Kerry: Stand with Howard Dean

[Kire]

----- Original Message -----
From: John Kerry
To:
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2005 9:20 AM
Subject: Stand with Howard Dean


Dear Kire:

We have a strong Democratic Party - and we need it to be stronger. Strong enough to turn back George Bush's efforts to privatize Social Security. Strong enough to insist that every child in America has health insurance. Strong enough to elect candidates committed to Democratic ideals at every level of government and in every region of our country.

On Saturday - just two days from now - Howard Dean will be elected as the new chair of the Democratic National Committee. He'll need the ideas, engagement and financial support of the entire Democratic Party to succeed.

Let's welcome Howard Dean and give him the groundswell of grassroots support he needs.

http://www.democrats.org/BuildTheParty

Let's send an unmistakable message to George Bush and his allies: In 2005, the Democratic Party is strong and united.

Again, it is just two days until Howard Dean becomes chairman. Please join me now in getting his efforts to strengthen our Party off to a record-setting start.

http://www.democrats.org/BuildTheParty

Thank you,

John Kerry

[ewagner]

1. Finally, a public

demonstration of unity!

I'm very, very happy about this!!!!!

[On the Road]

2. Hey, Kerry IS Taking Leadership!

Dean has the grassroots support, but this is a big message to DC insiders. Much better than the statements by Peolsi and Reid.

[FreedomAngel82]

30. Good

I'm glad and happy Kerry is supporting Dean. Hehe. I'm glad Kerry is still in the public eye and doing stuff. On the way home from class earlier today I was following home a car and on the back they had a bumper sticker that said "Elect Kerry/Edwards." Hehe. So it's nice to see someone is taking leadership in this country! Our "President" surely is a joke.

[sendero]

3. I was very happy..

... to get that email. Thank you Senator Kerry!

[txaslftist]

4. I agree!

Let's try to show a greater degree of unity as we are vetting candidates for the '06 races, and let's work on avoiding the rancor that went with the '04 primaries. It's time to make purple turn blue and red turn purple.

And for christ's sake, lets stay out of Iran!

[ultraist]

5. I hope the people who were bashing Kerry yesterday

for not mentioning Dean by name in his email that announced his million dollar donation to the DNC, READ THIS! LMAO!!!

They were saying Kerry is just an opportunist and was upstaging Dean, how dare he not mention Dean by name, yada, yada, yada...

[cestpaspossible]

19. Yesterday it was wrong to not mention his name.

Today it is wrong to mention his name.

Come on, you know how it goes...

[Eloriel]

27. Yep, that would be me. I've read it.

AND I'm fully prepared to say: Props to the Senator. He's FINALLY done something right, at least from what I can tell.

I do NOT retract what I said yesterday though, at all. There was no GOOD reason not to combine the two communications, now, was there?

But this is a very positive message from him.

[cestpaspossible]

43. Hey, good for you.

a good reason not to combine the two: There are Democrats (I'm not one of them), who are not fans of Howard Dean. Maybe they would be more likely to respond to the first message. Also, since they will be tracked seperately, the DNC will be able to guage the different response to the different messages, who gives in response to which, and so on.

[Zensea]

29. Maybe Kerry reads DU

and decided he needed to mention Dean's name

[cestpaspossible]

40. Now THAT would take a thick skin!

[NYCGirl]

42. I don't think Kerry reads DU, but probably his staff checks us out. NT

[Padraig18]

6. Hear, hear!

Well said, Sen. Kerry!

:thumbsup:

[CWebster]

7. Just as devil's advocate

Remember how Kerry was so concerned about the neutrality of the Chair and wanted them to sign something to that effect--even though he attempted to insert his man, Vislack? He wouldn't be positioning himself for political advantage, for influence would he? Would he have a personal agenda as the greater priority?

[Withywindle]

8. If you're determined to take the most negative interpretation possible....

...of ANYONE's actions, you can always "read" a selfish motive into it.

