All in all, I'd say DU is sedate compared to this time in '03

[WI_DEM]

Ah, I remember it well. The summer of '03 (the year before the '04 election) was the summer of Howard Dean. He was attracting big crowds, big cash from small donations on the internet, and beginning to lead in the polls. I was a Dean supporter (and darn proud of it too, btw). But the passion on all sides, I feel was more ferocious than it is now. I remember that there were near daily pro-Dean and anti-Dean threads. The pro-Dean people saying that he is the one Democrat who will bring red-meat to the campaign against Bush. The anti-Dean people saying that he wasn't "electable." That really made the Dean folks upset because there was very insignificant difference in the polls between Dean and say, Kerry.

My point is that so far I think DU has been a lot more restrained--which is good. Yes, there are still hit and run attacks on sometimes, but I think the discourse has been more respectful this time out (so far). Maybe it's because there isn't as much passion this time either?

[derby378]

1. I think it's due to two major factors...

1. The current frontrunner is not a favorite among the progressive grassroots.

2. The chances of Bush actually being impeached are growing slimmer and slimmer by the day, leaving a lot of us disillusioned and frustrated.

[BeHereNow]

2. I think more people realize the dice are loaded and the game is rigged.

The latest failure of our so called "representatives" to uphold the law
has been a devastating blow to the last wave of those hopeful for
the future of our county.

It really has come down to voting for the lesser of the same evil
for some folks and that realization sort of takes the passion
out of the equation.
I think we are a more resigned lot these days-
plus the disruptors are so obvious at this point,
as in we've seen it all for years now, most of us
are simply bored by them.

BHN

[madfloridian]

3. That is only part of why it was different then.

No one speaks of it, but it was a massive influx. I am one of the few Dean supporters who survived here.

[BeHereNow]

5. Then you are are a miracle...

We lost SO many good DUers back then.
Can't say that most of the folks who have come on board since can
hold a candle to them.
Sorry, but it's true.
Proof is in the pudding, as in can you believe some
of the threads these days?
Mindless bullshit for miles of cyberspace.

BHN

[Kazak]

4. All of the above, also we were mobilized against Bush?

Remember ABB?

:shrug:

[UrbScotty]

6. It seems to me (DUer since five years ago next week)

...that things are getting hotter quicker. Maybe it's kust me.