This gore endoresment has almost scared me to abandon Dennis for Clark

[sweetheart]

If you force a runoff tomorrow, with the current polling, i support clark in the runoff, but DAMMIT!, i support dennis kucinich in reality. I don't want to be forced by undemocratic processes to forego my real policy vote... to sellout for a "whatever wins vote". I don't want to be forced to do this until a primary referendum, unless all the candidates come together in a pre-referendum unity consensus to join together and make the greatest democratic administration ever.

If they are not doing that, then the public endorsements of people like gore to bypass primary thinking... only serve as divisive and undemocratic steps. Unity, primary-referendum OR die as a party and lose04. Gores move marginalizes the minority candidates and the policy interests of their constituents.

[SahaleArm]

1. Then don't - that's why we have primaries. *nm*

[OhioStateProgressive]

2. don't let them trample on your heart

only thru that examination inward, can you "stem the evil" tide from the outside

If you dream of that better world, please continue to support Dennis:)

[incapsulated]

3. That's what the primaries are for

You can get behind the nominee when the votes are cast. Until then, this is your primary. Choose who you like.

[arewethereyet]

4. here the thing

while its important to have conviction I don't think its prudent to ignore electorial reality in the primary/caucus process.

If conviction causes us to run a candidate that cannot win what have we wrought ?

But you follow your own sweet heart. or To thine own self be true.

[OhioStateProgressive]

7. we are voters, not election analysts

one of the main problems in this country is everyone thinks they can be the expert...when there truly only are a few experts

we are the masses, the voters...Democracy requires us to vote

people who take it upon themselves to be election analysts instead of voters of heart and conscience help the oligarchy, the aristocracy, the establishment...however you want to put it...what they don't do, is help the heart and conscience collectively of this nation

[arewethereyet]

18. I understand your perspective, really

and you will note that I did ultimately reccomend that sweetie follow their heart.

Yes, democracy requires us to vote our conscience. But in this instance, is it really better to have loved and lost ?

[poskonig]

5. Gore isn't marginalizing anybody.

Hating Dean to the point where people hate Gore is nonsense.

If Gore wants to make an endorsement, good for him; he's not the only one making endorsements.

Many are just jealous Al didn't endorse their candidate. It puts the Dean people in an awkward place; what are they supposed to do, apologize for doing well?

A few months ago people were hammering Dean for *not* having any major endorsements. Damned if they do, damned if they don't........

[mzmolly]

6. I'm not a Kuchinich supporter but I will say what Molly Ivins says..

"in the primary vote your heart, in the general vote your head." Vote Kucinich in the primary my friend.

[w4rma]

23. Molly Ivins: “I'm for Howard Dean -- because he's going to win.”

Molly Ivins: Picking a winner
By MOLLY IVINS, Creators Syndicate
December 4, 2003

AUSTIN, Texas -- No one has been waiting with bated breath for me to make up my mind about the Democratic presidential candidates, but I have, and you might be interested in how I got there. I'm for Howard Dean -- because he's going to win.
…
For a while, I fretted over Dean being angry, or at least appealing to the political anger that is normally manipulated by right-wing radio jocks. Anger makes liberals uncomfortable: We prefer peace, reason and gentle persuasion. Beloveds, it is way past time for us to get mad -- social, economic and political justice are being perverted by the Bush administration.

Dean gives a hell of a speech -- even if you're Republican, you should go and hear him just for the experience. But I fretted about Dean on TV -- TV is so important. How could anyone poker up on Margaret Carlson of PBS, not one of the world's toughest interviewers? But then I saw Dean laugh his way through a Chris Matthews interview (which he should have done with Tim Russert, who was hell-bent on gotcha questions), and I know the guy can take care of himself. So he fights back if you get in his face -- that's not all bad.

I know, he's even less of a liberal than Bill Clinton was, but I don't think Dean is a moderate centrist. I think he's a fighting centrist. And folks, I think we have got ourselves a winner here.
http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/pe_columnists/article/0,2071,NPDN_14960_2475972,00.html
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=822035

[mitchum]

27. Molly's enthusiastic hunger for half a loaf...

"I know he's even less of a liberal than Bill Clinton was..."

[Renew Deal]

8. I support Dennis in my heart.

I really do. I don't agree with him on everything and do consider myself more moderate. Like I said, he makes my liberal heart warm. Clark offers many of the same or similar positions. Especially the ones that are important to me and experience, education, back ground, skills, and electability.

[IronLionZion]

9. the ball's in your court sweetheart!

vote for whoever you support. Why would you switch to Clark?

[sweetheart]

19. why i would switch to clark

He is honestly too opaque for my taste, yet he could very well be similary to dennis kucinich in action, and that is my hope... with a much more serious potential for ripping off the perot-republicans and moderate libertarians than a straight up sweet leftie like DK.

Dennis has the heart to put justice first, and that makes him my vote over anyone who would sell that out for moderation reasons... If Mr. Clark were in agreement with this paper, and promised to do this, but not necessarily campaign for it, i'd endorse him right now, and sing happy propaganda about him. I'll sell out, not to myself be a criminal terrorist, enemy of society, outcaste, should-be-in-the-dock and lose the job and economic rights... cannabis user.

This paper: http://www.cato.org/pubs/handbook/hb108/hb108-17.pdf

[seventhson]

10. Oh Please. "Undemocratic"? Divisive?

It is the epittomy of Democracy.

Gore put it very well. He is just one man. His vopice carries a LOT of serious weight.

NOTHING undemocratic about it.

Divisive? Not at all: he wantsd the people to unite behind Dean and support Dean.

Those who wish to divide are those who continue to make broad statements bashing Gore and bashing Dean.