Many high-profile people in the party might mention a favorite early on--but Vilsack dropped out long ago. I don't blame Kerry for wanting to stay or seem neutral himself after that. Wouldn't you? But it's just like with the presidential nominee: you back a favorite in the primaries if you like but you throw your full support behind whoever the nominee is eventually for the good of the Party. That looks to me like exactly what Kerry's doing now. I don't see any anti-Dean agenda here at all--quite the opposite.

[CWebster]

9. not saying it was anti-Dean in the least.

.

[Withywindle]

11. Right, but opportunism...

...is the name of the game in politics. It only becomes a problem when it's undercutting the serious work others are trying to do.

Is Kerry doing a bit of positioning himself here? Very likely. Were the positions reversed, I have no doubt Dean would do the same. That's fine; I have no problem with leaders in the party trying to keep their position strong as long as it's not at the expense of our larger agenda. As far as I'm concerned, this is a win/win for both men AND for the Party, and I say yay. :thumbsup:

[Eloriel]

33. I disagree

Opportunism is a problem when that is a politician's main, only and primary goal/motivation -- and there are far too many politicians to whom that applies. (And yes, I think Kerry is one of them, or close enough.)

What works WELL is when one's opportunism dovetails with what's good for someone else, the party, the country, the world.

[Withywindle]

45. Right, and...

...the latter is exactly what I think this is.


I suppose we might have to agree to disagree on that.

[ginnyinWI]

57. Kerry's kind of opportunism

is the good kind, motivated by a desire to make things better for America and the world. Why do you think it isn't? Where's the evidence?

[FreedomAngel82]

31. I agree

Even though Kerry might've had his support in the beginning for someone else he's now fully supporting Dean and encouraging others so we can get some work done for 2008 and then we can show the republicans. :)

[TayTay]

10. The Vilsack thing was waaaaay back ...

In what, November. Vilsack dropped out and may run himself in '08. There were press reports in early January that Kerry was in close touch with Dean. One report showed that Kerry was logging a lot of cell phones calls from the Middle East to Dr. Dean in Vermont. They were obviously making contignecy plans in case Dean got the Chair position. I think Kerry buried the hatchet with Dean long, long ago and it is possible they are trying to do something for the good of the PArty.

That said, it is foolish to deny that a politician is doing political things in a poltical way. My question would always be, is this a good thing to do and is it done in a way that benefits others? In this case, the answer is yes. Does it help Kerry? Sure. So what? You are not going to get many saints running for public office, you know. Saints make crappy pols.

[CWebster]

13. Actually I am opposed to another Kerry crack at it

at the expense of the party.


I any event, just food for thought.

[TayTay]

14. Right now we need to concentrate on 2006

And I think the united support of all Dems helps in this effort. I don't think we have so many Dems running around that we can afford to dismiss some of them out of hand. Do you?

I think Kerry's support helps the Democratic Party at this moment in time. It is a gesture meant to indicate that he wants unity and is willing to back Dean for the good of the Party. And the $1 million dollar housewarming gift ain't bad either.

Let 2008 take care of itself in due time. This is a good thing for now and for 2006, which is the next big test anyway.

[CWebster]

15. Nope, no unity memes will lull me or be acceptible again

as sole cause to vote for to vote against.

[TayTay]

16. Ahm, okay

Who do you expect to help you get whatever it is you want done, ah, done?

Parties of one usually sit alone, drink alone and don't get things done. You need others in order to get things done. To whom will you appeal?

[CWebster]

17. Not alone here, thanks. nt

[Larkspur]

20. This email has all the markings of a "suck up" letter

In the corporate world, this would be called brown-nosing.

In the political world, it signifies that Kerry was defeated in influencing who the DNC Chair is. His choice Vilsack was quickly dispatched.

This letter also shows that he lost a lot of political capital with the 2004 election loss and is trying to recapture it. He has millions in cash, but you can't buy true support from those he hopes to volunteer for his possible re-try in 2008. I bet a lot of state Dems were PO'd that Kerry had $15 million left over. That money should have been spent attacking Bush, but if Kerry wasn't going to do that, this money could have helped out Dems in state and local races.

[ultraist]

23. LMAO!!! Yesterday he didn't mention Dean, so that sucked and today he did

and that sucks! LOL!

So he shouldn't have mentioned Dean or he should have? You can't have it both ways.

