Will endorsements have an effect on your final primary vote?

[burr]

I am interested in three different factors when I vote..a candidate's record, that individual's policy agenda, and what experienced Democratic leaders think of these primary candidates.

Among the primary endorsements which I consider important are those of Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, John Lewis, and Bill Bradley..(who I supported in the last primaries.) I will size up each of the candidates endorsed by these people..while comparing and contrasting their record and policy agenda. Then based on all of these factors, I will make a decision on who to support in the Democratic primaries.

What factors do you consider most important when choosing your primary candidate, and do endorsements also have an impact?

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. No.

[burr]

3. No vote, or no..endorsements aren't a factor?

What is a factor when you choose a primary candidate?

[Padraig18]

2. No. n/t

[JohnKleeb]

4. nah but it was cool to see Zinn endorse Kucinich

[burr]

6. it was also cool that willie nelson backs Kucinich...

Although this will not determine my next vote.

[JohnKleeb]

7. Yeah I know that but Zinn is like one of my fave authors

I know. I dont care really about endorsements personally.

[burr]

10. one reason I make endorsements a factor...

People like Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and Jimmy Carter have more experience in government than most of us combined. This is why I weigh their endorsements when selecting a candidate. John Lewis was on the front-lines of the civil right's battles when times were extremely desperate for blacks in America, but at no point did he ever give up the fight!

And with Bill Bradley, he is an intelligent individual whose endorsement I would look at next to Gore's. Did they endorse someone based on principles, or with some anger toward each other?

[hedda_foil]

5. None.

Used to but not since the DLC's stupidity and arrogance became so blatantly obvious.

[mitchtv]

8. as an undecided , i am listening, watching

the candidates behavior, as well as endorsements. I am starting to eliminate now. This is a first time for me being an undecided. I will consider the opinions of CWA,and local CA politicians, and Gay leadership. I am disgusted by the Kerry /Gephardt campaign to bring down Dean instead of lifting their own candidacies. Since Kerry is an early favorite of mine, I will wait a bit longer. Joe L. has been attacking H-wood too long for me to ever vote for him

[pruner]

9. compendium of minority Congressional endorsements

Congressional Black Caucus:

Dean (4): Cummings (MD)* Jackson (IL)* Owens (NY) Jackson-Lee (TX)
Edwards (3): Wynn (MD) Johnson (TX) Watt (NC)
Kerry (2): Meeks (NY) Ford (TN)
Braun (2): Rush (IL) Davis (IL)
Clark (1): Rangel (NY)
Lieberman (1): Hastings (FL)
Sharpton (1): Towns (NY)
Gephardt (1): Clay (MO)

*Widely reported, but unofficial


Congressional Hispanic Caucus:

Dean (2): Velazquez (NY) Grijalva (AZ)
Lieberman (1): Cardoza (CA)
Sharpton (1): Serrano (NY)


Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus:

Dean (2): Abercrombie (HI) Wu (OR)
Lieberman (1): Case (HI)
Gephardt (1): Matsui (CA)

[genius]

23. Slanted posting. Misleading. You forgot Kucinich's endorsements

In fact, Diane Watson, who endorsed Dennis was the first of the Black caucus to endorse any of the candidates.

[Rowdyboy]

11. Endosrements mean

a big fat nothing to me. Never have. Thats one reason I don't get really excited when a candidate I support doesn't get an endorsement-many other people are independent enough to want to decide for themselves.

Are they important for money and organization? Of course. They just don't determine MY vote. Usually, I pick my candidate WAY before people start making endorsements.

[burr]

12. I see...

the early bird gets the WORM, or does the WORM get the early bird? ;)

[Rowdyboy]

17. Believe me, getting my vote is getting the "worm"

As a liberal living in Mississippi for the last half century, most of the people I've voted for have lost-many in awful landslides.

[sandnsea]

13. Action matters most

What a person has actually done has always been a key factor when I vote. I remember when Bob Kerrey was running and talking about jobs or some such. Then I find out he owns some restaurants and is doing the exact thing he's campaigning against. Blech. I've always looked at the overall picture of candidates. I knew we'd be looking at a painful welfare reform because I knew welfare was painful in Arkansas. What these guys do as governor or Senator or Congressman matters, they don't change.

As to endorsments, it depends on the credibiliity of the person giving them. Bobby's meant ALOT to me, Jesse Jackson Jr's meant alot, although I disagree with it. Di-Fi's meant zip because I never liked her much anyway. So it all depends. Kerry just got an endorsement from a dog-racing guy known for his environmentalism, that was cool.

And, of course, who can forget Edwards' endorsement from Emma Claire, now that was the best endorsement out there!

[FrenchieCat]

14. I picked my candidate ....

before he was even running...the endorsements will come.

So no, I don't allow endorsements to stear me in any way.

I have my own reasons for supporting Clark....that he's the best to beat Bush....

Everything just doesn't matter to me.

That's how much I hate Bush!

[saline]

15. from groups not people

I have to admit to being at least impressed when groups, specifically unions, endorse a candidate. Unfortunately sometimes it does seem like the unions just support who they believe the nominee will be so as to be on good terms. Still I can't say it's not significant.

[genius]

16. No. I don't need someone to tell me DK is the best man for the job

I already know it.

[OneBlueSky]

18. well, the fact that Paul Hawken and Bill Greider endorsed Dean . . .

caused me to take a second look. I'd probably support him if I thought he had a chance against Bush . . . but, alas, I don't. Maybe something will happen that will change my mind in the coming weeks or months. We'll see.

[LWolf]

19. Probably not.

I can't see an endorsement making a difference unless the source was suspect.

The most important factors for me:

1. Record--words are great. Does this candidate's actions and history support the words?

2. Platform--can I support this candidate's position on the issues important to me?

3. Connections--where does the money come from? Who is this candidate obligated to? Who is he/she likely to be working with and for, if elected?

I enjoy the endorsements my candidate has gotten, and regret some that he hasn't. But it won't be a deciding factor.

I should also mention that I don't necessarily support candidates endorsed by my association; all candidates are judged and selected according to the above criteria, regardless of who my union endorses. And it ticks me off when they make a public endorsement without ever asking for input from rank and file members.

[JohnKleeb]

20. RPC heh

Yeah I know about your union.

[NewJerseyDem]

21. Carter, Gore and Clinton won't endorse anyone

I don't see them enorsing any of the candidates before one is chosen. I don't know if Bill Bradley will either considering he hasn't been doing much in politics recently.

I don't really care about endorsements. It really doesn't effect my opinion. I don't need some politician to tell me who is the best candidate. I can make that decision on my own.

I do believe they have some effect though on the election. They probably are influential in getting money for the candidates because they have connections with donors. They can probably help with organization sometimes. Also, if a person is very, very popular that might make a difference, but the opinion of some average congressman or even most governors or senators probably don't sway people's opinions.

[burr]

22. endorsements do effect my opinion...

I consider the endorsements both of political officials I hate, and those I highly respect. But this is just one factor for me to consider when making a decision.

My understanding is that Al Gore will likely be making his endorsement before the end of the year. Jimmy Carter has stated that he will endorse the primary candidate who he believes is most likely to defeat shrub. And I suspect Bill Bradley will make an endorsement, despite the fact he is not the same political force within our party that he was 10-years ago.

You may be right about the possibility of Clinton not making an endorsement. But if he does endorse someone, I would be very interested in his reasons for supporting that candidate.