Should Bob Graham bow out?

[ringmastery]

Editorial in the Orlando Sentinel today thinks he should.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-edped211082103aug21,0,3815970.story?coll=orl-opinion-headlines

Our position: For his sake and Florida's, he should drop out of the presidential race.

Sen. Bob Graham and his senior political advisers face a choice when they meet this weekend to discuss strategy for his presidential bid: Try to fix a foundering campaign, or bow to political reality by bowing out.

The second option is best for the Miami Lakes Democrat and his Florida constituents. It's time for him to quit the presidential race and declare his intention to run again for the Senate seat he has so ably filled for three terms.

Mr. Graham has not closed the door on running for re-election. But the longer he continues his long-shot bid for president, the more he risks diminishing his effectiveness as a senator.

Mr. Graham has built a reputation as one of the Senate's most authoritative and respected voices on a wide range of issues, from intelligence to foreign policy to health care to homeland security. His influence was peaking as he launched his presidential campaign earlier this year.

But in refashioning himself as a Democratic candidate for president, Mr. Graham has moved away from the moderate, bipartisan approach he has successfully followed in Washington. His shifts to the political left and partisanship during the campaign already have alienated political moderates in Florida.

[CMT]

1. No

He should make up his mind though if he wants to run both for President and Senate or choose one over the other. I think his critique of Bush on national security has added a lot to the campaign.

[flpoljunkie]

2. Absolutely not. His voice is important as Democrats seek to expose Bush

administration corruption and ineptitude in their rush to war and their lack of preparation for the peace. We need all the Democratic voices we can get in the fight to take back the country from these neocon bunglers!

Graham understands how Bushco is jeopardizing our country's future and his voice is welcome along with all our Democratic candidates.

:kick:

[jayfish]

3. Not Unless And Until...

he is mathematically eliminated from the race for the nomination. I'm not sure I will vote for him in the MI Primary, but IMHO a big part of the primary system is to encourage debate within the party as to the direction the party will govern from if elected.

Jay

[tjdee]

4. LIEBERMAN.

Before Graham, a former two term southern governor sitting on the intelligence committee, steps down, won't SOME paper in Connecticut ask LIEBERMAN to get out???

Even if Lieberman didn't want vouchers or sit on the Nixon Center board...etc. etc. etc., he brings nothing new to the process. No trailblazing from Lieberman at all, and he's from a safe state. In my humblest of opinions, he is just taking up space. He's not making any money and he is sinking in polls where HE started out at the top! I understand wanting to make that run, and take that risk, but yeesh.

[liberalhistorian]

5. Lieberman sits on the NIXON CENTER BOARD?

Jesus, just when I thought I'd heard it all about him! I guess that's reason number 999,999 of the one million reasons why I can't stand him and wish he would both just switch parties and make it formal, and GET THE HELL OUT OF THE RACE!

[MaverickX]

6. absolutely yes...

Graham knows already he'll lose to Bush in Florida and without Florida I doubt he can win the Presidency.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

13. How Does He Know That

Because he's behind now.

He's won five straight statewide races in a row by whopping margins against Republicans in Florida...

Gore beat * in 00

What makes you think Florida's favorite son can't


Your logic is flawed....

[MaverickX]

20. I thought I read polls in Florida had...

Bush beating Graham? Gore lost his home state in 2000.

[davhill]

30. Polls have Bush beating everybody in Florida

But Graham by a lesser margin. Democrats have to campaign like hell in Florida and everywhere else. But we knew that.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

31. Gore Beat Bush In FL

if every vote was counted.

Legally, you can make a case that * won.

People forget 30,000 ballots were spoiled in Duval County. And the precincts where the most ballots were spoiled were heavily African American precincts.

[WillyT]

7. How 'Bout If Dean Promises To Make Him Head Of The NSC, If...

He throws his support to Dean. Or is it a tad early to start naming the Cabinet members, LOL???

:shrug:

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. Whatever the Orlando Sentinel says...

Do the opposite. Though the Orlando Sentinel is recently showing some evolution toward the left, it has always been the favorite of Republican (local business) conservatives. And NEVER forget that it called for Clinton to step down BEFORE the Starr report was even published. It's not a reliable source for Democrats and has too often buried stories that helped Republican cronies at the expense of the public.

That's all IMHO, of course.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

15. The Sentinel Went Batty During The Monica Brouhaha

but they have endorsed Bob Graham every time he has run.

[The Backlash Cometh]

32. I'm sure the cronies behind the O.S.

know how to use positive reinforcement to encourage someone to do as they ask. I would feel very confident if they're asking him to stop his presidential bid because it means they find him a threat on a federal level. Coming this early, there may be more behind it. If I were Bob, I'd read between the lines. To me the O.S. is telling him, "Hey, Bob, we don't want you to take the southern vote from our boy, Bush, so just get out of the executive race and we'll give you a free endorsement for the Senate."

Then my advice to Bob Graham would be, "Yo, Bob, lately the Orlando Sentinel's endorsements have been known to be losers. Check the archives. They even wrote an article about it."

Then there's the other theory that the O.S. is owned by the Chicago Tribune... Who is the Chicago Tribune endorsing?

[poskonig]

9. Would anybody care?

Though he is a great moderate fighter for many of our causes, whether he stays in or not is pretty insignificant.

