Will any major candidates drop out after NH?

[Bombtrack]

A smaller field clearly does a disservice to Dean in the Feb 3 primaries.

The only candidate I see doing more help than good to Dean in dropping out before the candidate is selected is Kucinich

[vi5]

1. I wouldn't want to insist that anyone drop out....

Everyone has the right to pursue their goals and the goals of what they feel their supporters want.

But by the same token there needs to be a larger picture view of what is best for the party and as a result the country. And going into the primaries with 9 candidates doesn't seem like it benefits anyone.

Just my opinion.

[Chef]

2. Maybe

[RetroLounge]

3. No, but some minor ones might

eom

[mastein]

4. Goal of the system

The goal of the system is to democratically elect our nominee. Honestly, I don't think any of the major candidates will drop out before AZ/VA in early Feb. As for the "minor" candidates funding may put their campaigns on the rocks at anytime. I think Carol (who I adore) and Rev. Al are both really low on money.

On edit: As for helping or hurting any of the candidates, in a smaller field we all get a better look at each. My prediction is that Gephart may be gone if he doesn't show well in IA (at least second) and Clark my be done after AZ/NM and VA, if not by SC. Kerry if he doesn't show well in NH will be cooked but seems to have intent to stay around til the end. After all the guy mortgaged his house and took a bunch of ketchup money.

[Bombtrack]

8. AZ is on Feb 3(same as SC,DE, and OK) , VA is a week later

We will DEFINETLY have fewer candidates after Feb 3, before Virginia and Tennessee and Michigan a week later

[newyawker99]

13. Hi mastein!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[adadem]

16. Kerry can't take ketchup money

wife and stepchildren can only give 2k like everyone else.

[John_H]

5. It is very possible Gephardt or Lieberman will.

If Gephardt loses IA and does very poorly in NH, I bet he goes. Lieberman ought to go now since he's got about as much chance of winning as Kucinich, but he may stay until week 3.

[rucky]

6. Should see some attrition after SC

Edwards & Braun will be the first, IMO. Then Gep... then DK/Sharpton. By april, we'll have 4. Support will split evenly between Dean, Kerry & Clark. Joe will drop out soon after & it'll a tight Dean-Clark race right into the convention.

Crystal balls make great stocking stuffers!

[Bombtrack]

9. April? it will NOT go till April, that A-hole McCauliffe said it won't go

March for christ sake

conventional wisdom is that it will either be decided by March 2(dem stonghold super tuesday: CA, MD, NY, New England) or March 9th(Southern super tuesday: TX, LA, MS, FL)

[rucky]

11. Maybe I should trade in my crystal ball for a magic 8-ball

or get a political calendar

Order will still be the same, tho.

[mandyky]

7. I don't think so

Mini-Tuesday will be the teller.

[Bombtrack]

10. there are 3 super tuesdays

there's a pre-super tuesday on 2/3 , with DE, SC, AZ, MO, and OK

the real super tuesday on 3/2 which features mostly huge dem strongholds, with CA, MD, New England, NY, as well as OH and GA

and if it isn't decided by then there's southern super tuesday on 3/7 with TX, MS, FL, and LA

there are also other primaries interspursed

[Gloria]

18. New Mexico has caucuses on Feb 3

And a primary in June, which I just learned about!!

[Toronto Ron]

12. Probably Kerry, if

he does not finish at least 2nd in NH. Gephardt will drop after Iowa if he doesn't win it. Lieberman & Edwards definitely sticking around for 2/3 primaries.

[Bombtrack]

15. So I guess Clark's best bet is for Kerry to drop out after NH

have Clark's #'s gotten any better in NH?

[adadem]

17. Think you're correct n/t

[dolstein]

14. Not a chance

I don't think any of the major candidates will drop out before February 3.