I'll contribute $200 to your candidate

[Ramsey]

In the interest of fence-mending and promoting ABB here at DU, and inspired by nsma, I will contribute $200 to your candidate, if you can tell me why I should.

I am maxed on my contributions to Dean. I'd like to make a contribution to somebody though.

So, the person who does the best job of explaining to me why their candidate should be the Democratic nominee for the presidency will win their candidate a $200 contribution from me.

I am the sole judge of the best argument (obviously :-) ). I will not consider a contribution to Lieberman, so sorry, but I have to disqualify him upfront (not that I expected to get too many arguments on his behalf). I won't contribute to your candidate if your argument has anything negative in it about any of the other Democrats.

OK, let's play!

[Renew Deal]

1. Lyndon Larouche stands up for felons voting rights.

Need I say more?

[fujiyama]

61. LOL...You made my day...

with that one!

[robsul82]

2. LaRouche: The Name's Just Fun to Say!

Yay!

Later.

RJS

[EXE619K]

3. That's a good "idearr"!

I was wondering what to do when I max-out for Dean.

Thanks pal!

[lastknowngood]

4. try Clark he'd make a good

VP for Dean or vicaversa

[AP]

5. Here you go (and if you like it, please contribute through me sig link)

economic justice (600 posts)
Wed Jan-21-04 12:18 PM
Response to Original message

37. AP......question

First of all, I am impressed how you are using the "advocacy" program that Edwards has going with his site. Good stuff!

I have been a Clark guy for many months but am having second thoughts due to some of the things that have come out recently concerning his London editorial and appearance before the congressional committee. I am looking at John Edwards and am more impressed each time I look closer. My question to you personally is this --- After looking over the candidates, what two things more than anything persuaded you to join the Edwards campaign? And, did you support anyone else before? I feel kinda guilty wavering on Wes, but these latest revelations were very troubling for me and his responses maybe even more so. Bush has GOT TO GO and I am thinking Edwards just may be the ticket home. Thanks for your time in responding.
 

  AP  (1000+ posts)
Wed Jan-21-04 01:04 PM
Response to Reply #37
41. Here's my history at DU

I hope this establishes my sincerity:

I hate Bush with a passion. 2000 was very upsetting. I knew from the start that the Democrats were not going to have an easy time winning in 2004 and that it was important to pick the perfect candidate. I knew Gore was a mess because (1) in my eyes, he has little conviction -- I can't tell what his motivating principles are, and (2) on the issue of class, he's terrible.

If you ask me what is the biggest issue in America, I'd say it's so obvious that Bush is creating an America with a permanent underclass and where all the political, economic and cultural power is distributed up an increasingly steep and narrow pyramid which few people at the bottom will ever have a chance to climb. EVERY other issue falls under that umbrella, including war and terror. Those are just tools the Republicans use to get people elected who are down with the power redistribution program.

Because this is what I care about, there are two issues which were more imporant to me than anything. I wouldn't be surpirsed if my first two posts at DU were about these two issues: taxes and race. To me the tax code is the NUMBER ONE TOOL BAR NONE which the Republicans use to transfer power. It's a great tool, because nobody understands it. How many times did I hear Juan Williams on TOTN in 2000 and 2001 outright lie about how the tax code works? In 2000, I saw a survey which suggested Americans did believe that a progressive tax code was the way to go. Yet Bush STILL won -- and it was clear to me, but to few other Americans, that he was going to immediately use the tax code to change America into that tall, steep pyramid. Guess what? He did. That second issue: race. To me the black man and woman are the canaries in the economic coal mine. If America is not working for black America, then the entire middle class is next. Race is an issue I care deeply about. Deeply. (Only more recently, I'm adding a third major concern to my nexus, and that's well paying jobs with a future -- along with taxes, destroying job opportunities is the other way Bush is making sure the people at the top stay at the top).

So, read my early posts at DU. These issues came first for me. More important than the candidate in 2004 were the issues. I always expected I'd have to compromise. And I always knew (and, to a degree still know) that my candidate is going to break my heart, no matter what - win or lose. Nobody is going to be perfect, and politics in the US has a way of destroying things that are good. I'm a realist. I'm a cynic. But I have my issues which mean more than I can say. And I want to win. I want to win because it really really matters.

