US National Primaries

[Jae Onasi]

With Edwards withdrawing from the Democratic race and Romney suspending his campaign yesterday, the field has narrowed considerably,, essentially to McCain and Huckabee for the Republicans and Obama and Clinton for the Democrats. It looks like McCain will win the Republican nomination, but the Democratic race is still hotly contested. Obama has won more states, but Clinton has more delegates at this time. How do you think the race will go next?

[Totenkopf]

I've heard that if it goes to the superdelegate stage, then HRC seems to have it in the bag. Either way, the result will be termed historic.

[MdKnightR]

I'm just hoping for a miracle.

[RedHawke]

Meh! I want to vote 'None of the above' is that ok?

[Arcesious]

I'm a republican but Obama is the best choice of them left, since Romney dropped out IMO.

The democrats are going to win, and for me that's a very bad thing. Their winning will be good for soem people's incomes, but it will ravage mine...

Why I say that is because it seems like hillary will win, but if it was obama who won i'd be okay with that. I don't want mccaine or huckabee though... despite the fact that I'm a Christian, Huckabee doesn't seem that smart with economy, and mccaine seems to want the goverment like in the 1980's, and his CPAC speech didn't get though to me, just seemed to be more promises that wouldn't be fulfilled.

[Achilles]

It looks like McCain will win the Republican nomination, but the Democratic race is still hotly contested.

Depending on what happens with Romney's delegates, Huckabee could win every primary between now and the convention and still not catch up. McCain's lead is commanding.

 

Obama has won more states, but Clinton has more delegates at this time. How do you think the race will go next?

90% of Clinton's delegate lead is made up of super delegates, who can change their minds 100 times between now and the convention. Granted, since they are committed it isn't likely that they will, but we'll just have to wait and see how things shape up between now and then.

 

The democrats are going to win, and for me that's a very bad thing. Their winning will be good for soem people's incomes, but it will ravage mine...

Really? You make more than $250,000 dollars per year? Obama wants to eliminate income tax for those that make under $50,000 a year. If you fit in the latter category rather than the former, it would seem that would be a very good thing for your income.

[Totenkopf]

Depending on what happens with Romney's delegates, Huckabee could win every primary between now and the convention and still not catch up. McCain's lead is commanding.

 

Huckabee is out of the running for anything other than a spot in a McCain administration. Heard there were ~1200 rep delegates left, and you need >1000 to get nomination.

 

 

Really? You make more than $250,000 dollars per year? Obama claims to want to eliminate income tax for those that make under $50,000 a year. If you fit in the latter category rather than the former, it would seem that would be a very good thing for your income.

 

 

Fixed. More populist empty promises. Makes you wonder how he's going to make up for all the lost revenue. Who's he going to try to soak to get it. The "rich"? Last time a luxury tax was attempted, the rich just held onto their money and put many businesses out of work. Yeah, go Obama! [heavy sarcasm]

[SilentScope001]

Fixed. More populist empty promises. Makes you wonder how he's going to make up for all the lost revenue.

 

Simple. He doesn't.

 

EDIT: I mean, the deficit hawks are dead. Even McCain will decide to keep some tax cuts, and I'm no certain he'll actually do any real budget cuts. We're going to run up deficits and national debts for a very, very long time. Oh well. I hope America doesn't have any problems....

[PoiuyWired]

I've heard that if it goes to the superdelegate stage, then HRC seems to have it in the bag. Either way, the result will be termed historic.

 

So, for the young people out there. Presidents are either Bush or Clinton. Eitherway, people who have been living in the White House for a long long time.

 

Well, unless Obama can win... but so far it seems like HRC is getting a bit ahead. Oh, it is also interesting to see the Demographics of the vote.

[mur'phon]

I'm hoping Obama gets nominated, If for no other reason that he seems more likely to beat McCain. McCain seems like the best kandidate the republicans could have chosen, though his age could be a problem if Huckabee becomes vice pres.

[Achilles]

Look like Obama is on track for a sweep this weekend. I'm willing to bet that he'll sweep again on Tuesday. HRC might be able to take back some ground in March, but between pumping $5 million personal dollars into her campaign and firing her campaign manager today, I think there might be blood in the water.

 

@mur'phon: When McCain wins the nomination, he won't take Huckabee as a running mate. He'll need to choose someone that will boost his numbers within a demographic he can't win by himself. Since Huckabee failed to capture the evangelical vote, I imagine McCain will look for someone from the far Religious Right to bolster his conservative credibility.

[mur'phon]

I imagine McCain will look for someone from the far Religious Right to bolster his conservative credibility.

 

How reasuring.........

[Totenkopf]

Frankly, no matter who gets nominated on either side, the choices are going to alienate 40-50% of the eligible voters. The Dems are too far to the left and the Reps will be seen as too far to the right, even though they are drifting leftward themselves (but not as fast as the dems). Given hrc's neagtives, will Obama look elsewhere for a veep if he manages to edge her out?

[Achilles]

How reasuring.........

