When will the fringe candidates drop out?

[fujiyama]

I know people might flame me for it but I don't care. When will Moseley Braun, Sharpton, Kucinich, and Lieberman drop out? I have to say that, while the first three are entertaining in debates, it's close to Iowa. Do they really want to show up in the straw polls? Oh well, there is one possible up side for this -- apparently I've read that in some polls of the state, Kucinich is beating Lieberman. God that would be great!

I understand why Lieberman is staying in, though it's pretty clear he won't get the nomination. He somehow believes that his name recognition and sympathy for the last election will get him through, and that somehow he can be the "anti Dean" in more moderate southern states. Sorry Lieberman, the "anti Dean" will either be Clark, Kerry, Edwards, or Gephardt.

[whirlygigspin]

1. didn't you know?

Fringe candidates never drop out, they just hang on around the edges.

silly :silly:

[alexwcovington]

2. After Supah Toosday

As always.

[jsw_81]

3. Probably not until the convention

Fringe candidates in both parties have a bad habit of staying in the race long after they've been defeated. Remember Buchanan vowing to "fight at the convention" after losing twenty or thirty consecutive primaries in 1992? Remember how Jerry Brown did the same thing even after it was clear that Clinton would be the nominee? And who can forget the bizarre spectacle of Alan Keyes debating Bush and McCain on national television long after Keyes' candidacy had collapsed in 2000.

I'm hoping that we can avoid this kind of nonsense in 2004, but unfortunately far too many in our party are afraid of offending the various constituencies (blacks, women, ultra-liberals etc.) that are supporting losers like Sharpton and Kucinich. So don't be surprised if their "campaigns" continue well into the summer.

[dweller]

6. 'blacks, women, ultra-liberals etc.'

back where the road forked, and you wandered left....you should have asked for directions from someone.
:eyes:
not that i'd call you a loser for losing your way.

dp

[Forkboy]

10. So does this mean you're for offending these groups?

[ThirdWheelLegend]

4. Who determines fringe?

The polls, the librul media?

TWL

[Jack_Dawson]

8. Dennis is as fringe as they come

Well meaning, but fringe.

[arewethereyet]

5. no reason for them to leave unless they have no money

like Al. They are there to try and have a little platform impact at convention time. They don't really have to spend any more money, just go to the debates.

Lieberman is not fringe. I was scoping state races and he leads a number of them. I'm not saying he'll be the nominee but you place him with the other three incorrectly.

[Adjoran]

7. Where is Lieberman leading?

I haven't seen him in the top three in any state poll in a couple of months.

Fringe candidates don't usually drop out; they hope for face time and maybe a prime time speech at the convention.

But it is getting close to time where the debate organizers should pare the field on their own, so the legitimate candidates would have more time to make their case to the party and to America.

[Jack_Dawson]

9. Lieberelf is a republican plant

Like we didn't already know this?

[jpgray]

11. I hope Kucinich at least remains. Possibly Sharpton in some capacity (nt)

[ShaneGR]

12. Here's my predicted order of drop-out

After Iowa Gephardt will drop out

After New Hampshire Kerry and Braun will drop out.

After South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Arizona (Feb. 3 I think) Lieberman and Sharpton will drop out.

Super Tuesday will come down to a horse-race between Dean, Clark (Who gobbled up some Kerry, Gephardt, and Liberman support), and Edwards (the same) with Kucinich staying in for more name recognition.

Super Tuesday will decide the nominee so it won't matter after that.