Why Bob Graham Cannot Drop Out

[davhill]

Everybody seems to agree that Bob Graham is the most qualified of the Democratic candidates. Everybody also seems to agree that there is no way he can win the nomination. Despite the sad commentary this makes upon our electoral system, Bob Graham cannot drop out. Despite the disappointing polls and feeble fundraising, he needs to hang in there.
Each of the leading candidates has at one time or another proven mercurial. If one of them is anointed front-runner before the first primary ballot is cast, and then self-destructs, with all other candidates withdrawn, Democrats would be stuck with that candidate as the Republicans are now stuck with Bush.
If all the leading candidates gain delegates in the proportion that they are now polling , there will be a deadlocked convention. Democrats would have to look for a compromise candidate acceptable the supporters of the others. Graham is the only one who fits that description.
If Graham drops out to re-run for the senate, it would rule him out from a position in the new Democratic administration because Jeb Bush would have to appoint his successor. There are a number of other good senatorial candidates in Florida. Let them win the office in their own right. Even if he is not the eventual nominee, Graham would make an ideal Secretary of Homeland Security in a Dean, Clark or Kerry administration.
If, on the other hand Bush wins another term, it is irrelevant that a single Florida Senator retains his seat. By the end of that term, constitutional government, as we have enjoyed it for two centuries, will also be at an end.

[dfong63]

1. bob graham is more needed in the senate than in a dem cabinet

[Closer]

2. No offense

but I HARDLY think that "everyone seems to agree that Bob Graham is the most qualified of the Democratic candidates."

Overstatement if I've ever heard one.

[Noordam]

3. Grahams LOVES to go to War and lost this Fla person's vote

long ago.

[jiacinto]

6. Yep

Let's elect a right winger in his place because he isn't to the far left.

[w4rma]

4. Sen. Bob Graham is one of my most favorite Senators.

He's running against some *very* tough competitors for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. While, I don't see any but the most slimmist of chances for him to win the Democratic presidential nomination, his candidacy has *already* been successful in that he has helped to bring the security problems of the Bush misadministration to the forefront.

IMHO, we *need* his strong voice in our government. We need him in that Senate seat where he can continue to speak out and represent Americans.

[tsipple]

5. Two Words: Campaigns Matter

Ask Al Gore. :-(

It totally sucks that Bob Graham isn't doing better. He has the fattest resume of any Democrat in the race, and he's only one of two candidates with gubernatorial experience. (The other is Howard Dean.) Governors seem to do quite well running for and serving as President.

But campaigns matter more than the man. Evidently much more.

I'm more than a little angry at FOX and some other media outlets for trying to push Graham out of the race, by the way.

[bowens43]

7. Huh? Graham the most qualified?

I'm sorry, but I don't agree that Bob Graham is the most qualified of the candidates. He may be qualified, but so are most of the others. The herd will begin to thin soon, as it must.

[davhill]

8. Yes, MOST qualified

Agreed that many of the candidates are highly qualified for the office of President of the United States. Bob Graham is the only one who was Chief Executive of a large, complex state for 12 years and also a legislative leader with foreign policy experience, who had the courage to vote against a popular, but mistaken authorization for war.

[tsipple]

9. Fantastic Record, Superb Resume

Graham has the full package, absolutely. If he doesn't get the top job, I hope all of the candidates will give him a serious look for VP.