Who Believes that Dr. Dean Should Quit if He Doesn't Win Wisconsin

[WiseMen]

His fundraising letter seemed definite. Can't go on without winning Wisconsin.

But, Dean seems to be changing strategy.

Do you think it is good for the party for Dean to continue what appears to be a scorched earth campaign up to the convention?

Is is good for his supporters for Dean to keep appealing for large sums of money and volunteer time to continue his high-voltage campaign even though his is not winning any primaries?

Looking for opinions. Whether 2004 is a repeat of 2000 will depend on how we progressive activist respond to these questions.

[virtualobserver]

1. Actually I do think that he should go on,......

It actually benefits Kerry if he does.

As long as the nomination is uncertain, the Bush people will hold their fire, while Democrats continue to slam Bush.

Bush will continue to drop in the polls as long as the Democratic nomination is contested.

[creativelcro]

Go Dean!!!

2. Why should he quit?

Kucinich hasn't quit.
Sharpton hasn't quit.

[OhioStateProgressive]

55. actually

we need Dean to drop out so Dennis can get more votes

[SharonAnn]

3. Me too.

Dean's the one. If he leaves then watch kerry move back to "Bush-Lite"

[MaddogTerp]

17. he's already there

Kerry, that is. Bushie Lite all the way.

[Mass_Liberal]

I think he should stay in

further than wisconsin. I think he should take a shot at NY and California

[Mass_Liberal]

4. sorry

mistake

[Mass_Liberal]

5. self deleted

[Faygo Kid]

11. Well, that was entertaining

Not sure where you were going with your three posts, but thanks. Another computer fumblehead - hey, we have to stick together!

[Faygo Kid]

6. Howard Dean is a patriot. He will leave if he can't win Wisconsin.

He will also support the nominee (OK, Kerry) against the evil that is the Bush Administration. He has made that clear. Thank God for Howard Dean; he forced Dems to grow a spine. I thank him. I supported him. But he can't win, and I am happy to throw my support now to Kerry, as Dean will do. If we can't beat Bush, it's over, folks - Supreme Court, incessant war, destruction of the New Deal (from the 30s, ferchrissakes).

[shance]

14. So Patriotism means Conformity??

Wow...I thought thats what the Republicans say.

I support conformity when it is necessary for the greater good.

However, I question the greater good here. Or is this just the greater good for rich white males that they will have a safe bet either way.

I dont find it the least bit patriotic when the media is slanting and manipulating voter outcomes, telling Americans the elections all but over so vote for Kerry, and creating a biased primary and caucus results, which are consistently looking more and questionable on how they are being handled and tabulated.

Im all for conformity when Im PROUD OF MY TEAM. Im not playing on ANY team that cheats. No matter how Patriotic they try to paint it.

Patriotic is about fairness and courage when the going gets tough. Not conforming to establishment.

Huh-uh....

[maddezmom]

7. if he has the money and support, he should stay in the race. :)

[On the Road]

8. As Long as He Can Come in a Solid #2 Outside the South

he should stay in until Kerry wins the delegates needed to win. Dramatic changes are possible.

[TexasMexican]

9. I do.

I was a dean supporter, but I'm afraid I dont think its going to happen. Unless some miracle happens Dean wont be our presidential candidate.

I'm hoping most Dean people will support Clark, he is who I will be voting for when the primaries come to Texas.

I dont want Kerry to be our nominee in November.

[youngred]

10. I think its good that ALL candidates stay in as long as they can

more voices and no clear frontrunner makes for a better campaign, no clear target for Bush and the media, and a continuing "story" in the media which gives lots and lots of free publicity

[politick]

23. Exactly

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(!)

[youngred]

27. I take it you agree

;-)

[politick]

29. yes! and btw

ant friend of Dennis's is a friend of mine!

[youngred]

35. That goes for any friend of Paul's too!

I only wish he could still be here to help in this fight, no doubt in my mind who he'd support

[politick]

44. I wonder that myself

sometimes. I think Dennis or Dean would entice him. A friend of mine who knew him, and was pretty involved in the MN political scene, says he was really gearing up for a Presidential run. I'm no sap, but I do well up a bit when I think of that tragedy. He was a great man.

(I don't want to change subjects too much, though... :) )

[youngred]

47. eh, a little hijack on a good topic is a good thing

I wouldn't be surprised if he was gearing for a Presidential run. He definitely would have had my support had he run.

I was in such shock at the loss of such a great man.

