Admire Dean, but don't put Kerry down. That is wrong.

[madfloridian]

There is a difference between advocating for Democracy for America, advocating for Howard Dean and his many activities (which I do all the time) and just plain bashing Kerry (which I don't do.)

I have seen several comments here tonight that seemed out of line after a speech like that. Kerry did a great job and it was sincere and real.

I know I am putting myself in the line of fire by saying this, but I just think it is wrong. I would like to continue to post Dean's activities and appearances, and I don't want people to be constantly on guard about it.

I have differences with Kerry/Edward about the Iraq war, and I say them plainly. I don't think that is wrong. We are in a mess there. But I do think just posting things just to criticize them is wrong.

I can see both sides getting mad at me, one will say I am trying to control (as if anyone could) and the others will get mad because I am saying don't bash. But this is too serious a time for flippant criticisms.

Dean is going for another role now, and that is ok. He is good at what he does. Many of us are still avid supporters of him and DFA, but I don't think we should sabotage Kerry's candidacy. It is wrong.

It was a good speech, and Dean should be left out of it tonight.

Peace.

[Dookus]

1. Thank you Madfloridian

I appreciate that. Stay safe down in Florida. We're all worried about you and the other Florida DU'ers.

[medeak]

3. ditto

charge up the cell phone please?

Dean chartered jet from my little town. Saw it at airport today..made me sad

[madfloridian]

11. We are very nervous, as it will come right over us inland.

Our kids out of state are upset because they fear will not be allowed in the state if we need them after. Their aunt was turned back to GA 4 days after Charley.....her mother was in a nursing home here.

They refused to let her past north Florida.

We have all our supplies, but we are not ready mentally.

[Robbien]

2. Many of these supposed Dean supporters

are spewing vile and hatred. Now who else do we know that want to post hatred at DU just to laugh at DU's reaction.

[madfloridian]

6. I think a lot are not Dean supporters.

I pretty well know who we were during the campaign. My husband and I donate to DFA and to the Dean Dozen, and we are in contact with the candidates all over. We love that grassroots aspect. Like getting LePore out, like getting some judges at county levels.

I believe some are trying to agitate, and I do not think that is right.

I will say when I think Kerry is wrong, and I think he is wrong about the war. But I will defend him as well, and that was a great speech.

[Robbien]

21. Yup, many of the ones who are taking pot shots at Democrats

other than Dean have a different leaning, and it is not to the left.

Dean supporters and Kucinich supporters (me) still support their candidates but are willing to work together to support getting Bush out of the WH and Kerry in. No true Dean/Kucinich/Clark supporter would say anything to ruin that.

The ones taking pot shots at Kerry are very suspect in my opinion.

[mzmolly]

4. I agree MF. Kerry is a good candidate, and Dean is a great surrogate.

Kerry did a brilliant thing tonight, stealing a bit of Bush's thunder with a speech of his own after the convention. :toast:

He also said "Bush mislead us into war" music to my ears! :hi:

[cal04]

5. madfloridian, please don't stop

posting Dean's activities. It's very much appreciated and I thank you so much for doing it.

[jpgray]

7. Lots of people read your updates on Dean

And respect your place here. Even those who don't always comment, so please keep 'em up. :hi:

[JI7]

8. many of them are not really Dean supporters

i have noticed some low post people who come on just to attack kerry and then to avoid getting tombstoned they claim to be dean or kucinich supporters. most of them were not here during the primary so there is no true record of them supporting the candidates.

it's easy to figure out many of them because they usually take issue with Kerry attacking or criticizing bush and say things like "kerry probably shouldn't go after bush on this because _____"

[mzmolly]

10. I agree, it's easy to masquerade as a Dean supporter or an X supporter

and be critical of Kerry.

[Tamyrlin79]

12. That's because many of us were on DFA's blog...

:hi: :P

[JI7]

17. oh, i'm not talking about all newcomers here, i know some are true Dean

supporters.

but i'm talking about the ones who most likely ARE disrupters. they are republican trolls, but they disguise themselves as dean or some other dem supporter.

it's pretty obvious they are republicans when all of their posts are mostly about defending bush or criticizing kerry for attacking bush. they try to claim how it will hurt kerry if he attacks bush on this or that. but most on du can see through them.

