Dean may lose, but what he's unleashed in us will live on

[Bucky]

I'm pro Clark and have never spared the good doctor my criticism when I thought his approach to the race not to be a winning strategy. But I've also all along given the boy total raves for what he's done to and for our party. We are a stronger party for Howard Dean having opened him mouth and jumped into the ring. God bless that man.

This should not be lost on Dean people, especially those who are feeling despair over a campaign that is seeing a once-reachable goal slip out of grasping range. The Dean movement, win or lose, has changed the party and changed America. Whoever we nominate will be stronger. Moreover, tho I think it's in our power to win, if we lose to Bush in November you will not see Democrats just roll over and take it like they have for the last four years (especially since the 2002 elections).

We are angry and we are marching as a party now. Even in the worst case scenario, democracy is stronger because of what the Dean team has done. They are the perfect illustration of the self-charging battery that democracy is supposed to be. An activated populace will always make it harder for a bad government to try wicked policies; they just can't get away with it all.

Let's keep our eyes on the ball and you Dean folks keep hammering away at Bush and his Democratic apologists and appeasers. I think we'll win the final prize, but in a sense we have already won. America and it's politicians are a little bit more responsive tonight for what this movement is doing.

God bless you all.

[fujiyama]

1. I completely agree...

as another non Dean supporter, this race would have been BORING as hell without him. I think it's great someone showed excitement and enthusiasm.

I believe that whomever will wins win be a better candidate because of him.

[aldian159]

2. Thanks Dr.

I'm honored to be in your party, and the party is better for you.

PS. He's not done yet, but its bad.

[joshcryer]

3. So much Dean support from Clark supporters. =)

I love you guys, I really do. I felt crappy earlier but after seeing several pro Clark posters talking about Dean, I can't feel bad. Thanks for that.

[mikehiggins]

4. Not hard to figure.

If we hadn't thought Dean was going to cost us the election we would never have supported Clark in the first place.

I'm not saying that to be snarky because I consider it a bit of serendipity that we went looking for a candidate and found a leader.

Weird how life works, ain't it?

[Adjoran]

5. Dean is wholly and solely responsible

for the interest and excitement in the race and the Party now. for that alone, we should all be grateful to him.

But it could be a bit early to be writing tearful obituaries for his campaign. There are a lot of delegates left to be selected.

[K8-EEE]

6. Thanks Doc, And Check Out Arriana's Thank You....

...to Mrs. Dean in her latest column, you can read it at ariannaonline.com

[frustrated_lefty]

7. Very kind thoughts and wise words

My wife and I have agreed, I'm starting to apply for jobs in England.

My kids are getting educations. My son has brain damage, although he can function, and "No Child Left Behind" is a lie.

I won't do this any longer, we've had enough.

[Democat]

8. Dean's actions in 2003 are similar to Michael Moore's in 2002

When no one would stand up to Bush in late 2001 and early 2002, Michael Moore was out there exposing Bush. Moore released "Stupid White Men" when almost everyone else was afraid to say anything bad about Bush. As soon as that book started selling, the tide started to change and people realized it was ok to be critical of Bush.

Dean did the same thing for the Democratic Party. He made it ok for Democratic candidates to talk about Bush screwing this country. He gave a voice to those Americans who are angry at what Bush is doing to future generations of Americans.

Dean has also given other candidates cover by letting them look moderate compared to his enthusiasm.

This may not be Dean's year to win, but he made a huge difference in the race and in the country.

Thanks to all the Dean supporters for making a difference.

[AnnitaR]

9. Dean was my voice

While almost everyone else in my party in Washington was rolling over and playing dead, Dean was speaking for all of us that knew this war was a LIE!

I will forever be grateful to him for that. He had the balls to say what was TRUTH not what was just popular and safe at the time.

He could have went along with the lie (like Kerry, Edwards, Lieberman), taking the safe political route, but he chose to speak for those of us who felt we didn't have a voice.