[davhill]

10. To qualified to be president?

Let me get this straight. Graham should bow out of the Presidential race because the is too good a Senator? Therefore, we should support a less experienced, less qualified person. I fail to see the logic in this. Bob Graham is not a national figure because for two terms as governor, and three as senator he has been doing his job, representing the people of Florida. As president he will be equally attentive to the rest of the United states.
What has come of America that pollsters, pundits, and political hacks predetermine the outcome of race months prematurely? It is all based on funds collected and polls taken upon a yet informed electorate. All pronounce that Graham is indeed qualified. Then they add it is a shame he cannot win. Maybe the voters will bring their common sense to the ballot and vote for someone other than who they have been told they will favor. There is more to a candidate than a shrink-wrapped sound byte. People need to get to know their candidates. It is a slow laborious process. It is democracy.

[squimbaya]

11. Utterly ridiculous!

It is much too early to count Bob Graham out. The Democratic
Party needs new leadership and vision that Bob Graham can
inspire.  He know the issues of the day well and will serve
well as President of the United States.  Bob Graham is a great
asset and we need his talent in the White House! Bob Graham
offers a unique perspective and we cannot lose our most
experienced Southern Democrat, who can beat Bush and take back
the White House in 2004.  

[newyawker99]

21. Hi squimbaya!!

Welcome to DU!! :toat:

[oasis]

34. She meant to say "Welcome and

:toast:

[Proletariat]

12. In short, yes.

Especially with Clark coming in.

[Brian Sweat]

14. I think Graham may be angling for a VP slot.

[DealsGapRider]

18. I've read

that that's what he's angling for. I think he would strengthen any ticket by virtue of his pos. on the Intell. cmte.

[newyawker99]

22. Hi DealsGapRider!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[lkinsale]

37. His press secy stated that he isn't interested in VP n/t

[Bombtrack]

19. Kerry/Graham's the ticket that's the most popular/likely one among the DNC

strategists, of any proposed ticket. It could win Florida, even according to some GOP strategists, which is why the GOP so desperately wants to influence the dem primary so that Kerry, Edwards, and Graham are not nominated. Because they are the candidates who can win Florida, and almost every scenario for GOP victory includes Florida

[Bombtrack]

16. I think he should

The college dems where I go to school are in the process of writing a similar formal letter to Graham(the school is in so. FLA).

Unlike edwards, his reelection to the senate would be a lock. And he can legally and poltically run for veep and senate at the same time if Kerry chose him as a veep.

He's barely raising more money than Kucinich, and by all probability won't become one of the top 4(Kerry, Dean, Gep, Edwards) before the spring.

He's made it clear what the electable wing of the democratic party is, and his withdrawl would allow Edwards, a candidate from that wing to more easily be nominated.

[Proletariat]

17. Good post

[poskonig]

23. Isn't that more reason for Edwards to drop out?

Edwards is going to have the battle of his life for re-election in North Carolina.

[mlawson]

24. Do you live in NC???? How do you know?

This BS about 'Edwards having a tough time getting reelected' has been around here for months and months, kept alive by Edwards haters. It shows how easy it is, to start something like that, and before long it become a truism.

If you dislike Edwards, fine. Why not promote your own candidate, instead of trying to tear down others???

[poskonig]

26. Have you seen the polling data?

The Republicans aren't going to pour money into North Carolina to take his seat for no reason. Edwards is not polling above 49% re-elect, which is never good for an incumbent.

[GBD4]

35. NO!

<<Unlike edwards, his reelection to the senate would be a lock. And he can legally and poltically run for veep and senate at the same time if Kerry chose him as a veep.>>

I have said time and time again, that is the WORST scenario! If we Dems plan on electing a Dem in 04, that would mean we'd have a VP Graham in this scenario, with JEB selecting a replacement for Bob Graham. He has plenty of time to make a decision, but he needs to do one or the other, and in the end he will aim for the WH, not the Senate. But we do not want him running for two things unless we are planning on losing the Presidential race in 04.

[guajira]

25. Yes he should

Graham is not above pandering to Repukes in Florida. He is not the greatest Senator, but better he stick to state politics and not mess up the whole country!

[mlawson]

27. If he does, it will set a BAD precedent.

The media whores will all say that Graham 'dropped out, because his anti-war position was unpopular!'

Then next, they will go after Dean and DK, in the same way, asking them over and over and over, if Graham was not wise to drop out???

[TheBigGuy]

28. Not until after some of the Southern primarys.

Graham should be focusing on a southern strategy as a way to position himself for a VP slot.

His voice against the Bush foreign policy will be key in the early debates too..the ones that will get alot of press attention.

[davhill]

29. What is it about Bob than would make him a great VP

The man is 66 years old so he wouldn't be using the office to gain experience for a run in 2012. Does anybody seriously think any conservative would vote for Dean or Kerry because he has a token Southern moderate on the ticket? Graham has far more and broader experience than any other candidate, including the incumbent. Yet, I can't picture him as a puppet-master like Channey pulling the strings for a less qualified president. If the Democratic strategy is to put up an old-left candidate, who thinks the most important issues facing the nation are not enough gay marriages and too many religous monuments, they will lose. If they are holding off until 2008 to run Hillary or Clark, they may find themselves living in a one party dictatorship by then.

[JI7]

33. he brought up impeachment

no he should not drop out, he brought up the impeachment issue and when challenged on it did not back off it. he does a very good job of going after bush and i like watching it.

[lkinsale]

36. So DU'ers want the candidate with best chance to beat Bush to drop out?

Pfft.

Graham has better qualifications than any candidate except Kerry, and he brings Florida.

No reason for Graham to take a VP position, and his press secretary stated the other day that he isn't interested in it.

I picked Graham because I'm looking for the candidate who can BEAT BUSH, not the candidate who gets the most "passionate" response among netheads or the one who is the most peace-oriented or the ones who can carry the blue states which we'll carry anyway.

It's not only nonsense to blow off Graham, it's terminally stupid. Pardon my language, but the short-sightedness of it makes me mad.

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