[Larkspur]

34. I'm NOT the one who critisized Kerry for not mentioning Dean yesterday

and yes, this email is definitely a "suck up" email because Kerry's choice, Vilsack, failed and retired early from the DNC Chair race and he couldn't get Shaheen to run. Kerry FAILED to derail Dean in this race, so this $1 million donation, most of which came from the grassroots in the first place, is a token ploy to appear that he supports the grassroots, which didn't support Kerry originally.

[CWebster]

39. Me neither, but I do suspect selfish motive

Dean already has it--it is after the fact, really.

[LittleClarkie]

46. Oh of course you do, dear.

The usual cast of characters really, negativity-wise. Really, y'all need to recruit a few more members for the "NaySay" party. I hate to see so few having to carry the water. Why, y'all must be just exhausted.

[CWebster]

47. Funny, isn't the same thing the Pugs asuse the Dems of?

Negativism and lack of optimism? Please, even posters here recognise the score, they are just more willing to shrug it off.

[Larkspur]

48. I don't deny critisizing Kerry, which he deserves, but I am not the one

who critisized him about leaving out Dean in the last letter.

Go ahead put me on Ignore. I don't care.

[Pirate Smile]

67. Good idea.

[Name removed]

36. Deleted message

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

[DoveTurnedHawk]

61. I Know You Think All People Who Disagree With Kerry Are the Same

But Larkspur and I are very, very, very different posters. :-)

DTH

[Guaranteed]

49. Man, he's doing the right thing.

As a Dean supporter, I'm asking you to please stop this.

[Cha]

58. I agree with BGL.

We need to all come together to beat the fascists.

Dean doesn't have a bitter bone in his body about what he's been through to get to the DNC Chair and I think Dems should follow his example.

[Laurab]

50. Oh I knew if I went far enough down the thread

I'd find one, and I did! And it was such a nice, friendly thread up til now. Oh damn that Kerry anyway - and to think, I saw it as a GOOD thing before I read the "suck-up letter" post. But then, I think John Kerry is a good man, who has integrity, and who STILL has political capital. Silly me, I think he even does some things for the good of the party, and the country. Ah well...I shoulda known better.

[CWebster]

52. Larkspur is one of the sharpest posters on DU

She has seen the writing on the wall, while you all again are lulled into some illusion of don't worry be happy.

Betcha time vindicates her words.

[Guaranteed]

54. What do you want Kerry to do? nt

[Laurab]

55. Yeah, okay - it's a BAD thing

party unity, democrats supporting fellow democrats. It's a TERRIBLE thing, he should have kept the money or, well, I'm not sure, because whatever he does is going to be criticized by the people who seem to be just looking for things to criticize about the man.

I can certainly make up my own mind about who is or isn't "one of the sharpest posters on DU", thank you.

I'm REAL worried, but certainly not about John Kerry or Howard Dean. I'm worried about the BAD guys.

[CWebster]

62. Don't give me any of this lock-step crap

Everything isn't so swell, and this is a discussion site which looks at complexities and dynamics instead of swooning over heart throb pin ups.

Heaven forbid anyone want to look a little closer and maybe make a unpopular observation into the grey area, rather than seeing everything as black and white. No one should be afraid or bullied by the mob to take politically correct positions which may be obscuring truths. We see enough of that with the "bad guys". And yeah, the reason I would hope that Kerry not continue with his selfish ambition to live out his JFK fantasy is because he is an untalented, unattractive politician with no real appeal, no ability to connect, and no real grasp of priorities. That all adds up to loser. I am sorry, but it is precisely because of worrying about the bad guys.

[Laurab]

79. Oh, I thought it was a democratic discussion board - my mistake

I personally don't see anyone in the democratic party as a "heart-throb pin up", and it's quite condescending of you to say that. I disagree with your dislike of John Kerry, yes. I have looked "a little closer", and quite frankly, I disagree with just about all of your opinions of JK. In fact, the more I learn about him, the more I like him.

