If your presidential primary candidate loses, then what will you do?

[izzybeans]

IMO, it seems far too early to be engaged in pitched battles over favorite primary candidates when most of these candidates have yet to officially decide. This early in the game I for one have no preference, though I've voiced concerns and support for a variety of people (sometimes both concern and support for the same person). Some folks are really passionate about their candidates, some so much in fact I wonder what their plans are if their candidate loses. Some folks seem so narrowly focused on deconstructing candidates that I wonder if they are capable of building one. But this again is just my opinion and merely a vague sense of wonder, others are free to disagree. However, I do feel that a simple question is in order (if the current wave of primary battles is an indicator of what life on DU will be like when the real primaries are fought-and they are not going to be pretty). It is a question that will remain in the back of my mind each and every time I voice support or critiques of a candidate either now or in the future. It will also be in the back of my mind when I walk away from an argument whether I feel wounded or triumphant. "If your presidential primary candidate loses, then what will you do?"


Will some go all Lieberman and pretend to be an independent and/or roll with the third party crowd? Will some sit out this election cycle? Or will some join with their fellow democrats and try to regain the executive?

If this question seems rhetorical, make it practical and formulate an answer to it. I have my answer and it is made within the constraints of a winner-take-all election system. There is no 7.5% winner so you will not see me go "Green" or roll with any neo-Lieberkid. I will never sit out of an election cycle. But regardless of who the nominee is I will hop on that train. And no matter who that nominee is they are not beyond critique.

So with that; "No matter what type of fight I have with any of you during the next year, just know I'm prepared to raise a glass (or fist), give hugs, and other tokens of solidarity with you at the convention. That is my promise." What say you?

[Deep13]

1. Vote for the winner.

I'm not busting my ass for a no-hoper, though.

[Vox Acerbus]

2. I will vote to beat the R

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend". I will vote as close to my conscience as possible, while never sacrificing my vote to someone who has no hope of winning.

The key for me is to keep the fascists out. If I'm not 100% thrilled with the non-neocon/non-fascist alternative that has the biggest chance of winning, it doesn't matter. I'll still vote for them.

[wisteria]

3. I'll stay Dem, but write in my candidate if I can not in good faith

vote for the primary winner.

[reality based]

4. I'm not even sure my candidate is going to run. . . .

[hedgehog]

5. Vote for Clinton just like I did in 1992.

It's so frustrating to live in New York and see the candidate chosen before the primary is held here.

[izzybeans]

7. Me too, I do not think I've cast a primary vote that mattered.

The primary system needs some fixing. It would be interesting to see candidates stay in the race throughout the season.

[slackmaster]

6. I'll take the Bob Dole option

"Depends".

[redqueen]

8. Work for and vote for the winner. n/t

[meegbear]

9. Have a hissy fit ...

then make posts about how if people supported my candidate, the ONLY one that could have won, mind you, we'd win no problem in '08 . But that office is lost, thanks to those people.

After that, if I wasn't banned for starting a flame-war about the stupid candidates other people were supporting, I'd post a 14 paragraph rant about why I'm leaving and how intolerant and pig headed people are here because they refuse to think exactly like I do and support my candidate, who's not a idiot, unlike their candidates.

But I'm sure the candidate I support will win, so that won't happen.

[AndyTiedye]

10. What Primary Candidate? I Don't Have a Primary Candidate

My candidates all say they won't run.

I'll support whoever wins the primary.

I sure hope we can expose some skeletons in Guiliani's closet and actually get the media to report them, otherwise we have no chance of beating him.