoods]

89. Edwards does seem to have his aim dead on bushco and not the

other candidates. i'm getting more and more impressed with him. it's a shame he's not making much headway. is attacking bush not enough? must you draw dem blood to get noticed by the media?

[Rooktoven]

103. Edwards would be the most palatable

to the general public, (I think) though I like Dean's feistyness. His background might be better than Dean's for the task at hand (comparative backgrounds"

My guess is that Edwards could rip * a new (_*_) without seeming the slightest bit uncharming. Dean, while appealing to my personal anger, might seem mean to the heartland if he reflected that boiling liberal anger.

Just my take...

[Cheswick2.0]

81. they should be doing that anyway...why attack each other?

?

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

85. they can also ignore issues like corporate trade more effectively

if the non-frontrunners like Kucinich drop out, which of course is the point. Sounds to me like some establishment types want to bury our issues as soon as possible, not gonna happen :)

[DemocratSinceBirth]

6. I'd Put a $100.00 Up To Anybody's Ten That Four Of Those Folks

won't get the nomination. And $30.00 to anybody's $10.00 the other two won't get the nomination.

[JohnKleeb]

7. Last I heard you vote for your candiate in the primary

Why should Kucinich drop out? He isnt your bag of tea, well hes my and other people's candiate, and the others have their rights to stay in.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

9. DK Folks Are Nice People For The Most Part

but I don't see DK winning the nomination.

What primary or caucus does he win?


Where does he make his statement?


Howard Dean is the anti-war candidate and has stolen DK's thunder.


Sad but true.....

[JohnKleeb]

14. I am still working on getting him some momentum

Its not easy work and what you mentioned below is what I call a bitter irony. Look there are times when I am very down I feel like I am on a bridge and I know my cause is right but I am hopelessly outnumbered. I dont know really DSB, its my heart thats for Kucinich really, I think he could win because he has made upsets before, now that said if I were playing my heart and my brain, I would go with Gephardt or Kerry despite my oppostion to the war. It is true and I must say its a bitter irony.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

20. I Think Alot Of Folks On This Board Like DK

but they are supporting Dean because they believe he is more paltable to the masses.

[MGKrebs]

26. A slight derivative of that..

I like DK...just not as President. I think he's great right where he is. And I mean that in a good way.

It's not about "appealing to the masses" as much as "what's good for the masses". Not everybody has our (liberal) sensibilities. We have to recognize that and deal with it when it comes to President. There may come a day when somebody like DK could be President. We're just not there yet.

DK would be a shock to the system. Some might say that we need it, but there is a lot of risk in that, too. If the progression had been Clinton-Gore, then DK might be the next step. But we didn't go that way. We have to "set the stage" so to speak.

Does that make any sense? I can't seem to articulate what I mean accurately.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

28. It Makes Alot Of Sense

I remember reading the liner notes for Pet Sounds. I'm not a big Beach Boys fans but rock critics say it's a must have cd.

Brian Wilson said he tried to push the envelope as much as he could on that album while making an album that would be commercially successful.

IMHO, politics is similar. I will support the candidate that's closest to me ideologically that has the best chance of winning.

[Rhiannon12866]

67. I understand exactly what you mean because I feel the same way

Dennis would be my first choice, but I don't think he has the name recognition or the appeal to Middle America to win at this time. After Clinton/Gore, it's as if we stepped back into the shadow of the Reagan years. We need someone who has the popular appeal to take back the White House and this should be our only priority just now. It will not be easy. BFEE and the neocons fight dirty, as we know.:grr:

You articulated it just fine, MGKrebs! Dennis would be a natural progression to follow Gore, if Gore had... uh? If Gore were currently living in the White House serving out the last of his second term.:shrug:

[fujiyama]

73. It makes sense but...

I can see that both ways. For example, Reagan was able to set the stage for Bush I, and Clinton had set the stage for Gore.

The main problem is that if chimpy gets another term in office, he could very well set the stage for long term right wing rule of this country.

After all, I've heard that the '04 senate race is also not favoring democrats. The house, in all honesty, doesn't seem winnable in the near future.

My hope is that Judis' and Texarra's (I think that's his name) thesis of a long term democratic majority is true, because of awakening realizition of having been lied and various demographic and social changes.

