Question for Dean: How Solid a Base?

[maddezmom]

Analysis
Question for Dean: How Solid a Base?
Army of Supporters Untried in Crisis
By Dan Balz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, January 15, 2004; Page A01


DES MOINES, Jan. 14 -- For most of 2003, Howard Dean's campaign showed some of the qualities of a Silicon Valley enterprise in the boom days of the 1990s -- an innovative political machine that was all about the promise of something new -- new voters, new money and a new politics for a demoralized Democratic Party.
~snip~

The turn of the year has brought more intense engagement from voters in Iowa and New Hampshire and, with that, an inevitable tightening in the polls. Dean's once-commanding lead in New Hampshire has begun to dissipate in the face of a surge by retired Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark. In Iowa, Dean is engaged in a spirited four-way contest against Rep. Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.) and the rising candidacies of Sens. John F. Kerry (Mass.) and John Edwards (N.C.).

~snip~

Dean advisers dismiss talk that Dean has stalled or is in any real trouble, while acknowledging that they have lost ground in New Hampshire and are fighting for a victory in Iowa. "We've got a tough fight in Iowa and New Hampshire, and it's going to be a tough fight beyond that," said Dean pollster Paul Maslin. "What's going to sustain us beyond that is what Howard Dean has built. That is going to be our shield."

Campaign manager Joe Trippi said he is so confident of the base upon which Dean has built his campaign that he believes a loss in Iowa will bring a redoubled intensity among those who have sustained the campaign through the past year. Victories here and in New Hampshire, he said, will bring an explosion of money and support.
~snip~

more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18199-2004Jan14.html

This is interesting...a loss will bring a redoubled intensity. Not sure I buy it, but the Dean campaign has shown in the past if he is criticized or has a bad showing in a debate the money flows. Time will tell. :)

[SheilaT]

1. Speaking as a Dean supporter

I can tell you that his supporters are as committed as they can be. Will we fold if he loses a primary or two? I doubt it. I think we'll only work harder. We are in it for the long haul.

[bearfartinthewoods]

2. you have to edit to four paragraphs max per copywrite rules

[maddezmom]

3. oops

thanks, just edited. :)

[ClintonTyree]

4. I'm committed to the point...............

where I'll give him everything I have until it's over. If someone else gets the nod, that same level of support will transfer. The goal is to get the Krazy Kowboy out of the White House, not to be a petty, selfish egotist because my choice didn't make the grade. I wish all Democrats could say the same, but from what I read here, I sincerely doubt it.

[liberalmuse]

5. Still going strong...

I haven't changed my mind since I've thrown my hat into the ring. I'm still very strong for Dean--my support hasn't wavered because I was pretty sure when I decided to back him. I think he'll be the next President. However, I've been wrong before, and would love to see ANY Dem as the next President.

After much thought, I agree with another poster here: If someone else wins the nod I will support them. I might say otherwise out of anger and frustration at times in the forums, but in truth, there is no supporter of another candidate who can even come close to making me as angry as Bush and his administration. However, I'd be lying if I didn't say I hope to hell it isn't Lieberman. I will support him, but it will be the hardest thing I've ever done politically. I think many of us, especially those here who have expressed an intense dislike of certain candidates (I've noted Dean and Clark seem to get the most negative 'press' here at DU) will have to tell themselves they are voting AGAINST Bush, not 'for' a candidate.

[Hep]

6. So what is the question for Dean?

I didn't see a question anywhere in your post.

[maddezmom]

7. it was the title of the article n/t

[Hep]

9. That's not even a sentence, let alone a question

Diagram that sentence and show me the verb.

BTW, can I expect you to stop being the media's dupe after the convention? I mean that with ALL due respect, seriously. I just want to know at what point we D's demonstrate that we learned something from 2000.

[maddezmom]

10. sure Hep

whatever you say.... :)

[Hep]

11. I get that a lot

But I feel no less discouraged by the gullibility of D's who read major media publications.

[maddezmom]

12. if you have a problem with any of my posts

or the sources...hit alert. :)

[Hep]

14. Do you understand my problem?

My problem is that D's are falling for the same mess that people fell for in 2000. Who should I alert you to for that? Your parents? God? Your posts don't violate the rules of DU, your buying into anything that the media says just because it upholds your own opinions is the problem.

The Goreing of Dean. You're playing THEIR game.

[KittyWampus]

13. What Price Freedom?

Diagram that sentence and show me the verb.

But even without trying to do such a thing... the message the words seek to convey is clear.

[Hep]

15. Well, sure

The message is clear. But is it right?

You're going to say yes, but you will have no subvstantial reason for saying so, and you won't provide an explanation unless I ask you to, so I'm asking you to.

[CWebster]

8. more spin.

to sell papers and manufacture consensus.


Oh, and maybe for a supporter of a different candidate to try to build a case that Dean's support is slipping. Not gonna happen. The more he is attacked, the more defensive we get.

[AP]

16. Trippi is trying to spin a loss as a win? Planning for losing?

"he believes a loss in Iowa will bring a redoubled intensity"

Or do they think they're going to win but want to make it look like a big deal if they do?

[beaconess]

17. Wasn't that precious?

n/t

[Padraig18]

18. $20 million cash-on-hand in the bank will survive several losses.

My commitment is rock-solid.

:)