I repeat: If Edwards does not quit

Will the price of TV advertising go up? I posted this a couple of days ago and nobody responded. Maybe my point was not clear. How much do we believe the vast corporatist conspiracy theory?

If my understanding is correct, if Edwards stays in until the convention, there is a distinct possibility nobody will have a majority and the convention will go to a second, maybe third ballot, or more, and maybe all the primaries and caucuses will become moot as the convention turns into an actual selection process rather than a dog and pony show as has been the case for decades.

Edwards could end up being the candidate as the top two refuse to yield to each other, or someone else entirely could be nominated - Biden, Gore, Feingold, who knows?

This could just throw all the corporatist/MSM efforts to direct the theoretically free and democratic process through thought control into a cocked hat.

Since cash is Edward's biggest limitation in staying involved in a significant way, jacking the cost of advertising would be a way to drive the last nails into his campaign's coffin, so to speak.

So how all-powerful do we really think the conspiracy is?

I am less concerned at this point over whom we nominate than I am over whether it matters a whit. If they can and do select our candidate, and their candidate, and then the "winner" of the election, as I anticipate, our form of government is not doomed; it is already dead.

eom

.......say hello to a Hillary Presidency.

Are we sure Edwards doesnt work for her?

(Just teasing Edwards supporters!)

Ad air time must be charged equally to all candidates, though ad time gets more expensive when it's in prime time or closer to the election day. But two candidates buying the same air time slot for the same period of time (say 30 seconds each) on the same day must be charged the same rates.

the other two can pay more than he can

to garner any further support for the other two candidates.

I'm speculating as to how reprehensible the oligarchic machine might be. I am not trying to garner support nor suppress it for the other two; I am saying that the oligarchy might want to. If we DO see the cost of advertising mysteriously inching up it won't be Hillary or Barack doing it.

they don't need to increase advertising to get Edwards.

All they have to do is when they do their polls exclude Edwards. Ask people, "Are you voting for Clinton or Obama." Keep telling people that Edwards stands no chance. Heck, some Edwards supporters on DU have already defected to Obama or Clinton because after two states (less than 1/2 of a 1% of the country) has had a primary, they are convinced the Edwards campaign is over. So, if the educated and aware people on this board can dismiss Edwards, why should we be surprised that the average voter who barely pays attention at all will not know Edwards is running?

:rofl:

say about people?? I don't want to denigrate them, but IF you're FOR someone... it seems you would stand by your convictions regardless. I don't happen to feel Edwards is "out" of it, and apparently he's willing to FIGHT ON!

Those who defected have their reasons I suppose, but IMHO it's a bit shallow.

I'm going ALL THE WAY with Edwards... in or out! He WILL have my vote regardless!

Edwards all the way here too.

But there were posts where some said they decided to jump to Clinton or Obama now, since NH!!

Welcome to DU BTW! I'm SOLID AS A ROCK for this guy!!!

for the welcome. I've only seen a few posts by people who've defected. It's too early to give up.

Going to be with Edwards forever, and ever until the last dog comes home. And that is the way it is!

not "defecated"

ne-ver mind

just to try and keep the media on the air.

alternative methods and we need to create an uproar about the totally wacky and unbalanced control of the nation by the Republican-Corporate networks and radio stations.

Alternatives - pitiful in many ways when compared to the reach of Republican-Corporate networks. But, it's all we have and a reason we're in the shape we're in.

Internet, blogs, radio, Free Speech and Link TV, and a constant flow of letters.

AND AND AND we need to demand Democrats to allow more of a voice to NON-DLC speakers. Yeah right.

May not be as close as you expect. The Democratic machine may decide and not the grass roots voters.

It just proves that the fix is in. I will not participate in a fixed election.

I've said it once, I'll say it again. It's Edwards or Kucinich. Anything else is capitulation to fascism.

It seems that raising the advertising rates would hurt all of the media's advertisers - and discourage people from buying ads. This something I would think they would not want to do given
the media is losing viewers.

Also the presidential campaigns typically are profitable for media so why kill the goose that is laying the golden eggs, especially when media is already experiencing financial difficulties.

Preserving the status quo of the militaryindustrial complex is a whole lot more important to GE than NBC's cashflow for a quarter. I'm wondering how much of a stranglehold on everything the oligarchy REALLY has.

poor showing in NH. When he does better in SC--the media will be back.

The Dems haven't had one of those in over forty years. The closest we've ever got since WWII was 1960, and even that wasn't very close at the end of the day.

The primaries are purposefully designed nowadays to eliminate the mere possiblity of a brokered convention. And, given the schedule this year, we will more than likely have a nominee after Feb 5.

a brokered convention -- it might be a very good idea at this time in our history.

In part:



Link

These is the rule for radio, but similar rules apply to television.

I referred to rates going up for all, which would hurt him more than the more cash-rich candidates. It would, of course, hurt the pugs, too, so the strategery the puppetmasters choose is going to be complex.