[JohnKleeb]

27. I hope so

What bothers me DSB is the press wont mention him, I read today an article on the patriot act, but Kucinich who wants to repeal the thing wasnt mentioned, they didnt mention he opposed it. :( this is what hammers at me and has me down sometimes. I think if more knew about him more would like him, and the press aint helping, and I know we need money but I think they should at least mention him/

[DemocratSinceBirth]

33. It's A Catch 22 Problem

The press won't give you alot of coverage if you're not a front runner and you are never going to be a front runner if you don't get alot of coverage.

Sometimes I get really alienated from politics and believe the Clinton era is as good as it gets for a pretty long time.

I am a liberal but I'm not an ideologue. As long as there is a Dem in the White House I am content but I fear unseating Bush is going to be extremely difficult.


I hope I am wrong...

[Renew Deal]

54. No mainstream press

I can't think of one instance where I have seen or heard about Kucinich in the main stream press. I think I have seen every other candidate but him.

:bounce:

[Terwilliger]

29. they're brainwashed by Repukes, you mean

[JohnKleeb]

32. I dunno terwill but I like your new sig

redemption song my fave Marley song
"we followed thru in this generation triumphly"
I love that song
Its so beautiful and good for the heart espeically if youre feelin down, I know I have. I think Kucinich is the best and I also think we need if we want to really distigusish the differences of the party run someone who isnt so conservative economically.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

34. palatable

sheesh-can't edit your own posts

[Renew Deal]

49. Kucinich has problems with issues beyond his numbers.

Kucinich has problems with his issues. I don't think Dems will like him when they see his positions. He was pro-life. Supposedly switched, but didn't vote recently on a partial birth abortion bill. He also had a problem of pitching whites vs. blacks in the cleveland area for his benefit. There is too much against him. A lot of people like him at DU, but he has never been higher than 2% nationally and he his unfavorable rating was recently double his favorable.

[DemBones DemBones]

58. If you're going to post negative claims about a candidate, you

ought to provide a link to back up what you're saying.

[Renew Deal]

60. Here you go...

I have to find the specific bill he didn't vote on. I was not bashing Kucinich, this is him.

Blacks
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/feb0304.html#022603414pm

Abortion
http://www.issues2000.org/2004/Dennis_Kucinich_Abortion.htm

[Rhiannon12866]

63. Here is his statement

He has also made highly effective statements in the two previous Democratic candidates' forums. He may not be the frontrunner, but he has a platform and passion and is a serious candidate.

This Is the Moment: An Invitation from Dennis Kucinich
http://www.kucinich.us/video/video256.html

[Ripley]

8. Wow a new person who hates democracy. How odd.

I wonder why someone would want to narrow the field when the primary voting hasn't even begun?

Hmmmm????????????????????????

[Rhiannon12866]

71. I wondered about your screen name; now I know

My friend has a cat named Ripley. He is a movie buff. He was told that his kitten was male, but it turned out to be female, so he named her after a part written for a man, played by a woman!:-)

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cocoa]

17. for me, it's because of the debates

I really get irritated seeing Braun get as much time as the others.

[Fleshdancer]

12. If Sharpton drops out,

can we still keep him in the debates? I love the way that man talks. We could atleast make him the moderator can't we??? Now that would be great.

[MGKrebs]

16. Sharpton for Press secretary!!!

[Fleshdancer]

18. I would LOVE that! n/t

[Rhiannon12866]

39. I think he would be best as head speechwriter

No one has more of a gift for the language than Al Sharpton.:D

[Renew Deal]

50. A stretch

but he is interesting. I like that he has made a positive contribution this time around. He is actually in this months GQ. You should check it out if you get your hands on it.

[Rhiannon12866]

70. Thanks for the information, Bleachers7!

And welcome to DU!:toast:

My feeling is that Sharpton has a real command of the language. I admit that he would have to tone down his message to appeal to Middle America, let alone keep from alienating foreign leaders. He'd best not be left alone with Putin or Sharon!
:scared:

I used to dismiss him as a bit of a nutcase. I come from New York and am familiar with his history. However, I have listened carefully to what he has had to say in the two Democratic candidates' forums and I have found little to disagree with. Maybe it's me and I have just gotten so sick of the Bushisms and bull****!:shrug:

[bigtree]

37. love the way (Sharpton) talks

I love what he says as much as I love hearing him say it.
He's been dead on in his critisism of this administration and he's been loath to critisize the other Dems.
We've still got over a year to go, and candidates like Al can amplify our opposition all the way to the convention. After that...close ranks.

