Who would APPLAUD if Dean went independent or third party?

[quinnox]

Alright, I know there is a large group here who have always been Dean or green, and others who have expressed a strong feeling for Dean to go for an independent or a third party run should his bid not be successful for the nomination. Having said that, I think Dean would never take this step, and would support the nominee as he has said in the past. But let's put that aside and follow this dream for the purpose of this post.

Who would actively campaign and vote for Dean if this very unlikely script should happen?

[oasis]

1. Bush. (eom)

[donco6]

13. Absolutely. eom

[LoneStarLiberal]

44. Bush and Rove

A Dean cleavage would make 2004 a cinch for the Republicans.

If Dean and the Dean folks want to declare their independence from the Democratic Party, at least wait until after November 2004.

Doing so before then means that all that has been accomplished by the Dean campaign will be written down by history as endorsing George W. Bush in 2004.

[slinkerwink]

2. I just might actively campaign and vote for Dean if it looks like

Bush is going to beat Kerry.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

9. Does it look like Dean is going to beat Kerry right now?

Perspective is all a matter of subjectivity.

[shivaji]

47. I would vote for Dean if Bush is sure to beat Kerry

which I am afraid will be the case. Kerry has way too much
baggage, conflicting stands on issues etc. Out of Kery/Dean/
Edwards/Clark, Edwards has the best chance to win, followed
by Dean and then Clark. The voters are making a huge mistake
in nominating Kerry.

[ozone_man]

56. I'm voting for Dean anyway,

but it would feel particularly good if Kerry is losing big time to Bush.

[HalfManHalfBiscuit]

63. Why not just vote for Carrot Top?

It would be an equally noble and effective vote.

[Eloriel]

78. I might, if I liked him best of all

But as it stands, I'll be voting for Dean one way or another. Like quinnox, I'm about 99.99999% positive there's no chance of Dean running a 3rd Party campaign. OTOH, if the Dem Party keeps doling out its dirty tricks to stop him, who knows?

"They're not trying to stop me. They're trying to stop you." -- Howard Dean, 2003

[Guava Jelly]

3. Freepers and George Bush would Applaud

They want a nader or perot to tip the balance to the chimp

[redsoxliberal]

5. A huge Dean supporter, but

I would not at all. I would lose a lot of respect for him.


Also, there is not a snowballs chance in hell he does.

[OutlawCorporatePolls]

4. as long as it wasnt the greens..

..go libs or reforms, to stay centrist. the greens will reelect bush. the right wont come to the greens, but they will to the libs. in herds.

[NoPasaran]

6. Certainly not me

I am with Dean for the convention.

Bush must be defeated in November and only the Democrats can do that.

[Skidmore]

7. Next election, I would have no problem with that as an option

but this election there is much at stake for this country. We are teetering on the edge of the abyss. Even if you buy all of the conspiracy stuff about Kerry, I don't believe he will push the nation over the edge.

[uberotto]

8. I would love to see it happen...

in 2008.

In 2008 I predict we will see a Gore/Dean ticket running as Independent.

[AVID]

55. would a bush win in 04

be the perfect scenario for a successful Gore/Dean win in 08?

Keep the pendulum swinging then the real change would be inevitable.

[shance]

10. I would now, because I have been disappointed in the way the DNC and DLC

have responded to his campaign.

Im not so sure we can make the positive changes in this party without taking a stronger stand.

I think they would listen and listen hard if DLC and DNC realized they could stand to lose half of the party who would cross over for Dean.

I would have a different belief I think if I hadnt seen such a malevolent press and a biased establishment of Democrats actively working against Dean.

[CrazyHarry25]

45. The DLC

is doing everything possible to remove Dean from the race, and just watch, Kerry will be next.

[westcoastbias]

11. He would never do that.

He would never do that, and as a Dean caucus voter, I would never vote for him if he did. Also, he can stay in the primaries as long as he wants. It won't hurt Kerry since voter's memories are so short, and Dean won't wage anything near to the dirty politics of the Republicans.