So, everyone who disagrees with your opinion is in "lock-step"? That's interesting. I am in lock-step with myself. I do my own research, and make my own decisions, and I believe they are educated decisions. I also form my own opinions. JK isn't perfect, nor is any other person, except, apparently, you. I happen to believe he would have made a damn good president. I don't vote for "heart throb pin ups". I vote for the person who will make the best decisions for my country.

I also don't believe there is anything positive to be gained by pointlessly bashing every single thing John Kerry, or ______ (fill in the name of the rotten dem of the day), does. Some people seem to enjoy it, with particular dislike for one or the other. I think it's ridiculous, myself.

You are entitled to your opinion of John Kerry, although you certainly seem to go overboard in your dislike for him. I am entitled to mine. I don't need lectures, instructions telling me to believe what you believe, or I'm in "lock-step", or idiotic statements about "heart throbs" from you. Therefore, I'm going to use the "ignore" feature for the very first time since November. I am here to learn positive things, and help in a positive way. Not to read your character assassination of a decent man, or your rash assumptions about someone who happens to like that man.

[zulchzulu]

41. Exactly

Kerry is giving a million dollars and supporting Dean because all he wants is the damn party to win...that is pure manipulation!

How can anyone be so arrogant as to actually support a party that he has served in various offices for over 30 years!

You know he's up to something...damn botox-usin' flip flopper skull and bones Vietnam poseur boring guy...and his wife is not using his name anymore...and he didn't beat up Bush the day after the election...and his daughters must be sluts....and...

Whaaahhh!

[Blue_In_AK]

53. I don't know why it's so hard to grasp

that one's personal agenda and the advancement of the party are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Do we not want our leaders to have ambition? Give me a break.

[Dr Ron]

12. Kerry also giving $1 million to build party

http://kerryblog.blogspot.com/2005/02/kerry-donates-1m-to-democrats.html

[Debi]

18. And keeping several million for himself..

Not that he shouldn't - the Republicans will be gunning hard for him in his re-elect in 2006. It's a good idea for him to be nice to Dean now...He'll need the apparatus the Dean Machine is going to create (or add to in some states) to help him stay Senator.

[American Tragedy]

21. Kerry's term is not up until 2009

[Debi]

26. My apologies..

I thought he was re-elected in 2000.

But that really doesn't explain the need for him to put over six million into his re-election campaign. What's he gonna do watch it grow with interest for the next four years?

[ultraist]

24. Yes, and some were pissed off about that too! LMAO!!!

Money talks, bullshit walks. Giving Dean a 1M jumpstart can't really be a bad thing unless you are a pissed off Clarkie who has always hated Kerry.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

60. Who Are You Talking About Here? Certainly Not Me.

The same day Clark dropped out, I was on board with Kerry, I liked him, I donated four digits worth of money and three digits worth of hours to him, and I loyally defended him here, even tangling with a couple of other Clark supporters who weren't quite as keen on Kerry as I was.

After the election, I was shocked to see how much money had been left over, and I remain concerned with what he's going to do with the remainder. Sorry if that offends your sensibilities or if you believe that's somehow a forbidden or inappropriate stance to take here, but you'd better get used to it, because I'm certainly not going to stay quiet just for the likes of you.

The fact is, I'm not a Deaniac, and I'm not a "pissed off Clarkie who has always hated Kerry," so I'm just not going to fit into the tried-and-true caricatures that some here seek to paint onto people who dare to disagree with them.

Nice try, though.

DTH

[Spiffarino]

22. All aboard the Deanmobile!

Now that it's inevitable, it's time all Dems get on board the Deanmobile. I believe they will, especially with John Kerry taking the lead.

I was disgusted by the Democratic party when they wouldn't go after election fraud and I was considering leaving it. Not only will I not leave, I am going to begin contributing again.

I am primed and ready to get out there and kick some serious rightwing ass...

[ultraist]

25. With Kerry taking the lead? Don't think so

There are a lot of others who will be out front and center too. Kerry is one of many now. He is not "the leader" of the party. Sorry.

I supported Kerry during the GE and I don't find it necessary to trash his every move, especially things like donating 1M to the DNC. But, I'm not into Kerry hero worshiping.

