Why does it seem that many already think the nominees for the 2008 election have already been named?

Question

We still haven't had our first caucus or primary yet most of what I see centers around a Giuliani/Clinton general election.

It seems to me that both Edwards and Obama could threaten Clinton and that Romney and Thompson are still possibilities. And frankly I wouldn't rule out any other candidate at this stage.

Do we pick nominees based on polls now? Or do we still count the votes in the primaries?

I just think it's way too early to anoint anyone as a nominee.

Anne Coulter's Nemesis: You probably hit the nail right on the head.

Answer 1

It has more to do with who the media picks at this time, don't you think? It seems that the media has made it's mind up for us. We've come to a point in history where the media does more harm than good for our democracy. It's a sad fact of our times. A perfect example of this was the last Democratic party "debate". It was lead by 2 media talking heads (Russert and ???I forget his name from NBC) and the questions were dumbed down for the audience and as stupid as you can get. And, they were directed primarily at Hillary and Obama as if the other candidates didn't matter.

Answer 2

There's an bumper-sticker I see from time to time: "If voting really changed anything it wouldn't be allowed." Both parties these days don't really trust rank-and-file voters to pick a candidate. The candidate is picked early-on in the process. The party leaders direct contributions and PAC money towards him, he enters the race with the most money and is treated by the media, from that point on, as the presumptive winner.

Look at GW Bush! He came into the race in 2000 with lots of money, I forget how much, but it was tens of millions of dollars. His people insisted this all came from small donations, averaging $300, from all over the country, but this was at a time when most people outside of Texas wouldn't have recognized Bush if he'd shown up on their doorstep.

Look at Hillary today. She is claiming thousands of donations under $1000 from working-class areas where traditionally not one in 10,000 people donates more than $5 to a candidate. And her husband, in 1992, was much the same. Almost the day he announced his candidacy he was the leader, even though most people in the country didn't even know who he was!

Politicians don't really like democracy. It's messy. It's unpredictable. And it doesn't always produce the results they want. For years the candidate was picked at the end of the process, in a smoke-filled room at the convention or just before it. These days the candidate is picked at the beginning of the process, so the convention is no more than an infomercial, not even worth media coverage any more.

Answer 3

Absolutely no clue.
It probably stems from the fact of what the little worthless media polls are saying, and their desire to bash the candidate of the opposing side, that they think will get the nomination, is so great, they just can't wait.

this is why I tend to ignore the primary debates. Because all it is is a chance for the more vocal ones, that promise the most pipedreams to win the media following, while the better candidates that will be more beneficial at bringing cohesion to a jacked up system, are sidelined, leaving us once again, stuck with trying to choose between the lesser of two evils.

Answer 4

It really is too early to make assumptions. After the primaries is the earliest time to start making safe assumptions. We'll have a clearer picture then, but until that happens the polls are the only real indicators for people to point to. They should realize though that the picture can change drastically, and historically it has done so many times. It may not look like it to many, but the race is still wide open on both sides.

Answer 5

It is too early to count anyone as being their party's nominee. It's like picking the winner of a race based on who gets the pole. Used that analogy because that's what seems to be happening, it's almost like they're doing the political equivalent of time trials before the primary race, seeing who will start in the primaries in the lead position. Much like auto racing, how many people who start off in the lead actually finish in the lead, and how many of them are overtaken from behind?

Answer 6

I remember a newspaper headline,( I am not that old, I saw it on TV) that said, DEWEY WINS! Of course it was wrong, and John Kerry, Al Gore were also ahead in the polls. A lot can and has happened to prove the pollsters wrong.

With that said however, I believe polls do influence voters.

The presidential election is too far off to predict. A lot can, and will happen between now and the primaries, and next November.

Answer 7

No. Sorry. this is in there for a purpose. to dodge somebody coming in and remodeling into to be a citizen with the purpose of undermining the government. Or giving specific worldwide places specific scientific care. look in any respect the persons who (falsely) declare that's what Obama is doing and he's a organic and organic born citizen. (and in an odd twist different those are ones who likely help very conservative Republican Arnold) Now any of Arnold's toddlers can run in the event that they experience so vendors. leave the kind be.

Answer 8

We the people have no way of verifying the results. Even so, there were some protests in the past two Pres elections and valid ones(like putting names on a felon list to disqualify members of a certain Party) but with people in core positions on their side it went on.

I think 'we the people' aren't used to the fact our Govt is drastically changing and specifically what to do about it (like the NAU).

Is Guiliani a surprise when he just happens to be in the appointee GW has selected. What's happening is the whole Govt will be of one mind. Anyone with differing ideas or those who are 'unimportant' won't get ahead.

Answer 9

I believe it to be the more you see it in writing the more it is true. Wishfull thinking and pushed hard by those who are the frontrunners. Experience says that Dean had sealed the nomination, and suddently Kerry pulled ahead. Long way to go, just like a good football game, it aint over till its over.

Answer 10

I know, I see these polls everywhere...but I would just like to know where they get the people at for the polls...honestly! Anyway, I think people are judging way to early. Lets just wait and see what happens.....Lets all hope is NOT Clinton or Giuliani!!