If Dean loses the nomination, would he bolt and run 3rd party?

[ringmastery]

Would the Dean people support him if he did?

This is what Safire seems to be implying in his latest article.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/24/opinion/24SAFI.html

Politronic chatter picked up by pundits monitoring lefty blogsites and al-Gora intercepts flashes the warning: If stopped, Dean may well bolt.

That split of opposition would be a bonanza for Bush. In a two-man race, the odds are that he would beat Dean comfortably, but in a three-party race, Bush would surely waltz in with the greatest of ease.

Here's my problem: Such a lopsided, hubris-inducing result would be bad for Bush, bad for the G.O.P., bad for the country. Landslides lead to tyrannous majorities and big trouble.

Which is why I worry about Dean not getting the Democratic nomination.

[La_Serpiente]

1. No, he wouldn't

he's looking at the Democratic party from a Republican point of view.

[JVS]

2. Safire wants to fuck with Democrats' heads

don't worry about it.

[Padraig18]

3. Gov. Dean is a loyal Democrat.

He will support our party's nominee, period.

[maddezmom]

5. I agree, don't see him bolting to start his own party.

[Padraig18]

7. Thank you!

:hi:

[maddezmom]

9. you're very welcome

and Merry Christmas :)

[mot78]

4. NO! he wouldn't

n/t

[rumguy]

6. hell no

barring some crazy circumstances, I would say there is no way that would happen!

[artr2]

8. I Agree, he will support the nominee

Loyal democrat and a man of principle

[liberalmuse]

10. Uh-uh...

and anyone who is nominated would be a fool not to ask Dean to be his VP. However, I really think Dean will be the Democratic nominee, and that he will be our next elected President.

[caledesi]

11. No, I don't believe Dean would run 3rd party.

He has already said that he would support the Dem nominee, and I believe him.

Course, I believe that Dean will be the nominee.

[Kool Kitty]

12. No, of course not.

This is just another one of Safire's wet dreams.

[Orangepeel]

13. Why listen to anything Safire says?

Dean has said many times that he'll support the Democratic nominee. As for his supporters... some will, some won't.

I believe most will vote for the nominee, even if it isn't Dean. I also believe that most will not work for the nominee, at least not to the extent that they'll put themselves out for Dean. Many of his supporters were previously disillusioned or apathetic and are excited by Dean, not necessarily the Democratic party.

If Dean doesn't win the nomination, he can ask his supporters to work as hard for the nominee as they would have for him, but that doesn't mean it's gonna happen.

[mouse7]

14. Who needs neo-cons to fight with...

...when you have so many supposedly loyal democrats who are willing to believe and publicise every press release the neo-cons release.

[dkf]

15. No way Dean would go independent/third party.

He is a loyal Dem.

I on the other hand am getting really pissed at some of my fellow Dems.

I may yet go independent if the party I have been with all my life doesn't shape up.

[Crunchy Frog]

16. Of course not

Safire is full of shit. Another example of how the right wing media is trying to manipulate the Democratic primaries.

[opihimoimoi]

17. Nope, safire making troubles. a waste of band width

[JohnKleeb]

18. I doubt it

God these bastards want us divided sigh.

[edzontar]

19. I never, ever read Safire...

He is a mouthpiece for our enemies.

[Tom Rinaldo]

20. No. I take him at his word. n/t