Why we should demand that NO democratic candidate should drop out

[LynneSin]

It's simple: Each of these candidates attract a diverse group of people into the process and the more people we can get interested now in the campaigns, the better chance we'll have a chance to beat Bush in the long run.

My upstairs neighbor is an elderly African American woman who just loves Carol Mosely-Braun. She knows Ms. Braun doesn't have a strong chance of winning, but my neighbor has been watching the primaries, listening to the candidates and not only has interests in some of the other candidates but her disgust in Bush is growing stronger.

I have family members in the Unions, which support Dick Gephardt. They too have been watching the primaries. Many of them voted for Bush but have been frustrated with how Bush has been treating Labor. Again, they've been watched a few primaries and are showing interest not only in Gephardt, but a few of the other candidates out there running.

The primaries will be an education for all of us and the candidates and when it's all overwith next July, the eventual winner will be even stronger and will hopefully have a wide diversity of voters out there. Maybe many of these candidates do not stand a chance, but how do you think Unions or Minorities would feel if we demanded certain candidates drop out now because we feel it'll hurt our chances in the long run? And I'm sure for the other 8 candidates I haven't discussed there would be a unique set of voters who would be offended if we demanded he/she should leave the race.

This primary process will build strong candidates and I love the fact that we're having debates now because I'm finding more people out there getting interested in watching them. I'm irritated when they bash each other and feel they should all be focusing on the real problem - the status of our country should Bush be given another 4 years to serve.

Let's embrace the primaries; that's what they are here for.

[sangh0]

1. Some people seem to think

that the ONLY purpose of primaries is to pick the nominee. They don't seem to realize that primaries are way to get a wide range of messages to people. They also don't seem to recognize that diversity is the Democratic Party's greatest assets.

We aren't like the Repukes because we are NOT repukes.

[Brucey]

5. I agree,

all the candidates make for a good discussion of issues and good publicity for views of Dems.

[MissMillie]

2. I was just saying this to my sister this weekend....

That it's good for the candidates to be debating and discussing ideas now. It IS a learning experience for us, and hopefully too for the candidates.

After the convention, we will unite under the party banner. But for now, let's debate what that banner should look like.

Anyone got any thoughts on how to get Perot to run.... he helped out a bit in '92.

[Cocoa]

3. I once wished Braun would drop out

at first I didn't see what she added, and took time away from the candidated I wanted to hear from.

But after that last debate on Fox, I changed my mind and was grateful she was there.

And it was such a great site seeing all the various candidates together at the Steak Fry, and hear Clinton stroke them all equally. :-)

[lostnfound]

4. Yes, even Lieberman serves a purpose..

As soon as the Democratic party picks a nominee, Karl Rove, Tom Delay, Cheney, and their armies of henchmen will devote all resources to tearing them down.

With 10 candidates running, the Republican evildoers have got to spread their resources making slander and dirt-digging less profitable. And going public with dirt they might have on the front-runners currently would only serve to bring forward the middle-of-the-pack guys -- which probably would just amplify and strengthen the Democratic message.

Back to Lieberman..possibly, there are fence-sitters drawn to him, who are wavering about dumping Bush; they can focus on the prospect of a Lieberman candidacy for a while, rather than dwelling on their fears about what they don't like about Dean or Kerry etc. Bait and switch..?