Thoughts on the 57% undecided (up from 41% prior to Super Tuesday).

[hlthe2b]

Finding it curious that the majority of Klobuchar, Buttigieg, Warren, Bloomberg, Yang supporters (presumedly) are now firmly fixed in the undecided category (up to 57% from 41 percent prior to Super Tuesday)

Now, please know that I'm not criticizing. I remained undecided until I mailed in my ST ballot. But, I guess I thought most had a second choice already. Maybe they just haven't felt like updating?

Best wishes for making your decisions!

[Xipe Totec]

1. That was a forced change. People got moved to Undecided involuntarily.

I bet a bunch of folks hadn't even noticed.

[PatSeg]

35. Okay, that makes sense

Many haven't had a chance to change it or like you say, haven't even noticed.

The only reason I had set my preference was so I could participate in the Biden group. Otherwise, I may have stayed undecided for awhile. It is less combative that way.

[Hortensis]

54. I've always remained undecided until late in the process,

but that's because I've always waited to see who my real choices were going to be, both in what I might continue to learn about them and as survivors of all the cuts.

Interesting to learn you abstained to avoid unpleasantness, and certainly understandable. For me, on this forum so many of my posts were pro Biden as alternatives shrank, and I'd always been very grateful that this heavy hitter had reluctantly answered the call (at his age!) and for the reasons I'd hoped he would, that the undecided label was looking really hypocritical, even to me.

It belatedly occurred to me that with Elizabeth out, our sole survivors out of over 25 are VP Biden and two candidates known to allow themselves to be used by Russia as assets and/or actively behaving that way. And that makes me happy to learn that many of the new "undecideds" were just moved to that category willy-nilly.

[PatSeg]

57. I found that even I tended to prejudge

a comment or post by who the person had endorsed, which isn't necessarily healthy for meaningful debate. I assume that many people would do the same with me. I know many people here had more than one preference and that those preferences could change over time.

For me I was partial to Biden, Warren, and Klobuchar for most of the primary. I could have enthusiastically supported any of those.

It is inevitable that things would start to get a bit tribal as the number of candidates started to decrease. It is hard not to get caught up in it.

Though Joe was always my first choice, I wouldn't have declared a preference early on except for being able to participate in the Biden group.

[Hortensis]

60. Absolutely. I was also glad, and proud, to have a number of choices.

And it's unfortunately too easy to fall into the partisan trap and forget we're all multifaceted.

Of course, there really are such things as right and wrong, truth and lies, integrity and betrayal, and they do tend to correlate with different candidates. Most Democrats by far campaign on truth, both because that's who they are and what works best with most Democrats. It's unusual for a candidate to rely heavily on deceiving voters, but it can happen. While seeking to be accepting and respectful of a range of ideas, it'd be a mistake to false-equalize acceptance of lies and dirty politics, or perhaps vulnerability to, with attraction to truth and honor.

Whatever. It'll be interesting to watch how DU's percentages stabilize at what new levels.

[George II]

2. They were automatically changed to "undecided". Many may not even realize that yet.

[still_one]

5. +++

[Happy Hoosier]

3. A good chance a lot of those undecideds haven't been here for a long time.

The vast majority of active participants in this forum have a preference.

[intheflow]

10. It changed automatically.

And it's what I would have changed it to even though I've been here 2004. You, Noob, have no reason to make such broad-brush assumptions about undecideds in a primary first marked by the most diverse candidate group ever that's now been whittled down to two white male octogenarians.

[Happy Hoosier]

14. LOL, haven;t been called a Noob in a long time....

Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

I realize that it changed automatically for some. Liz had a strong showing here when she dropped out (I supported her before SC).

But I have lurked here a long time (years, in fact) before I registered. Don't assume I am unfamiliar with the place.

In any case, I maintain that there is a significant portion of undecideds who are simply not active in this forum.

[NurseJackie]

56. It's curious to see anyone who claims to be "undecided" at this late hour.

[LaurenOlimina]

4. Undecided is the default.

I have rebelled against the system.

[beachbumbob]

6. DU is not representative of US

the people I know and talk with (12) who supported the candidates who dropped, 11 of the 12 now supporting Biden and 6 of them made Act Blue donations already

[LaurenOlimina]

7. Everyone should select Bernie for a few days and see how they get treated.

It has been eye opening. Du seems much less inviting if you have that preference displayed.

[joost5]

12. We'll all need to work together to oust drumpf and his corrupt ilk, no matter who is the Nominee.

Former Amy backer here, who loved Warren, who voted for Bernie in 2016 to win it. Now my sight's on flipping the Senate (disinfecting the Senate Majority Leader's chair from the stink of Moscow Mitch) and keeping the House BLUE.

But I like a lot of Bernie's ideas. He will pull Biden (and cabinet) more towards them.

