Is there anyone who will leave the Democratic Party if Hillary is the nominee? Poll questions please

[saracat]

As many threats concerning the potential Hillary nomination have been made by various posters, I am curious as to what categories most people who oppose Hillary fall into.So I decided to divide everyone into groups and poll to get a really simplistic idea.It has been quite a topic of discussion among many Party officials as to how big a threat the defection of those opposing her may be.I am hoping to get a general idea, though DU tends to be more progressive than many.

[DURHAM D]

1. I think you may have missed something.

Twenty-five to thirty percent of the people who post here are not Democrats.

[Mojambo]

2. Yep. I'm in that group. n/t

[saracat]

3. But the poll is directed at Democrats! Why would Indies and Greens and others have

to re register? I have no category for those of other parties that will or will not vote for her because that is not the question some in the Party are asking now.That could be another poll as to what they think!

[LittleClarkie]

4. Another option: I am a proud Democrat and...

will support the nominee whoever it is. But I don't have to like it.

But then, I really didn't like Kerry when he looked like he was going to win the nomination.

And you see how THAT turned out (grin)

[sandnsea]

5. After Hsu and Chatwal

:puke:

Voting for people who happily socialize with people convicted of fraud, over and over again.

I am really getting tired of having to make excuses for the Clintons. I live in a town where they still put bad checks up in the window to embarrass the local check writer. But I'm supposed to ignore thousands of people cheated in bankruptcy and bank fraud dealings? I just don't know.

[Forkboy]

6. Well, I'm officially not a Dem anymore already, so I don't know how to answer.

I'm Unenrolled here in Mass, meaning I can vote in any primary, and I kind of like this.I didn't intend on being in this position,just didn't return the voter card within the ten days due to health issues, but I'm liking the idea of screwing with the Repubs.The only tough part will be voting for a Repub for the first time ever, even if my intentions are to vote for the worst possible one still standing.

As for Hillary, I won't vote for her.If she's the nominee she'll get at least 70% of the vote here and won't miss mine.I'll write some other Democrat in.

In 22 years of voting I've voted non Dem 3 times.Twice for an Independent (one of which had no Dem running against him to vote for anyways, and in the other case I knew the Dem personally and he was a lying sack of shit who just happened to place a "D" in front of his name), and I voted for Grace Ross for Governor last time instead of Patrick, who had a commanding lead.

During the Gov's race they had a story on the candidate's houses and they all lived in one or more huge sprawling mansions (Healey had a few of them).Ross lived in a three story tenement building in a low income neighborhood.She was the only one running who actually knew what the hell poverty meant, and she was the only talking about it in any real terms.

[liberalnurse]

7. I'm voting for Hillary.....

I gave her money too! I'll give more as well. I like to work an extra shift at the hospital then donate it to a candidate! O8)

[saracat]

9. I think my post wan't clear.I don't want to have Dem pro Hillary people vote!

Those people will of course have every reason to stay Dem.I wanted those who do NOT like her to vote.I wanted to know how serious they were about leaving the party.Oh well!

[liberalnurse]

13. What was that song by the Rolling Stones???

Something like...." You can't always get what ya want".....O8)

[Tellurian]

65. I Like that song now...;)

[CTyankee]

70. I guess that's me, supporting Edwards now but if Hillary is nominated

I'll vote for her, of course.

If Hillary is our Dem candidate, I would expect that there would be more people swept up in the sheer drama of the campaign and would lean Dem as a result. I have reconsidered my fall trip to Europe based on the Election Day date. In 06 I was in Rome on Election Day and was in Siena when I learned we finally got the Senate! While it was fun to celebrate with a nice gelato in the beautiful Campo, I was sad to miss all the hoopla of the campaign. So, this year it's an early October trip for me!

[emilyg]

10. I gave money and will give her more. Darn right I'm voting for Hillary.

[saracat]

14. This poll was not about you.It was for non Hillary supporters!

[emilyg]

20. You didn't make that clear.

[saracat]

22. Apparently not.And now because I was an idiot the poll is worthless!

[Lucinda]

26. The extra shift is a very cool thing to do!

[liberalnurse]

54. Nurses can easily

pull this off....We can either sign-up for a nursing agency for the top non-overtime dollar or get time and a half/OT with your regular job!

Nurses ALWAYS can pick-up extra....especial if you are an RN and do clinical/hospital nursing.

[saltpoint]

8. I'm supporting the gentleman in the left of my sig field but am fully

aware that Senator Clinton is, at the moment, the leader of the pack.

I'm supporting Edwards at Primary time and the Democratic ticket in the general.

I also don't think Senator Clinton has a lock on anything and that the field is talented the future hints at uncertain outcomes.

