Question about writing-in votes for candidates who have dropped out

[eileen_d]

My specific question is about Clark, who I was planning to vote for in my primary (which isn't until June).

Now that he Clark officially dropped out, is there any benefit to writing his name in on my primary ballot? I can't think of one, unless none of the other candidates were acceptable to me (and for the most part they are).

[JohnLocke]

1. No. It's idiotic.

I hate it when people say they're going to do that.

[eileen_d]

4. I wouldn't go that far

I don't mind if people say they're going to do it; I just want to know what benefits there would be if the candidate has already bowed out voluntarily.

[JohnLocke]

11. None -- they've dropped out!

A vote for someone who's dropped out isn't a "protest vote," it's a wasted vote.

[Lefta Dissenter]

9. Then hate away...

I'm voting for Clark on Tuesday (not write-in, he'll be right there on my ballot). I threw my heart behind him because none of the other candidates inspired me, and I still can't bring myself to vote for anyone else at this point. Give us a little recovery time, for pete's sake!

In the primaries, I don't think a 'protest vote' is throwing your vote away, it's speaking your mind. Come the GE, I'll have been working for, sending money to, and then voting for whoever the Dem nominee is.

[Lefta Dissenter]

2. only if there were a brokered convention... (eom)

[Paulie]

3. None of the others can earn your vote?

On the issues, isn't there anyone who you would not have to hold your nose to vote for???

[eileen_d]

6. That's not my position

If you re-read my post, I think I make it pretty clear that other candidates are acceptable to me - I'm just curious if a write-in vote would have any benefits.

[diamondsoul]

20. No it doesn't usually

have any impact to write in a candidate in a Primary election. Most states just toss them away and they don't get counted. Personally I think it's screwed up.

[Paulie]

7. Saw your response in another thread, voting for Kucinich in the Primary

Yippie! :D :cool:

[eileen_d]

17. I am sure that the overall "winner" will be known by June

and assuming Kucinich is still campaigning, I'll vote for him, yes. If he dropped out, though, I don't know if I would. I'll just keep mulling it over, I guess...

[Mz Pip]

5. A write in may

not be necessary. If the ballots are already printed then his name may still be on it. Our CA primary is in March and I think all the candiates names are still on it. If it looks like Kerry has the nomination sewed up then I may just vote for Clark to show contuned support for him, hopefully as a potential Cabinet member. I want to keep his name out there.

MzPip
:dem:

[Renew Deal]

8. I will probably vote for him.

I have worked so hard for him that I think he deserves my vote. I will vote for my choices delegates and help them win, but I will almost certainly vote for Clark in the primary. I don't know if you noticed but CMB, Gephardt and Lieberman beat Kucinich in TN.

[eileen_d]

12. No - I didn't notice that!

Here's a follow-up question then - what if a candidate who dropped out got enough votes to earn a delegate? I guess some kind of deal would be made...?

[Renew Deal]

16. They would get their delegate

And the candidate would probably do with it whatever they are doing with thte others.

[Lefta Dissenter]

13. they DID?

Jeez, you can tell I didn't look any farther in the returns than just the first three!

[Renew Deal]

18. As far as the last numbers I saw, yes.

That was at 80 something %

[AP]

10. Only if 15% of your fellow citizens do it. Otherwise it's a vote for the

person who's coming in first.

[JohnLocke]

15. Right on.

And if there was 15% interest, the candidate wouldn't have dropped out in the first place.

[Monte Carlo]

14. It's just really unlikely that Clark would get the nomination now...

As someone mentioned, his only chance now is to come out on top in a brokered convention. The Democrats, unlike the Republicans, still allow these, and he would be among the top considered. It's possible, just not likely at all. Don't take this wrong - I would have voted for Clark if Kerry dropped out, but I don't think you're vote will go to where it would be most effective.

[maxanne]

19. a good Democrat

will do as they're told and vote for the Chosen.

kiss the Kerriere - otherwise you might be purged

[eileen_d]

21. Not the "good Democrats" I know.

They vote for their own reasons, and respect the rights of other voters to do the same.

[Lefta Dissenter]

25. Thank you, Eileen (eom)

:hi:

[janx]

22. Soon many will learn to kiss the Kerriere! n/t

[Crunchy Frog]

23. I think that one possible benefit

is to demonstrate that Clark still has a substantial degree of support. Since I very much want to see him chosen as VP, I believe that this is a message worth sending. It also helps to send a message that not everyone will be steamrolled by the media into going along with their choice.

I myself don't have a primary in my state, otherwise I would definitely by voting for Clark. Kerry's nomination seems assured with or without my help. My mother who lives in NY State is planning on voting for Clark in her primary.

Ultimately, you have to do what feels right to you. I wish you luck in your decision.:)

[eileen_d]

24. Thank you

:hi:

[democratreformed]

26. I will vote for Clark in my primary, unless, like someone else said

my vote is genuinely needed elsewhere. At this point, I can't see where my vote in May is going to make a bit of difference in the outcome. I will work for the Democratic nominee for the election in November. I will not, however, go along with the decision that has been made for me in the primary. I can't help it. That's just the way it is. Now, if things change, I might reconsider. I see about as much chance of that as hell freezing over.

[in_cog_ni_to]

27. I'm voting for Clark in my Primary

next month. I'm hoping for a brokered convention. His name is already on the ballot, I think.

[Adelante]

28. Voting Clark in primary

Kerry was my second choice and he is the frontrunner. If he ends up needing my vote in the primary, I will give it to him. I don't foresee this happening and fully plan to vote for Wes. He owns it, he's earned it, and he's my one and only top choice. So if the spread continues as it is, and doesn't narrow significantly in the meantime, I vote Clark. I don't want him to think he went all through this for nothing and I want the Democratic Party to know who we are: Wes Clark Democrats.