It's still early! Why nobody should bow out

[NastyRiffraff]

The following is gleaned from an article in Slate that summarizes the primaries from 1972 when the current primary system began.

1972:Sen. George McGovern overcame a "stop McGovern" movement to win the nomination on June 21.

1976: After Henry Jackson withdrew from the ace, Jimmy Carter faced sudden primary challenges from Frank Church and Jerry Brown who entered the race in May. Carter finally won the nomination on June 15.

1980: Carter was challenged by Sen. Edward Kennedy, who refused to withdraw even when Carter had enough delegates to give him the nomination. Kennedy took it all the way to the convention, finally giving in at the convention itself.

1984: Sen. Gary Hart challenged Walter Mondale. Hart, with far fewer delegates, didn't quit until June 25.

1992: Bill Clinton finally won the nomination in June.

More recent primary history:

The two most recent candidates managed to avoid protracted primary fights. Still:

Al Gore: Bradley didn't bow out until March 9
John Kerry: John Edwards dropped out March 3.

[cynatnite]

1. K&R! n/t

[Flabbergasted]

2. I think so as well. I think things need to be re-evaluated at each major turning point.

We can certainly give this seven more weeks. If it takes 11 more weeks that's life.

[sabbat hunter]

3. lets count down those long challenges

1972- McGovern lost in a landslide
1976 - Carter won in a squeaker, mainly because of watergate and Ford claiming that eastern europe wasn't behind the iron curtain during a debate. It should have been a landslide for Carter given watergate.
1980 - Carter loses in a landslide
1984 - Mondale loses in a landslide
1992 - Clinton wins, with a plurarity of the vote, but a large victory in the Electoral college


Given that history of late decided nominees, we need to get behind one or the other, and let the one that drops out be the VP.

Even if Sen Obama or Sen Clinton doesn't drop out, they should concentrate their attacks on McCain not each other.