Kucinich supporters: Can we get delegates at the convention?

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

I think to get a delegate at the convention, you have to either win a majority in a state, or a certain percentage in a proportional representation state. Are there any polls that suggest Kucinich can get either a majority in some states or enough in one of the proportional states?

Is it going to be enough for Kucinich to get a certain percentage of the overall vote? Is this showing our strength?

Is there a possibility of Sharpton, Moseley-Braun, and Kucinich pooling their votes to guarentee some progressive representation at the convention (assuming we are undecided by the convention, which seems likely).

Kucinich has my vote, but I'd like to talk strategy and tactics.

[jiacinto]

1. Probably not

I doubt that any of these candidates will have many delegates, if any delegates at all. And by the time of the convention the nominee will already be known.

[Mairead]

9. Carlos, how desperate for attention are you, anyway?

Surely you can't believe you're making a contribution with your completely predictable, unsupported opinions repeated over and over. What is it you're hoping to get?

[LWolf]

2. You talk, I'll listen in.

This will be my first primary in 25 years as a voter, so I don't know enough to say. I'll just sit back and learn!

[xJlM]

3. You're asking that in GD?

The Dean/Clark Army will march, with orders to distribute today's propaganda.

I'm just waiting to see a bunch of "Shock and Awe"ed DU pundits if the unthinkable happens, and the American people choose a different direction than war and occupation.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

6. Kucinich's biggest problem is simple name recognition

I know how it works, but sometimes I don't get how effective it is. He's the co-chair of the progressive caucus, has a pro-life record in the middle of the most Pro-Choice section of the party. (Yes, I know Kucinich is pro-choice) He's a super-liberal that wins conservative Reagan Democrats in his district. He makes great television!

But he's mostly just censored from the airwaves. Does anyone in the Progressive Caucus ever get on prime time political TV? Kucinich has the same problem that Sharpton does - an unapologetic member of the working class that doesn't try to hide it or fit in with the "responsible" crowd. Sharpton is too "black" - Kucinich is too "ethnic" and no one can spell his name right.

I think Kucinich supporters should think strategically and at least try to make common cause with Sharpton supporters, and hopefully Moseley-Braun as well. A united progressive front could do some good in the primaries.

[LWolf]

13. Okay...

How do we make common cause? What would that look like?

And how do we get the name recognition out there past the "censorship?"

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

19. the candidates would have to do it, I guess

I wonder if there was a way to communicate back and forth between Sharpton's mailing lists and Kucinich's? I think all the "minor" candidates should at least hold a press conference together. That would be great.

[dofus]

4. It depends on your state.

I'm under the impression that most primary states are winner takes all. Caucus states send delegates in proportion to the caucus votes.

[OKNancy]

10. NO NO NO

Sorry to use caps, but this is not right.

THe Democratic party had major rule changes from 1972 to 92(?)

All delegates are proportional in ALL states. Only the Republicans do winner take all.

[Renew Deal]

14. This doesn't sound right.

I believe it's winner take all in most states. There is probably a way to verify this.

[OKNancy]

15. Nope

see post 12

[dofus]

21. Oops. Sorry.

Thanks for getting me straight on that.

Which means that proportional delegate results could conceivably result in a brokered convention, but I'd be really surprised if that happened. We'll know by mid-March at the latest who's going to be the nominee. I just really hope that between then and the convention, Democrats all make up with each other and come together behind that nominee.

I know I'll have a hard time, at least at first, supporting the person not already my favorite, and I keep that in mind when I hope that we all unite behind the nominee.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

5. Kucinch will have dropped out by the time of the convention.

If he hasn't he won't have enough delegates to make a difference.

He should take a cue from Bob Graham as should Al Sharpton and Carol Mosley Braun.

[LWolf]

11. Okay, I'm still listening.

Where's the substance about Dennis' campaign strategy?

Predictions: based on your crystal ball, your opinion, or your conversations with the Kucinich campaign?

Your campaign "advice:" quit.

Where's the substance?

I'm not learning anything of value here.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

7. kick

for the day crowd

[goobergunch]

8. He's got a few superdelegates

gotta run, but I think he can win a few delegates in large states.

[OKNancy]

12. Amazing that some people who think they are good Democrats

are so clueless on party rules. Not you, young man. Yes it is possible that DK can have some delegates.

I looked up this site for doubters.

http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1996/conventions/chicago/facts/rules/index.shtml

"Beginning with reforms proposed by the McGovern panel, the Democratic party "democratized" the presidential selection process through a succession of commissions between 1968 and 1992. This series of changes succeeded in 1) crafting rules to guarantee better representation for women, young people and minorities; 2) secured PROPORTIONAL ALLOCATION of delegates, based on state primary or caucus results (eliminating winner-take-all allocation of delegates); and 3) gave convention votes to party leaders and elected officials (they are nicknamed SUPERDELEGATES and are allowed to remain uncommitted until the convention). "

On edit: And this is why Dean people shouldn't get all cocky about how Dean does in New Hampshire and Iowa. Except for the publicity factor, the early Feb states of South Carolina and Oklahoma, etc. could totally wipe out any Dean advantage. For example, if Edwards comes in second or third in NH and/or Iowa and has a resounding success in South Carolina, he will have more delegates than Dean. I use Edwards as an example, it could be any candidate. With the early stacking of primaries, Iowa and NH mean little in the overall scheme of things.

I sometimes think the media doesn't quite get it either. They are living in the past.

[OKNancy]

16. More

The Democrats’ delegate selection rules, which run 18 pages, set out not only the timing of delegate selection but the process. The rules require proportional representation (as opposed, for example, to a winner-take-all process) and establish a 15% threshold for obtaining delegates. They also require state parties to produce affirmative action plans so as to encourage participation and representation of African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and Asian Pacific Americans in the delegate selection process.

http://www.gwu.edu/~action/dncrb111001.html


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Okay so it looks like DK must meet the 15% threshold.

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Anyone think this info needs a separate post in GD or Politics and Campaigns?

[birdman]

17. Kucinich could certainly get a few delegates

but when he withdraws he will release them.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

20. Where can Dennis get 15%

Do we have a state now we could get 15%? Is Dennis himself a "super-delegate"? If he drops out are the delegates released to vote for whomever, or can the Kucinich campaign send their delegates to another?

Thank you very much for posting this, OKNancy, you have educated me :) Sure, post in P&C and I'll make sure it's kicked :)

[stickdog]

22. Ohio?

He'll be pushing 15% in Ohio.

Don't worry, though, he'll pledge his delegates to Clark for you.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

18. NY "Spirit of Freedom" for Kucinich @ddy.....

http://thespiritoffreedom.com/regionalupdates/regionalupdates-ny.htm

[Freddie Stubbs]

23. Perhaps a handfull at most

It all depends on how long he stays in. Most states require you to get a certain percentage of the vote in order to recieve any delegates. Right now he is so low in the polls that he is not likely to get any delegates. But if enough candidates drop out he may be able to pick up some votes from people who do not like the frontrunners.

I am curious as to why you ask this. You say that Kucinich has your vote, but this is not a very optimistic question that you are asking.