Candidates shouldn't "endorse" the primary winner

[Clovis Sangrail]

they should actively campaign FOR the primary winner throughout the general election.

If candidate x doesn't win the nomination I think it is very likely that a number of that candidate's supporters will simply not vote.
Especially after all the party division we have seen so far.
A simple endorsement isn't going to change this much.... if they actually campaign for the nominee it probably will.

If the candidates actually care about the country as much as they say, they will work with the primary winner, WHOEVER IT IS, to defeat shrub.

I am sending a letter to the candidate I support asking that if they don't win the primary, they offer to campaign for whoever does.

Please send a similar letter to your candidate.

[adamrsilva]

1. Yeah, I think there's a real danger of Dean, DK, and Clark

supporters not supporting a different nominee.

[mikehiggins]

5. There is a very slim possibility that a miniscule number of Clark

supporters might not rally to the banner of whoever.

That tiny number would vary. Maybe more if Joe2004 got the nod. Dean might not insprire either.

However, since the vast majority of Wes's supporters, and the rationale for the Draft Clark movement in the first place was to beat the incumbent in November, it is obvious Clark supporters will be right up front when it comes to working the campaign.

This is not an academic debate to most of us, you know. We haven't been following a politician for years, or for some, for decades. We greatly fear that democracy itself is at risk if the pResident gets a second term, so we will back whoever manages to get the nod.

So, if you really think Clark supporters would turn away from this campaign, I think you really have to ask yourself what we do. If we don't beat this guy, this time, where on Earth will we be able to go that will not suffer as a result of his policies.

This election really is for all the marbles. That's why we get so worked up about it.

A ham sandwich--and honest to God ham sandwich--would get my vote before the Invisible Airman. And if I'm that serious about what's at stake here, why would I balk at supporting another candidate?

ABB Rules, dude!

[ulysses]

7. isn't it up to the candidate to win those votes?

As a Dean supporter, I don't expect folks who support Kucinich or any other candidate to automatically raise the Dean flag should he win the nomination.

ABB isn't the best campaign idea we have going forward.

[The Magistrate]

9. Honestly, Sir

It is for those who oppose the most reactionary elements of our polity to turn out and vote them out of the office they recently usurped. There is no other matter so pressing; there is nothing that can be accomplished to the good until this is done.

There is no issue whatever on the table but the defeat of the criminals of the '00 Coup; all "issues" are mere segments of this great concern.

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[NNN0LHI]

2. I am sure they will take your letter under advisement n/t

[Clovis Sangrail]

4. I'm hoping they will

if enough people send similar letters.

Given the magnitude of the next election and the nastiness of the campaign I'm surprised the DNC hasn't suggested such a thing to the candidates.

[Tinoire]

3. I trust my candidate will make the right decision at the right time

Why on earth would I or anyone else want to be pressuring my candidate to make some silly pledge? I should hope he has more important things to think about right now.


Sounds like a heavy-handed DLC tactic. Stinks...

[Clovis Sangrail]

6. silly pledge?

I did not suggest any 'pledge', nor do I consider it 'silly' to expect this of all of the candidates.

I do consider it very short sighted not to see the value of the candidates agreeing to campaign for the nominee, especially with all of the vitriol that has been circulating.

I want to see shrub defeated.
I think that is FAR MORE important than the victory of any particular candidate.

[The Magistrate]

8. Well Said, Mr. Sangrail

The only real issue at stake in the Party primary is which candidate stands the best chance of defeating the current administration. That is the important question, to which all else ought to be subordinated, and in the general election, all who claim to oppose reactionary power must turn out against the criminals of the '00 Coup.

"Now, my mother never bothered about bringing me up. She just saw to it that I got whacked at decent intervals and was taught the difference between right and wrong; there is some difference, you know, but I've forgotten what it is."