Dean as an Independent

[Inmate Trump]

There's been some talk that if Dean loses the nomination, he'll still run for president as an independent, bringing much of his support with him--splitting the Democratic vote.

Knowing some hardcore Dean supporters myself, I know how they feel about Democratic insiders trying to "Stop Dean."  Right now, they say they won't vote for anyone but Dean in the general election next year.  So Dean's "army" are pretty mad with the DNC right now - they'd be even more mad if Dean lost the nomination due to a "Stop Dean" movement.

Do you see it very likely that, should Dean lose the nomination, he'll run anyway?  And how much do you think that would hurt the Democrats - whoever they nominate - next year against President Bush?

[Inmate Trump]

Dems are ina dilemia.  Do they risk Dean's bolt fromt eh party or do they stop him.  

The dems have 5-6 centrist candidates and that is there problem as they are splitting there support while Dean is essentially the only real liberal ( that is a contender).

Dean would get more than 5% I would think as a 3rd party and may even finish 2d Ie Teddy Roosevelt.  i didn't think this was too realistic when George Will wrote about it a week ago, but now with Dean threatening it, it looks like blackmail.

Imagine a race with Bush, Dean, Nader and say Clark.  Whoa boy.

I forgot about Nader.  Dean, Nader, Clark.  Man.  What a pisser that would be - for the Democrats, anywoo.

I'd like to see a 49-state landslide.  I was born in '83, so of course I missed Reagan's '84 landslide.

Since there are some similarities between 1972 (Nixon v. McGovern) and 2004, this could be my best chance to see such a landslide.

Cross your fingers for California!