So, in this climate, I was looking for my candidate. I've heard a few things about a few people. Sometime in, perhaps, Feb 2002 I was watching CSPAN, and there on my TV is John Edwards. I'd heard of him, perhaps at the old MWO discussion boards. One person said he was handsome. Another said he had a big distracting mole on his lip. Another said Gore looked at him. And another said Clinton likes him and he beat Faircloth. So I didn't turn the channel.

What did I see? I see a guy talking to a group of middle class Americans about TAXES. About progressive taxation. And what do I hear? I hear him making an argument, simply that people are UNDERSTANDING. Heads are nodding. What's this? This is a guy explaining one of the most complicate mathematical, poltical, economic, philosophical and important issues of our day, which I've never seen any politician ever communicate well in my life. And people are getting it.

I could go on and list all the things I discovered about him subsequently -- about race, about jobs, about the redistribution of power, about his wife, about his children, his parents, about the things I read in Four Trials, about how he has comported himself as a senator, and as a candidate -- but I've done that many times here. It suffices to say that every new thing I hear about him even more impressive than the previous thing.

So that was my introduction to Edwards.

As for my experience chosing a candidate as it relates to how others go through the same process, I think if you read through what I've written, you can see that there are things in there which make it obvious why Edwards is at the top of my list. I REALLY like Clark and I REALLY like Kerry, and I think I could vote for them and support them with MORE enthusiasm than I had voting for Clinton.

  But, the route I took to Edwards is way too much a part of me to not give all my energies to arguing his case. If people haven't taken this route, I think it would make sense not to put up the Edwards avatar just yet. Stick with Clark, or Kerry or whomever you like. Keep their avatars up. The important thing right now isn't falling behind a candidate. The imporant thing right now is the discussion. And I think there can be a great, honest discussion about these three candidates. I'll keep making the argument for Edwards, and I really hope that people stick with the candidates they support after taking their unique routes to where they're at, whether it's Edwards or anyone else. Maybe their routes will change (hopefully to Edwards!) Maybe my route will change (hopefully not!). But the journey's the important thing, right?

In any event, one thing I'm very confident about today is that the best candidate is going to come out of this discussion we're all having and will have a great chance of beating Bush.

[Ramsey]

45. You are the winner

AP, your argument was the most compelling.

I have contributed $200 to John Edwards.

Thank you for your thoughtful reply

My contribution printout (edited for privacy):

Thank you for your generous contribution, ******. Your support and your commitment to putting John Edwards in the White House is very much appreciated.

Get involved! Be sure to sign up for the campaign's newsletter and tell your friends why you support Senator Edwards.
Thank you for your contribution!


An e-mail message has been sent to "*****" with the following information:
Transaction ID: *******
Date: January 23, 2004
Payment Amount: $200.00

[AP]

52. You are wonderful -- post 51 below elaborates.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

6. I request you contribute $200 to John Kerry for the following reasons

He is SENISBLE on the gun issue and as a physician you KNOW the costs to society of unfettered gun availability.

He is CAPABLE as a statesman of REAPIRING our image with our allies.

His wife is a stellar philanthropist and can only HELP our image in the world in the same manner Hillary Clinton elevated our world image.

His positions on MOST issues are clearly liberal.

His commitment to trash the aspects of the Patriot act that DO impinge on civil liberties.

His very excellent environmental record, including his advocacy of the more practical aspects of Kyoto.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

12. Rather Than Make a Plug for Clark

Which I would normally do, in the interests of further comity I second NSMA's motion, since she's the one who inspired you to do this in the first place. :-)

DTH

[Maddy McCall]

22. I agree.

That was very generous of NSMA.

[RandomUser]

28. Right on

In the interest of comity, I have no problem with this. :)

[Ramsey]

46. Runner-up

For nsma and all the others who supported her support, I have contributed $50 to John Kerry.

My contribution form (edited for privacy):

Receipt for Contribution print this page
Name: ************

Date: Fri Jan 23 00:20:19 2004
Amount: $50.00
Contributions or gifts to John Kerry for President, Inc. are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

Paid for by John Kerry for President, Inc.

[name not needed]

7. LaRouche: He's a Douche

'nuff said

[sillymikey]

8. shucks, nevermind

I guess you can tell who I was gonna ask you to contribute to:o

[DuctapeFatwa]

9. My candidate for $200 is Ram Chandra of jaipurfoot.org

Ram hasn't patented the foot, he wants anyone who is interested to be able to make as many as they can.

