When do you think we'll see candidates like Kucinich, Paul, Gravel, Gilmore, & Hunter drop out of the race?

Question

(and others who are polling at 2 % or less)

Answer 1

I think of your list Gilmore may drop out before the primaries (along with Brownback, Tommy Thompson, and maybe Huckabee).

The others...Kucinich, Paul, and Gravel have a message they want heard. They know they are not likely to win anything. They are trying to get people to think about their issues.

Hunter I think could possibly be a top tier contender if things get shaken up a bit. He would make a excellent choice for VP, and a leading contender for a future Presidential election. If I had anything to do with it I would make him the Director of Homeland Security (and send Chertoff home after with no honor...he is BEYOND awful).

Edwards and McCain should pack it up and go home as well. They offer absolutely nothing to the debate, are not liked by their own parties, and have absolutely no chance of winning anything. Not to mention that they are both crap candidates! LOL.

Answer 2

Well, first, polling at 2% isn't really that meaningful this early. If they can't come up with some results in Iowa, New Hampshire, or South Carolina, then most will drop. You could also have mentioned Dodd, Brownback, Biden, Tommy Thompson, and Tancredo on that list. But I think you will be surprised, because most years, some of the ones who are polling low this early get a boost later on. Both Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton were almost unknown this early in the process, and even Ronald Reagan was far from the front-runner.

In other words, people will start dropping out, but don't be surprised if some of your big names like McCain drop out before some of the unknowns. Remember, it's a lot easier to gain support when you're unknown...all you need is press coverage. The ones who need to worry are the ones who everybody knows and they still can't get their poll numbers up.

My prediction all along has been a three-way race for the Republican nomination between Romney, Fred Thompson, and Ron Paul, with perhaps Huckabee hanging on a while longer, but never really challenging. People are still surprised when I say that, but it's starting to look a lot more realistic if you're following it closely. McCain is losing support to Thompson, and Paul is building a Howard Dean-like grassroots network. Giuliani, for all his press coverage, really has no base of support. People just say they'll vote for him because they've heard the name, but they really don't know what he stands for.

Answer 3

I think some will drop out around September. That's the people like Brownback and Dodd who went in thinking they could really win but are going nowhere. There's some chance this could include McCain, who's really just dying, and losing his reputation in the bargain.

The Kucinich/Tancredo/Gravel/Paul crowd is another category. They never thought they would actually win. They're trying to get exposure for themselves or their issues. They won't drop out until at least after South Carolina. Why should they? They are running shoestring operations and are able to raise enough to keep them going. They get invited to debates where they can stand on the same stage with the big boys and get a platform they wouldn't otherwise have.

Answer 4

Actually, we don't know if he will sign the docs supporters are putting together to have him be a write in candidate in the various states. There is a sort of 'hiatus' as he can't be involved in a direct way with the Campaign for Liberty until he winds up the Ron Paul 2008 campaign function. He has asked for patience. However, he doesn't have to file for write in votes to be counted, at least in my state, until October, which will be after the GOP convention. He hasn't released delegates, though, he has 'suspended' his campaign as I understand it. But the march was thought up after his initial 'winding down'of the campaign as much as an ALTERNATE way of getting a high profile for the issues, as to get RP nominated. More later - have to run.

Answer 5

I Don't think you will see Ron Paul drop out of race - his support continues to grow. Funny but nearly all the 21-44 year olds no longer use land lines - that polling is old fashioned and out dated. Ron Paul has won every online and text poll taken. See Ron Paul crowd in Iowa July 1st. He had more supporters than all other candidates combined at the CA/ITF Debate. He had nearly twice as many supporters over 1000 plus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-V1aTfROn4

Answer 6

The only one gthat won't is Ron Pasul.He is doing better than everyone thinks. Last night there was a tax forum in Iowa that excluded Mr. Paul. More people shpowed up in counter protest than shpowed up for the forum. The others hasve nothing and will.

Answer 7

Kucinich... it was so funny seeing him mocked on SNL...

Hopefully they will realize it sooner rather than later, they just waste perfectly good money everyday they stay in the race.

Answer 8

Some will drop out after the first primary.

Answer 9

Ron Paul isn't going to drop out.

He is going to win.

Answer 10

Ron Paul will be on the ballot.