[Guava Jelly]

12. I am no Deaniac trust me

But After Hearing the Media Trying to Bully Clark to drop out I feel for you!!
Why not take it to the end Even if Dean doesnt have enough delegates He can use his for Bargaining chips to Lead the party in a Direction He Believes is the best.
Hell thats What Al Sharpton Is Trying to Do.
Why drop out it keeps the Democrats in front of the media And makes the Chimps #'s drop.

There is a method to my Madness :o

[uberotto]

13. He's still running a solid second place...

Why would he drop out now. Wouldn't he be letting down all of the people who have contributed money to his campaign?

Just because he hasn't had a win yet, he has still landed in second place more than any other candidate, and still has managed a higher average finish than everyone but Kerry.

Sure, if he were to drop out now, it might make it possible for Edwards to finally claim the second place spot, and be taken seriously as competition for Kerry.

As for whether or not it is good for the party if Dean decides to stay in the competition, that's a most definate YES.

So far the way the primaries have been going is that Dean sets the agenda, the other candidates follow when they see it's safe. I hate to think how quickly everything may sink back to DLC as usual once Dean exits the race.

[BL_Zebub]

15. Dean should definitely stay in.

I've done battle with God Himself and lived to talk about it. And John Kerry & the DLC are certainly not God (despite what they may think)

This Devil's still for Dean!

[mrgorth]

16. To be honest

I just feel bad about how the media will continue to spin his campaign. I don't want the campaign to become a laughing stock. I'd rather he end it proudly.

[MaddogTerp]

22. no, a "good loser" is still a loser

I want to see Dean stay in it all the way, and go for a 3rd party/independent run if necessary. at least then, if he loses, he can say he fought the good fight.

it's not like Dean has anywhere to go after this, he might as well fight it all the way. kerry still has the Senate if he loses

[HFishbine]

18. "scorched earth campaign?"

Explain, please.

[LuminousX]

19. It should be up to his supporters

I'm curious, is there going to be a "Get Dean to Drop" effort?

That would be another fine day in DU history.

[stickdog]

20. I think Dean needs to stay in until the convention no matter what.

Your post is the main reason why.

[MercutioATC]

21. A strategic reason for him (and the rest) to stay in:

The larger the field, the more difficult for Rove to tailor his attacks. It'll cost a lot more to attack all of them than just one man.

[shance]

24. Great point.

n/t

[Tom Rinaldo]

25. Unless he does very poorly there

I can certainly understand him staying in. I suppose he maybe should reconsider if he has a universally recognized bad showing in Wisconsin.

[pacifictiger]

28. why should he leave before the whole country,

not just a few selected states has had the opportunity to speak? I never paid much attention before, but I am seeing that this whole nomination process is actually corrupted by staggered dates and early pundit opinions put forward to those who have not had the opportunity to thoroughly examine the issues and express their opinion. Why, in this age of instant news everywhere, is the nomination process not done by secret ballot and those votes held until all states have voted? It seems the caucus and modern news styles have the potential ability to pressure vote results and corrupt what is assumed to be an impartial, secret, democratic process. No wonder the majority of voters think that their vote do not count!

[Tom Rinaldo]

32. I already retracted my position lol

I posted my revised thinking on Hopping Mad's related thread. I don't disagree with you.

[Hoppin_Mad]

26. We've just begun to fight ! On to Boston ! Tea in the harbor ! -nt-

[anti-NAFTA]

30. Dean supporter here who thinks he should drop out.

If there's no hope for him then he should drop out so that Kucinich can get all the anti-war and(some) anti-NAFTA votes and therefore consolidate the left.

[Zomby Woof]

31. definitely

Most definitely.

[ibegurpard]

34. I think he should stay in at least as long as Kucinich.

eom

[Zomby Woof]

40. Kucinich is in longer

Because the race needs a REAL progressive voice. Dean ain't it.

Again, again, and again, when the subject is Dean, a Dean supporter attacks DK, off-topic. Just once it would be cool if one of you all could refute my charges against Dean, without an off-topic slam on the Dem's last progressive in the race...

[WilliamPitt]

33. Not me

[RetroLounge]

36. I hope he stays until the end

He gave Kerry a backbone after all.

[WiseMen]

37. I Think there is a major issue of INTEGRITY IN FUNDRAISING that could be

used to smear the progressive movement if Dean's fundraising
letter turns out to be JUST a "BRILLIANT PLOY," without an honest
intention behind it.

Progressives are in danger of being lumped with RW tele-evangelists
who manipulate the devotion of their followers to extract continued
donations.

[LuminousX]

38. I gave and have no problem continuing to give

I'm fairly certain those giving to Dean feel the same way and were pissed he was going to give up without consulting us first.

[Sensitivity]

41. Good for you. But at least half of my meetup will feel manipulated by that

letter.