[Rhiannon12866]

97. I agree with you on Sharpton, bigtree

I used to dismiss him as a bit of a nutcase until I really started listening to him. What he says is dead on. And I, also, enjoy listening to how he says it. The man does have a gift with words.:-)

You're also right in that he hasn't criticized the other candidates as much as they have each other. I think we need Al to keep raising the important issues and to keep us focused. I am including the other candidates in this. He doesn't have a chance, but that means that he can speak out as much as he wants, especially in opposition to the Bush* administration, and that can only be a good thing.:-)

And yes, we do need to close ranks as the election draws nearer. We must all get behind whoever can unseat the Usurper-in-Chief.:grr:

Welcome to DU, bigtree! Your informed take on Sharpton will serve you well on DU!:toast:

[Kbowe]

13. Sharpton must stay in to keep the rest of them honest.

He is the only one who truly calls it like it is. I want him there to debate with the rest of them. They will either have to sh*t or get off the pot!

[Renew Deal]

51. Not exactly

That is not true. I live in NY. Sharpton has not always been fair. He has high negatives in NYC outside of part of the black community. He was found guilty in a civil trial for the death of a Korean shop owner. Tawan Brawely. And he has been pretty anti-cop, and ended up on the wrons side of the issue.

[ulysses]

15. why?

[enki23]

47. because a vote for kucinich is a vote for gephardt!

sorry. had to do it.

[JohnKleeb]

48. heh thats ok

but I think Gep at heart is a good guy, hes not a progressive like me but hes not a bad guy. That said I do have him on a list of people I may support if for some reason Dennis backs out.

[ulysses]

98. wait - I thought it was

"a vote for enki is a vote for Agnew". Wasn't it?

:silly: :hi:

[buddhamama]

19. Carol Mosley Braun

picked up some serious backing the other day, i wouldn't count on her going anywhere soon. and i say good for her and the others. it is too soon to drop out and really rather disappointing to see so many wishing the candidates would.

this is primary season folks. the candidate who expects an easy run of it doesn't deserve my vote. the more merrier.

[bigtree]

38. Carol Mosley Braun

You have to ask yourself why NOW would, at this point, throw their support behind a candidate that isn't considered a front runner. They must believe that she will best amplify the issues they are most concerned with.

When candidates persist in raising an issue it will often take on its own momentum and other candidates sometimes are obliged to adopt concepts and positions that they would otherwise ignore.

Carol is more articulate in this campaign than she was in the Senate.
She's still pushing at the barriers and knocking some over, as well.

[Cheswick2.0]

82. Welcome to DU and you are correct

Braun needs to stay

[blondeatlast]

93. Amen! And welcome to DU.

:toast:

The "fringe" candidates need to stay in to push their agendas. That's how platforms (and excitement) are created.

[VermontDem2004]

21. Why should Clark by the one to stay for the primaries

when he isn't even in the primaries? I 100% disagree, if we drop are only black candidates, you know for sure that isn't going to look good for the democratic party. It is 6 months before the primaries and your asking candidates to drop out? :wtf: The voters will decide who stays and who goes.

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Pepperbelly]

24. political oddsmakers

Of the candidates you mentioned, the odds are as follows:

Braun at 500/1, Sharpton at 500/1, Graham at 25/1, Kucinich at 500/1, Edwards at 20/1, Lieberman at 7/1.

The candidates that you think should stay:

Kerry at 6/1, Clark (unannounced) at 20/1, Dean at 5/1, Gep at 5/1.

They have Hillary at 6/1 while someone else comes in at 10/1.

http://www.campaignline.com/odds/index.cfm

[Rhiannon12866]

41. Thanks for the information

Based on this it should be Gephardt/Dean or Dean/Gephardt.

The only problem is that the Democrats cannot ignore the Southern vote. That would be Edwards or Graham.:shrug:

[Pepperbelly]

84. BUT...

not a single vote has yet been cast.

