How many candidates should drop out by Dec. 1

[Renew Deal]

Poll question: How many candidates should drop out by Dec. 1

I feel like there are too many people up there. I want to trim it down by Jan. 1. I have a number set for myself, but how do you feel? Who, why?

[union_maid]

1. You're probably right but...

I'd miss most of them. Lieberman could drop out. The rest of them are a joy to watch.

[Renew Deal]

3. I agree that they are a joy.

I actually like most of them. It is just too cluttered.

[Cheswick2.0]

25. It's too cluttered? What, like the top of a desk or something?

What do you mean it is too cluttered? It is great that there are so many of them, it keeps them from being able to distinquish themselves when they have nothing new or interesting to say. Anyone who is not standing out in the crowd will loose support.

[quinnox]

2. There are 6 candidates

who can be considered to have a real shot at winning. Kerry, Gephardt, Edwards, Dean, Lieberman, and Clark. I would like to see a debate with these six candidates only.

[Renew Deal]

5. Me too...

I would like to trade Lieberman for Sharpton. Sharpton is good up there.

[Bombtrack]

15. Actually Joe and Al seem to have a great chemistry in recent debates

That repor, really is a good image for a united, likable democratic party.

The fact that such a liberal black activist from Harlem can associate so well with a New Haven almost conservative jew, I think bodes well.

Contrast that with how 2 eastern establishment New England libs(Kerry, and Dean) interact.

[Bread and Circus]

16. I don't know....

I really love Sharpton.

Let's trade Sharpton for Gep!

[Cheswick2.0]

24. you could have a debate with one of them and it would be the same thing

Why bother having all the cookie cutters? Let one of them talk to himself in the mirror, same thing. On the other hand you could have Gep against any of the others. That way you would at least have a blond and a brunett.

[MercutioATC]

4. I voted "2" . Not because I think they "should" but because I think they

"will". The longer they stay in, the more flavor this pot o' stew gets. I'm frankly glad we have such a great mix.

[scheming daemons]

6. I like a big field

It keeps the Repugs from being able to focus their attacks. The longer we go with a big field to deflect the attacks, the better off we'll be. Nearly everyone in the country has a person running in the Democratic race that they can identify with or agree with. This keeps them tuned in and engaged. It keeps the various staffs active and busy and working the anti-Bush angles. It will consolodate soon enough, and at that time, the best and the brightest from the losing campaigns will join the leaders and we'll all be better off for it.

Even a clown like Al Sharpton keeps it lively. It allows guys like Kerry and Dean and Clark to look presidential in contrast. Even players like Moseley-Braun and Kucinich who don't have a snowball's chance in hell of getting out of single digits in any state, play a role. They focus the debate and make the REAL contenders look better in comparison.

In 2000, the presence of Keyes and Bauer in the Republican primaries made George Bush look sane and reasonable by comparison. If it was ONLY McCain and Bush, America would've not had the contrast and would've seen Bush as much more conservative than they did see him.

Bauer and Keyes allowed Bush to look like a centrist. Kucinich, Moseley-Braun, and Sharpton allow Dean, Kerry, and Clark to look centrist and it will pay off big time (to pardon a Cheney-ism) in the long run.


Dean

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

7. Great first post!

I agree with alot of it but don't consider Sharpton a clown. In my book the guy is pretty dedicated to the cause and brings much to the party by SAYING what the others can't say.

Anyway welcome to DU.

[Terwilliger]

10. any explanation of this?

They focus the debate and make the REAL contenders look better in comparison.

So, folks who act like Democrats make the fake Democrats look...what...more like Republicans?

[DemBones DemBones]

21. Exactly! Perhaps our new poster hasn't heard what Harry Truman

said. (I'll try to get the quote right but this is from memory.)

"If the voters have a choice between a Republican and a Democrat who acts like a Republican, they'll vote for the Republican every time."

It is SUCH a losing strategy for Dems to act like Pubs! :grr: Why does anyone support such chicanery ???

