Bob Graham Spokesman Resigns

[arcos]

Bob Graham Spokesman Resigns

The spokesman for Democrat Bob Graham's presidential campaign resigned Thursday as his staff considered how to save his lagging candidacy.


Jamal Simmons told Graham and his wife, Adele, he was leaving as other key staff met at Graham headquarters in Miami Lakes, Fla., to discuss how — or whether — to proceed with the campaign.


Graham, a senator who is one of the most popular leaders in his home state of Florida, has struggled near the bottom of the 10-way Democratic presidential primary. He trails most of his rivals in fund raising and polls, and some advisers want him to quit the race.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20031002/ap_on_el_pr/democrats_graham&e=1

[pmbryant]

1. As a Graham supporter, I think the end is near

He's had more than 6 months to build a least a little momentum or buzz, and I don't see any.

:-(

--Peter

[caledesi]

2. I live in Tampa and the word is "he's out"....I really like Bob Graham

even though I am a Dean supporter. Thinks he's a really decent man.

[piece sine]

3. time to cull the herd

Frankly...Graham, Edwards, Sharpton and Carol M-B could all drop out tomorrow and the Democratic primary race would not fundamentally change. That would six candidates and, from that group, really only two or three are truly viable.

[dolstein]

6. I disagree with you on Edwards

Granted, his populism overlaps a lot with Gephardt, but I think he has enough unique things to say to stay in.

You could pretty much cover the bases with the following candidates:

Howard Dean -- Outsider liberal
John Kerry -- Insider liberal
Joe Lieberman -- DLC moderate
Richard Gephardt -- big labor populist
John Edwards -- small town populist
Dennis Kucinich -- democratic sociliast

That covers the spectrum pretty well. I have no idea where Clark fits in.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

10. Actually Dean covers most of those bases

and that's his biggest liability- He's an outsider/insider liberal/moderate DLC small state democratic populist, and that is almost a self description.

[tjdee]

11. Edwards is #1 in SC and 4th in Iowa. And, has a lot of money.

You remember SC, right? As in, one of the FORTY EIGHT STATES which aren't IA and NH?

I could be wrong (someone will rush to correct me in that case), but I'm fairly certain Edwards is now #4 in Iowa. Many people are still undecided in all the states, who's to say they won't be swayed by Edwards.

[sleipnir]

15. Money, money, money,

It's all about the Benjaman's

If Graham, Edwards, Sharpton, CMB, drop out, the K-man might pick up more money from those candidates supporters. I think that the K-man stands to gain the most if Graham, et al. are gone by the end of November.

[ewagner]

4. So sad

When he first jumped in I volunteered to help in Wisconsin but never got a reply. I don't think even the campaign was sure they would make it to the Wisconsin primaries.

He's a good man but not flashy enough to catch the public's attention.

I've said this before in relation to Jefferson's observation: "By the time a man does all that is necessary to attain public office he is no longer worthy of it."

Bob Graham is still worthy.

[davhill]

5. It is time to take a long hard look at our nation

When an honest, intelligent, likable, and highly experienced candidate like Bob Graham cannot attract the attention of the electorate. Why do we keep electing airheads like Bush and (excuse me) sleezeballs like Clinton when there are far more qualified, far more statesmanlike candidates available. Our democracy is seriously flawed and is most likely in a rapid slide into dictatorship if we don't come to our senses soon. Maybe it will be Bush, maybe it will be Clark, who takes us into that final step toward Caesarism. I don't know. All I can see is that we are rejecting our most capable sensible leaders and standing frozen like deer in the headlights of others charisma.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

7. Clinton ="honest, intelligent, likable, and highly experienced candidate"

which is why he got elected. And I have some news for you. A lot of people still feel this way.

[FlemingsGhost]

8. Agreed. Bob Graham is a good man.

I suspect he will continue to serve this nation in the new Democratic administration, come January 2005.

[JNelson6563]

9. I've often thought of

a Dean/Graham ticket. Could be a powerful combination....

Julie

[Loyal]

12. It definitely could be

It could give us a great chance at winning Florida, too.

[Khephra]

13. Graham may be a hell of a nice man

and a great politician...

But I knew he had nowhere to go after I saw his Harkin forum and Road to the White House specials. He may have a great heart, but he's been trying to run a traditional "charming" Southern Democrat campaign during a new high-tech era of political innovation.

Being a train conductor for a day will not get you nationwide votes when people are on the Net looking for candidates.

:toast: to you, Mr. Graham. You're one of the good guys.

[revcarol]

14. I want to keep him as a Senator.

We need a respected person to counter Jeb-boy.

[myomy]

16. I believe he would make someone a great Vice President.

The only bad thing about that would be heÕs leaving the Senate.

[MasonJar]

17. Graham

I have been a supporter of Graham all along, but realize that he has not caught the public's attention. He can be invaluable as a Senator from Florida. I think he has done a lot to put it to Bush. I am proud to be in his party.

[Democat]

18. I like Graham a lot, but he's not going to win

He's a great voice for Democrats, but 2004 is not his year to win the presidency.

[AndyTiedye]

19. We'll Probably Lose That Senate Seat Anyway

But there is no chance of saving it without him running for it.