[LaurenOlimina]

18. Thank you.

We're all rowing in the same direction. I wish Warren would endorse Biden. That would tip me over to his camp, and I vote tomorrow. I read the "What do you like about your candidate" thread for Joe Biden and it was mostly "he isn't Bernie," which is less than zero help.

I wish I could see what Biden's fans see in him.

[bearsfootball516]

29. After three and a half years of Trump, people are scared and exhausted.

Biden has a very calming, caring demeanor that is very appealing to voters after three years of complete chaos. He has a history of getting things done, and is deeply respected in the world’s stage.

[joost5]

62. This whole thread is pretty good.

Moderates will decide the election.

Link to tweet

This election is going to be won in a few districts in a few states.

North Carolina
Wisconsin
Pennsylvania
Michigan

Moderates will decide this election.

I've seen a lot of discussion about what it will take to beat Trump with all of his cheating. We may not get another chance for fare and free elections after this one.

[Just_Vote_Dem]

28. I feel the same way being a Biden supporter

and being told I'm a centrist, the "establishment", I'm just against someone and not "for" someone, etc. So I get what you're saying, on the other side.

[TwilightZone]

32. I'm not sure how constant victimhood is supposed to help Sanders.

He's not unique in getting criticism, it's the reward for being a front-runner. When Biden was ahead for months, the criticism targeted at him was heavy. When Warren briefly was the front-runner and appeared to have momentum, many, mostly Sanders supporters, targeted her quickly and vehemently. When she called him out in a debate, Sanders supporters responded by calling her a snake (or worse, at other "progressive" sites). When Pete briefly looked like he was going to challenge Sanders in IA/NH, the attacks were swift and rather intense, with Sanders supporters calling him a rat.

It's nothing new, and it's not unique to Sanders. What seems to be unique is that his supporters seem to look at everything from the perspective of Bernie being a victim of everything. There's another thread going right now that insists that Warren's lack of success has nothing to do with sexism and is because of how she treated Bernie.

It's always about Bernie, even when it isn't.

[LaurenOlimina]

36. I noticed a difference when I got switched off of Warren yesterday.

I was treated a lot better as a Pete or Warren supporter. Now, the slightest comment about anything brings cries of negativity, why do you hate the party, my guy is better than your guy, etc.

I had no idea. They really are being treated shabbily.

[el_bryanto]

33. You don't say. n/t

[LaurenOlimina]

37. I feel your pain now!

[Sympthsical]

50. Some people seem to be yearning for a repeat of 2016

Smack around progressives for a few months, lose the election when they have zero enthusiasm, then wonder what happened while blinking innocently.

It’s already obnoxious, and it’s only early March.

[FreeState]

58. Were you not paying attention when Pete was still in the race?

Seriously, it was beyond anything your seeing against Burnie now.

[LaurenOlimina]

61. I was a Pete supporter.

In fact, I'd like to get that banner if anyone has a screenshot. Having Bernie as your primary pick is much worse.

[TomCADem]

8. I already voted for Warren. It does not matter now.

I prefer Biden over Bernie, but I can't recast my vote.

[BlueMTexpat]

47. Thanks for your Warren vote, Tom!

At least you got to vote for Warren!

My MD primary isn't until April.

I may have been moved to "Undecided" involuntarily on DU, but I'm quite content to stay in that category until I must make a choice.

And I will.

[pecosbob]

53. Ditto

[loyalsister]

9. Sexism won

Joe and Bernie represent the white entitled man with sexism and racism in their history and easily forgiven by win at all costs loyal supporters who would not take the time to listen to the smartest person in the room because they were busy gushing over white men.

[hlthe2b]

11. I don't for a minute deny the sexism. But, I think ultimately it was Fear (Trump)

I truly believe we'd be nominating Warren if not for Trump as the opposition and I think she, like HRC would have decisively won the popular vote. Further, I think Warren would have won the Battleground states sufficient to win the EC against any other Republican Presidential candidate.

But, Trump.

I share your sadness.

[RDavisJ1]

15. I don't by sexism and that's because....

None of the female candidates had the backing of the Black community. Even Kamala Harris didn't have the backing of the Black community in masse. There was a lot of talk about Pete an his POC issue, but no one was talking about the fact that Warren wasn't doing much better and Amy was doing far worse. I'm not saying sexism didn't play some part, but I don't buy that as the over reaching reason as to why.

Warren transformed herself 3 to 4 times during her campaign, making shifts chasing polls. Her message was often confusing and by the end, contradictory to her beginning message.

Amy never caught on with people. She was by far the most conservative candidate running.

Neither of these women won a contest or placed second, but you would have thought from the pundits they were on fire!

While I understand the disappointment of not seeing your candidates moving forward, to blame it on sexism versus the message and the policies is a mistake.

[mr_lebowski]

17. Oh brother ...

I've a lot of complaints about both men but I'd not call either of them sexist or racist.