[newyawker99]

17. Hi scheming daemons!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[gottaB]

20. Point of fact, and a request

Braun has consistently pulled double digits in Illinois. (March 16, I believe)

Kucinich has broken double digits in Ohio.

Sharpton has I believed cracked 10% in New York, and is close to breaking double digits in NJ in a recent Q poll, iirc.

For early primaries, look to South Carolina and D.C. to make predictions about Braun and Sharpton. IMO either one or both could break into double digits in these two races. In fact, in the latest polling (from the Edwards campaign) Sharpton is tied with Lieberman for third in SC, both at 8%. And in one Zogby from July he was tied for second place with Gephardt.

In Iowa or New Hampshire, I believe your'e correct that these candidates are disadvantaged. In other neutral states, I don't see the rationale for excluding any candidates, as the polling is all over the place.



Good polling data (javascript required, not completely uptotheminute, but good).

Request: Please don't refer to Al Sharpton as a clown. I know that he uses laughter to make his points, and you may have valid reasons for not taking him seriously. A lot of us however feel that he makes very good arguments and needs to be heard.

[eileen_d]

8. Go Clinton's penis!

Keep growing! lol

[Booberdawg]

9. Armageddon !!! Clinton is a pervert!!

Oh man I can still hear it. :eyes:

[CoffeePlease1947]

11. All of them except Clark, Dean and Sharpton

Clark and Dean are the only two have that have a chance anyway. Sharpton just because I really like him and he is wonderful in debates.

Mike

[Bombtrack]

14. There are other candidates who are still contenders

the only one's who aren't are Sharpton( Who agree adds to the debate), Mosley-Braun, Kucinich, and Graham.

Graham should make a decision on his senate seat, prefurably to run for it, and drop out of the pres race.

Braun should drop out. I wish both Kucinich, who has no shot, and Gephardt who is considered to have one would both drop out, but they won't.

Actually, Kucinich staying in does have positives. Like siphoning off Dean votes.

So I would prefur the race to be

1 - Kerry
2 - Edwards
3 - Sharpton
4 - Dean
5 - Clark
6 - Leiberman

Gephardt should would for Voinovich's seat, Graham for reelection, and Braun would work on the the Dem senate campaign and house campaigns in Illinois.

[Cheswick2.0]

23. Why should the only woman in the race drop out?

She is also the person making the most sense. She may not be flashy like Al Sharpton, but she is brilliant and passionate. I like her way better than the line up of centrist candidates, Kerry, Dean, Clark, Lieberman, Edwards and Graham. Some of them should drop out... I mean jeesh, how many cookie cutter pasty faced overly entitled white guys do we need in this race?

You may notice I left Gep out. He pissed me off with the rose garden appearance but he gets extra points in my book because of his loyal union support.

[Renew Deal]

12. kick because of another thread.

[Deja Q]

13. It's cool to see Clinton's penis get longer...

:evilgrin:

[0rganism]

18. It's also a safe answer to any question

Q: Why did the chicken cross the road?
A: To get to Clinton's Penis.

Q: How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?
A: Less than those dancing upon Clinton's Penis as we speak.

Q: What happens when an unstoppable force encounters an immovable object?
A: Clinton's Penis pays them to keep quiet, or else.

Q: Where is the body of Jimmy Hoffa Sr.?
A: It's been grafted to Clinton's Penis.

Q: How many roads must a man walk down, before he can be called a man?
A: Clinton's Penis, blowing in the wind.

Q: What's in Arby's Horsey Sauce?
A: Clinton's Penis knows and isn't telling.

[Fish Eye]

19. I was hoping for MORE!!

the primaries are a selection process to find the representative for th party the more candidates in the primaries the greater chance that more people will come out and vote. (IMO)

[DemBones DemBones]

22. If Clark, Dean, and Lieberman want to drop out, I'd be fine with

that. I want Braun, Edwards, Gephardt, Graham, Kerry, Kucinich, and Sharpton in the race as long as possible.