There certainly will be Democratic primary elections. [View all]

[MineralMan]

That's not in question. Who the candidates on the ballot will be, though, is far from certain. If Hillary Clinton is not your favorite for the nomination, right now is the time to be encouraging others to run, supporting them and donating to any exploratory committees they set up. It's time for positive campaigning for the candidates you prefer. That's what time it is right now.

It's almost certain that Hillary Clinton will run. Beyond that, nothing is certain or inevitable. There will be other names on the primary ballots next year. Convince your favorite to run and start singing that favorite's praises, because Clinton starts out with a substantial, almost massive, number of people who will vote for her. Most of those will not change their minds based on negative campaigning that doesn't at the same time support another candidate.

There is no inevitability in Clinton's run. The only way her nomination is inevitable is if nobody else with strong support and broad popularity runs against her. If she only faces weak, little-known opponents, she'll be an easy winner in the primaries. So, if you want someone else, now's the time to start pushing your favorite's candidacy. That's the only way another candidate has a chance.

I supported Barack Obama during the primaries in 2008. I caucused for him, starting in my precinct caucuses and continuing through the various district conventions in Minnesota. I thought he was a better choice, and worked to help him get the nomination. I'm not seeing a Barack Obama on the horizon for 2016. If nobody appears with the kind of support Obama had in 2007-8, then Hillary Clinton will win the nomination, going away. Negative posts on Internet forums will not cost her the primaries. Only a strong, popular candidate with massive support can do that.

Time's wasting. Don't want Hillary? Find someone to oppose her who is willing to run and has the name recognition and charisma to defeat her for the nomination. Failing that, we'll all see Hillary Clinton's name on the ballot for the general election.