When A Candidate KNOWS They Have No Chance Of Being The Nominee...

[arwalden]

... should they go ahead and drop out as soon as they've personally come to terms and accepted reality?

Or should they continue to play along as though they think they have a come-from-behind chance? Are the candidates doing their supporters and backers a BIGGER disservice by staying in? Or would the supporters and backers feel betrayed if their candidate didn't stay in for the full race until the actual numbers just don't add up?

Are they wasting money that could be spend in trying to defeat Bush? Or are they invigorating and inspiring other voters as the plod along to eventually dropping out of the race?

Personally, I think the money they spend (waste) could be put to better use.

-- Allen

[DoveTurnedHawk]

1. Totally Agreed, Allen

We Dems have a limited amount of cash to spend on political contributions. Candidates who have no chance and yet still suck up a part of that cash are doing the party a disservice, IMO.

These debates have become ridiculous affairs, too, mostly because there are too many candidates participating.

DTH

[creativelcro]

2. well, but it is always possible that SOMETHING

happens, say a plane with a front-runner goes down... I think they should keep going...

[Capn Sunshine]

5. speaking of "debates"

is this just the WORST format ever devised?

[DoveTurnedHawk]

8. Dunno, Haven't Read About It Yet

Are they doing something funky?

DTH

[monarch]

3. It's a tough call

Frankly, I think that the three candidates with the least chance to win have the most to gain by staying in. All three, Dennis, CMB and Al, have important messages and what better forum to present those messages than a presidential election. I think more goes into the choice whether to drop out than simply evaluating the odds of winning.

[Capn Sunshine]

4. no, and here's why

today, many would argue fearfully that the current frontrunner cannot win because his message "isn't centrist enough"

Yet the massive popularity of this front runner and the fundraising ability seems to indicate that whatever he is say resonates with a major portion of the population.

Despite that, many of us would argue that we can bring in even MORE voters if these sidelined marginalized, BFEE brutalized voters felt that ther was some message out there that differentiates the dems from the repugs.

THAT to me is the purpose of the fringe candidate: to articulate something that may be a kiss of death to a mainstream candidate but still needs to be shouted from the rooftops. Much of Dennis Kucinich's message qualifies this way . Same with Carol Mosely-Braun. Even John Kerry has some powerful oratorical skills that can be put to use articulating some of the messages that don't fit Clark or Dean, yet are still completely democratic.

So, fight on all the band of brothers, say what needs to be said!
unlike many who post here, I sincerely believe the people want their voice heard, and are desperate for someone to show them the democrats stand for something besides "we're just like Bush, only we're democrats"

[Hep]

6. They've earned the right to stay as long as they damn well please

And I support them in whatever they decide.

[HFishbine]

11. Absolutely

And it's not just that they have the right, but it benefits the party in the long run to have a broad, sustained conversation.

[sandnsea]

7. Not one vote has been cast

If you want the media to decide your elections, I guess it's a good idea. Worked really well in Florida. The media won that as much as anything.

[JohnKleeb]

9. yep not one

thats whats bothering me about this attiude I am seeing, not a single vote has been cast, yet victory is already being declared.

[CityZen-X]

10. When Their Name Begins With...

Lie

[HawkerHurricane]

12. Nope...

Traditionally, the non-front runners, the 3rd string if you would, use thier offer of support to get concessions from the front runners. So, in return for Candidate Alfa saying that he'll support Bravo laws, Candidate Charlie throws his support behind him.

Besides which, there hasn't even been a vote cast. Not a one. Let's at least get one vote; one delagate assigned before we start talking about who has to drop out.

[Zomby Woof]

13. I prefer having as many choices as possible

Part of what makes the entire exercise invigorating is having as many issues brought to the table as possible, and with more candidates running, the probability of more issues being hashed out is increased, the healthier that is for democracy, and the richer the debate. I like the chaos and cacophony of the early debates. Why have Clone Candidate A going up against Clone Candidate B? THAT is a disservice to the process, and would be a real waste of supporters' money.

I don't think someone should drop out until a vote has actually been cast in the booth. We're not there yet. I cringe when supporters of the frontrunners urge the supporters of underdogs to "accept the inevitable and get in lockstep with us." No thanks, I will do what I feel is right, not what YOU feel is right. That isn't commiserate with democratic ideals at all. Besides, the frontrunners are typically such because corporate donors line their troughs, so if any money is being wasted, it is theirs to waste.

Here is a concrete example: Dennis Kucinich has made it okay for the alleged frontrunners to openly discuss their opposition to both the Iraq war - he is the only one with a definite plan for withdrawal, and the only one from Congress running to have voted against it - and the Diebold voter machine problems. No matter his chances, and considering he has raised less money than either Clark or Dean, isn't that a bargain?? He put those issues up front, and we are all better off for it, even if he doesn't get the nomination.

You can't put a price on open debate and the priorities issues are made into because of the "underdogs" and their supporters. Imagine the apathy from Democrats if only 2 status quo candidates were running this early. Believe me, many of us would not be involved, or get that sense of satisfaction derived from participating, caring, and working hard for something we believe in, because we too, want this country back.

That being said, your cup of Kona left a coffee ring on my bingo card! ;-)