My primary is in April. I want the selection process to go to the delegates ...

[philly_bob]

How do I vote?

I'm considering voting for whichever candidate trails at that time, hoping to push decision into the convention, where everything is up in the air.

I think on-the-floor convention delegates will be closer to the progressive attitude we find on DU.

Note that this approach is like the old Balance-of-Power philosophy that dominated European politics for a long time. The advantage of an up-in-the-air is that it would remove the mainstream media from the equation, and open up the field to some interesting folks like the excellent drop-out candidates (Biden, Edwards, Richardson, etc.) but also to new folks like Wes Clark and Al Gore.

Comments welcomed. I'm a little vague on convention rules, and I'd love to hear an explanation of what happens if there's no winner on first ballot, and whether that's possible.

Boy, August 21-25 could be REAL interesting.

[no name no slogan]

1. You should have an uncommitted option on the ballot

I would check and see if there's a slate of uncommitted delegates running from your state. That is the ultimate leverage, if that's what you're looking for.

[gateley]

2. Rec - looking forward to the responses. I'd like to understand, too. Thanks for posting. nt

[lurky]

3. I have to say I disagree about how a floor fight

would work out. Basically, whoever can twist the most arms, offer the most favors, and do the most back-room maneuvering will win. Usually, the power of the party machine will win in a situation like that.

[philly_bob]

4. Maybe the "party machine" (the delegates) are more progressive than ...

than the mainstream media and corporate contributors who, I feel, disproportionately and antidemocratically influenced the outcome of the primaries.

Maybe. I don't know. We're in uncharted territory here.