Where would Kerry supporters go if he dropped out

[davidinalameda]

THIS IS NOT A FLAME THREAD!!!!

I'm just curious at the reports that he's not doing as well in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Where would Kerry supporters go if he did drop out?

[ShaneGR]

1. I would guess to Clark, Edwards, or Gephardt

Most likely to one of those three.

[poskonig]

2. There *is* data on this.

It is split between between several candidates. Though Kerry has enough money to be in until at least February 3rd.

[blm]

3. He's not dropping out....but, I'm a Kerry and Kucinich Dem.

The other candidates that I think would be capable presidents would be Edwards, Gephardt and Clark.

[quinnox]

4. If Kerry ends up being knocked out

My second choice is Gephardt, and then my third choice is Edwards.

[poskonig]

5. What do they all have in common?

Are you a supporter of the IWR? Or do you think a yes vote is required to win the general election?

[quinnox]

9. No, didn't like the action there

But I mainly choose my candidates on a couple factors, one is simple, do I personally find the candidate likable in terms of the types of policies and platforms the candidate takes, general likability too, and also it's very important that the candidate can win vs. Bush.

Gephardt is from Missouri, which could end up being a key state in the 2004 election. Also the union support helps Gephardt in this region greatly. The larger geographical region of the midwest is seen by many strategists as where the election might be won or lost.

Edwards has the southern populist and charisma thing going for him, plus he has the exact right message to go against Bush - wealth vs. work.

[mikehiggins]

6. Gephardt, then Clark

If JK has to back out of the race, which is possible if he gets trounced in IOWA and NEW HAMPSHIRE, I think his supporters would likely go to Gephardt, especially if they develop a hard-on for Dean after the next bare knuckle few months.

If Gephardt also folds, I think most of the supporters who stay active will gravitate to Clark, still because of the anti-Dean feeling all three camps are generating right now.

In the end I think the race will come down to Dean vs Clark and that is too far down the road to really pick.

Of course, despite the polls, Gephardt and Kerry could take Iowa and New Hampshire respectively, with Dean a close second in each case, and then the liklihood of Clark rising to the top becomes much less.

Clark, aka my candidate, needs to have at least one of the top three out of the picture to have a chance. If two go down that'd be even better. In a head to head contest with Dean I think it comes down to whether you want a President with a good bedside manner, or someone who knows where the bodies are buried with the MIC.

I'm for CLark but I could work for Dean. ABBA

[NewYorkerfromMass]

7. It's not going to happen but....

were Kerry to meet his only obstacle which is to be physically incapacitated, I'd go to Clark. Why? Because I want to win.
Dean can't do it.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

8. imo Clark

[LuminousX]

10. He isn't going to drop out

No rumors have gone around indicating that, if he loses and still wants to be taken seriously he needs to stay in, so even though you claim this isn't a flame... it is.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

11. To the next electable Democrat

I would suspect Kerry supporters are mostly loyal lifelong Dems that don't share the protests of many candidate's supporters...I don't mean that as a slam and although I am still undecided, I would gladly support Kerry.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

12. that's damned right in my case NSMA

and we prefer other life long Dems too- at least the one's who can get elected.