[Calico4000]

12. No one

He would be more hated than Nader. Not by me as I fully support third parties, but if dems lost he and his supporters would be considered responsible by many.

[maggrwaggr]

14. terrible terrible idea

unless you want four more years of Bush.

I'm amazed anyone would even want to bring this up.

[damnraddem]

15. Should Dean break his promises and do such a thing ...

I would join in the chorus of comdemnation. But I don't think he would do such a stupid, dastardly thing. Now that Lieberman's out, it's ABB all the way!

[magnolia]

53. It is insulting to Dean...

...to even consider that he would do this. Recently he was asked if he would take VP. His response was that if Kerry is the nom he would advise him not to ask him (Dean) because it wouldn't be good to have two New Englanders on the ticket. He clearly cares more about the country and the dems winning than he does about his own personal ambition! So...why would anyone think that he would risk a dem loss by forming a third party???? This election is so much bigger than Dean...Kerry...or any of them.

I vote tomorrow in Virginia and I could really do it blind-folded because I'd be happy to see any one of them in the Oval Office. I'm voting for Edwards to increase his VP chances, because I think a Kerry/Edwards ticket would be the strongest.

[CabalBuster]

16. i would gladly vote for Dean to send the DLC a message

the democratic party has lost its soul, in fact it sold it to the big corporations and forgot about the base, I want to be heard

[BL_Zebub]

18. Indeed. Who do the DLC think they are anyway?

I'm the only one who's supposed to be buying souls around here :mad:

[DrFunkenstein]

26. Corporations Like IBM And Goldman-Sachs? Oh, Right...

IBM really did deserve to be given all those environmental awards Dean gave them.

Am I the only person who remembers the Business Week article?

[lancdem]

17. A hypothetical nightmare scenario

that won't happen, thank God.

[knight_of_the_star]

19. Not just no,

But HELLS NO!!!

I would never forgive the man for giving us 4 more years of Bush.

[arewethereyet]

20. you mean besides Karl Rove ?

[Indiana Democrat]

21. "Who would APPLAUD if Dean went independent or third party?"

Guaranteed losers.

[Terwilliger]

22. Who are these people who are "Dean or Green"?

The only people I hear that from are Kerry, Clark, and Edwards supporters.

[pacifictiger]

23. I would like to see

first, if possible, a group within the "democratic" party focused on cleaning up the corruption and back room deals - standing up for honesty and fairness. To run a 3rd party at this stage or even the next election cyle would be wasted effort. Real change usually comes in stages. To have a significant number within the party trying to effect change as a first step may be very beneficial for the long term in breaking up the stranglehold that the 2 party insiders have on this country's democracy. I would be all for Dean leading a sort of sub-group within the party provided he was able to be heard.

[Eurobabe]

24. BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD idea

Good for Bu$h/Cheney, Four More Wars

n/t

[EXE619K]

25. If Dean goes Indy or Green, that's he's choice.

If his supporters goes thrid party...that's their choice.

This is America and everyone is free to choose as they want.

Maybe all the Al Fromms and the Anti-Dean movement of the past should have thought about their willingness to stab Dean in the back.

Where is the "Anti-Kerry" and "Stop Kerry" movement from the Al Fromms and the DLC minions?

Perhaps, they will reap what they have sown.

[Tweed]

36. The Green party would not accept Dean

He's too conservative!

[HEyHEY]

27. Oh Man he better not

We must focus on the true prize. Get shrub out. Divide and conquer is just what repukes want.

[Dookus]

28. I would applaud

because then it would clearly highlight the true nature of his candidacy and many of his followers - a vanity run for the White House based on a cult of personality that has little to no relation to his actual governing experience.

Let him run as a Green - I need the laugh. He's about as Green as Lieberman.

[MaineDem]

29. Anyone who wants Bush back would applaud

I think this is a really bad idea.

[TexasMexican]

30. I'd vote for Dean.

Its not like Kerry would win Texas in November anyways.

