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There is always a candidate who attracts a die-hard, tiny minority of people who appreciate a candidate's personal characteristics--he "tells it like it is," usually--and their maverick stance on one particular issue. The candidate sticks out from the crowd not because he strikes a chord with many Americans, but because he strikes a chord with people who are fixated on one particular issue which few people they encounter agree with them on. These followers feel vindicated in their odd point of view (for example, being a Republican who's against the war in Iraq) is supported by a person with national recognition--if HE believes it, too, it can't be THAT crazy to hold this position.

Yet, these supporters who can't let go of the validation they've received from this candidate, can't seem to grasp why the candidate is a lost cause with anyone outside of this tiny, hardcore, die-hard constituency.

This year, we seem to have more than one such candidate, and the bad feelings that will result once these candidates quit the race could very well give the dems the edge to win. It's like having two Buchanans and a couple of Perots on the Republican side of the race, and while it may be good to have a diversity of points of view represented, in a tight race it could mean doom. I could very easily see a number of sullen Paulists sitting out the election, giving the dem nominee the election.