have to close choke plate?? to keep car running-why??

Carb is leaking Vacuum some where, a can of WD-40 can detect this, get it running and spray the base plate and carb everywhere till you hear the engine clime in rpm's as it pulls the WD-40 in.
Or you carb is not letting gas flow, look inside with the engine OFF, pull the throttle and make sure you se a good stream of fuel on the two sides..
You can do the same to the intake, but I am guessing you carb needs to be cleaned out and the bottom bowl is full of water or gunk.