Five Candidates Withdrawing From D.C. Primary

[pruner]

By Craig Timberg
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, November 7, 2003; 4:02 PM

Four of the nine Democratic presidential candidates have formally withdrawn from the Jan. 13 D.C. primary, and a fifth is also bowing out, undercutting the city's bid to influence the nomination process and highlight its lack of congressional voting rights.

Removing their names from the ballot were Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.), Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.), Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) and Rep. Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.). All four had letters hand-delivered to the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics late Thursday afternoon withdrawing.

A spokesperson for retired Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark, who had begun to show signs of an organizational effort in the city, said he was sending a letter asking to be taken off the primary ballot as well.

The D.C. Council passed a law last month putting all the candidates on the ballot unless they opted out.

D.C. Democratic Party Chairman A. Scott Bolden called the move by the five candidates an "offensive gesture."

<snip>

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12582-2003Nov7.html

[helleborient]

1. I would like to see recognition of real representation...

For DC residents become more of an issue.

It just seems ridiculous that residents of D.C. who serve our national government can not be represented in our national government.

I know that's not the specific issue here...but I understand why this would feel like a slap in the face.

If Al Sharpton is angry about this...I completely understand.

[JohnKleeb]

2. I dont know what they are thinking BUT

Whenever Ive been downtown in DC, Ive seen good stuff for Kucinich.

[CMT]

3. Howard Dean isn't withdrawing

matter of fact most Democratic members of DC city council have endorsed him and there is a good chance DC mayor will as well.

[helleborient]

4. Yes, I wonder what the withdrawals thus far say about...

The importance to the candidates of appealing to a mostly liberal African-American population in our nation's capitol vs. appealing to the leaders of the DNC.

[AWD]

5. That leaves...

Sharpton, Moseley-Braun, Kucinich, and Dean.

I wonder how the African-American community will respond to the uncaring attitude of the rest.

[LuminousX]

6. At the moment, they won't care

But this is easily turned into an interesting soundbite for future speeches. "Abandoning D.C., the city they are supposed to be caring for as members of Congress...." Doesn't work for Clark though, Clark is just following DNC orders like a good soldier.

[pruner]

7. I like the new graphic

:)

[Punkingal]

8. Dupe...

I'm locking. Please see:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=108&topic_id=79678

punkingal, DU moderator