At this point, it's a TEAM effort and it's not "Kerry's team" it's the DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

[FreedomAngel82]

37. Where did you see anything about "Kerry's team"

in the Email? He's encouraging us to stand with Dean so we can all work together and support each other for 2008 so we can win nationally and locally and have more democrats in office. If you don't want to support Dean and the party that's fine. Do or don't. Nobody is making you.

[ultraist]

44. Spiffirina said: "especially with John Kerry taking the lead".

That's who I responded to. Obviously I DO support the party that's why I wrote, it's not Kerry's team but the DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

I also supported Dean for Chair.

It appears you aren't really reading the posts.

[LittleClarkie]

73. John Kerry taking the lead to me means he's showing the insiders

and folk who aren't behind Dean at this point the way.

I'm picturing mom, making the kids comb their hair, say nice things and smile pretty for the company that's coming, whether they want to or not.

John Kerry has them by the ear, saying "Now shake hands with the nice new Chairman and tell him how glad you are he's here."

Maybe that's who Spiffy meant Kerry was leading?

[FreedomAngel82]

35. One thing you have to remember

about the election fraud is that unless there is hard evidance of election fraud they won't believe it. Just like with 2000. Even though it's proven what happened there are still people who believe Bush won the popular vote. Here's a good link about all that: http://www.chuckherrin.com/LiberalEmpathy.htm

It would hurt their political careers more then anything.

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

28. Donated $20.06

I heard somebody recommending this and it sounded like a good idea. Send the DNC a message and donate $20.06 now that it's clear that Dean is going to be the guy.

[Cha]

32. I got it too!

It does feel good to have a united party..I hope it just keeps getting "stronger"!

[LittleClarkie]

56. Unity kick

[zulchzulu]

38. Kerry is only giving money and supporting Dean becuz he's Bush-Lite

Kidding!

I'm sure some feel that way though.....dumbasses.

[ScreamingMeemie]

74. No I think it's because he's self serving zulch....

Dumbass here-in your opinion, I'm sure- who suspects that Mr. Kerry would like to claim sole responsibility for the huge influx of money that would be coming in this Saturday with or without his plea...

[Name removed]

94. Deleted message

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

[Name removed]

98. Deleted message

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

[Guaranteed]

51. Thank you, John Kerry.

This is extremely big of him.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

59. I Like This Message Better

Although I can't say I understand why he sent out this second, similar e-mail on the heels of the first. And I still would have preferred that he had waited a couple of days, and I still have concerns over the leftover money.

But it's still a lot better than the other message.

DTH, Who Is Still Waiting to Donate Until the Day of Dean's Election as DNC Chair

[ScreamingMeemie]

70. I hate to say it, but how good would it look on a resume to "claim"

responsibility for bringing in the $$$ for the grassroots? I think it's self serving, unfortunately.

[WildEyedLiberal]

96. Kerry's trying to raise money for the DNC

What a BASTARD!

Boo hoo... :nopity:

[Q]

63. Although privatizing Social Security and the other issues...

...mentioned are important...Kerry and his DLC 'advisors' are intentionally steering the party away from a direct confrontation with Bush over even more important issues.

Bush government secrecy and corruption.

Election Fraud on a massive scale between 2000 and 2004.

9-11 Whitewash instead of an investigation into Bush White House accountability

An illegal, aggressive war that is taking the lives of thousands of Americans and tens of thousands of Iraqis.

'Journalists' being paid with tax dollars to promote Bush policy.

Kerry is campaigning for 2008 and doesn't seem serious about addressing the most serious issues confronting our country.

[politicasista]

64. Stop hating on Kerry!!

You must be a Deaniac or a Clarkie. Kerry is trying to do something right, but no, it's NOT good enough for you and some people. He reaches out the Dean, yet we still complain, he votes against Condi and Alberto, we still complain that he is just following Boxer's lead, he calls for Rummy's firing, yet we still complain, he puts out a healtcare act for kids, and millitary veterans, we still complain. We are all pissed off about the election and Kerry conceding, but don't say he is just campaigning for 2008. He is really interested in uniting this party. :grr: :mad:

[Q]

65. Kerry is a Public Servant...

...and he works for the people of his state and the American people in general. I will not hesitate to give my opinion on his politics.

