Probably a lame question, but that has never stopped me before

[Kali]

I guess when John Edwards quit I realized finally who I was leaning for. Now what? Will he still be on our ballots on Tuesday? Can I still vote for him? What are the ramifications?

[Vincardog]

1. Vote for him anyway. It is better than voting for "Mickey Mouse" JE is still

in the race he just suspended his campaign. The more delegates he gets the more power he has at the convention to force the eventual nominee to pay some real attention to the working people in this country.

[TwilightGardener]

2. I will never in my life understand someone making an effort to get to the

voting booth and then making a "protest" vote for someone who can't possibly be elected. Your vote is an instrument of power, and you choose to neutralize that power and make it meaningless. Might as well stay home and save the gas money or bus fare. Edwards is NOT going to rack up delegates in a meaningful way, because most people don't want to throw their power away to make a point that no one elses cares about. Honor the dead, but act for the living--politically speaking, of course.

[no name no slogan]

5. The only "wasted" primary vote is one for a candidate you don't agree with

If you can't support any of the remaining candidates for whatever reason, "Uncommitted" is still a valid choice on the ballot. In the primary, you are electing delegates for the national convention-- you are not directly electing the candidate. And since all our primaries are proportional (not winner-take-all), it makes perfect sense to vote Uncommitted.

There will be uncommitted delegates in Denver. And if we don't have a clearcut front-runner after Tuesday, those uncommitted delegates could hold the balance of power.

[Kali]

6. because the vote isn't for the person, it is for the message

I don't understand why you would call trying to get the message that I care about certain issues a wasted vote?

I mean the argument could (easily) be made that all of our votes are wasted, stay home.

[TwilightGardener]

13. The only way your vote has an impact is if it's for a live human being.

"Messages" don't take an oath of office. People do. What are you hoping for, a brief news blurb at the tail-end of Super Tuesday that some people still voted for Edwards, like when Biden dropped out after Iowa? If that 5 seconds of attention and validation for Edwards makes you happy, go for it. But if you want your vote to have any power behind it, you'll vote for an actual candidate.

[MonkeyFunk]

3. Yes he will be on the ballot

and yes, you're free to waste your vote.

[Kali]

7. why would it be a waste?

Maybe if enough do it, Hillary will make note of it?

[MonkeyFunk]

9. because the purpose of the primary is to elect a candidate

and if you vote for Edwards, your vote won't go toward electing a candidate.

[BlackVelvet04]

12. damn, I can see the headlines now

"Edwards voters REALLY showed us."

:eyes:

[Kali]

14. Nice way to lead me towards your candidate.

sheesh

:eyes: :eyes: back atcha

[silverlib]

4. A vote for Edwards is not necessarily a wasted vote...

I still am undecided. He will be on the ballot. He can still win delegates, perhaps enough to broker the convention, but probably not. I think of it somewhat like signing petitions and participating in boycotts. Will I make a difference? Perhaps not. Will my voice be heard - I think so! I will be saying that I support the ideals of JE. And perhaps the final two standing will hear my voice. I will have boycotted what, IMO, is the media choice of candidates.

So, I would support you in however you choose to vote. It's your vote and it's your voice - never a waste IMO.

[silverlib]

8. What is a wasted vote?

I don't think I've ever responded twice to the same post, but you have caused me to ask this question of myself. I guess I have often "wasted my vote." I have voted in elections for and against propositions and candidates that I new had NO way "winning." Am I wasting my vote or expressing my opinion?

I don't care if someone writes their dog's name on a ballot - If that person is expressing their opinion and making their voice heard, it is not a "wasted" vote.

[Kali]

10. I agree.

Some cases are definitely "either/or" (dem vs repuke in the general), but surely there are many instances of "yeah, but..." (this primary, for instance)

[radfringe]

18. a vote is only wasted when it's not used

a vote is a statement, it's an expression of your views as much as holding up a sign in front of the white house or city hall

[yy4me]

11. I will vote for JE anyway. Perhaps later, when the other two

screw up, I can say "I told you so" and not feel guilty about it. He was and is the best for the job, in my opinion. I think all supporters should vote for him anyway. Perhaps if he gets enough votes, something might happen.

Time to turn that suspension around!

[MediaBabe]

15. I think he will still be on the ballot

He spoke too late to have his name removed. Many people have already sent in absentee ballots and I'm sure quite a few voted for Edwards. Each state has it's own rules as to how votes will be counted in cases such as these.

Please do vote.

There are so many other things to be decided. Presidential primary is only one of the decisions you will have to make when you cast your ballot.

[never_get_over_it]

16. Dennis Kucinich was still on my ballot

when I voted last Tuesday - but I voted for Edwards - had I known he'd drop out I would have voted for Kucinich -

If you think there is no difference between Clinton and Obama as I do and you don't care who gets the nomination because of that feeling - vote with your heart and vote for Edwards - only ramification is you are not helping one or the other get the nomination

Now in the general election PLEASE vote for one of them if only because of the Supreme Court....there will be at an absolute minimum one replacement in the first 4 years most likely 2 and both of them are on our side.... if THEY get those two we're absolutely SCREWED for at least the next 20 years....

[radfringe]

17. vote for him anyways

he'll still get delegates and can use them at the primary for influence/leverage