Indeed. Perhaps you can take some comfort in knowing that it won't be Ann Coulter. Maybe Newt Gingrich? He actually showed up pretty favorably in early polls despite the fact that he never indicated that he was going to run. Might have to worry about a Democratic congress looking for some payback though if that happens. Hmmm.

[Jae Onasi]

Huckabee theoretically could win the nomination, but he'd have to win something like 80% of the remaining vote. He hasn't been able to do in any of the states he's won. I don't know if McCain would take someone just to make the "Religious Right" happy. I wouldn't be surprised to see Romney or even Giuliani on the ticket as VP nominee. He's looking to win, and if the US public is disenchanted with the extreme right and want to move left, as it appears to me they want to do, then McCain would have a better chance of winning with a more moderate candidate. He's going to have to appeal to independents and more conservative Democrats in order to win the Nov. election.

 

Obama swept this weekend's primaries and caucuses. Clinton has 1136 delegates right now, and Obama has 1108. I don't remember ever seeing a primary this close, particularly after a Super Tuesday election. I don't remember seeing a candidate who has so utterly captivated his followers and voters like Obama has, either. My aunt, who has adored him since his speech to the National Democratic Convention 4 years ago, is inspired by him, and other supporters I talk to feel the same. If he wins the nomination I could easily see him as President. I don't think McCain can create that level of inspiration across a wide cross-section of the public, and he'll have to fight the disenchantment with Bush's brand of Republicans.

 

Ann Coulter said she'd campaign for HRC if McCain wins. Her segment on Hannity and Colmes (look for the one 'Not Backing Mac') is just...I don't know what...., and I laughed through parts.

[CHOP-E]

the democrats are pretty much screwed everyone hates clinton and we're not going to have a black muslum for president because of the redneck vote

[mimartin]

Ann Coulter said she'd campaign for HRC if McCain wins. Her segment on Hannity and Colmes (look for the one 'Not Backing Mac') is just...I don't know what...., and I laughed through parts.

Didn’t these political mouth pieces have a field day when Alec Baldwin said something about it was “time to leave” if Bush got into office. Now these same “political extremists” are making just as stupid comments because the American people are going with McCain instead of someone more conservative.

 

It sounds like someone needs their blanket and bottle to me.

 

I want a picture of Ann Coulter supporting Hillary Clinton.

 

Moreover, she lies less than John McCain. I'm a Hillary girl now. She lies less than John McCain. She's smarter than John McCain, so that when she's caught shamelessly lying, at least the Clintons know they've been caught lying. McCain is so stupid, he doesn't even know he's been caught.[/Quote]

[Rogue Nine]

the democrats are pretty much screwed everyone hates clinton and we're not going to have a black muslum for president because of the redneck vote

Um, if everyone hates Hillary Clinton, then why are so many people voting for her? And Barack Obama is a professed Christian.

[Achilles]

Huckabee theoretically could win the nomination, but he'd have to win something like 80% of the remaining vote. He hasn't been able to do in any of the states he's won. I don't know if McCain would take someone just to make the "Religious Right" happy. I wouldn't be surprised to see Romney or even Giuliani on the ticket as VP nominee.

Anything is possible. I don't know why he would though considering that Romney would be a controversial pick and picking Rudy wouldn't help him win any votes that he couldn't get himself.

 

He's looking to win, and if the US public is disenchanted with the extreme right and want to move left, as it appears to me they want to do, then McCain would have a better chance of winning with a more moderate candidate. He's going to have to appeal to independents and more conservative Democrats in order to win the Nov. election.

I suppose that's one way of looking at it. Considering the number of times I've heard "record turnout" over the last few weeks, it may be that "the left" has decided not to sit on the sidelines when "the right" goes to the polls. Similarly, McCain is going to great pains to paint himself as a conservative (take his speech at CPAC, for instance). If the scenario you suggested is closest to reality, then I think he's making a huge mistake by courting the right so openly.

 

Clinton has 1136 delegates right now, and Obama has 1108.

Obama has the lead in pledged delegates. Clinton's lead is entirely superdelegates which may or may not change their mind before the convention. Regardless, if Obama does well again tomorrow, he'll take the lead in both pledged delegates and superdelegates.

 

I don't remember ever seeing a primary this close, particularly after a Super Tuesday election. I don't remember seeing a candidate who has so utterly captivated his followers and voters like Obama has, either. My aunt, who has adored him since his speech to the National Democratic Convention 4 years ago, is inspired by him, and other supporters I talk to feel the same. If he wins the nomination I could easily see him as President. I don't think McCain can create that level of inspiration across a wide cross-section of the public, and he'll have to fight the disenchantment with Bush's brand of Republicans.

I think you're right. This will definitely be an old school vs new school fight if those two go to the general election.

 

Ann Coulter said she'd campaign for HRC if McCain wins.

Yep

 

That's one way to make sure that Hillary won't get my vote.

 

the democrats are pretty much screwed everyone hates clinton and we're not going to have a black muslum for president because of the redneck vote

Snopes vs. Smear campaigns

 

EDIT: Apparently Hillary doesn't see changing campaign managers as "significant".