Or entitled.

And I ain't apologizing about winning at all costs, I don't GAF about anything else at this point (within some degree of reason).

Liz would've been my first choice if I could've just magically put her into office. Pete would've been my VP.

Why? They're the smartest people in the room.

Very unfortunately ... politics in the US doesn't value intelligence or even sound policies nearly enough.

Doesn't mean you have to bash the last two men standing just because they're white men and imply they're being too easily forgiven by a bunch of racists and sexists.

That's poppycock, IMHO.

[hlthe2b]

31. In reading/rereading the poster's comments to which you respond, I don't think they were saying

the sexism was on the part of Biden or Sanders. It seems clear to me they meant the coverage and to some extent within the electorate. I've already stated my own opinion that I think it was Trump fear at play, but that there clearly was underlying sexism at play.

[loyalsister]

44. Both participate in a system that elevates white men without rejecting the benefits it gives them

Neither is rejecting the narrative of gushing over the votes of white men who refused to vote for Hillary, went from Obama to Trump, or those who voted for Trump.

[seaglass]

13. Maybe they should add a category Already Voted. Which I did. For Warren.

I don't have another vote until the GE and I will vote for the nominee, so

[marlakay]

19. I don't vote till end of May

I will vote for either of the men but not picking one. I like Bernie and Biden both.

I have reasons both for and against each one, so will stay undecided.

[seaglass]

24. And my feeling is the opposite - I don't like either of them. I would have chosen

Harris, Gillibrand, Buttigieg, O'Rourke, Bennett, Booker, Castro and Klobuchar before either of these two.

My worst case scenario was Bloomberg-Sanders and this is my 2nd worst case scenario. (excluding those who had/have no chance like Gabbard, Williamson, DeBlasio etc.)

Oh well - anyone is better than Trump and that's where I'm at. Feeling sad though.

[marlakay]

30. When I said like I meant have a cup of tea

With or a glass of wine. Personally.

Yes you are right both men were my last choices politically. Why I am not choosing.

I liked Harris, Pete, Beto, Lang, and Warren. All different but meant change to me.

Bernie is change but there is so much anger about him and in some of his supporters it puts me off.

[BlueMTexpat]

49. I've got two

criteria that will ultimately inform my choice:

1) the one I trust more
2) the one with a wife who is truly a class act

[pinkstarburst]

16. My candidate was defeated by sexism

I have no enthusiasm for either of the choices remaining. And my avatar reflects that.

[loyalsister]

48. I have a friend who said it best

"I will not lift a finger to help either of these men." Instead, I will focus on local candidates who are much more inspiring. In MO we have a chance to elect the first woman governor and the Black man to a state-wide office. I am also focused on city council and state races. Those are much more encouraging to me. I will vote for the Democrat who wins the presidential nomination, and focusing local is my strategy to deflect from the disappointing turn the presidential race has taken. State and local politics affect daily life to a larger degree anyway.

[KPN]

21. Good observation. How does one change that?

It was apparent at one point, but I couldn't find a location for changing preference just now.

Oops, nevermind. Duh!

With Warren out, I have been reduced to one choice. She would have made a great President of the US. I hope she runs again in 2024.

[AllyCat]

22. It is because so many of us were for Warren

When DU drops a candidate, all those who have that person as preferred candidate switch to "undecided" automatically. Until we select a new preferred candidate, that is where it stays. Since she dropped out yesterday, 19-20% of DU had her picked...thus, the increase in "undecided" designation. I was one of them. Switched to Joe. Bernie speaks to my values more, but I just can't back him this time after he called us the "establishment" as if that was a bad thing.

[question everything]

25. Don't put all of us in one basket

Klobuchar never got above the one digit on this page and most of us followed her example and switched to Biden.

And, I think, this is true for Buttigieg.

Warren is still bitter and, I think, so are her supporters and she was at the top.

[hlthe2b]

40. I'm not. Just that supporters of recent withdrawals are those that automatically revert "undecided"

Certainly, they may not realize it automatically reverts to undecided if their candidate suspends--or they have not yet made a second choice/don't wish to. Or, perhaps they don't remember how to.

[EarlG]

26. For some perspective

Supporters of Bloomberg, Buttigieg, Klobuchar, Steyer, and Warren were automatically forced over to Undecided this week as their candidates dropped out -- which was a LOT of DUers, given that Warren was the first-placed candidate.

However, about 40% of the people who were forced to Undecided this past week have already selected a new candidate!

We won't see any more big spikes in Undecideds because there are really only two candidates left (if Gabbard drops out there will not be a noticeable change in the numbers). So I'd expect to see the Undecided number slowly decline from this point on, and probably take bigger drops after each primary day as the shape of the race becomes clearer.

[hlthe2b]

34. 40% of those reverted to UNDECIDED have already chosen a new candidate. Interesting, EarlG

Thanks for weighing in.