[madfloridian]

28. And a lot still are there.

:evilgrin:

Under different user names. Good place.

[Fleshdancer]

9. I agree

Dean is out there fighting for Kerry and he certainly wouldn't want his supporters to trash Kerry right now. Obviously he doesn't speak for us Dean supporters, but it's still something to take into consideration.

As far as the "all hat no cattle" line goes...I remember when it was first used on the Dean blog by one of my fellow Dean supporters. The line grew and grew and of course the campaign read the blogs so they knew everyone loved it. Then, a few weeks later, I'm at a Dean fundraiser in Austin, TX and there he said it. If it wasn't the first time, then it was one of the first times he used that line and the greatest thing about it was that it came from the supporters.

Kerry used a line tonight that belongs to anyone and everyone who wants Bush out of office.

[madfloridian]

15. Two women have that website, and they are members here, or were.

www.allhatnocattle.com

It was a line Dean just used.

Yes, Dean changed things for a lot of us, a whole lot of us. It is hard to accept status quo anymore, but this election I will do it. Then I will work with the group to change things.

[kohodog]

13. Kerry is much better than the Chimp

But as has been said, going backwards less quickly.

Hopefully he's playing his moderate card and will surprise us when he gets into office.

[MichiganVote]

14. Dean didn't take the nomination - get over it people

There are some facts to remember,

VietNam did end, not well, but its over

No other Dem. candidate won the nomination but Kerry, the primaries are over

The Clinton presidency-over

Unless you are a CEO, a friend of Bush or a crook like Cheney-you're suffering, Bush in 4 years didn't make the country better and

That's over too!!!!!!!!!

Back the possible over the probable-Back Kerry!!!

[madfloridian]

16. You just spoiled everything I tried to do!!

No, I won't get over it. Dean is not over, we are not over. You just had to get ugly, and I think it was too bad.

[MichiganVote]

18. No, I'm not disputing your points, rather supporting them

[madfloridian]

19. A question: Did you really really read my post?

Or did you not? I would like to know the purpose of that. I have more to say, and I think it is time we spoke out about disruptions in threads that are trying.

Shame on you.

[MichiganVote]

22. Yes and I think you have missed my point. Have it your way

For the record, I am not a disruptor.

[madfloridian]

23. If I misread you I am sorry, but it came across as "get over it."

To me and other Floridians, they are fighting words. They have been used here against us as slams and putdowns as well. See, the 3 largest states with heavy Dean support never got to vote for him when he was still running. It is a sensitive issue.

I did not start the thread to cause trouble, but because I was angered by Kerry attacks tonight.

Just don't use "get over it" to Floridians.

[jaysunb]

20. Good Post !!

You nailed it !

[Joanne98]

24. Hey Madfloridian.

Do you know if Dean targeted Theresa LePore? Or was he just supporting her opponent. I'd like to think he was taking her out cuz of 2000.

[madfloridian]

25. No, he had a whole lot to say about her little antics in office.

I will have to check. He campaigned sort of against her when he was here.

[fujiyama]

26. DFA

is a great idea and it goes hand in glove with electing Kerry to the WH.

Kerry can't get much accomplished if he's elected and has a republican majority. Likewise a democratic House and Senate will get little done with Bush as president.

It makes absolutely no sense to trash one or the other. Dean is doing his best to get Kerry elected. He's a class act.

Another thing MadFloridian, take cover and take care. Be safe.

[madfloridian]

27. Thanks. DFA will be helpful.

I have tried also to point out the great benefits to Kerry if even half of Dean's Dozen get elected.

We got Anderson elected in Palm Beach, now we have to help Castor and MacKenna beat their opponents since we won the primaries.

Both are facing very close Bush friends, and it will be hard.

[Rabelais]

29. sore winners

I mainly lurk but I can't help noticing some people can't get over the fact that they won and still take every opportunity to bash Dean.