Why Bob Graham Cannot Drop Out [View All]

Everybody seems to agree that Bob Graham is the most qualified of the Democratic candidates. Everybody also seems to agree that there is no way he can win the nomination. Despite the sad commentary this makes upon our electoral system, Bob Graham cannot drop out. Despite the disappointing polls and feeble fundraising, he needs to hang in there.
Each of the leading candidates has at one time or another proven mercurial. If one of them is anointed front-runner before the first primary ballot is cast, and then self-destructs, with all other candidates withdrawn, Democrats would be stuck with that candidate as the Republicans are now stuck with Bush.
If all the leading candidates gain delegates in the proportion that they are now polling , there will be a deadlocked convention. Democrats would have to look for a compromise candidate acceptable the supporters of the others. Graham is the only one who fits that description.
If Graham drops out to re-run for the senate, it would rule him out from a position in the new Democratic administration because Jeb Bush would have to appoint his successor. There are a number of other good senatorial candidates in Florida. Let them win the office in their own right. Even if he is not the eventual nominee, Graham would make an ideal Secretary of Homeland Security in a Dean, Clark or Kerry administration.
If, on the other hand Bush wins another term, it is irrelevant that a single Florida Senator retains his seat. By the end of that term, constitutional government, as we have enjoyed it for two centuries, will also be at an end.