Bumpersticker Politics

[Epoch]

Today was an exciting day for bumpersticker politics. I covered my Dean for America bumpersticker with a Clark '04 bumpersticker (from a generous donation from a fellow DU'er). At this point, I am worried about Dean for many reasons, most of which do not include policies but my fears about him being unable to shake off his image of being angry, liberal, and arrogant. My girlfriend (a very pragmatic and liberal person thinks he's arrogant just by the way he comes off on tv and in debates). Many of her family members (who are conservative mind you, but not neo-con, more like dem's waiting to come home) also feel that he is too angry and hateful. I love what Dean has done as far as getting people back into the political process and reving folks up, but I feel that Clark will be able to grab the people like my gf's family (who are Western MD'ers, and WV'ians).

Also, I saw another "Anyone But Bush" Bumpersticker on the road and a "Conservatives make me sick!" bumpersticker. I honked and gave them a thumbs up.

I will support whoever the dem nominee is!

Last time I said something like this, I was attacked for being fake, etc (something about using a fake name to demoralize Dean supporters). Let me tell you that I have donated over 100 to Dean, signed up 170 new supporters, started a meetup in SO. MD, and e-mailed all my friends and family members about him. So I am not some sort of fake Dean-turned-Clark supporter.

ANYONE BUT BUSH!!

[copithorne]

1. Me too!

I was a passionate supporter of Howard Dean, contributed $250 to his campaign, attended meetups.

And I switched to Wesley Clark. I saw Wesley Clark as a man of extraordinary gifts who can change the landscape of American politics. He will lance the boil of fear that threatens to sicken our body politic with facism. He will lead millions of Clark Republicans.

Clark will appeal to people on a visceral level. Dean will struggle to overcome the fact that he can leave people feeling judged and afraid on a visceral level. It's nothing against him as a man, but as a politician, it's going to be difficult for him to win.

Clark's tax plan will rally Americans. Dean will bleed all over the floor for a tax plan that he will never pass.

I've been talking to friends and family in New Hampshire. Back when I supported Dean, I tried to talk my best friend -- a passionate Democrat -- into supporting him. No dice. My best friend had dinner with Howard Dean and he thought he was arrogant.

Today I talked to my mother. She is talking to a lot of people who are switching from Dean to Clark.

Howard Dean is an American hero but I know that the times required me to be loyal to my country rather than be loyal to a candidate.

Wesley Clark will win.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Epoch]

6. Sheesh!

I don't vote against. I decided to vote FOR Wes Clark b/c I believe he has a better opportunity to win, bring us the senate and house, and allow us to put this country back on the right (and i don't mean conservative) path.

I shouldn't make you sick. By the way, I registered 4 new dems over the weekend...still making you sick? Go and take that anger out on some repubs, and register some voters!

I vote with my mind, and my emotion. I detest Bush. I want him out. Therefore, i vote for someone who inspires me, as well as has the best shot at defeating *.

Welcome to DU!

[daria_g]

3. Ah well

From my perspective I do hope you'll be back to DFA after the primaries! Dean's getting better on TV and I think the angry image is just from, you know, the cable news spin cycle - but it won't stick for long - if I can make predictions based on how well the campaign's adapted in the past. My family is in western MD as well, and I've got my mom supporting Dean already.. both the parents are lifelong Dems who also like Gephardt and Kerry, but mistrust Clark as he hasn't any record and will not, I think, be able to support him.

I saw a couple of DFA bumperstickers pass me on Rt 68 last time I was there, and a guy with a DFA t-shirt in Hagerstown. Very encouraging. :)

[Epoch]

5. Dean stickers on 68?

One of them was probably me...I'm out there all the time. My gf lives past Lonaconing. If Dean wins the primaries I'll be back at DFA (with my Dean t-shirt).

Welcome to DU!

[demconfive]

4. Geez, you people.!

So your picking your canidate based on whether he'd be your buddy or not? That same kinda of idiocy got us Bush. Look, so what if he's arrogant? I could give a rat's ass. The question is whether he'll make a good president.He's angry. I sure and hell hope he is! If you aren't angry then you ain't paying attention.

[Epoch]

7. Oh..I'm angry...

But I also see how my anger has turned people away from discussing certain issues with me (even fellow liberals). I have cooled down alot since those times (being a few months ago), but I also say this to you: Many people aren't paying attention and therefore aren't angry.

Anger fails to win votes. Perceived anger fails to win votes and elections.

A man like Clark who does not lash out, but still makes the same points and attacks on Bush in a coherent fashion is much more likely to grab those swing voters we need.

And yes, I know Dean isn't always angry. I've seen him speak several times. But the general public already thinks he is angry, while they perceive Clark is more stable (especially since he was a general and the commander of NATO)

[Printer70]

8. On Bailing...

If you're bailing on first sight of trouble, can Democrats count on you in the General when Clark hits a bump or two.

I think your switch may say more about you than Dean.

[dobak]

9. oh, shut up!

There is nothing wrong with switching candidates during the primary season. They are all reasonably similar and switching is common.

I've switched from Edwards to Dean to Clark.

Don't attack someone's character just because you are mad they switched.

[Printer70]

12. Shut up?

I was criticizing his reasons for dropping his support and I have every reason to do so. It's fine if you found another candidate more to your liking but doing so because of a few anecdotal incidents where people thought he was angry. That's shaky support and to be questioned no matter who he ends up supporting in the general.

[slinkerwink]

10. I used to be a catholic but I switched to atheism

because let's face it----there is no real god. How's that for a nice conversion story?

[kayleybeth]

11. Great to have you with us!

I switched from Dean to Clark too. I don't mean to knock any of the other candidates because we have a fine group from which to choose, I just think Wesley Clark is the right man for the times. He is a true leader, he's brilliant and I love his ideas on everything from healthcare to job creation to national security. The fact that he has served our country honorably for more than half his life was also a big selling point for me. And he wants to turn our country around and undo the damage that Smirk has done, both domestically and abroad (of course I believe that's true of all of our candidates).

And I am with you. If Clark doesn't get the nomination, I will get behind the nominee. ANYBODY BUT BUSH!!!

[tedoll78]

13. Dean is angry.

And Gore is a liar.

Sheesh. Hook, line, and sinker..

[OhioStateProgressive]

14. everytime i see a car with a political bumper sticker in the parking lot

i cover it up with a Dennis Kucinich sticker

yesterday I covered up two Bush/Cheney stickers....one LaRouche sticker, and one Dean sticker

it's fun

[maddezmom]

15. now that's funny!!

:)

[artr2]

16. And if I caught you doing that to me

I would beat the living shit out of you asshole

[OhioStateProgressive]

17. no, you would TRY to(nt)

[markburgess]

19. Hi. In my opinion, this doesn't reflect well on your candidate

You may want to look for more positive ways of showing your support. It could harm his campaign with other candidates' supporters.

(sorry, I posted to the wrong entry originally. Still learning here.)
Thanks.

[markburgess]

18. Hi. In my opinion, this doesn't reflect well on your candidate

You may want to look for more positive ways of showing your support. It could harm his campaign with other candidates' supporters.