New Dean Convert....

[Dob Bole]

I just finally made my decision, for better or worse,after watching the Larry King rebroadcast.

But I hope he picks Edwards, Graham, Clark, or Breaux for VP and adopts a Southern strategy. We need some Southern states, and while he shares some of the same concerns as people here, he doesn't totally understand the culture. Fortunately, he seemed to concede that. He will need someone who can appeal to and turn out black, white, and Indian voters. His supporters seem to be pretty middle class and white at the moment.

[Lauren2882]

1. I'm with ya ... I think

While I'd still say that I'm officially undecided as to who I'll be supporting in the Primary, the interview with Dean on Larry King Live has definitely made me lean much more strongly in his direction.

I agree with you about the importance of attracting Southern voters ... I'm not from the South but I think it's pretty evident that they aren't going to be naturally inclined to support a guy from a small New England state known for ski resorts, Ben & Jerry's, and gay unions.

[Cha]

3. And balanced budget, and Dean is against this bogus attack

Iraq that is killing our Soldiers and the Iraqis and literally draining our economy.

[msanger]

21. but they might support states rights

especially when it comes to guns. And if the ecomony doesn't pick up big time, the idea of national health care for ALL children sure will sounds good to a lot of folks.

read what dean says on the issues -- he is very NOT TOO EXTREME

[Cha]

2. Sweet! I've just been reading comments on other threads re:

Dean's appearance on LK.. I haven't seen it yet, but I will!

I've been for him since late last year and only feel greatly encouraged by all of his momentum! It's such a long scary road that we've been down before only this time we have Dean!

[Pallas180]

4. He was impressive. I lliked what he had to say and he didnt bash the

other candidates...like they are him, instead he was
conciliatory.

He's A OK.

[Trajan]

5. Still an uncommitted (and somewhat bitter) former Gore supporter ........

I REALLY liked Dean tonight .....

He is reasonable as he is visionary ....

Not against national security (WHO can be against that ???) .. but STRONGLY against Bush's phony excuses for war .....

Honesty is a big thing ..... Dean has that ....

I was duly impressed: ... he is different than the others ....

[Exultant Democracy]

6. I’m not off the fence yet…

But Dean has really impressed me so far. I think that the other candidates haven’t even figured out how he has already snaked them by assuming the mantle. All that they have done is solidified Dean’s position as the front runner by their attacks on him.

[DagmarK]

7. Breaux???????? No offense dude......but......have you seen his record?

OMG!!

He isn't even a DINO he's so republican...... He's one of the 3 in the senate who has assured the republican agenda. he votes right down the line with bush.......

eeek

**and call me ignorant if you must.....but do native americans vote? Aren't they sovereign nations???? As in ...NOT of the USA? Educate me.

[TSIAS]

8. I don't mind moderate Dems

but I'm very uneasy with a pro-life Democrat.

[ryharrin]

10. Well, he said Indian, so I assume he means

people from India, not native americans. Though I'm not really sure about native americans living on reservations being able to vote.

[ButterflyBlood]

16. yes, native americans on reservations can vote

even though reservations can get around a few state and federal laws (such as ones on gambling) they certainly aren't sovereign nations.

[Dob Bole]

18. I meant Indian as in American Indians, like me...

but you knew that. You were just being facetiously politically correct, not knowing that I was one.

[Dob Bole]

20. Education....

First things first...

Yes, American Indians can vote. I vote. Many Southerners are of native American descent, like me. I am cherokee, but I have no family living on a reservation.

John Breaux is a good pick for VP because he is respected. Most people in South don't know who Graham or Edwards are. They vaguely know who Zell Miller is outside of Georgia, but his ultra-conservative image is a turnoff, if not only to me, to Southern black voters. Breaux has an image as a moderate who can definitely carry his home state and increase turnout in others, simply because he is a Cajun and is culturally relevant to people in the South. Clark could carry Arkansas. Breaux could carry several.

[Phatfish]

9. I was about to post the same thing!

I listened to the Dean interview (Thanks WONK for the GFP server space) and I was super impressed. I am not a full backer yet. I am keeping my options open but I liked what he said. Balanced budget, healthcare for all, in favor of states rights (but only after following federal laws),etc. Shrub talked about bringing common sense back to the white house but he must of dropped it somewhere in Vermont 3 years back. Dean is up near the top of my list now. Good job, Howard.

[Wonk]

12. Thank bpilgrim for the server space and bandwidth (thanks again bpilgrim!)

You're welcome for the capturing, editing, converting to mp3, and uploading :-)

on edit: Here's the link to the mp3 again, for anyone who missed it. 5 M

And, for anyone who's curious, I don't get paid dime one for this. I do it because I care :-)

[Phatfish]

19. the last week or so

I have put reruns of NOW w/ Bill Moyers on before I go to sleep. I usually have it goin on for about 20 mins before I fall asleep and every night I have had great dreams and felt wonderful each and every morning.

[ryharrin]

11. Dean has said that he will not give up the south without a fight.

He says that he will say to southern voters with confederate flag decals on their cars "Vote for me, because you need healthcare just like everyone else."

[xequals]

13. an anti-war Dem will never get the South

even if he was from the South. I fear that the South is even to the right of Bush on foreign policy/national security. That is hardcore, flag-waving, goose-stepping Freeperville, USA.

Dems will have a very hard time with the South this election, no matter who we run.

[Phatfish]

17. all you need

is Florida and it basically evens out the entire south sans Texas

[KeepItReal]

22. Try not to generalize...*EVERY* state is in play

As long as elections are fair and not rigged (i.e. unverifiable PC Voting). Dean or another Democrat has a shot.

I'm from the Deep South. Dean is my guy. And if he doesn't get the nod, I'll go with the Democratic nominee. My people back home will do the same. The question is, who can get apathetic or disinterested voters to the polls? That is who the winner will be, IMHO.

[Phatfish]

23. as long as

the president is elected by electoral college, then the election it is a geranlized power play. It may not be the right way to run but it is the smart way if he wants to win a CLOSE election. I like that he is trying to stir up Texas, which used to be as solid a democratic state as New York or California. However, given that he has only a limited number of days and limited amount of money, he need needs to focus on large swing states that will get him in office. I think the death of the electoral college system will be the best thing to happen to elections since the butterfly ballot (a little joke there :) ) It needs to go, really. Spend some time with the small "red" states to show you really do care but focus on the ones that will get you in office.

[KeepItReal]

24. Who says the election is going to be close? The polls?

If you believe them, then Bush & Co. have already won.

How many people do you know that would actually pull the lever for the pResident? How many do you know that will not vote for him ever/again? That may be a better measure of the mood of people than some sample of people who actually answered the phone and chose to participate in a survey.

[DeathvadeR]

14. This might help......

<http://www.bushflash.com/dlc.html>

[DeanMachine]

15. Welcome, all you johnny-come-latelys

I was supporting months before he made the covers of two newsweeklies, which is probably how you found out about him. Get on the Dean train, it's leaving the station. The destination? Nothing less than the motherfuckin' WHITE HIZZOUSE!