A serious question about voting and delegates:

[Lefta Dissenter]

OK, so our primary is next Tuesday, as if you needed to be told that.

I have been working virtually full-time to support the man I believe would be the greatest President of the United States. Today he bowed out.

So I'm faced with an enormous challenge. I simply don't know what to do with my primary vote. I do not want to throw it away - it's way too valuable!

So, because I don't know enough about the process, I need some advice. Is there any point (other than 'protest') in still casting my vote for Wes Clark? Though he has dropped out, does he still rack up delegates, and if so, does that get him anything at the convention, like more influence over platform or anything?

There are two remaining candidates who I will not vote for. There is one who is a relative long-shot, but I would consider voting for. There is one who is an ENORMOUS long-shot, and I don't think I'd vote for him, because it would be just as much a protest vote as a Clark vote would be. Let's see, I think that leaves one more candidate, but I don't think he's viable at all, so I won't count him.

So, help me out, folks! I need to know more about how the system works (other than shittily).

Thanks. :(

[ShimokitaJer]

1. It is my understanding

that delegates for Clark will now only matter in the case of a brokered convention...

in which case all bets are off.

[On the Road]

2. Just Vote for the Remaining Candidate You Like Best

Anything else is throwign away your vote.

[Mass_Liberal]

3. a write-in vote

is a throw-away. I would vote for your remaining candidate of choice.

[ShaneGR]

4. Well, and I say this with all-due respect, IMO

If you are comfortable with Kerry as the nominee then vote for him. If you are not comfortable with Kerry, you have 2 choices which could somehow affect Kerry's nomination.

#1: Vote for Edwards, a strong finish by Edwards in Wisconsin (Within 10 points) of Kerry will cement him as the #2 guy and force Kerry to compete on March 2nd. This will be the first primary minus Clark, so in theory Edwards should pick up a good percentage of that and "maybe" be able to knock off Kerry.

#2: Vote for Dean, a supreme longshot of a candidacy, struggling in the polls behind both Kerry and Edwards. It's still possible for him, but he's definitely the long-long shot.

Of course, you could vote for Kucinich. I take it that would be your protest vote.

Who knows, I can't tell you who to vote for.