Question about Dem candidates from a Canuck Neighbour

[freeforall]

The other night when Dean said he would not be campaigning any longer, there was a topic on the board which suggested he could still be nominated if delegates voted for him.

So, I'm confused! If a candidate drops out, can delegates still vote for him at the convention?

Trying to understand your system - which seems overly complex!

[coltman]

1. understanding

nope not complex at all just think money.

[jansu]

2. Dean did not withdraw, he said he is not actively campaigning....so yes,

those who support him, can still vote for him in their Primaries. Dean has written to his supporters asking them to vote for him, because, even if he does not win the nomination, every delegate that he gets, counts toward having some say over the party platform, etc.

[FloridaPat]

3. Ages ago the convention outcomes weren't know before the

convention started. That made them interesting. Now you know who will win. As for what Dean said, and depending on the state laws, should Kerry and Edwards be a tie and neither has enough for the nomination the first vote, then the delegates are up for grabs. They could pick Dean or even Nader. I believe most states require the delegates to cast for who won the state on the first ballot.

[freeforall]

4. Thanks Everyone!

So, it seems that even though Dean is not actively campaigning, Dean supporters can still encourage people to vote for him in the primaries and caucases that are yet to be held - if I understand this.

If this is true, why are so many people down about him being out? It seems it would be up to the people who suppport him to be talking to friends, colleagues, etc. and encouraging them to vote for him.

Another question. What would happen if Kerry had to back out because of some big scandal, for example?

[mzmolly]

5. Well one needs 2000 plus Delegates to get the nomination.

Dean has about 200 and Kerry about 700. It's confusing for this American too Canuck! And, I don't think I'm alone.

It's not likely that Dean will win, but he can have a voice in the agenda.

[freeforall]

8. This sounds good then!

Dean can still have a voice. Theoretically, what if Dean did win some of the primaries and caucases and get as many delegates as Kerry? It sounds as if he could still win the nomination then.

As you can see, I'm an optimist who believes in miracles!

Seriously though, I'm astounded by all the defeatist talk about the nomination, and that people have the attitude that it is a foregone conclusion about who will win. It sounds as if people can still decide to shake things up if they want to. Unfortunately, most people don't feel they have the power to influence outcomes. That, to me, is the saddest attitude of all.

[bobthedrummer]

6. There is a power struggle within the Democratic Party

Howard Dean represents one faction of that.

[revcarol]

7. There are two types of delegates to our party convention:

pledged delegates and superdelegates.Pledged delgates are the ones the people choose in their primaries and caucuses. They must stick with their candidate they are pledged to for the first ballot for the nomination. Dean already has pledged delegates, so his name will be placed in nomination for the Presidential nomination, there will be seconding speeches and all that falderol.It is exceedingly RARE that a pledged delegate does not stick with his/her candidate for the first ballot.Every candidate who has 1 or more pledged delegates is put in for the nomination unless they release their delegates to vote for who ever the person chooses, or move their block of votes to someone else, in which case, the delegates are pledged to that new candidate for the first vote.
Superdelegates are party big-wigs, representatives of constituencies like women voters, Senators and Congressmen.They may come out with an endorsement for Candidate X, but can change their minds at any time before the actual first ballot takes place. So some have already changed candidates.They cannot put candidates names in nomination.

When the rolls are called, it is by state. Maine votes 29 votes for X, 10 for Y.Both superdelegates and regular delegates are included in the total.When the total is over half for one candidate, the usual move is for acceptance and unity by all.

Dean will be entered in nomination. He can vote his delegates for himself, or commit them to someone else.He will have the position of power broker because he has delegates that others want. If no candidate has come to over half in the primaries and caucuses, this could be important.

THERE NOW, HAVE I TOLD YOU ALL THE THINGS YOU REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO KNOW?

[freeforall]

9. LOL, thanks revcarol!

Actually, this is pretty clear now. I'm glad that Dean still has some delegates in there. And - who knows - anything can happen between now and the convention!