[karynnj]

38. The big increase was yesterday when Warren left the race

I suspect that for many people supporting Warren, updating their DU preferences was not the top thing to do for many who are likely very disappointed. She had 19% at that point that were immediately added to undecided. Personally, I was undecided between Warren and Biden, which made things easier for me.

Consider that some may have very much wanted a woman President - a factor in my inability to decide before it was clear Warren, who I thought would be the compromise candidate, could be seen not to have a chance after SuperTuesday. They may need to time to chose between 2 candidates they really do not want.

After time, the split will be obvious - as there is a huge difference between the two men.

[MD shmoo]

39. Former Mayor Pete supporter

Didn't figure it makes a difference to change it at this point. I suppose I could make a case for either of the 2 remaining candidates although neither one is truly inspiring me as both have significant weaknesses and I can't honestly make a case to other Democrats why one is a no-doubt pick over the other. "They'll be better than Trump" is honestly damning with faint praise and it's the best argument I can make for either. At this point it's time to start thinking about my arguments for talking to others about the general election and why to support the Dem ticket regardless of who it is rather than spending brain cycles on the Dem primary.

Also the "sexism" claims are getting old. Mayor Pete didn't use "anti-gay bias" to explain his loss, or Booker use racism to excuse his. Bloomberg didn't use anger at the wealthy to excuse his loss. At a certain point you simply need to acknowledge your preferred candidate wasn't the majority choice for this specific point in time.

[MoonlitKnight]

41. I am going to cast my vote for the best person for the job.

And that is Elizabeth Warren. She is still on my ballot, so I am still voting for her.

Whether it’s Biden or Sanders I will go all in for that person, because they would be the best person on the ballot in the general. Both have their strengths and weaknesses and it’s going to be close no matter who it is. My primary vote isn’t going to impact that in any way.

[ibegurpard]

42. Why the continual obsession with people's candidate preference status?

Many people are deliberately choosing NOT to pick someone even though they may have leanings one way or another.

[hlthe2b]

43. Wow. so not necessary...

Did I not state that I was undecided until last week and that I was limiting this discussion only to those whose candidate had withdrawn and perhaps did not realize their preference automatically reverted to undecided?

This is a discussion board and in this forum it is quite expected we will ask about second choices as the primaries move forward. I'm sorry if that offends you. I made certain to try to convey that I was not being critical of those who chose not to state a preference.

It is not necessary to make a choice and no one is demanding you do so. But, neither do you get to demand that we not discuss where DU supporters of now withdrawn candidates are putting their support.

[ibegurpard]

45. I can demand whatever I like

Whether or not you choose to oblige is up to you. But the continual badgering of people who often are deliberately CHOOSING not to pick a candidate here, often in the form of a demand itself, is getting very tiresome. If you choose to be offended because i picked your post to go off on the latest example of it then that's certainly up to you as well.

[hlthe2b]

46. You keep claiming what I did not say. I am not badgering YOU or anyone else to state a preference

You are WAAAAY out of line and you know it.

[TexasTowelie]

51. Considering the surge that Warren had back in October

I wouldn't be surprised if that it was bots and trolls who registered, selected her as the preferred candidate, and who have vanished for good. Otherwise, we would have seen the percentages for Warren decline just like they did in the national polls between November and early February.

[intheflow]

52. Thanks for this paranoid take.

There are many reasons why she had wide support here and not in the generals, none having to do with bots or infiltrating sock puppet accounts.

1) Sexism.
2) Media that sidelined her, wanting a horse race between Sanders and Biden to boost their ratings.
3) The DNC learned the wrong lesson in 2016. It's not that a woman can't win (I know HRC won, but you know what I mean), it's that she was rammed through over the democratic process that was elevating Sanders, and also, she was seen as a status quo candidate.
4) That she'd lose to the Penis-in-Chief (see points #1 and #3).
5) Democratic Underground leans slightly more left than many Democratic-supporting discussion boards.

[TexasTowelie]

55. You're welcome and whatever.

I'm certain that there will be more members declaring a preference as we proceed through the primaries since a lot of members were shifted into the undecided category because of all of the candidates that withdrew from the race and they realign with the candidate that they support. If the percentage stays above 50% by the end of the month, then it lends support to my "paranoid" theory. If the percentage of undecideds drops below 30%, then I'll be more inclined to admit that I was wrong.

I haven't kept up with the monthly announcements from EarlG as to whether the calculations include or exclude banned members which would also have an affect on the percentages that we see. The only gauge that we really had was to observe the relative number of members prior to the candidates withdrawing and that gauge is no longer available for evaluation.

[MineralMan]

59. If your candidate dropped out, you're automatically

switched to Undecided. A lot of those folks really aren't all that active on DU. It will take them some time to realign. Not everyone comes here daily. Not even close.