If situation were reversed, would Obama have dropped out for the good of the party?

[Armstead]

Here's my own biases. I'm an Obama supporter. I believe if Hillary had run up a string of victories in Iowa, Super Tuesday, South Carolina, etc. and the math were almost impossible to overcome, Obama would have chosen to drop out of the race and thrown his support to Hillary for the sake of a Democratic victory.

It would not have simply been for altruistic reasons, but because it would have seemed to be common sense. Just as John Edwards chose not to hang around in the hope the eventually Hillary and Obama might weaken each otehr so much that he maybe could have stepped in as the alternative.

So that is my own answer.

What is your opinion to the basic question:

If the positions had been reversed, would Obama have dropped out by now?

[TwilightGardener]

1. What's really frightening to me is that the Clintons have had 8 years--

8 YEARS--in the White House, and it's still not enough for them. They know she's going to lose, but they're going to burn the place down with everyone inside, because the Clintons just can't satiate their thirst for power. Obama would certainly have conceded by this point--he's no Hillabee.

[calmblueocean]

2. That's a good point about Edwards. I wonder how Edwards supporters feel.

I mean, the reason Edwards dropped out was ostensibly to avoid this whole situation, and get the party behind one candidate.

[Armstead]

4. I was an Edwards supporter

I was disappointed he dropped out....But I think he was right to do so.

[democrattotheend]

3. Absolutely. He would have become a joke otherwise.

If he had lost 11 primaries in a row in February he would have become another Huckabee. The MSM has admitted that that's how they would have treated him (pulling their A-list reporters off his campaign, giving him less coverage, etc) if the tables were reversed.

[krawhitham]

20. OH!

[SeaLyons]

5. He probably would drop out...he's not a fighter...`

he tends to wimp out. I think the voters are saying they want a fighter, someone who keeps going, and that's what Hillary is doing. Don't underestimate the power of her supporters. I know on DU it appears to be an Obama world, but Hillary has dedicated support of her own. She keeps going - she doesn't give up. She's a winner!! She knows she can take on the hard issues of this country, and she knows the strength that's going to require. Obama doesn't have it. He is NOT ready.

[shadowknows69]

15. You're so clueless it actually lowered my IQ to read that

[SeaLyons]

26. ...

another arrogant Obama supporter....

[rox63]

21. I suppose that's why Clinton has not been in the lead for even one single day during this campaign

:eyes:

[stillcool]

33. spin, spin, spin...

The only thing Obama doesn't have is the corporate entrenched political machinery that the Clinton's epitomize. How the hell could this have happened to them?

[julialnyc]

6. I think he would have dropped out..... but I think he would have been forced out

a long time ago if the tables were turned. There is no other person than Hillary Clinton who could have made it through losing so many in a row. If it's wasn't for her name or her machine she would have been Giuliani'ed ages ago.

[Armstead]

8. Good point

[maximusveritas]

7. And if he didn't , he certainly wouldn't be attacking Hillary

with the kitchen sink.

I know I wouldn't be supporting him in that situation.

[wileedog]

9. He would have been booted by the party by now if he didn't

The only reason Hillary hasn't been already is because of her last name.

[Catherine Vincent]

10. If he was a fighter, he wouldn't have. nt

[Armstead]

13. Edwards is a fighter and he did

[redqueen]

11. Other - whether he dropped out or not,

the M$M would have commenced with ignoring him as they do most of the non-corporate-approved candidates. So his campaign, active or not, would have disappeared from the public eye. That being the case, he'd have been no threat to the party, so it wouldn't be like this situation, where you have a former first lady going around vomiting out rightwing talking points like a traitorous... so and so.

[bobbert]

12. Yes because in 8 years he will still be able to run for President

I think by 2016 the Clinton craze will have washed away.

[SoCalDem]

49. I think he will hold to what Michelle said.. this is IT..

He's not planning to make running for president, his life's work..

[GodlessBiker]

14. He wouldn't have had enough money to go on.

[H2O Man]

16. Yes.

Nominated.

[krawhitham]

17. I believe he would have dropped out, but if not he would already been forced out

[Zuiderelle]

18. No, he wouldn't have. And he shouldn't. And she shouldn't.

Why SHOULDN'T we go to the last primary for once? What the hell is wrong with that? It gives validation to ALL primaries, and makes more people invested in the outcome.

[Armstead]

23. A side question: Do you think Hillary would have been demanding he stop being a spoiler and quit?

[Chan790]

32. Because primary fatigue...

might actually #%&^$! cost us the #@&%*^%#@@&#@&!!!!!! general election. (I'm so sick of saying this, it's tedious...if it were in any way whatsoever important for every primary to matter, we'd have a national primary. We don't, they don't, it doesn't matter.)

Winning the GE is more important than either of these candidates. That is why anybody who says "If (X) wins the nomination I won't vote for them" or "If (Y) wins the nomination I'm voting for McCain." goes on my ignore list. It's why I alert on them for violating DU rules: "Democratic Underground is an online community for Democrats and other progressives. Members are expected to be generally supportive of progressive ideals, and to support Democratic candidates for political office."

[Zuiderelle]

35. Yes, primary fatigue explains the record turnout yesterday.

Whatever.

[izzybeans]

19. Yes, every second place finisher in my lifetime has dropped out

even though they could of fought for a close second. Sometimes a fight to the finish is nothing but a loser flailing and gnashing their way to a nasty knockout. This is one of those times.

