Dean Will Stop Campaigning, but Stay on Ballot

[Killarney]

Dean announced today that he will "stop campaigning, but his name will remain on the ballot."

What are your thoughts?
What is the purpose of doing that from Dean's point-of-view? Just in case the front-leader implodes? Or because he doesn't want to endorse someone else? Why stay on the ballot, but stop campaigning?

[liberalnurse]

1. Thats great.

I feared that I would of had to write-in his name.

[dansolo]

2. He gets to participate in the debates

Without throwing away the money on ads. He can use the funds he has received to help out in Congressional races. He can still participate in the debates, and continue to promote the ideas that he has been speaking about. As a Dean supporter and contributer, I accept this decision whole heartedly.

[WilliamPitt]

9. I'm not sure about that

The League of Women Voters debate on 2/22 has four criteria to be met before a candidate can debate (we dealt with this in the DK campaign). One of them is that you have to be actively campaigning for the Presidency. If Dean isn't doing this, he doesn't qualify for 2/22. I don't know what the other debate qualificatiosn are, but actually campaigning for the office probably has to be a prerequisite.

[BootinUp]

19. On CNN which is a co-sponsor they also said

that you had to have won at least 10% of the vote in a primary.

[WilliamPitt]

22. Dean has that covered

as does Dennis (Maine).

[OhioStateProgressive]

23. true

it is binding primary or caucus, and the second part of it is that you ahve to be actually campaigning...even CNN yesterday was only takling about two debate options...one with only Kerry and Edwards, and one with Kerry, Edwards, Kucinich and Sharpton

Sharpton only got 9.6% in South Carolina, so technically he isn't eligible. Dennis got 15% in Maine, so he is.

[displacedvermoter]

15. Excellent explanation!

That is exactly what the Governor should do, as he keeps a buzz going about the whole primary process, and can really energize GOTV efforts both by personal appearances and his website. He'll be a valuable contributor, as long as he now concentrates on beating Bush and electing Democratic candidates at all levels. He can help end this talk of a "purge", and earn a critical spot in a Kerry or Edwards administration. Or get national support for a Senate run in 2006, assuming Jeffords steps down.

BTW, anyone have thoughts on how long it still makes sense to keep sending money to a candidate who has withdrawn from the race? I know that the bills keep coming in long after the final campaign stop, but how long before folks with limited resources, like me, can make better use of their cash and send it elsewhere?

[maddezmom]

3. where did he announce this?

thought his press conference was at 1:00pm EST.

[Killarney]

4. I just got a breaking news email from CNN that said it. n/t

[maddezmom]

6. wow, hadn't seen anything.

Well I think it's a good idea, he can still stay relevant and have a voice in the process. :)

edit: spelling

[JI7]

5. isn't that true of clark and others ?

aren't some of the other candidates who have dropped on still on the ballot in some states ? i don't think they have control over it.

[eyesroll]

8. Indeed. All 9, plus LaRouche, were on the WI ballot

But does this mean Dean will still try to get on the ballot in upcoming states? (Will he petition, pay the filing fees, what?) There are a few that haven't closed ballot access yet.

[Burma Jones]

7. Dean is starting to look like Reagan did

Not in that dyed hair, scary sort of way. But in the way that moves a political party to a better place. Folks once thought Reagan was a crazy choice for a presidential candidate. But he stuck by HIS guns and it paid off.

Dean is going down that same road I think. He's going to continue to try to take the party down a better path. One that may, especially if Kerry loses and we don't pick up Congress, prove to be a winner.

[Fridays Child]

10. Maybe the media will feed elsewhere, now.

Nah, they'll gnaw on Howard until his bones glisten in the sun.

[stickdog]

11. Where and when did he announce this? (nt)

[Killarney]

12. CNN just did breaking news.

-- Howard Dean to announce today that he will stop campaigning, but will leave his name on ballot, campaign source tells CNN.
Watch CNN or log on to http://CNN.com for the latest news.

[maddezmom]

14. just caught it on CNNI

he's going to quit active campaigning and hold on to his delegates.

[stickdog]

26. They are guessing. It's just more "push Dean out" bs. (nt)

[maddezmom]

27. we'll all find out soon enough

news conference is scheduled for this afternoon, heard 1:00pm EST.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50815-2004Feb18.html

[Loonman]

13. ......and hand 2004 to George W Bush

After splitting the party.

[GodHelpUsAll2]

16. Boy

Desperation for those delegates seems to be high. Or is the excuse being set in advance of who is to blame when 2004 is lost in the wind?

[Ninga]

17. Voting for Dean in the primary, will not hand 04 to Bush.

Good grief, I will vote for ABB.

My vote will only count in the primary, because my vote for Dean in the primary will give strenth to a possible new faction of the Dem. party.

Please, please do not mistake support of Dean in the primary for anything connected to Bush.

[NicoleM]

18. This is the strategy.

No matter what happens, if Kerry or Edwards doesn't beat Bush this fall, it will be All Dean's Fault. We're being set up to be the scapegoat. But if Kerry wins, Dean will get NO credit for making it cool to stand up to *.

[GodHelpUsAll2]

20. Of course it is

That is the standard MO in Washington these days. Find someone early on you can blame everything on. Take NO responsibility for your own actions. Let's face it, we've see it first hand not only from the right but also in spades from our own party.

[Renew Deal]

21. They are all still on the ballot in primary states.

But he won't be viable in most caucus states.

[BurtWorm]

24. To collect delegates for the convention.

I intend to vote for Dean delegates in NY.

[bigwillq]

25. I think this is correct for Dean to do. He owes his supporters this

He at least is giving people the chance to continue voting for him, which I will do. I will always stick by the doctor. He put up a great fight not only in his campaign but also for democracy.