how often to pres primary candidates who drop out endorse another one

This is the first primary I've ever REALLY been involved with and paid close attention to.

Do pres primary candidates ever get behind one of there opponents when they bow out?

It is the tradition for the unsuccessful primary candidates to wholeheartedly endorse the nominee, even after a long battle.

BEFORE we have a nominee, do candidates who bow out early endorse one who remains? As in, would precedent dictate that Bob Graham should or should not endorse one of the remaining candidates?

I honestly don't know either. Never watched a primary before.

BEFORE we have a nominee, do candidates who bow out early endorse one who remains? As in, would precedent dictate that Bob Graham should or should not endorse one of the remaining candidates?

Yes, it's quite common.

Yes, they often -- not always --throw their support behind another candidate.

Eloriel

You never really end up with this many candidates running for office like we have today. I think you can be certain, however, that Kerry and Gephardt will not be asking their supporters to work for Dean any time soon, nor release any delegates they may have pledged to them. I beleive that in most states there are no longer "winner take all" primaries or caucuses. If that is the case, then each candidate has a chance to pick up delegates somewhere along the line. If that means Dean doesn't have the nomination in his hands when he walks into the convention I'd bet my favorite tie that he won't leave with it.

If it comes down to the convention I am fairly sure that Clark will be awarded the nomination, and what happens then will certainly be interesting to see.

And no, I don't have a link or a learned pundit or guru backing up my opinion. It's only my point of view, and I recognise that I could be way off base here, but that's what I think is going to happen so you Dean guys and gals had better make sure you work your butt off to win enough delegates so your guy doesn't need the superdelegates or any endorsements from the other candidates.