[GodHelpUsAll2]

62. I'm with you on that

I will continue to give and support. And I will be miffed if he quits witout taking it to his supporters first. He's taken everything else to us no reason to stop now.

All the way to Boston!

[Debi]

45. I got the email

and I contributed!

and I don't recall reading where he said he'd drop out!

I do recall an article stating that...but not the email itself.

Hmmm, the media may have dictated this and not the campaign?

(and I'll contribute again, to keep this campaign going...and going...and going...and going.....)

[kerry-is-my-prez]

39. Why doesn't he throw his support to the other anti-war person - Clark

He'll just continue to split the anti-war vote...

[youngred]

42. the other?

last time I checked DK and Sharpton were the only ones who were truly anti-war.

Clark and Dean come a close second, but they are not the ONLY war candidates

[corporatewhore]

43. I dont care for dean but hope he stays on so he can attack corporate news

some more i actually dont want any of them to drop out i want a big bloody battle at the convention

[macedc]

46. Stay In

He needs to keep the Dems on track

Only he has a serious healthcare policy for which he needs to fight
Only he keeps a guy like Kerry looking like good alternative to GW(easel)Bush about the war
As another reply poinetd out he seriously divides the focus of Rove's attacks

He should however, stop with the scorched earth (vis a vis Dems)
Go after Bush tooth and nail, rip him up, take no prisoners

Of course this would assume that he can keep money flowing

[madfloridian]

48. I think it is great he is staying in. Why shouldn't he?

He contributes a lot to the race.
He has many supporters who are far from being maxxed out on donations.

[Mairead]

49. If he has enough money and energy, he should stay in

[Sensitivity]

50. Okay to go on. But no more fundraising letters. Do like DK and AL

low budget, but get the message out if it helps the party.

[mitchum]

51. He's an authoritarian personality type who is hooked on the...

adulation. Why would he drop out?

52. so is anyone who runs for president

to one degree or another.
No one gets that far in politics without having that quality.

[oasis]

53. To keep draining money from dedicated supporters would be irresponsible.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

54. Dean should stay in till the convention.

The more bogus charges he levels at Kerry, the fewer arrows Bush will have in his quiver come fall.

Additionally, having Dean stay in will increase the amount of media coverage, and being able to compare Dean and Kerry just makes Kerry look more Presidential.

Plus, with Dean staying in, the media will be able to keep reporting about Kerry's overwhelming ballot victories, reinforcing with the American public the idea that Kerry is a winner.

[CabalBuster]

56. what are you afraid of?

all these people hoping and praying for Dean to quit and make it easy for Kerry, you have to figure out that unlike Lieberman, Dean is not just a person, he is a MOVEMENT and a movement just doesnt disappear because others say so. Dean is the real deal, a real insurgent for change, a man with a mission not just another millionaire on an ego trip

[pezcore64]

57. hum

this type of thing should be a poll :)


i support him staying in the race


GO DEAN!!

YEAAAAAHHHH!!!

[BuelahWitch]

58. I think he was wrong saying he'll get out after Wisconsin

And there are at least three petitions full of people who agree with me.

I want him in till the end and I'll continue to give him mone too.

[quaker bill]

59. I think he should stay in

Right up to the convention. But then again I also think the party is making a very poor choice.

[Raya]

60. For ALL My Dean Friends, I Would BEG Dean to KEEP HIS WORD OF HONOR

He said Wisconsin was a Win or Quit effort. No one deserves more
of this roller coaster. Emotions over the Iowa effort were bad enough.

[GodHelpUsAll2]

66. I got the email

I saw no where in the email where he said he would quit. All campagins are roller coasters. I got on the ride and I intend to ride it out until the car comes to a complete stop. I was at the Iowa rally the Sunday before caucus and I remember what the Iowa congressman said to the crowd.....

" If we win, Don't gloat and if we loose don't whine."

[Cuban_Liberal]

61. I hope he stays in.

Maybe if he stays in long enough, Democrats will start having 'buyer's remorse' about Sen. kerry, and we can nominate a better candidate to run against Bush.

[LittleDannySlowhorse]

63. I want him to keep going

But I'm CRAZY!!!!

[arewethereyet]

64. Ego prevents him from letting go

and the party is the worse for it. But its never been about the party with Dean, he's been quite vocal in his contempt of the party.

[KaraokeKarlton]

65. Dean MUST stay in the race until the end

The GOP and the media are going to take Kerry down just as they have propped him up. When this happens, Kerry is NOT going to be able to recover from it and Dean needs to be there to pick up the pieces and keep hope alive.