[creativelcro]

32. I'll vote for Dean, whatever happens.

[Jack_Dawson]

37. Bush loves you. Keep it up.

:eyes:

[Exgeneral]

57. That's right , friend, Bush LOVES you

he died for our sins.
oops, wrong messiah

[digno dave]

31. 3rd party MUST be centrist

I think it is very important a third party be a centrist party and not a leftist party. This way we can pool disgruntled repubs wo are socially progressive but fiscally conservative. No third party will be successful by catering to the extremes of the two that already exist. The only way it can succeed is if it runs down the middle of the road. This will ensure a large membership base.

[justinpower]

64. digno dave

you just described the DLC you couldnt fit another party between them and the repubs, there just aint enough room.

[Tinoire]

67. Hahaha! That was great!

Yep. We sure wouldn't want a thrid party scaring off all those "swing" voters.

Thanks for the laugh ;)

[mzmolly]

33. Who would APPLAUD if Kerry went independent or third party?"

?????

[Redneck Socialist]

34. I'll toss him in the garbarge...

...can on top of Nader and slam the lid down on his head a couple of times for good measure if he does. That being said I am confident he won't. What I am curious about is what does Dean do after November if he is not the nominee (or not the president.)

Will he attempt to take his organization in a new direction, i.e. third party? If so I might be supportive of that effort. The Democratic Party seems like it is intent in leaving me behind, but because of the nature of winner take all politics what choice do I have but to stay with the Dem's? I am increasing frustrated about being forced into voting for candidates I don't like just because their opponent is a knuckle dragging neo con neanderthal. But at this time there is nowhere else I can go and that, frankly sucks.

[MrSlayer]

35. All Bush supporters would love it.

Since it would cut into the vote against him. Not a good idea.

[rucky]

38. Come forth, Strawman! Show yourself!

We've got our torches & pitchforks ready.

:evilgrin:

[mb7588a]

39. I honestly think I'd shit my pants :(

[tobius]

40. WTF?

[tobius]

41. My advice-

[ulysses]

42. the "Dean as third-party candidate" thing is ridiculous.

HD isn't third-party material, nor does he want to be.

[CrazyHarry25]

43. THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, for one.

Might as well shoe Bush back in the door.

[AP]

46. Me. So long as all the votes are counted, I suspect people would stay

energized by the opportunity to vote for him, and then vote for the Dem in the GE at the last minute if it's close.

[anti-NAFTA]

48. I would VERY MUCH APPLAUD!

The more leftist third parties there are, the stronger the message would be to the party that if it doesn't get its act together NOW, it will continue to lose elections.

edit: I do acknowledge that this is what Republicans want and that Bush would win in this case. Therefore I want Dean to maybe start the party AFTER the election and be a player in the 2006 Congressional elections when we don't have the threat of a lifetime of Bushism.

[WonderGrunion]

49. Dean should not go third party

If he did, it would give Kerry someone to blame his loss to Bush on other than himself.

[Piperay]

50. Bush of course...

because that would guarantee him another 4 years to continue ruining our country. :puke:

[ShadowCabinet]

51. Not me..........

Although I support Gov. Dean, it will be a huge mistake to urge a 3rd party run in November.

Remember, we need to keep our eyes on the prize. The goal here is to get GWB out of the White House. To quote someone else here on DU - "I'd rather vote for a ham sandwich then GWB."

ABB, all the way.

[LuminousX]

52. Not I. He would be betraying the very things that I respected him for.

[Lefty48197]

54. Dean FORCEFULLY stated that he would support the Dem nominee

in the last couple of days. Your question is moot.

[Walt Starr]

58. That's pretty inflammatory, IMO

Dean has already stated time and again he would support the nominee. Speculation like this can only be termed inflammatory.

[goodhue]

59. not me

[stickdog]

60. We are Democrats. And we aren't going to rest until the

leaders of the Democraitic party are, too.

Sorry.

[stickdog]

61. We are Democrats. And we aren't going to rest until the

leaders of the Democratic party are, too.

Sorry.

[southerngirlwriter]

62. Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, et al.

Dean going third-party would do to the Dems what Roy Moore running as a Repub would do to Bush -- split the base and guarantee a victory for the other side.