What is it with some posters 'round here? If you can't take the opinions of others...then put them on ignore.

But to accuse people of HATING is beyond the pale.

Kerry is interested in running for 2008. He has been since the day after the election. This is a pitiful display of pandering.

I'm not complaining that he's 'putting out' a (meaningless) healthcare act for kids or anything else presented in this letter. My complaint is that he IGNORED and put down the grassroots base he now wants to vote for him again in 2008. He expected our votes in the last election because he wasn't Bush.

Now it seems that the DLC party bosses are trying to push the same bullshit on us once again by not giving us a real choice of candidates in the future. They're trying to make it a foregone conclusion that Kerry, Hillary or some other DLC-approved candidates are the choice of rank and file Democrats.

Good for Kerry if he can get any support for his policy initiatives. But in the end his efforts will be meaningless unless he and other Democratic leaders directly confront Bush on the aforementioned issues. He's trying to rebuild a brick wall and the Bushies are busy tearing down the entire building.

[politicasista]

66. At least he is putting out something that's beneficial to children

How do you know his efforts will be meaningless? At least he's trying. What are the other candidates doing? We are just never satisfied.

[Q]

71. How can any meaningful legislation be passed...

...when our entire government is being compromised and corrupted by the Bush Dictatorship?

Why is it that so few Democrats seem to not 'get it'? We no longer live in a nation that practices democracy in any sense of the word. The Bush administration and their cronies in congress have put themselves above the law. Checks and balances are no longer used to keep the executive branch from taking more power than granted by the Constitution. Republicans and Democrats alike support and promote a war that never should have happened. The Bushies have gutted our social infrastructure, environment, workers and women's rights, public education, civil rights and equal justice.

And Kerry is pushing healthcare for kids? It's a nice gesture...but a little like fiddling while Rome burns.

[LittleClarkie]

68. Oh well, you know those omnipotent beings

they've always got a bug up their but about something.

Regards to you and the Continuum, Q.

[CWebster]

69. Any time Kerry wants to drop a couple million

to promote a PR campaign to pull the plug on Bush's latest domestic war on social security- it would be a worthwhile investment.

What's he waiting for? The green light from Pelosi?

Hold your fire
“Don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes.” That was House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) advice to her colleagues at a closed-door breakfast on Thursday. Democrats have been relatively subdued in their criticism of the president’s plan to offer personal accounts for Social Security, allowing the White House to get out in front of the issue, before the real barrage begins. Look for Democrats to talk solely about Social Security over the president’s day recess in two weeks"

[98geoduck]

72. JK Philosophy ;Things HAVE to get worse in order for them to get better.

Unfortunatly, the poor and mid class do all the suffering.

[LittleClarkie]

76. He's on point for health care

I don't know what the hell you're talking about otherwise.

Right now, I see Kennedy out there taking point on the war, Hillary and Boxer on voter's rights and Kerry on health care, which he's about to go a'stumpin' on in a little while.

And the SOTU speech sounded like the House of Commons for a minute there, there was so much booing of the SS scheme. I'm relatively pleased so far.

What ARE you looking for exactly?

[Q]

75. It's strange that you look so casually...

...on the destruction of America. You and yours are still playing politics as usual while Bush is raping and plundering our nation and the middle east.

Kerry is campaigning for 2008 while Bush is having his way with us. It's more of the same when every Democrat should be fighting for the very survival of our country and party.

[LittleClarkie]

77. What can I or Kerry do, oh omnipotent one, when no matter what he does

or says, you and yours think he's campaigning for 2008. Knowing him, he'll just proceed regardless of what you think of him. But I'm left wondering exactly what you're looking for. The Dems are looking more and more unified as we go along. I'm quite pleased.

Sorry, maybe if you close your eyes and pretend it's a politican you like, then you can see that the actions this person has taken so far have been positive.

You're only seeing "politics as usual" because that's all you want to see.

[ScreamingMeemie]

78. No, we're Democrats...standing up for Democratic, not DLC, values.

:hi:

[LittleClarkie]

80. Supporting Howard Dean is a DLC value?

Whoda thunk it.