Need continues to be dramatically greater than supply.

[MMT]

24. Thanks for that pointer, DuctapeFatwa. I've passed it on to a list I'm on

and will also send a donation of my own.

[rumguy]

10. Edwards, because he can win

He's almost impossible to attack. Attacks just don't stick to him.

Edwards resonates with voters, because he can personalize his life story with his policies, creating a very powerful message. His training as a trial lawyer taught him how to create thematic messages that resonate in both the head and the heart.

Plus, Edwards will destroy the rethugs when they come after him for being a "trial lawyer" - they tried it in '98 and he beat them over the head with the truth. As a lawyer, he worked for people, not corporations, and he has clients who are more than happy to back him up on that.

In addition, Edwards is arguably an outsider.

If Edwards gets the nom, and picks a VP with national security experience, I believe he will be unbeatable.

[arewethereyet]

53. what he said

I'll only add that he just has the ability to connect to people of all classes and strata anyway and when you factor in that he has lived in all those groups, well, its hard NOT to believe that he knows how you feel. Regardless of who you are.

[Guaranteed]

11. I've just decided to run for president...

and I have even better hair than John Edwards!

Whoops...does that count as negative? :)

[frank frankly]

13. if you have time to read this and the responses, you may send to Kerry

Kerry is now my horse in the race. I was for Dean, and still am for Dean, but voting for Kerry. Here's the long, but thorough version

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=160285

but, brother, you can't go wrong with any of them. Hopefully you will get some persuasive evidence for all, sans Joey.

nsma and AP are incredible advocates of their candidates. more will come soon. *while I was typing DTW jumped on. she is amazing on Clark.*

What a TREMENDOUS offer, too! Damn, I almost forgot to mention that.

Way to go, Ramsey! Made my day better...I wish I'd come anywhere near maxing out, but by the GE I will. Who needs to pay rent EVERY month?

On Edit: added thingee about DTW.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

14. LOL. It's Actually DTH, and I'm a He. :-)

:hi:

DTH

[frank frankly]

19. very wonderful!

I love it when I miss gender. I think that means you're a sage.

The word scrambling...well, their are only so many synapses in my skull.

PS, I am a squirrel. My gender, hell, even I don't know.

:toast:

[Polemonium]

15. well he's not my candidate

but it would be good to see his platform represented at the convention

Kucinich

[EXE619K]

16. That's right....The Kooch!

One guy who ya can't criticize and passes all litmus tests with flying colors!

[OKNancy]

17. Please give money to Dennis Kucinich

The others seem to have a good financial base. My candidate seems to be doing alright at the moment. I think DK would appreciate it a lot more and his voice needs to be heard.

[MMT]

18. Dennis Kucinich's policies as President will

re-direct money from the wealthy to the rest of us. We will get more services for our tax dollars, and that will give us more power too. No other candidate is planning to use over 90 cents (either 92 or 97 cents) of every healthcare dollar for actual care.

His policies will also give us the most freedom. By ending the futile War on Drugs, we will be saved tens or hundreds of billions of dollars each year, plus we will be able to decide for ourselves whether to drink a glass of wine or smoke a pot cigaret instead.

Dennis's goals for education include teaching children how to think for themselves rather than how to memorize facts. That will be very important for the safety of our democracy in the future. The fact that too few people know how to think today is why we're in the mess we're in. Can you imagine how many people would have voted for Bush if everyone were able to think? His mother's vote might have been the only one!

I could go on for pages, but I don't have the time right now. I hope this is enough.

[morgan2]

20. Kucinich

Whether you want Kucinich to win or not, you have to admit that having him in the debate helps everyone, especially Dean. Dean can't be painted as some "far left wing" of the democratic party while Kucinich is there on his flank as they say. Aside from this, Kucinich has raised some very important issues during the campaign: he was first on the BBV issue and he brought to light how the media marginalizes the issues and focuses on the horse race aspect in the abc debate. All in all I think having Kucinich in the race benefits your candidate the most, and hey he's unelectable so he's no threat.

[goodhue]

21. We're all in this together!

https://www.kucinich.us/contribute.php

According to the AFL-CIO, Congressman Kucinich has voted in favor of working families 98% of the time! Dennis is a union member and intends to create a Workers' White House. He will repeal Taft Hartley and defend the right to organize. We're all in this together!

http://www.kucinich.us/issues/

[Ramsey]

23. Guess I should have said "major candidate"!

:-). Though a really impassioned plea for a minor one would be fun!