[JediMaster12]

I didn't vote because I didn't know what to do. My mother said go with the lesser of two evils but who determines which is more evil. I am registered as a declined to state so I could vote Republican if I wanted. Unfortunately I am ticked off at both parties so I really can't back any corner. I may be liberal in principle on some issues but some I am conservative. To be honest I don't know about Obama or Clinton. If either one is chosen it would have to take some serious convincing to get me to vote for either of them.

[Totenkopf]

Well, you could always hold your nose and vote for McCain, as he's slighty less liberal than either of the 2 of them. Another election lacking a clear choice in candidates and possible even direction. Big surprise.

 

Um, if everyone hates Hillary Clinton, then why are so many people voting for her? And Barack Obama is a professed Christian.

 

Probably b/c they'd vote for Goofy or Satan if they headed the democrat ticket. And, yeah, the same could be said of the other side too. Still, if you believe polls and such, hrc has VERY high negatives amongst the general population and that's not good when you're going into an election. It has a tendency to suppress your own side's votes or increase the turnout on the other side (or both). As to what a politician professes........they'll often say whatever it takes to get elected.

[El Sitherino]

Personally I see the country as screwed on all fronts. All potential runners have some sort of agenda or group their pushing/backing. It's a matter of degree.

 

Hillary I'd have to say is the most definite no vote. This woman effectively sees Mario Brothers in the same light as Grand Theft Auto and will have no problem backing political agenda to heavily restrict interactive media (ie. Video Games). Plus the woman is a raging lunatic with her point-point clap-clap approach to celebration.

 

McCain, he used to be the one common face of the Republican party that I could always have at least a little bit of moral support for. The man would hold his ground and stuck to his principles rather well. However this race he seems to have kinda staggered, probably with all the BS flinging by a scared Republican party trying to get someone into the big race with a chance to win. I would be giving it to Ron Paul for the Republican nomination if American politics actually made sense and people actually did what they say they believe, however McCain I'm giving my tally to on this, despite any opinions on his ability to hold an office now.

 

Obama. I don't really have too large of an opinion on him, I'm not sure he'd be great for the job, however I have no reason to believe he'd be outright bad for it. All in all, I have to give him my vote in this race. He doesn't have a very extended history in politics and definitely no expertise in global resolution of issues/etc. However he has potential, which is more than I can say for the others.

 

All in all, Obama seems like the breathe of fresh air from this stagnant upper-class-ruled whitewash event in our lives.

[mimartin]

I am registered as a declined to state so I could vote Republican if I wanted. Unfortunately I am ticked off at both parties so I really can't back any corner. I may be liberal in principle on some issues but some I am conservative. To be honest I don't know about Obama or Clinton. If either one is chosen it would have to take some serious convincing to get me to vote for either of them.

I've decided that I am voting in the Republican Primary in Texas March 4th. Since Texas will definitely be a red state come November this will be my only chance to have my vote counted. I also don’t care if the Democrats nominated Obama or Clinton as I will vote for either come this November. So I will make Ann Coulter day and vote for John McCain.

 

For the first time in my life I am in political heaven as I like all three of the front runners.

[Tommycat]

Clinton scares the heck outa me.... Obama might be a good president, but you know darn good and well there's gonna be a lot of white supremicists out there that are gonna want him dead. A vote for Obama would be like a vote for his VP because the likelihood is that he won't complete a full term. It would be nice if I'm wrong about it, but there are just too many racists out there that would not want to see a black president. It is a shame really. I'm pretty sure that was one of the reasons that Powell decided not to run a while back.

 

Actually, the best chance the Republicans have is for McCain to have a VP other than Romney(I liked him too). He is not very popular amongst a large section of the GOP. Primarily the more hard right. If he doesn't find someone popular with that group, then he may convince them to stay home on election night. That's where Huckabee comes in. Hard religious background, and really a pretty likable guy(if not a bit Jim Neighbors like). I really wish the GOP would get off the HARD religious right. I would have liked to see what Romney could do(even if he was a bit too Ken Doll perfect... I swear it was amazing to see him with a hair out of place haha).

[MdKnightR]

I didn't vote because I didn't know what to do. My mother said go with the lesser of two evils but who determines which is more evil. I am registered as a declined to state so I could vote Republican if I wanted. Unfortunately I am ticked off at both parties so I really can't back any corner. I may be liberal in principle on some issues but some I am conservative. To be honest I don't know about Obama or Clinton. If either one is chosen it would have to take some serious convincing to get me to vote for either of them.

 

 

This situation is simple to diagnose.....vote Libertarian. I'm a Libertarian, so I can see where you're coming from. Sure, I'm backing Ron Paul, but its no big secret that he's still a Libertarian at heart. If Ron doesn't get the Republican nomination and sticks to his guns by not running as a third party or an independent, then I'll be voting for the Libertarian nominee. Don't vote for the lesser of two evils, because in the end, you still wind up with a devil in the White House. You can never go wrong if you vote your conscience.