What a clever fiend this Kerry person is.

[ScreamingMeemie]

81. Nope. Sure isn't. Methinks Kerry has personal motives for this sudden

"enlightenment" shall we call it? ;) :hi:

[LittleClarkie]

82. Sudden my foot. He's been talking to Dean at the least for weeks now

and I won't accept "personal motives" with some proof other than Kerry is not whoever you normally support.

If this were a different candidate, some folks here would be bending over backwards to defend the person, and asking why all the bashing.

But that's my Johnny Velcro. Everything sticks, regardless. The Rodney Dangerfield of politics.

[ScreamingMeemie]

83. Opinion board=Opinion. I say this as one who pounded the pavement

knocking on countless doors for Kerry. :hi:


Newsflash: People tend to defend those whom they support...ergo the defensiveness of Kerry supporters in this thread. ;)

[LittleClarkie]

84. I don't support Hillary

but I support her bill.

I'm no longer a diehard Clarkie, but when someone made fun of him yesterday re: not having a job, I ripped that person a new one.

I have been standing up for Dean and unity for weeks.

All I'm saying is why assume the worst immediately? And that's all this is really. Assumptions.

Many's the ABBer who pounded the pavement, though I'm not sure if it was for Kerry or against Bush. Did you talk to people about Kerry being good for the country, or Bush being bad. Legitimately curious. I never canvassed. My claim to fame was the phone bank.

[ScreamingMeemie]

86. You're supporting her now. And I wouldn't be as angry at Kerry as I

am if I was an ABB. I did a lot of "persuasive" canvassing, issues based. That's how the canvasses were set up. There wasn't any opportunity to bash Bush, because we were dealing with swing voters. No idea who we were dealing with. Not good to open with ABB speak.

Why assume the worst? Because it's what we've gotten so far. Right now, I'm cautiously pessimistic...wondering about the sudden about face by Kerry ( a few weeks does not a working partnership make). I'll truly believe "unity" when I see it. I'm one of those who believe that this "hashing out" and differences of opinion are actually good for the future of our party on some levels.

[earth mom]

101. Well said and I agree. Step by step Kerry is going in the right direction

and that's what we need to focus on now. Let * & Co continue to f-up and by 2008, there will so many votes for Kerry by the majority of the population, that * won't be able to steal the vote! It'll be a landslide! :bounce: (Okay, so I'm being very optimistic today!)

[njdemocrat106]

85. I'm proud of both Kerry and Dean

I'll flat out admit that Kerry was my first choice in the primaries, but really, all the candidates that ran in our primary (maybe with the exception of Lieberman) were the finest Democrats we had to choose from, and any one of them would have made a better President than the Chimp we're stuck with now. I'm glad to see this show of unity from Kerry.

[bklyncowgirl]

87. Very good. but why all the bickering.

Kerry calls on Democrats to rally behind Dean and all you people can do is start fighting the damn primaries over again.

As someone who likes both men, I'm pleased. Does he have ulterior motives? Probably, but the fact is that it's the right thing to do. Both Kerry and Dean are class acts. Perhaps some of their followers could learn something from them.

[Stephanie]

88. No problem, JFK . Always have, always will.

Very happy about this!

[sistersofmercy]

89. Good! n/t

[candy331]

90. Seems Kerry went missing after his rapid concession speech

and was nowhere to be found, now he seems to have found his voice or someone's voice I don't know. I hope he has the good sense to support Dean for the changes that are necessary for the good of the country and party rather than some ambitious plan to be President. Kerry is not the fighter needed to go up against the repubs but he sure could be a good cheerleader for the fighter/s if he would do so and do so for the cause rather than because he wants to take a another shot at being leader.. Flames away if you feel it is necessary.

[politicasista]

92. Who's better then?

Since this was Kerry's ONLY opportunity and he blew it. :mad:

[candy331]

93. Don't think anyone is really in any position to say so at his point

The need now is to get organized and deal with internal strife and problems because some serious changes will have to be made. Many changes that are needed will be a downright dogfight and Dems will be their own worst enemy at times, however these changes must take place to move ahead.