I'll be off watching the debate, will check back later.

[goodhue]

25. DK is a major candidate to many of us here.

Please don't believe what they tell you on TV. Its not true!

[EXE619K]

26. You support the Kooch and...

you're a fan of Glenn Taylor's organization?

Well, stranger things have happened.

[Ramsey]

27. I didn't mean DK!!

I will certainly consider a contribution to Dennis.

I was referring to the pleas for Larouche and some dude named Ram Chandra!

[nancyharris]

29. I suggest

that you consider donating the money to your local Democrat congressional candidate (everyone has one this year) or (if possible) to your Democrat senatorial candidate or your local Democrat candidate for state or local offices. The money would probably be of more benefit to them. The real fight on issues happens in all of those offices.

[Ramsey]

31. Thanks for your suggestion

I do that already.

Here's my top local candidate:

http://www.senatorschwartz.com/

[dpbrown]

30. Kucinich has 30 years in the trenches fighting for Democratic values

He won his first fight for real people when he was just 31 - and the youngest Mayor of a major US city in United States history. He beat the company that went on to become FirstEnergy, the one that caused the biggest blackout in North American history.

He won that fight for real people, at the cost to him of his political trajectory.

It wasn't until the City of Cleveland realized that Kucinich's actions had saved ratepayers $200 million over what they would have been bilked out of by CEI/FirstEnergy, that the city commended Kucinich formally, launching his current, rejuvenated political career.

He consistently opposes NAFTA, supports putting family farmers into the energy production grid, opposes the racist and archaic death penalty, supports a national law protecting domestic relationships of whatever gender, and understands that the real weapons of mass destruction are poverty, hopelessness, lack of education, and joblessness.

Kucinich will refocus our national conversation from the BFEE constant drumbeat of fear and hate to a discussion of how we can empower all of us, and our nation, to achieve its highest potential, resume its vaunted place as a leader of nations, and become again that shining beacon of democratic progress to the world we were always meant to be.

Kucinich was the first of all the candidates to oppose the invasion of Iraq, way back in February of 2002, more than a year before Bush's illegal invasion and occupation of that country.

Kucinich, of all the candidates, embodies the real soul of liberal Democratic Party politics, and offers a deep vision of hope for a future we can be happy to pass down to our children.

Dennis will fight to the end for us. The least we can do is help him fight on.

Send your money to Dennis. For the children.

Fear Ends
Hope Begins
Kucinich 2004

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

[mitchum]

32. Because I am the best candidate

PM me and I'll give you my mailing address.

[Ramsey]

33. Do we have any more interested parties

This is a serious offer. There are some great replies so far (and some not so great :evilgrin:). Thank you to those who have taken the time to make thoughtful replies.

Anyone else care to chime in for a contribution to their guy?

[AP]

36. I'm really excited about this. When are you deciding?

[Ramsey]

40. I should have picked a deadline

How about by the time I go to bed tonight? That'll be after Letterman.

[sandnsea]

34. Give it to Dennis

Because I'm a Kerry supporter and I asked you to. :-) Dennis has 49 states to go and we need his message all the way to the convention.

[KaraokeKarlton]

35. I suggest you contribute to Sharpton

Because the more money he gets the more he can stay in the race and we will ALL miss his hilarious zingers once he has to call it quits. And frankly, I think that's probably the one thing all DU members can agree on. In the name of unity...float some dough to Sharpton...in the name of good humor!

[BurtWorm]

37. I think you should vote for Dean so you won't have to change your avatar.

Should I PM you my address?

[Ramsey]

41. Ummmm

I AM voting for Dean.

I am offering to contribute to one of the other candidates.

[BurtWorm]

42. Okay, I'm for Dean too.

I thought you might get fooled into sending me the check, but no such luck. I can't offer an argument for any of the other candidates except maybe Kucinich or Sharpton who need the money more than the other guys.

[poskonig]

38. Kerry can really use your help.

Kerry is a loyal Democrat. Kerry's issues are solid, Kerry doesn't make mistakes, and Kerry will be able to raise unlimited amounts of $$$ against SpaceShrub.

Weirdly, I've given more money to Dean than I have to Kerry this campaign.

