Why did Bob Graham do so poorly in the polls?

[leyton]

On paper, at least, this guy was in great position to get the nomination. He was experienced, a former governor, and a respected Senator. He had attacked Bush on national security, saying that Bush was weak and that the war on Iraq was a diversion from the war on terror. He won in landslides in the most important swing state of them all. I realize he was not the most engaging speaker, but then neither was John Kerry.

I know the guy started late and had health problems, but Clark also started pretty late and managed to win the Oklahoma primary and outlast Gephardt and Lieberman.

[On the Road]

1. He Was a Better Officeholder Than a Candidate

and he was a better candidate for the general election than for the primary.

Graham was my second choice behind Dean. He was a lot of people's second choice. That may have been the problem. In the Irish voting system, he might have won.

[ohio_liberal]

2. I loved Bob Graham

But I think his public speaking style hurt him. I don't think he had any money to work with either.

[pmbryant]

3. I was an early supporter

Before he even announced his candidacy. On paper, he did seem the ideal candidate for us.

Like another poster said, his speaking style just didn't serve to attract much attention in a large field of good candidates. That led to the lack of money which led to his having to drop out long before any votes were taken.

But Kerry was almost given up for dead at one point too, so who knows what could have happened if Graham had been able to stick around.

:shrug:

Peter

[PROGRESSIVE1]

4. I originally supported him back in early 2003. His vote against....

the Iraqi War and his stances on security/defence were really impressive and showed the he was serious about national defense.

I was sad to see him drop out. But then came Wesley Clark, a REAL MAN, unlike the TINPOT DICTATOR currently OCCUPYING the White House!

I want Wesley Clark in 2008!!!

[Czolgosz]

5. Some found him too militaristic and he had that weird diary habit.

I think he would have been a great VP for Gore.

[ohio_liberal]

8. Yeah, the diary thing...

I forgot all about that. The media definitely made him out to be an oddball.

[chookie]

6. Not so well known nationally

I backed him. He'd have been a great President.

[Swamp Rat]

9. Me too.

Great guy. I trust him.

[ludwigb]

7. Because Democrats aren't as smart as they'd like to think

Graham was a straight-talker--he didn't tell Dems what they wanted to hear and he didn't have enough of a television persona to stand out. But he was easily the most likable and qualified candidate.

[MNBiker]

10. He had no energy.

[journalist3072]

11. Sen. Graham

I like Senator Graham. But I don't think he really connected with people.

I had my own experience with him that was fustrating. Last year, I participated in an online chat with him, and submitted my questions.

He responded, but he really didn't answer my questions!

First, I asked him what African-Americans he could see himself appointing to various positions in a Graham administration. He 'answered' my question by saying he wanted to recognize and pay tribute to the 40th anniversary of the March on Washington. I wanted to say to him: I didn't ask you about the March on Washington; I asked you to name names, and tell me what Blacks you would think of appointing in your administration.

The other question I asked him was: If he were President, and Congress sent him legislation repealing all or parts of the Patriot Act, would he sign it? He then went on and on about how the Aschcroft Justice Dept. was the most ring-wing Justice Dept ever. Now, he got no argument from me there. He was preaching to the choir. But I didn't ask him about John Ashcroft. I asked him if, as President, he would sign legislation repealing all or parts of the Patriot Act.

So to make a long story short, I like Bob Graham, but I just don't think he connected with folks.

[SoCalDem]

12. No charisma..a man past his "prime"

and no TVQ..

[Joy Anne]

13. he had a heart attack at the very worst point in his campaign

He had to start fund-raising and traveling long after everyone else. Even then, he was weak and couldn't put out the effort to campaign in his usual way, which included pitching in to work alongside regular people. Because of that, he just never really got started.

I, too, think he could have made a great president.