[IndianaGreen]

31. Don't you think it is up to the voters to decide who should drop out?

The polls mean nothing! The only thing that counts are the votes, and any candidate that drops out before New Hampshire primary should not have been a candidate in the first place.

[Rhiannon12866]

35. I'm not going to flame you, but I disagree

It's the field that makes a horserace.

I agree with you about who stands the best chance to get the nomination, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't hear what the others have to say. Their message is important and they bring up issues that all the candidates must address. Dennis Kucinich has a powerful message. Al Sharpton tells it like it is and is a wonderrful speaker. Also, at this early date, you can never predict who will come from behind. Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton were each once one of many.

And I also agree that it is up to the voters to decide. Each of these candidates has a considerable following and financial backers or they would have been forced to drop out before now. Also, among these candidates, may be the next vice-president. The people deserve to hear what he or she stands for.

[JohnKleeb]

36. Rhi thanks

I really do appreciate it and thanks again for the donation for me. I didnt even ask and you still did it :) thanks really happy about taht. We cant ignore those who dont have a chance supposely. We cant just say sorry Dennis Kucinich we dont think you can win could you back out please, if such a thing happened I would be red as anything and sad as hell.

[Rhiannon12866]

62. I keep telling you, JohnKleeb

that it wasn't me. But that doesn't mean I don't know anything. Enough said.:-)

You know how much I like Kucinich. I have liked what he's had to say since before Bush* launched his illegal and bloody war on Iraq, I agreed with him 100% on that SelectSmart test, and I voted for him in the MoveOn Primary. I just don't think, at this point, that he has enough recognition among the general public to win.:-(

Remember, most people are not like us. Many could not even identify Gephardt or Kerry or Dean! And it is imperative that we take back the White House from the Squatter-in-Chief. This country is going to hell in a handbasket.:grr:

You know what my ideal ticket is. I think that Gephardt has the name recognition, the leadership experience, the appeal to Middle America and the overwhelming union support to pull this off. With Dennis at his side, he might just become a little more courageous.:D

I'm sure you've seen this inspiring video:
This Is the Moment: An Invitation from Dennis Kucinich
http://www.kucinich.us/video/video256.html

[JohnKleeb]

65. that video brought me to tears

Thanks Rhi this is why I consider you a pal. Hey if Gep is pres maybe Dennis Kucinich, labor secretary or better yet VP. Ive heard about those allegations of the past, and Ive seen them rebunked. If the blacks dont like him then why would John Conyers probably one of the most respected black congress men of all time defend him, and one of his best friends in congress is Barbara Lee.

[Rhiannon12866]

72. I didn't mean to upset you, JohnKleeb, but I thought that was

Dennis Kucinich at his best. He is not an also-ran in this video. He is spot-on and conveys a powerful message. I am grateful that you consider me a friend!:hi:

I have heard Kucinich mentioned as fulfilling a new cabinet-level job of Secretary of Peace. I have no idea where I heard this, the Kucinich campaign, TV news, or speculations on DU or from talking to someone who suggested the idea, so I may be dead wrong.:shrug:

This seems like a good job for him, but it cubby-holes him. I would like to see him in a more active role in crafting executive policy. I would like to see him as V.P., though I'm not holding my breath.:-(

[JohnKleeb]

74. Upset you didnt upset me in fact you raised my morale

the department of peace. Anything would be good for him I am glad you acknowledge him and his greatness there are some who deny him and on your avatar, Jimmy Carter is a great soul.

[Rhiannon12866]

101. Thank you. I feel that Jimmy Carter is indeed a great soul

He advocated for peace. I believe that Dennis Kucinich is his natural successor. There are too many warmongers in the world today. We need more leaders who advocate peace, like Carter and Kucinich.:-)

[UTUSN]

40. DEAN Should Drop Out n/t

imho

[TSIAS]

52. Why should Dean drop out? (n/t)

[blondeatlast]

94. Nice, intelligent contribution. Gee, thanks.

Look, I'm no Dean supporter, but he has enough momentum that that is a patently ridiculous idea. He seems to have something that appeals to a lot of Dems, even if I'm not one of them.

[Tinoire]

42. Cute- real cute

And then let me guess, this thread will shop up somewhere under the heading that "Progressives and Liberals narrow it down to Kerry, Clark, Dean and Gephardt".