[nevergiveup]

11. I continually remind myself that the next president

will likely appoint a couple more Supreme Court justices. I will therefore swallow my pride, eat crow at work and support Hillary if she is the nominee.

[sharp_stick]

12. She's not my favorite

but if she wins I'll bust my ass to get her elected. Those who say they will leave should just bloody well do it now, all the whining I hear from them really is starting to harsh my buzz.

Honest to God though this I'm taking my ball and going home crowd makes me want to fricking puke.

[Freddie Stubbs]

15. I know the Democratic Party. I know that it is not capable of nominating a candidate whom

I could not support.

[PresidentObama]

16. If you leave the party when the Democratic Party needs to lead the most, you're an idiot!!!

Hillary Clinton would make a fine President, and would be someone whom would bring big change to this country. Same goes with Senator Obama and Senator Edwards. We have a very talented field full of very capable candidates, and no one should switch parties when it's obvious the outcome of this election will determine what kind of America we'll live in, in the future!!

[LWolf]

45. I think that's the whole point: many Democrats

don't believe that Hillary will make a fine president; many don't want the kind of America she'll lead us into.

There is a difference between preferring one decent candidate to another, and to believing that a particular candidate, or candidates, are bad for the country or the democratic party.

If people don't particularly like Clinton or Obama, but think the country will be ok under their administration, they will probably vote for them.

If they think that Clinton, or Obama, or any candidate will not make the country a better place, will not make the changes they are working for, then they SHOULD NOT vote for them. People who vote for candidates who don't represent them are enabling the corruption and dysfunction currently riddling our government.

People who disagree with you about this issue are not idiots, and name-calling is a juvenile bully tactic, not a way to discuss a disagreement.

[L0oniX]

17. She will never get us national single payer health care ...it will be a dog and pony show!

IMO ...and the name calling (idiot) in the others posts is typical of Americans ak: if you don't like the others point of view then try to insult them.

[illinoisprogressive]

18. After 25 years of watching my party making the same mistake over and over

and sticking by them, if they end up doing it again, I can't stick by them.
I am sick of the democrats making the same mistake and never learning squat. They keep overthinking and making the wrong choice in nominating the weakest and most unappealing of the bunch. then cry because they loose and don't know why.
That is not the party I grew up with and loved.
If they insist on continuing to shoot themselves in the foot, then it is no one else's fault but their own. they have been told over and over and don't listen. don't care.


There comes a time to take a stand.

[Bake]

66. So then what if it's not Hillary, but it's not your candidate either?

Is it just HRC that you can't stomach, or is it "Obama or I quit?"

Bake

[datadiva]

19. I'm voting my favorite in the primary

and whoever the democratic candidate is in the general election. No more republicans in the presidency unless one is born with morals. Which probably won't happen anytime soon.

[IndianaGreen]

21. I just watched the Republican debate, and if Hillary is the nominee, I'll know what to do!

No more Republican government!

[Auntie Bush]

23. How sad that 19% will definitely register as an Independent

because the party has no place for them. How would the party under Hillary
be so awful should she win? Those people must not be such good Democrats anyway. I was getting so discouraged at our party until I came to the last poll question. Thank God we still have a majority of rational people. I can see where people wouldn't work for a candidate they didn't like or want...but it blows my mind how the Hillary haters couldn't even vote for her in the general.

For the record...I don't know who I'm voting for yet...but rest assured it WILL definitely be for whomever our party nominates. Anybody but a stingy, filthy, lying Republican?

[Oldenuff]

37. No offense to you whatsoever

Perhaps it is the perception of many,that a vote for Hillary won't equal any change in our government (even if by some quirk of fate she was elected).Just because I am registered Democrat does not mean I'll follow what the party decides.I won't just blindly vote for somebody that I don't support...no matter what my party affiliation is.If the party tries to shove her down my throat,I'll write in my candidates name.

I will not...WILL NOT.. support any candidate who supports the Patriot Act.If they can't muster up the gumption to stand against the abuse of my rights,then they won't get my vote...or respect.

[Auntie Bush]

47. I understand your thinking and reasoning but,

I feel badly that any Democrats will lose their votes by voting for someone who doesn't have a chance to win. It's on par for voting for Nader. What good does it do? Maybe, just maybe Hillary won't be a centrist as you believe she'll be. Maybe, just maybe she'll actually do some things you'd like along with a few things you don't like. That's better than nothing!
That's better than wasting your vote, Remember...who we have in congress will make a big difference. If Hillary or whomever has a veto proof majority and they don't push for progressive ideals...they will be a one term President and they wouldn't want that. Please consider the fact that you might have a too negative view of her platform. She could surprise you and that possibility is better than wasting your vote on someone who doesn't have a chance of winning. Just my long winded 2 cents worth.