Gore is challenging the party status quo which pushed him out of the race and probably cost him 2000 (the Clintons among other corporate democrats)

It was the rioght thing to do.

Whining about it makes the Clark and Kerry supporters look like whimpering babies.

[sweetheart]

15. President Gore has spoken

And i'll be honest with you... he's president. He is like king richard, and i (perhaps we) are in sherwood forest hoping for his expedient return... and to see him endorse a "robin hood" as his champion does indeed abuse a certain power.

I would hope that were he to do so, AND MY PRIMARY CRITIQUE is that this sort of endorsement be posited as a back room offer to all candidates by Mr. Gore... to ALL get his endorsement... and for him to give them all the king's goodwill and mea culpa away his karmic legacy of 2000 by making the democratics strong winners in 04, and perhaps himself and hillary in a second 2008 unity administration and then and then... if he has aspirations, i see indeed.... and respect that.... but to do dean and leave a rift of unincluded democrats, who's king has foresworn them... sad. If there was a nucleaer war and the government was wiped out, i woudl follow mr gore as the rightful president in a heartbeat... he is more than just a civilian no matter WHAT the fake court says. He won the vote. Defenders of the constitution can't deny that that makes him president... like king richard or king Rama in the wilderness.

[in_cog_ni_to]

11. vote your heart and ignore Gore and Dean.

They are banking on people leaving their candidates to back Dean, but in your case, it would backfire and I'm sure you're not the only one who feels this way. Do what you feel is right...in your heart. It's YOUR vote. No one can take it away from you....well, unless your name is Bush or Ashcroft and you declare Martial Law, but that's another thread. :)

[Pastiche423]

12. No one is forcing you to do anything

:eyes:

[arendt]

13. Why fall for "threat inflation"? Why let corporate whores scare you?

I really don't see what all the wailing and gnashing of teeth is
about.

Most of the people who hate Gore say he is a washed up incompetent
nobody. Then he opens his mouth, and all of the sudden he is
Atilla the Hun at the gates. It is utterly schizoid.

Vote for whoever you want. Al Gore did nothing that was not his
right to do. All kinds of people are giving and soliciting all kinds
of endorsements. That's what is done during primary season.

I can tell you that Al was NOT going to endorse anyone who voted
FOR the war. And, he was not going to wait much longer and lose
the value of making an endorsement at all.

So, yeah, Al is guilty of being a politician. And Al is guilty of
paying back that slimy rat Joe Lieberman.

The rest of it is media hysteria. GOP-orchestrated media hysteia.

I thought you were so into being centered (from your guru) that
this kind of superficial stuff couldn't throw you. What gives?

Concerned,

hannah

[sweetheart]

17. arendt!!!

Centered does not mean not able to take an assemblage for authorship purposes. I was testing a module of propaganda. Clearly there is sympathy and a belief that mr. gores endorsement has credence... and under the real constitution, before it was abrogated, he is my president... and he just voted before the primary. That does indeed sorta make dean the heir apparent... I trust the will of the real president who won, who was himself presiding in the most successful democratic administration in recent time... would still have some power to hand from his throne that transcend's dividing his party. I think mr. gore should take over the democratic party leadership and become a very strong unity force behind all the candidates given his unique position... and i call his behaviour disruptive and a bad omen, unless he's got more card he has not put down.... then i'll cut him some slack.

I see a heavy insider making a move that could make or break democratic survival in 2004... no shit i'm concerned.

[DemCam]

14. As well it should, my friend.

[Rowdyboy]

16. Vote your heart in the primary

You owe yourself that-and don't let anyone tell you different. I voted for for losing candidate in every Democratic primary from 1972-1988. In the general election, you'll be on the right side and thats all that matters.

[neuvocat]

20. Vote for whom you support.

I don't think that Gore's endorsement puts anything to rest yet. If your candidate is fighting for you then you fight for your candidate.

[KaraokeKarlton]

21. Most of the other candidates were uniting

But they were uniting AGAINST Dean instead of against Bush. Dean has earned every advantage he holds now...EVERY one of them. If the other candidates and the party leadership were focused on their own campaigns and party message instead of pig-piling on Dean Gore might not have endorsed anyone right now.

[Clark Can WIN]

22. All I can ask you is this

Please take a serious look at his stands on the issues on his website. You may be pleasantly suprised.

Gore and the media ARE trying to ursurp the democratic primary process.

It's up to you, but thanks for considering Clark.

[HuckleB]

24. "bypass primary thinking only serve as divisive and undemocratic steps"

Hardly. Gore is participating in the process. Vote for your candidate. He can't stop you or anyone else.

[xultar]

25. I'm a Clarkie, don't abandon Dennis! I love Dennis he is awesome!

Solidify your DK support and hang tough! The Fat-Lady hasn't even started to sing.

[cryofan]

26. Screw your courage to the sticking point, and we'll not fail!

Do me a favor--read this web page:
http://www.american-pictures.com/english/racism/articles/welfare.htm

[Bucky]

30. Nice quote... from a MURDERESS!

If the 2004 election were MacBeth, who'd be Lady MacBeth? I'm hoping it's Karl Rove in that role. But it may just turn out to be Gore (altho Gore's something of a King "my kingdom for a horse" Richard.

[sweetheart]

31. take up thy knife or take up me....

Richard... that king richard oh dearest lovelie.

[loudnclear]

28. I'm still going to support Dennis to the bitter end.

But I like all of candidates over Bush...including Lieberman.

[Barbara917]

29. Dennis almost converted me tonight

During the New Hampshire debate. I just loved it when he stuck it to Ted Koppel for the stupid questions about endorsements, money and polls.