Does this thread have a purpose?

[JohnKleeb]

45. the purpose is to piss us off

First off Clark hasnt declared himself yet and second of all why should be we back out. I tell you if it was those 4 I would not support them in the way I have Kucinich. My support for Kucinich comes from a very special place, and that place is my heart. My support also comes from my very big liberalism and the fact that Ive heard him speak and I like the way he talks to people, he may not sound like anything special if you are cynical on him but to me he sounds great.

[Renew Deal]

56. Paranoid

You are totally paranoid. Can we have a conversation, or does everything have to be run by you first?

[DemBones DemBones]

59. Judging by your posts in this thread, it probably is a good idea

for you to run everything by Tinoire before you post. :evilgrin:

[Renew Deal]

61. Funny

BTW, I did follow up with the info you requested.

[Rhiannon12866]

75. Tinoire has reason to be ticked off. Someone is bashing the candidate

who she has long supported. You have to be careful here as there are certain things that no one on DU will put up with, despite the fact that we are liberals. ``Attack the message and not the messenger.'' from the DU Rules.:-)

[JohnKleeb]

76. Rhi I gotta hand it you and some of the DK crowd

You all have raised my morale. Tiniore has a right to be poed, shes been supporting DK for a while, and shes a great person too, what she did for me with all that Kucinich literature was a class act. Thank you again :)

[Renew Deal]

86. Who?

I may have missed the thread, but who is bashing Kucinich? Anyone can go off on a baseless rant that is full of implications and false conclusions. Here is one for you. Willie Nelson is a drug addict that doesn't pay his taxes. He endorses Kucinich, therefore Kucinich supports drug use and not paying taxes. Hey, it's not my fault, that's the info out on the net.

http://archive.salon.com/audio/music/2003/04/29/nelson/index_np.html

I hope you see how ridiculous this is. This is the sort of thing that Tinoire has been doing. He is not the only one that can do that. Anyone can post headers saying Disturbing News about X Candidate. Maybe I should do that? It should be perfectly acceptable based on the standard that you approve.

[JNelson6563]

90. The more voices speaking truth the better!!

And the truth is getting stated A LOT thanks to all our candidates! I think each brings a lot to the table and I see useful work for each one of them when we send our candidate to the WH.

I absolutely love the idea of Sharpton as Press Secretary!! That would be the most refreshing change in Washington ever! haha!!

I can think of great places for every one of our candidates in the positions that really matter.

We have a lot of great folks and each should have their chance to have their voices heard! Shame on the "progressive" who would argue otherwise!

Julie

[dpbrown]

43. I disagree but won't flame

The national dialog is advanced by having the richness of these separate voices in the race, and will be for the foreseeable future.

[jagguy]

44. nope, they stay till the first few primaries

otherwise its just a way to take people's money as your salary for wasting everyone's time. Big fraud even for a polititian.

Of course they have zero chance but they stepped up and took people's money. Got to make a semblance of honoring that.

[CMT]

53. the voters will decide and whittle down the list

I don't think any of them should drop out. The conventional wisdom doesn't alway work out--ask President Dewey, President Rockefeller, President Muskie...

[JohnKleeb]

55. yep

and its things like that keep my hope in my man Dennis K alive the fact that the political tide is crazy.

[DemBones DemBones]

57. Most of those who vote couldn't even name the Democratic

candidates now, but they will learn about them and make their choice when it's time to vote in the primaries. One of your candidates who "don't have a prayer" may end up being our nominee.

Don't try to circumvent the democratic process.

[hippywife]

64. No way!!

Like everyone else here has said, it ain't over until the primaries. That's the way it works.

Anyway, Dennis is gaining momentum. Don't get disheartened yet, JohnKleeb. I think it will come down to Dennis and Dean head to head. ;)

[JohnKleeb]

66. well

I am not calling it quits and I wont be leaving Kucinich for Dean I have invested my heart in Kucinich, and its gonna be mighty hard for other wise to happen. It aint over yet, I know, and I think we must realize that Kucinich has such a brilliant vision and we cant wait, the moment is now :), I dont want to wait if we wait till 2012 the same cynics of now will be at it again and btw he will be 66 by the time. He has earned my support through his hard work.