[Indenturedebtor]

27. n/t

"Yes, every second place finisher in my lifetime has dropped out
Posted by izzybeans
even though they could of fought for a close second. Sometimes a fight to the finish is nothing but a loser flailing and gnashing their way to a nasty knockout. This is one of those times."

n/t

[onenote]

22. I'm an Obama supporter and I don't think he would have dropped out

But there are a lot of variables. What would his money situation been. Was he looking ahead to some victories in sizable states?

[Redbear]

24. Its a good question

It depends on how much of the situation you reverse.

Do you also reverse the lead in superdelgates and the power she has (he would have if reversed) within the party establishment?

Party establishment candidates rarely go away quietly.

[Texas Hill Country]

25. hell no, he would not have.

[DemBones DemBones]

28. Not with his gigantic ego. He'll take the party down with him

because he's no Dem, just an ambitious person who's been handed everything he ever wanted until now. Except for that Congressional race he lost, he's never had any opposition.

[Bad Thoughts]

29. He would have had no choice

Backers and staff would be itching to jump ship.
Fundraising would dry up.
Event sponsors would not give him credit.
Newscasters would ridicule him.

I think Obama would have been forced to exit much in the same way as Wes Clark in 2004.

[wowimthere]

30. She's not a fighter... she's vindictive and spiteful. She believed she should be president.

Obama would have been told by party insiders after being down by 11 states that he should get out of the race and he would have.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

31. you O folks make me laugh...voting yes....too funny

[ronnykmarshall]

36. Isn't it a scream?

"Oh, I'm gonna post a poll that all my fellow Obama supporters will vote yes. THAT will show them Hillary people!" - :rofl:

Just like the "Recommend if you think Hillary should drop out"!

Then the Anti-Hillary crowd and point and say "See? See? look at this. It's PROOF!".

And last night's pile on when I said I was donating to Hillary. SHEESH! What a bunch of pissy little babies. The best thing to come out of it was when I should my SO the shitty responses he said "Fuck those asshole, donate $400 more".

[Armstead]

38. I say donate as much as you want to Hillary

The economy could use the stimulation, and somebody's got to help Hillary pay off her creditors.

If it doesn't bother you to toss your hard earned money down a black hole,it doesn't botehr me.

As for the poll, you could either agree or disagree with the premise. No harm there for a "He'd fight til the bitter end" vote, or an "other" with an answer to the question intended to slam down my premise.

[ronnykmarshall]

46. If it doesn't bother you

why are you still talking about it?

[Armstead]

51. I was merely responding to your current post

I wouldn't have cared if I'd seen it last nite either.

I bought my third Mp3 player last week even though I don't need it. I figure we're all entitled to waste our money in whatever way we choose.

[Armstead]

39. If the situation had been reversed, I suspect you'd be calling Obama a "spoiler" by now.

[Emillereid]

34. Obama is a gentleman to the core. As the campaign has progressed I am more and more

impressed by his integrity.

[IndependentDem]

37. i think he would have stayed in... but kept the kitchen sink out. n/t

[demokatgurrl]

40. No, and neither should Clinton.

The race is still very close. Plenty of peopole support each candidate. I could see it if it were lopsided, e.g., 70/30, but it's not. It's very close. they should go on.

What I dread is the "superdelegates" making the decision, because I fear they will decide based on their egos and selfish ambitions, rather than the good of the country. Fuck the good of the party, the good of the COUNTRY is at stake.

[Pisces]

41. After 10 straight losses the party leaders should have forced her out, it is their fault

that she has been so cut throat. She should have conceded like any other candidate would have.

[Occam Bandage]

42. Yes. And I'd be pushing him to get out.

[Armstead]

43. Stop that Intellectual Honesty -- It's not fitting for GD-Primaries

[kenny blankenship]

50. I feel the same way. I dislike HRC, but if Obama was wrecking the party like she is

I'd be calling for him to stand aside.

[TragedyandHope]

44. Yes and also

The party would have convinced him to drop out for good reason, if the situation were reversed. I'm certain he would have faced the music with dignity. He has completely different motivations for running than Clinton. No matter what, he has a long career ahead of him and always has the option to run again in the future. It will be a lot tougher for Hillary to make another run in 8 or even 4 years.

The reason the party has been putting off having the tough talk with Clinton is that they are tip-toeing around, afraid play rough with a respected first lady who has overstayed her welcome. There is also the considerable amount of people who still owe a lot to the Clintons for political favors over the years. They don't want to be cast as Judas or bitten by Carville. Not when they think they can wait her out and let her come to who own realization to drop out. In that case, they would avoid any major backlash.

There is not doubt in my mind that Obama would be out by now, if the situation were reversed. Those that think otherwise are fooling themselves and are still missing the point of everything Obama has done and said during this campaign.

[moondust]

45. He would have been forced out.

Remember the inevitability scam?

[Occam Bandage]

47. There were Hillary supporters calling on him to drop out if he lost Iowa. Seriously.

[SoCalDem]

48. In a New York minute..

Had he lost Iowa and NH and she had run the table with 11 in a row, he would have dropped out immediately..

SHE's the "entitlement" queen..not him..

He has the best interests of the country in mind..she has HER best interests in mind.