It's too bad that the person we may end up as our nominee TRUSTED George W. Bush to do the right thing. How in god's name anyone could have thought that W. deserved their trust is beyond me. It was clear to all of us here what W. was all about. I am truly appalled that we may have Kerry; a person with such bad judgment, as our nominee. If it weren't for the bad judgment of so many we wouldn't have lost over 500 of our men & women in uniform, over 10,000 Iraqi citizens, and the respect of the World.

Thank you again Dr. Dean for being my voice.

[ThirdWheelLegend]

14. "Dean was speaking for all of us".. Kucinich was long before Dean

The media was really be doing it's job!? There is an actual Democratic candidate that VOTED AGAINST THE WAR, rallied over a hundred other representatives to vote NO. VOTED NO on the Patriot Act...etc.

DENNIS KUCINICH, DEMOCRATIC candidate for President

Dennis K. was adamantly speaking out against the Bush administration in February 2002(yes 2002) well before he was a candidate, unlike others. The idea for Department of Peace was being proposed before 9/11.

http://www.kucinich.us/speeches/speech1.htm

You can thank Dr. Dean in the past tense but you can thank Dennis Kucinich in present tense and future tense. Because no matter the outcome of this election Dennis is truly the voice of the people and the end of a campaign does not stop Dennis Kucinich from speaking out for us just as the campaign was not the reason he started speaking out.

TWL

[AnnitaR]

15. I said "almost everyone else"

I wasn't dissing Dennis.

This was a thread about Dean not Dennis. No offense meant. No need to preach me the sermon about Dennis, I know.

Thanks.

[ThirdWheelLegend]

16. Then you are supporting DK?

If you are looking for a voice? Kucinich has been a voice of the people since he was mayor and he took on big energy and banking interests.

He has been fighting for us since and will not stop. You say you were happy to have Dean as a voice. Well Kucinich is that voice and with the actual policies to back it up.

:)


TWL

[iowapeacechief]

18. But if you are looking for the ongoing movement...

...Dean will be your past hero, but Dennis will be an ongoing leader. Can we expect the same from Dean? So this thread is about Dennis!

[PVnRT]

20. Was Kucinich a presidential candidate at the time?

That's why Dean got the attention he did, because he was fundraising and making no bones about running for president this year.

[calimary]

10. Thanks so much for this!!! This Dean supporter appreciates it.

I, too, am worried about Kerry being one of those who just rolled over and played dead. Dean at least had the guts to stick his neck out and call it what is was/is when everyone else was falling all over themselves to capitulate to bush and give him the benefit of the doubt.

I will support Kerry if I have to. We all will have to face that. Even at his worst and most disappointing, it's hard to see how Kerry could make a worse choice for president than bush. Then again, that can of diet soda a few inches away from me right now would make a better choice for president than the greedy, arrogant cretin we have in there now.

I hope the good doctor can provide some sort of calcium transfusion for Kerry and everyone else. It WAS Dean who resuscitated our party and our will to fight back. I guess it takes a doctor to do that.

[rumguy]

11. That speech he gave about Nixon and the "southern strategy"

was brilliant...

Dean was there for us, when we were wandering in the wilderness, looking for someone to speak up for us...

That won't be forgotten.

[jonoboy]

12. let's cheer for Dean !..no lets scream !!!

[Memekiller]

13. Couldn't have said it better...

Remember, Clinton's successful economic policy was due to being forced to address the deficit because of Tsongas. That's what primaries are about. The things that resonate are absorbed by the the eventual nominee, and the party is better off for it.

Regardless of what happens, I will never forget what Dean has done for this party.

[JNelson6563]

17. Keep your eye on Michigan Bucky

In the next few years there is going to be a shake-up like they've never seen before. Many Dean supporters will play a role. I hope others who have been inspired by this election will join us. I am sure Clark supporters are getting a nice big clue right about now as to what needs to be done to the foundation of the party's establishment too.

This battle will end but the war for the party is just beginning.

To the Revolution! :toast:

Julie

[sangh0]

19. The burrito I had last nite also lives on

but you won't see me bragging about it

[mmonk]

21. Hang in Dean people

America needs alternatives; America needs truth.