[Oldenuff]

55. Some things are just too important AB.

You make some good points,and normally I would agree with you.But,I simply can't bring myself to shrug off the abuses of my freedom and vote for someone who supports the PA.(no matter what candidate it is).In my opinion,all issues pale in comparison to all the recent attacks on our freedoms in whatever guise they may take..Patriot Act..Real ID act..the new passport rules..FISA,there seems to be no end to it...and more importantly,none of the "frontrunners" seem to think it's too important...(save Kooch-Gravel and Paul).I simply have to stand on the pricipals this country used to represent.

Give me a candidate with some backbone for a change!

He who joyfully marches to the music of the rank and file, has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would surely suffice.Albert Einstein

You're good people AB,and I appreciate the interaction.

[saracat]

24. Adding it up 32 will apparently not vote for her as opposed to 47 who will

and only 19 will l register Indie and 2 Green.

[Tellurian]

25. Your total is incorrect... Hillary has 59 votes or 65% that will and 32 votes or 35% won't

The margin is almost 2 to 1 will vote for her.

[saracat]

27. That is because I forgot to add those that will vote but not campaign for her. Sorry!

[Tellurian]

28. Yes, I know..

GO HILLARY!

[saracat]

29. And I think it is 44 who do not really support her if you add in the ones

who"reluctanly support her but won't campaign.It is 48 who "enthusiasticall will support ANY nominee. I am not sure how much this translates into support for Hillary.Maybe my math is wrong but that doesn't seem like 2-1 support.Some will only vote if forced to.

[ElizabethDC]

30. At the end of the day, a vote is a vote.

Levels of enthusiasm aren't taken into account at the polls.

[saracat]

31. And that kind of thinking is what loses general elections! But whatever.

[ElizabethDC]

33. No, I'm not denying that enthusiasm is a good thing, but votes are how elections are won.

Clearly, there has to be some level of enthusiasm for a candidate to win, and the more the better, but when the votes are tallied, enthusiasm isn't taken into account.

And, regardless, enthusiasm for Hillary exists (as it does for many of the candidates), believe me, even if it isn't widespread on DU.

[saracat]

34. Democrats have enthusiasm for Hillary but the general public doesn't.

The primary is one thing but the general is another.But hey Democrats had enthusiasm for McGovern and others who didn't win.

[ElizabethDC]

35. Well, who then does the general public have enthusiasm for?

I think that right now most people are just enthusiastic about George Bush leaving office, at least from what I can tell.

[saracat]

36. They like Obama and Edwards better than anyone else as far as I can tell.

Some like guliani but the repugs have a tough slog. Hillary is not unelectable it will just bea tough sell and I don't see why we should have to do that when we have other candidates that are more "easily" electable and IMHO , just as competant.But what will be will be I guess.

[saracat]

32. And I have a feeling that "generic Democrat would trump "all" the candidates

and Generic isn't even running! LOL!

[Tellurian]

50. ....

:dem:

[Cobalt-60]

38. I've got to support the nominee this time.

Once the Republicans have been banished, I'll judge the behavior or the Democrats.
If I see a proper purge of the bureaucracy, if they pull the plug on the profiteers,
If whoever is in there is the best Executive since Hadrian, I'll stay with them.
As to alternate parties, I can't even consider that until the current conflict has been won.

[Apollo11]

39. The whole point of the primaries

is for Democrats to decide who the nominee should be.

When it comes to the general election, we ALL need to get behind our candidate.

If you don't vote Democratic, then how can you call yourself a Democrat?

[Tesha]

42. Ned Lamont proves this is just a hope.

Ned Lamont proves this is just a hope.

When the right wins, we on the left are told to hold
our noses and vote for the Democrat "just 'cause".

When the left wins, the right-wing "Democrats" all
efect and vote for the more-right non-Democrat.

Now, after Ned Lamont proved how this works, that
era is over, sorry.

Tesha

[Apollo11]

43. Lieberman is a traitor

He betrayed the Democratic Party and has put himself outside the tent.

I don't think we should hold him up as an example for the rest of us to follow.

"Lost your party primary? Why not run as an independent? Let Uncle Joe show you how!"

That's the road to 8 more years of a right-wing Whitehouse.

[Tesha]

44. Strangely enough, he had a lot of "Democratic" support.

And the national party didn't exactly rush to support
Ned Lamont, *THE NOMINATED DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE*, did
they?

So next year, when I'm told I have to support a war-
mongering, USA PATRIOT Act-supporting, flag-burning-
banning person just because she's "a Democrat", I'll
politely decline and vote for someone who actually
supports democracy.

Tesha

[Apollo11]

46. As a democrat

I respect your right to vote your conscience.

