Is anyone watching Dick Gebhardt at a "meet up" on C-Span right now?

[KoKo]

I think they call it something besides "meet up" but he's at a "gathering" where he meets with local people.

I wish instead of trying to be "folksy, and the "common man" he would tell us what he really thinks. He's getting polite applause but not setting the audience on fire.

Something has been lacking in his strategy. He's attacked Bush....but sounds like he's holding back....he's told stories about his father "the teamster and milkman" that we've all heard before. Why do some of our Dem candidates feel that they have to "identify with the common man" more than talking about what has happened to the "common man" under Bush. They could be vigorous, raise their voice with conviction. I wish they could take lessons from Sharpton. Bush doesn't identify with the "common man" why should any Dem running today start to talk down to us.......we've moved beyond what he's trying to identify with. We can't win against Bush with "common man" stuff, IMHO! Not unless we identify what "point by point" Bush has done to defeat the common man and raise up the Wealthy. Why not rail against Corporate Corruption. Why not point out that Kenny Boy Lay is still enjoying the good life.......while tax loopholes and "settlements" have allowed the Crooks of the Bubble to retain most of their enormous wealth. The common man he talks about is some person who has been trashed so bad that what he says doesn't even connect. He's going back to the past....we need to talk about the future!

We have so many really good candidates running......but with Gebhardt, I just don't see him focused......carrying out a "winning strategy." He's an affable person......and has been true to his labor supporters.....but shouldn't he have some fire and passion? He declared early......and must have some good advisers. But, I think he really needs to get energized. He's just being too polite and low key.

[KoKo]

1. Kick! Didn't "ANYONE" watch Gebhardt on C-Span this evening?

Or, was my post kind of "off putting?" :-(

[chimpymustgo]

2. I saw the end, when he was talking informally with people.

It was VERY low energy.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

6. "Low energy" has been my number one criticism of him

He has all the liberal credentials--except for joining the Bush love feasts earlier--but he acts as if he himself isn't very interested in winning.

[KoKo]

3. What's sad is that Gebhardt should have done better....and so little

interest in this post shows that DLC/DNC strategy has been lacking. In other times in the past...Gebhardt might have been more forthcoming....I was doing a "look see" at our other candidates.

Would have thought that Gebhardt would have had much more support here on DU. The fact that he hasn't says more about him, and his supporters......than anything else.

But, I tried...........:-(

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

4. Well as one of the few Gephardt fans on DU

Let me say this. Gephardt is a credible speaker and a good leader. He doesn't have the "rock star" quality of Dean, nor the "righteous anger" of Kucinich. He's a negotiator, which is a great strength in Congress, and will be good at negotiation trade deals. He would make a *great* president, and he has a *very good* shot, especially since the primaries don't start for 6 months. I don't think he's even begun to campaign yet.

Gephardt is my second choice after Kucinich, and since I'm not voting for another few months, I'm going to see what's happening then before I make a final decision.

I hope Gephardt keeps his campaign going and I hope he promotes his International Living Wage, probably the most important economic issue of the last 50 years.

[KoKo]

8. I'm glad to hear you support Gebhardt.....I wish he'd try harder....and I

actually like him! I do! That's why I posted this. But, something is wrong with him....in that he can't seem to tap into an energy there......

Thanks for supporting him......it's not all Dean/Kerry/Kucinich/Clark here on DU..........it isn't....but I'm also a big opponent of "status quo" and DLC. Still....saying that.....Gebhardt...should be doing better. Maybe his supporters have got to tell him what the complaints are...:shrug:

[Pastiche423]

5. "Would have thought that Gebhardt

would have had much more support here on DU."

A picture is worth a thousand words...

[KoKo]

9. Yes......that picture probably turned off more DU'ers to the DNC/DLC than

anything Bush ever did.....(well that's sort of an exaggeration.....but it was the last "slap in our faces" for those of us who turned against DNC/DLC ! Thanks for the repost and reminder........some folks don't understand why some of us here are so critical against DNC and DLC......This pix is worth the "many thousand words." UGH :-( :grr: :puke:.......oh what else can i say.......

[Cocoa]

7. I'll give it a shot

I saw some of Gephardt's walking around. I didn't see his speech, but I assume it was the same as the ones I've heard so it doesn't matter.

I think he shows fire and passion, but it's a matter of style how he tries to get it across. I'm actually glad he doesn't try to sound like Sharpton, because that style would impair his message.

Gephardt has to play up his strength, which is that he understands the complexities of the legislative process. But that approach I think is what causes him to appear dull, because he can't state things as flatly as the other candidates.

An example might be his discussion with the environmental activist who was asking about his renewable energy plan. The man wanted him to give him a specific figure on something, but Gephardt kept saying "I don't know" because he knew that whatever the figure turned out to be would be decided in the negotiations with all of the parties involved. He said it with kind of a "shrugging" tone suggesting that giving a figure was pointless so why give it. He might have actually ssid that to the guy.

It's similar, I think, with the health care plan, where his plan involves granting funds to corporations. Edwards picked up on that and tried to make it sound like it was some kind of giveaway, but the reality is that Gephardt felt that was necessary to make it work.

His style appeals to me, I don't know why, it might be a personality thing. I think you were the one, KoKo, who made a post about not liking Meet the Press, which I disagreed with, though I don't think I responded. I actually prefer hearing the candidates in that setting, where they're forced to back up their rhetoric. And I don't care so much for rally-type speeches.

So a working theory might be that Gephardt supporters are the people that like Meet the Press. I call that the Meet the Press theory of Gephardt support. :shrug:

[KoKo]

10. Cocoa, I hear ya! I think your point is well made here. Not every Dem

or viewer who is "undecided" as an Independent or Dem leaning person get's turned on by "attack t actics" when they want to hear hard facts.

I'm a much more "in your face" poster when something "outrages me" maybe a little sensationalist DU'er"....But it's because I'm so angry and upset about what has happened to our country.....And....maybe I just have a bad temper and need to "stuff myself" every once in awhile.

I, and some of us who have reached a "frustration level"l after so many years of this stuff......it's hard for us togag ourselves and realize that here are many folks out there who aren't as "disillusioned and angry" as we are.........

I understand what you say....... :-)'s..........but you are still here......so keep up that voice......keeps us on an even keel.