Even if a Kerry nomination is inevitable...

[ButterflyBlood]

I don't think the other candidates should drop out. the reason is simple: media coverage. Keeping the spotlight on the Dem primary gives us free advertising and helps massively. A recent poll showed overwhelming preference for the Democratic party. If we can keep up this good streak until the convention, beating Bush will be far easier.

[bushwakker]

1. I have no problem with the process continuing

I don't think Dean or Edwards should be forced to stop unless they are being completely destructive of the presumptive nominee - and I don't see that right now.

[capriccio]

2. Free?

What makes this free advertising? Someone has to pay to conduct a campaign..travel, ads, staff, etc. Money may be better spent on the GE. Besides, is the press really going to go along for a show primary? They will not be kind to anyone so blatantly trying to manipulate them...or worse, anyone pursuing a vainglorious course. The time to get on with the real business is at hand.

[democratreformed]

7. Good point n/t

[Monte Carlo]

3. After March 2, I think the other candidates need to drop out.

On March 2, CA, NY, MA, TX, and a few other states have their primaries. We will have a candidate by then. After that, any other candidates still running will really just be taking away from the nominee. Whether its Kerry or anybody else, that person will need all the support they can get against Bush in November.

[disenfranchised]

4. Why even hold elections?

Let's just let the media choose our candidates and save us the hassle of voting. Maybe we can use a system similar to the BCS system in college football.

[Padraig18]

5. As someone whose GREAT BIG BLUE STATE doesn't vote until 3/16...

I'd rather everyone stay IN!

[eileen_d]

6. Agreed - I have never advocated candidates dropping out

(although I've been glad to see one go)

But you make an important point - "blue states" with a Democratic majority need to have their say.

[Padraig18]

9. Thank you for acknowledging that!

We have more delegates than IA, NH and SC combined, and it would be nice to be allowed to have OUR say, just for shits and giggles, if for no other reason... ;)

[goobergunch]

11. Same here

As somebody from a Light Blue State only slightly smaller than Illinois!

Pennsylvania - a late April primary. :(

[WiseMen]

8. Party Leadership Want to Wrap it Up: RW Drudge Ploy Showed

that while the Dems are squabling we factions are easily manipulated into trashing
the nominee. Dems have become their own worst enemy.

Expect massive pressure to end it all next tuesday. Leadership was
already furious at Howard's comments. He basically fell for the
Repub bait.

Would have been great if we had the disipline to keep the
campaign going without destroying the Party chances. But it doesn't
look so.

[goobergunch]

10. Fuck the party leadership

They've been appeasing Bush* for far too long for me to listen to them.

[Padraig18]

12. Fuck the leadership!

If they knew what the hell they were doing, we wouldn't have suffered the disaster we did in 2000 OR 2002! Why don't they just shut the fuck up? :grr:

[eileen_d]

13. Well, I don't buy that theory at all.

There may be pressure to end the race, but what the hell does Drudge have to do with it?