[bobthedrummer]

68. President Kucinich is going to change US for the better

out of all the Dem. candidates Kucinich is in for the long haul, he is used to low polling and dismissive shit, watch DK, and if anyone here is a real progressive they will vote for DK.
http://www.kucinich.us

Edwards should take a hike, Clark is scarier than Kerry and Dean put together.

[JohnKleeb]

69. Edwards is Kucinich's friend actually

Clark yea I agree with you on that. I take it you opposed Kosovo too. Its mostly us who opposed it, the Kucinichites, Ive met a few there who did though, the most prominet Dean against Clark is Pastiche and she respects our guy as well.

[Adjoran]

77. NO WAY

None of the candidates should "drop out."

Each entered with the idea that he/she had something unique to offer the country. The field will be winnowed down by real votes in real primaries, not in the shifting sands of polls pondered perilously in advance of the vote.

The candidate who has the courage to stand up and say "I'm running for President!" should be the only one to judge when to say, "I'm out of the race."

[Ani Yun Wiya]

78. Maybe...

Kerry, Clark, Dean, Lieberman and Gephardt should quit now instead.

These four declared candidates, plus the undeclared one; represent the muddled compromise that is now the Democratic party. Their type of "direction" has failed us for at least the last thirty years.

Don't we deserve a new direction?

What would be wrong with say a Kucinich/Sharpton ticket?

Kucinich certainly has excellent ideas, and Sharpton could really put a "voice" to those ideas.

Perhaps it's time for all of those "middle of the road" and DLC types to give the more liberal side of the party some time at the helm.

[JohnKleeb]

79. I do admire Reverend Sharpton but I had a better idea

for my VP, have you heard of congressman John Lewis from Georgia, read about this guy's personal experience in the civil rights movement plus hes a member of the progressive cancus. Of course we deserve a new direction. I tell you this no matter what happens with Kucinich, it will be hard for me to support another campaign like I did this one, this campaign appeals to your heart and I invested my heart in Kucinich.

[Kenneth ken]

80. HA HA H A HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

you want actual candidates to drop out before the first primary; but you think some NON-CANDIDATE should stay?

Clark has to ENTER before the idea of STAYING can be discussed, don't you think?

[Cheswick2.0]

83. Clark Who?

Is someone named Clark running? I'll be interested in what he has to say about policy after he declares his candidacy.

[PATRICK]

87. What's the point of primaries?

WE may be getting antsy but wouldn't it be better to let some of them go before the voters first? Especially Lieberman. He needs convincing. He's still in the name recognition denial phase.

Some of the states are counting on heavy ad spending for their economies, for pete's sake.

[Q]

88. No candidate should drop out at this point...

...and I'd like to make mention that the thread author spells Lieberman's name wrong in his handle.

[blondeatlast]

95. Hmmmmmmmmm, you may be on to something (mispelling).

[welshTerrier2]

91. the point of the primaries

for you it's all about "WINNING" ....

for me, at least in the primaries, it's all about unifying constituencies and educating the voters ... it's about testing ideas in the public arena ... it's about exploring solutions to the problems we face as a country and as a political party ...

there will be plenty of time to unify the party behind a single candidate ... and hopefully that candidate will adopt some of the best ideas proposed by other candidates ... why should we let the voices of the less popular candidates go silent this early? it seems to me that each of the people you mentioned has energized certain constituencies within the party ... the eventual nominee needs to be able to count on these constituencies ... ignore them and they just might not show up on election day ...

if the primaries are only all about winning, your argument makes some sense ... but they're about much more than that ...

[JohnKleeb]

96. welsh thanks

Its only late August.

[Walt Starr]

99. Lieberman should drop out because he's really a Republican

The rest should stay.

[Rhiannon12866]

100. I agree with you about Lieberman

And think the rest should stay in, for the moment, as it's still too early to call and each has an important message and contribution that needs to be heard. There will come a point, however, in the not too distant future, when we are all going to come together behind whichever candidate can most successfully defeat Bush*. That needs to be our number one priority.

[UnapologeticLiberal]

102. Aren't you a Lieberman supporter?

It looks that way from your username...have you changed your mind?

[Rooktoven]

104. The more that stay in ,

the better a chance for a brokered convention-- where people have to decide civilly, and we get free media for the civics lesson.

Wouldn't that be cool?