[Edge]

65. NO. In fact, it would make me SICK.

Going from a Democratic presidential candidate to a Green/Independent/other thrid party candidate would make him look like a sore loser. It would also show the further disorganization of our party.

If Dean were to do that, I would lose all respect from him and not support him ever again...because he would be breaking his promises. He should just step aside and vote for the nomination (if he doesn't get it) and act mature about it.

[candy331]

73. Why keep pouting this garbage about Dean

here. He has said he would support the Democratic nominee.What do you want, it to be sealed with his blood ? The man is more honorable and decent than any of his bashers and criticizers. Those who are truly worried about Dean must be awful scared. Maybe should have thought of this before they aired all of the in house dirty linen to all the neighbors. Take lessons from the repubs, they would never trash one of their own.(Was Katherine Harris trashed for wanting to run for Florida Senate seat? No she was told behind closed doors to not run.)

When do you hear repubs in the public trashing each other? Mary Matlin would never trash a Repub in public and Carville should have taken lessons from her in this. I think people have a hell of a nerve to demand/ask that Dean/or his followers be loyal to ones who never showed a loyal bone to him/them. Dems beat Dean and his followers up much worse than repubs ever could. Dems would still have been cowering and silenced if Dean had not entered the scene. They should have had the message under control and did have the opportunity to take control before Dean ever came on the scene therefore there would have been NO NEED for a Dean. There was an obvious void and anyone could have stepped in to fill it, so happens it was Dean. They failed and they know it.

Perhaps what you dish out you should expect the same sh-t back.

[evil_orange_cat]

66. I don't want Dean to divide the democratic electorate and ensure a bush V.

<...> victory... please deany, don't do it!

[Ficus]

68. never ever ever ever ever

never

[Nashyra]

70. Start work on the day AFTER the election

and I will help up until the polls close in NOV 2008, unless Clark or Dean wins

[JohnLocke]

69. Rove.

[RetroLounge]

71. How many times will people push this non-issue

It won't happen. He said he wouldn't do it. What else do you want to know?

So drop it already.

I am amazed that the Kerry camp is still so scared of Dean that they will push any crap to try to discredit him.

If Kerry decides to run as a communist, who would applaud?

[beyurslf]

72. Everyone who wants GWB to win would love it.

[eyeswideopened]

74. I would applaud and vote for him

[Forkboy]

75. This seems like such a burning question for you

that I'm suprised you haven't responded to a single poster in your thread yet.

One might think you're just trying to start flamewars or something :shrug:

[NV1962]

76. I don't see it happen - but I might get behind it, against all odds.

Screw pathetic "necessity" appeals, when the "alternative" is selected by those who put Bush in power.

[ThirdWheelLegend]

77. No, I would scratch my head ...

I would be scratching my head trying to figure out for which centrist party to vote.

TWL

[Sly Kal]

79. He won't

He is a democrat and will support the Democratic candidate if it is not him. Why are you suggesting otherwise?

[zoeyfong]

80. I would. Dean makes me proud to be a democrat. Kerry is an embarrassment

[kaitykaity]

81. Not me.

I love Dean with all my heart, figuratively speaking. But as much as I love the Doctor, I hate Bush more.

I will hold my nose, tie one hand behind my back, take my castor oil, whatever it takes to make myself vote for the Democratic candidate. (I would be such a hypocrite, considering how much I yelled about Nader and the Greens last time, if I went third party with Dean.)

[LynneSin]

82. This is an amusing and trivial concept...

....since Dean would not even consider going 3rd Party.

First and foremost Dean made himself a very viable candidate and he's young enough to try another run for Presidency in the next 3-4 elections. Why in God's name would the man screw up his chance of becoming president with a 3rd party candidancy.

Dean gathered up plenty of supporters through innovated methods using the internet. Heck he got me excited too. But obviously he wasn't able to gather enough support where it counted the most and that's at the election polls.

I will not give Bush another 4 years in the White House and I am confident that Dean would not do the same thing. He wants to run again and a 3rd Party candidancy would be the kiss of death for his political career. And he knows it too.