[LittleClarkie]

95. Still don't see what was quite so rapid about it

Gore's was slower. Everyone else's in recent memory happened the night before, not the next morning.

He gave it until the next day. In the meanwhile it seems he was told by people in Ohio -- some of whom according to a reporter from Raw Story -- may not have been "his", that there was no chance. He did what he could based on the limited info they had on Nov. 3. He has since said that he did what he did then because "he believed what he was told" according to Jesse Jackson.

This explanation helps me to understand why BBV folk said they heard about Kerry people who were destroying rather than preserving evidence. I suppose it's kind of hard to vet 17000 lawyers, but it seemed some of them were working against, not for, the man.

As for me, he can be a cheerleader now, and perhaps in a couple years decide if he really wants to give it another go. I would welcome it, because I still believe that he would make a wonderous prez.

[politicasista]

97. Well said LittleClarkie

:hi:

[David Zephyr]

91. Kick!

[InvisibleTouch]

99. Happy to get this e-mail!

I like seeing unity among the people I admire. We're going to need it. Remember the old "divided we fall" warning?

It's ironic that so many supporters of their favorite candidates are still stuck in last year's primary season, battling it out and casting dispersions on other candidates - when the candidates themselves have long ago moved past that, and are now standing up for each other, standing together. Sure, I had my favorites too, but once the primaries were over, I looked for things to like about the group as a whole, not for things to hate.

Allow me some psychological speculation, though. It was an intense and exciting primary season. It's easy to think back and remember how we felt back then. For lots of us, myself included, it may have been the first time we ever got so caught up in the primaries, and we were all super-passionate about our candidates. When you're passionate about someone, you stick up for them against all comers - which is an admirable trait, to be sure. And, like it or not, we often take our cues about how to feel and react, from the signals we perceive from our leaders. Therefore, as the primary candidates appeared to be bitter enemies in the early days, when some ugly things were said and insinuated, their supporters likewise made enemies of their opponents.

Only, once it was over, a strange thing happened. The candidates put their apparent enmity aside and spoke out with glowing praise of each other. Now how are we, their supporters, "supposed" to feel? It doesn't match the previous signals. It makes one wonder: were they not taking the former attacks seriously? Was it "just business"? Or is it the later, apparent solidarity, that's the sham?

Well, I choose to believe the former. In the primary season, it's the candidates' jobs to position themselves favorably, and by extension that can mean going negative about their opponents (which I don't think is great, and I think there would be a less destructive way to go about things, but such is life - it happens). I don't think they really take it personally, because in the end, they're all on the same team. And that's the cue that needs to be passed along to their supporters. We're all on the same team.

I saw Howard Dean on TV just a few days before the election last year, and he gave an absolutely uncompromising, hard-hitting defense and promotion of Kerry. When the interviewer asked whether he had any regrets or bitterness regarding his loss in the primaries, Dean refused to be baited into saying something snarky, and instead replied with a very classy "You can't win unless you're not afraid to lose," or words very close that effect. I wished at the time that every person in America had seen that interview. Now I wish we'd look to Dean's example then, and Kerry's example now, and get down to work.

I still have a lingering sense of paranoia from last year's massive disappointments, so I won't feel totally "safe" until Dean is actually voted in - but once it happens, I intend to answer Kerry's call for welcoming donations. I can't give much, but it's a start. We may look back on this some day, and realize it was the turning point back toward the future. Or so I would like to think.

[Oreegone]

100. Clinton knew it when he saw a good man & leader years ago

Yes I am posting this everywhere, it needs to be read. For those of you who don't know Howard Dean served 2 terms as National President of the Governors Association.

"I'd also like to say that whatever it is that Howard Dean knows -- or whatever it is that he eats for breakfast every morning -- if I could give it to every other Democratic office holder and would-be office holder, we would immediately become the majority in the Congress and we would have about 35 governors. I have to tell you, I think a big part of it is just producing for people, actually doing what you say you're going to do at election time."
- President Bill Clinton addressing the Democratic Governor’s Association, 12 November 1997

[last1standing]

102. Locking

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