imagine a brokered convention...

[Syrinx]

Who would make the perfect candidate? Al Gore would be cool, but I think Max Cleland would be guaranteed gold. That's what I think this particular second.

[NNN0LHI]

1. Imagine Bush with a $200 million dollar war chest and our guy broke n/t

[NV1962]

2. In that case

I'm sure that there'd be tons of people willing to donate several $100s. One million people investing $250 each, and Bush will be screamed out of the WH.

Our guy won't be broke.

[Adjoran]

3. Unlikely scenario

The convention, even if none of the major contenders could muster a majority, wouldn't turn to someone other than the top four unless it became deadlocked after multiple ballots.

We're going to be at a money disadvantage anyway. A convention with some real interest could attract public attention in a way no paid advertising can.

It's probably better that someone clinch it, but only marginally. If it does go to the convention, the odds are strong that either the first or second candidate in delegate count going in will be the nominee.

[Syrinx]

4. Cleland for president!

Hell, yeah! Yeehagh!

[buckeye1]

5. Brokered?

That would be after several indecisive ballots. Then the power brokers would step in and nominate Paul House. As we all know he is the great great grandson of Paul Bunyon. He ice fishes. He doesn't care about breasts on TV. He is a real outsider. No beltway here.

Having a funny accent will endear him to the"American People". He Rocks!

House in 2004.

[Matilda]

6. Could you please explain to an Aussie

exactly what a "brokered convention" is?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

8. As I understand it

A brokered convention happens when there is no clear-cut winner of the most delegates. What happens is that the candidates in the lead talk with candidates who have a few delegates but not enough to win. They promise them something-a Cabinet post, perhaps, or a stress on certain policy issues-to get the delegates to switch to the leader candidate. If everyone has about the same number of delegates, people can get together and nominate someone who didn't even run in the primaries-if they get the majority of delegates to get behind them, then they could win. But usually what happens is that one of the front-runners makes deals with some of the candidates with a few delegates, as explained above.

[Matilda]

9. Thank you so much.

I guessed it might have been something like that, but I wasn't sure.
Your elections are very different to ours, but I'm learning.

[GOPBasher]

7. That would be horrible for us.

We need to unite behind one candidate pretty quickly.

[PAMod]

10. Imagine losing every state, and slipping further in congress.

Imagine the Democratic Party joining the Whigs in obscurity.

If the convention picks someone who the primary voters didn't have a chance to vote on, which would probably happen in a "brokered convention" - we may have to change the name of this web-site, because the Democratic party will be in big trouble.

I wouldn't even know how to spin such a scenario.

I'll even go further; as much as I believe Howard Dean is our only chance of victory in November, I hope that even he would release his delegates if he is the difference between a clear majority for someone else or a deadlocked first ballot.

The same would be expected from every other candidate with delegate support.

I very well could happen, which makes me nervous.

[incapsulated]

11. I think it would be a nightmare

Imagine the news coverage:

Dems in disarray!
Democratic Party Unable to Unify!
Bush awaits nominee as Dems scramble to find one!

Christ.

[revcarol]

12. Democracy is messy.

.

[incapsulated]

13. So is slipping on blood on the floor *eom*

[WyLoochka]

14. 1968 redux?

No thanks. Brokered conventions are undemocratic and give so much ammunition to the media on "disunity in the party" that the other party gets a free ride.

That's how Tricky Dick Nixon - the guy we weren't ever going to have to kick around again after his humiliating losses in which he was rejected nationally and again in California in a subsequent run for Governor.

The Democrats need to have a clear candidate long before the convention in order to achieve the cohesion which will enable riveting ALL of our attention on BushCo.

There are benefits to having the primaries contested through to spring, as all the debates get the media's attention on the Democrats and what they are saying about the Bushco disaster.

Prolonged much after that - the benefits would disappear and we would be hammered in the media for disunity.

Like I said 1968 redux? 1968 convention was the worst debacle ever, in my lifetime, for Democrats. We have never fully recovered.

[mikehiggins]

15. I think a brokered convention is likely under the present circumstances.

If the frontrunner doesn't have the nomination sewed up before the convention his ability to lead the party to victory in November has to come into question. If he doesn't get the support of the majority of the small minority of voters who vote in the primaries, despite the momentum he's developed, what's likely to happen out in the wider world? I think a lot of the superdelegates will hedge their bets rather than go to a shaky candidate, as happened to Gary Hart.

If it does go past a first ballot I think Kerry is done. The only other candidates still in the running will be Dean and Clark. I believe that the pros will go with Clark rather than Dean for all sorts of good reasons but mostly because Dean makes them very nervous.

Being a newbie, Clark is reassuring to the pros insofar as they will think him an easy President to control. Dean himself is a pro with a long memory and an unforgiving nature.

So, hang in there Wes. One way or another we may yet win this thing.

Then you get the chance to slug it out with the Invisible Airman at the debates. What a show that should be. ;^)

[msanger]

16. a brokered convention would be great for the party

It would keep us in the news right up to the convention, it would allows Kerry and Dean to continue raising money and running anti-bush ads, and the discussion about who would be best to beat bush would continue to high-light shrub's weaknesses.

I think that with the advent of groups like moveon.org, and Dean's idea of the 100 dollar revolution (1,000,000 folks donating 100 dollars each) we don't have to worry about our messages being drowned out.

Besides, it would be great for all us political junkies, and would get lots of folks who normally tune this stuff out -- involved.

[WyLoochka]

18. A brokered convention would be a disaster for the party

Been there, done that ...

"Those who will not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
George Santayana

[iowapeacechief]

17. Kucinich convention strategy...

...discussed at http://us.denniskucinich.us/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3034

[revcarol]

21. Wonderful site.

Thanks.

[question everything]

19. Al Gore had his chance and lost it. Time to move on n/t

[question everything]

20. See also an oped by Dan Rather

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=103&topic_id=32441