According to Skinner's "pinned" post, the PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEE

[Radio_Lady]

will be chosen when the OPPOSITION CANDIDATE resigns or acknowledges the other nominee's win -- before the various guidelines posted in February 2008 would be put in place.

I'd appreciate some clarification on this issue.

Here is the exact quote:

WHAT WILL HAPPEN HERE ON DU WHEN WE HAVE A PRESUMPTIVE DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE.

Let me be clear: We expect our members to support the Democratic nominee for president. This expectation has been written into our rules since as far back as 2002, and we aggressively enforced this rule in 2004 after it became clear that John Kerry was the presumptive nominee. In other words, this is not a secret. If you are at all shocked or surprised by this, then you have not been paying very close attention. Don't even bother trying to convince us otherwise. This was decided long ago, we've already heard all the opposing arguments over and over a thousand times, and we're not going to change our policy. Here is how this will work:

At some point between now and the Democratic convention in August, one of the two remaining Democratic front-runners will drop out of the race, and the remaining candidate will become the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. When we have a presumptive nominee, the time for fighting on DU will come to an end. The squabbling will not drag on until the "official" nomination at the convention in August. The transition to general election mode begins when we have a presumptive nominee. And we have no doubt that the vast majority of our members -- regardless of which candidate you support in the primaries -- will be glad to move forward and support the nominee.

Thanks all,

Radio Lady in Oregon

[Kittycat]

1. Do you honestly think HRC will ever concede?

I'm all for working toward Dem party unity,but let's be realistic here.

[Radio_Lady]

4. Kittycat, please see my journal regarding my support.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Radio_Lady

[Kittycat]

9. Yes, I see that..

But I'm just being realistic - maybe a bit sarcastic in my response. I just don't see her ever dropping out. If it takes that for there to be a presumptive nominee - there never will be one.

[sandnsea]

2. I don't see how it can by any other way

I don't think Hillary's true supporters or the true disruptors will change until she concedes. I suppose Skinner could make the decision himself, but I imagine all hell would break loose around here if he did.

[Radio_Lady]

5. Unless I am reading this wrong, it will take one of the candidate's resignation

to cause there to be a PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEE.

Skinner specifically states that we will not wait until the August convention.

I'm just reading the top post and I hope someone will respond with a clarification.

Cordially,

RL

[sandnsea]

11. If Hillary resigned, Obama would be the presumptive nominee

But I don't know what Skinner will do if Hillary chooses not to resign and carries this to the convention. He *could* take a stand, it is his site. OTOH, there are Hillary supporters here who contribute and they have as much right to fight their fight, technically speaking. I'm not sure the "presumptive nominee" comment was directed at his position if there's a floor fight.

[Bryan]

16. Isn't all hell going to break loose whenever he does it?

I am a partisan and can't be counted on for objectivity, and I know the board management place great store in scrupulously maintaining a neutral posture, and rightly so, but if the avoidance of an ugly endgame is the standard they have in mind in determining whether or not they stay on a primary footing, they have a nasty surprise in store.

[Yael]

3. The Presumptive Nominee must resign?

I think you mean the challenger must resign.

[Radio_Lady]

7. OP changed... thanks, Yael. Shalom......

[Yael]

10. B'vakasha

v'shalom b'at

(Happy to help and peace to you as well, sister!)

[mdmc]

6. PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEE = one person running

you will know it when you see it...

[Radio_Lady]

8. In the case of a brokered convention, it would not be that easy.

You are assuming that someone resigns prior to the convention, correct?

[mdmc]

12. Yes miss

It will certainly end at the convention. Unless we tear the party apart. But I doubt that.

[Radio_Lady]

15. Tuesday night: Well, I guess it won't be tonight!!!

[Seabiscuit]

13. All Skinner is saying is (1) he believes someone - guess who - will drop out before the Convention,

and (2) if and when that happens, the admins and mods will not tolerate the kind of "fighting" and "squabbling" that's been going on here for too many months now.

[Radio_Lady]

14. That's what I understand. Thanks Seabiscuit.