We’ve finally winnowed the Democratic field to a slightly-more manageable seven candidates, but the two candidates with virtually no support or hopes for the future — Al Sharpton and Dennis Kucinich — want everyone to know they’re not going anywhere. That’s a shame.
Sharpton apparently heard that Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe wants to see the less successful candidates clear the field, assuming they haven’t won any of the first nine primaries/caucuses by Feb. 4.
In a letter to McAuliffe, the candidate most likely to parlay his candidacy into a talk show opportunity said he isn’t dropping out before the convention.
“I wish to make it clear that I will continue to campaign vigorously until the last day of the convention to give voice to all Americans who have been too long taken for granted by inside-the-Beltway policies and politicians,” Sharpton explained. He added, “[I]t is my intention to use all the delegates I will gather to ensure that the party’s platform is progressive, inclusive and reflective of minority communities.”
Delegates? What delegates?
Anyway, Kucinich’s campaign is also suggesting that he’s not going away either.
“Dennis Kucinich has 49 states to go, expects to be in each one, expects this to be a brokered convention, and expects to be the candidate,” campaign spokesman David Swanson said.
Dennis can “expect” anything he wants, but he’s wasting a lot of time.
The important difference between Kucinich and Sharpton, of course, is that Kucinich will have to withdraw well before the convention if he plans on keeping his day job — representing Ohio’s 10th congressional district in the House. I’m sure his campaign is sincere about their aspirations, but I can’t imagine Kucinich would realistically sacrifice his seat in Congress for a presidential campaign with no discernable support.
Nevertheless, their comments reinforce one thing: Joe Lieberman will probably be the next candidate to drop out of the race.