Especially if you don't live in a "swing state".

[Bongo Prophet]

40. Anyone thinking of bolting should watch the GOP debates. Eyes open, strategic and realistic.

Some ideas from GOP--

Iran/contra diplomacy
Track people like UPS packages
National ID card for "aliens" (no Id card? then you must be legit earthling)
Gitmo forever
Roe v Wade bye bye
More FENCE!
Constant guards to guard the fence!
Worldwide JIHAD against JIHAD


and that is just the top of my spinning head.
ANY ANY ANY of our people are at least SANE.
We should remember that as we make the decision to post something supportive or trashy about fellow dems, or even marginal allies.

[Bake]

67. Exactly. I think a lot of people here haven't been watching the Pukes.

These are the choices: The Dem nominee (whoever it ends up being) or a damn fool who will continue the same old bushit.

Bake

[JNelson6563]

41. I will stay!

I will vote for the nominee. I will make lots of money for my home county Dem party and other Dem parties in my region by way of taking donations for swag.

It will be interesting to see, if Hillary is our nominee, how swag demand will be in comparison to 04.

As far as "working" for a campaign, I will be working for the party. Promoting various Dem candidates, promoting memberships (excellent income source) and all that fun stuff. Who the nominee is won't really play into my efforts in that regard.

It's high time we seized control of my county's commission! And we've GOT to win another seat on our state's Supreme Court!

So much work, so little time.

Julie

[Milo_Bloom]

48. I would likely stay a registered democrat, but would work against her...

Edwards, Biden or Dodd if they got the nomination, b/c I feel if any of them were in charge, it would disasterous for the long term survival of the party.

[ce qui la baise1]

49. Democracy is about anyone being able to run.

[Tellurian]

51. Hillary at 62% @ DU ....exceptional!!

[Totally Committed]

52. Exceptional? The question is basically, "With a gun to your head, will you vote for Hillary

if she is nominated?"

Look at the number of people willing to re-register to Independent. (19%) Or write in another name (10%). Or not work to support her campaign at all (14%)

If I were running her campaign and saw numbers like that from a site like this, I'd be worried, not elated.

I guess every silver lining has a cloud around it....


TC

[Tellurian]

53. So?

[saracat]

57. Exactly. And more than 50 are not voting for her at all!

[wyldwolf]

68. ANOTHER B.O WINNER!!

[saracat]

56. Odd you don't care about how many despise her? At least 50 are voting against her!

If these many dems are "forced" to vote for her. the gerneral public will not!

[Tellurian]

58. Odd, I'm getting the feeling you'll be posting a Farewell thread again..

"Bashing a "position" isn't the same as personal bashing." saracat...

Were you against it before you were for it? Just askin'

[saracat]

59. This isn't remotely "bashing."I don't understand your point.And No I am not taking another break

except for an upcoming weekend.You will have to be disappointed I am sorry to say.It now seems that including thise that will not help Hillary's campign there are 74.

[saracat]

60. and 76 that will "enthusiastically support whomever is the Dem nominee" Not

exactly a rip roaring victory for your candidate.There are more against her than I has presumed.Must be that pesky labor union influence.

[Tellurian]

61. Look again.. you forgot to add #2 again to the total= 101 votes for Hillary= 65%

Hillary never disappoints!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB-Xqi_dcDY

Your Poll

[saracat]

62. I deliberately did not add those because they are holding their nose and voting.it isn't as though t

they support her.I was gauging "support" and it is not overwhelming.Grudgingly voting for someone because you feel you have no choice is not "support!" And how about that Union support? Disappointed are Ya?

[Tellurian]

63. You submitted the questions...now you're whining because you didn't get the expected results...

You have to admit for DU...this is a significant BlockBuster!

[saracat]

69. Actually the results are exactly the ones I anticipated.It may surprise

you but I was in the category that would "Stay Democrat vote for Hillary but not work for her."And I cannot be considered a Hillary supporter.The only way I would vote for her is if she is the nominee.And I am not whining about the poll results in the least!

[last_texas_dem]

64. The last choice*

* With a couple of unlikely-to-happen exceptions; for example, if Zell Miller or that dude from the "Connecticut for Lieberman" (what was his name again? Joementum? J/K!) somehow became the Democratic nominee.

ON EDIT: I should note that in those cases I would not *leave* the Democratic Party but would abstain from voting for the Democratic nominee (although I wouldn't vote Republican, either). The only way I would leave the Democratic Party would be if they morphed into a party that I didn't agree with on a majority of issues. And I might stay with them even then if I still disagreed with the Republicans on essentially every issue, as I do now!

[AtomicKitten]

71. It will cause some consideration of it.

The nastiness of some of the HRC supporters isn't helping that statistic here at DU.