[KittyWampus]

39. Dennis... He NEEDS It.

[tryanhas]

43. Edwards because he stayed within the Campaign finance system

And look how much he has moved up while doing it, 2nd in Iowa.

That proves how strong of a candidate he is, and how deserving of your $200 donation.

John Kerry had to outspend John Edwards by a ratio of 4 TO 1 in Iowa just to earn 2 more delegates from the state than Edwards did. If Kerry would have spent the same amount that Edwards did and stayed within the spending limits, then Edwards probably would have won the state.

Edwards tries to stand up for what he believes in and he believes in reforming the way campaigns are financed.

I think that you should reward his dedication to this issue and his strong showing in Iowa while staying within it, with your $200 donation.

[sweetheart]

44. Dennis Kucinich: "Tell the truth"

We live by a very old standard in the kucinich campaign, something long forgotten in a world of televisions and fancy spin professionals. That simple standard is TRUTH.

We have no time to waste. The world is at a critical crossroads, and only by coming clean with the truth do we, as a nation have the power to redeem ourselves in the light of our citizens, allies and supporters.

Dennis stands for the unity of all human kind, that we are all one people seeking an end to suffering, to bloodshed and to injustice. This unity is to recognize that America is but 5% of the world's people, and that by telling the truth, we can come to share in this great world with our natural allies, the other 95% of the earths population who have been brutally repressed by decievers, liars and thieves.

There is no grey area in your choice to contribute, it is very clear. Either you are looking to put your contribution towards justice, or towards just another political spin candidate amongst spin candidates innumerable.

The question to ask yourself, is. Were i to be totally and completely honest, what contribution can i make towards promoting and liberating the truth for all americans? It has nothing to do with your money, but your heart and spirit.

It has to do with you alone.

If you can say, right now, deep down inside, that you want, with all your heart, justice and truth to win this next presidency, then you already know in this very moment whom you should contribute towards.

The truth is greater than any one candidate or government.

It is within us all. It is our very core.

God bless you and your family,

-Dennis Kucinich in 2004

[Ramsey]

47. Runner up

For your dedicated and passionate support of Dennis Kucinich, I have contributed $50 to his campaign:

My form (edited for privacy):

Your Contribution Information
01/22/2004 09:23 PM (PT) Kucinich For President Thank you very much for your contribution. Your dollars are crucial to the success of our campaign. Kucinich for President http://www.kucinich.us

The following summarizes your contribution:Total Contribution Amount: $50.00 Reference ID:********* Kucinich For President contact information: Email Address: [e-mail] If you have technical questions regarding this website, please submit them here.You will receive this confirmation via email.

[Desertrose]

49. Thanks, Ramsey

I'm sure both campaigns appreciate it very much!!

That was a way cool thing to do!!!

:hug:

Peace
DR

[sweetheart]

50. Thank you Ramsey

:) namaste :)

[Ramsey]

48. Offer now closed

Thanks to everyone who wrote about their candidate.

AP made the best case for a candidate, and therefore I have contributed $200 to John Edwards.

As runner-ups, I decided to contribute $50 to John Kerry in honor of nsma and her advocates.

And in honor of sweetheart and the other heartfelt DK supporters, $50 to Dennis Kucinich.

[AP]

51. YESSS!!!!

I love love love DU!!!!!!!!

I love this campaign.

I love America!!!!!

Thank you thank you thank you.

You are wonderful for doing this. This was a great idea. You are a wonderful person.

[DjTj]

55. You rule AP!

:toast:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

62. I love your passionate advocacy and your command of

economic policy. YOu made the best appeal and moved her. Good work, my friend.

And thanks Ramsey...for the contribution and the spirit of this post.

We make Du what it is.

[leftist_rebel1569]

54. Thank you so much!

Edwards, as you may have guessed, is my candidate, but I love both Kerry and Kucinich and both their campaigns deserve donations as much as Edwards does.

a big :hug: for Ramsey

[sandnsea]

56. You're a peach!!

Thanks, that's really nice of you to do this.

[Forkboy]

57. DK...he's the bravest politician to come down the pike in awhile

He needs it,and deserves it.

[Ramsey]

58. He was runner -up

Dennis got $50

[Forkboy]

59. Better than nothing!

Thanks Ramsey! :toast:

[AP]

60. So the two guys who announced their friendship tonight got $250 --

consider it a win for the good guys. Butch and Sundance. Were they good?