Clark Supporters Only: How do we get the numbers up?

[absyntheNsugar]

Fellow Clark supporters - I'm sure we all agree Clark is the man who can beat Bush in 2004. He's got the charm, the guns and the ammo to defeat President Bunnypants.

HOWEVER - the numbers are down. He's trailing everywhere, and the numbers aren't changing much. Now, there is a lot of time between now and the primary, and a lot can change. Personally I'm hoping the Sadaam capture motivates undecideds to vote for Clark. Likewise, I'm hoping some of the other candidates will stand behind Clark.

But outside of that, what can I, as a Clark supporter, do to get the numbers up? I donate, I have a Clark banner in my window, I passed a few out to fellow Dem's (mom's got hers on her lawn.)

I don't really do the meetups because the one I went to seemed more social than action, and I felt like I was wasting my time - pretty much preaching to the converted.

So what can I do?

[Tatiana]

1. Have you thought about hosting a house party?

I did, and even got coverage in the local paper.

Also, we need to be realistic and understand that Clark will not be getting any big jumps until 1 or 2 of the lowest-polling candidates drops out of the race. When the primary field is whittled down, I think we'll see more supporters of other candidates join the Clark camp.

[wndycty]

4. Tatiana. . .

. . .you are in Chicago right? I would love to see the coverage you got, even if you are not in Chicago.

[Tatiana]

5. I'll try to scrounge up a copy.

It was a couple of months ago and I'm downstate so I guess someone supporting Clark was a bit of a novelty back then. I'm hosting another one soon and will invite all the media to attend.

Free publicity... that's one way we can help Clark.

Also working with some friends up in the city and 'burbs to get a more prominent showing of AAs for Clark. It's surprising how many AAs like Clark, but it's hardly ever publicized (Andy Young, notwithstanding).

[wndycty]

6. PM me. . .

. . .you know I am involved in the leadership of the statewide grassroots effort. I run http://www.illinoisforclark2004.com!

[Tatiana]

10. I had no idea!

Fantastic! Will do :)

[absyntheNsugar]

9. Pardon my ignorance but....

what is an AA?

African American or Asian American?

[Tatiana]

11. African-American, LOL! Sorry I wasn't more specific... N/T

[absyntheNsugar]

14. Thanks...on that note

I'd be interested to know how AA Vets see Clark....

[Clark4Prez]

35. Write Letters

You can write letters to voters in key states. I wrote 25 yesterday and will do some more this week.


Here's a quote from the community network:


"We're working on a system that will provide you with addresses automatically. For now, send mail to Brian McWilliams ([e-mail]) for New Hampshire, David Skinner ([e-mail]) for Michigan, Christina Gonzalez ([e-mail]) for South Carolina, and Dave DeFreese ([e-mail]) for Delaware. Let them know how many addresses you want to write to, and get writing!
Here are a couple sample letters to Democrats (another one, from emilyr), and Independents. I know there are others--post yours in the comments section. If you can, enclose a bumper sticker, flyer or other freebie with your letter."


Information can be found at:

http://campaign.forclark.com/story/2003/12/20/114643/76

[carpetbagger]

2. Raise and send money.

If we get enough money for TV spots, we'll be ready when the thing gets underway in February.

[Gloria]

3. Advice from our local HQ--it all really starts after the holidays...

Clark has lots of money and he's sitting on it.
Things are going to really ratchet up after that....When the press sees he's got all that money, they will increase the coverage.

Don't worry about the polls right now.
That's the message I'm getting..

[wndycty]

7. Kick

:kick:

[Kahuna]

8. Clark is using the Clinton strategy. He's concentrating his...

efforts where they count; in early primary states. He is doing well in the early primary states. But we could be doing better. Also, let everyone you know, know that inspite of the numbers of the polls among Democratic primary voters, Clark always polls the best against bush because Clark does the best across the parties. The goal is to beat bush. Clark is the best candidate we can nominate to do that.

[Bread and Circus]

12. hellifiknow -- I don't know what the Dem party is smoking right now.

[absyntheNsugar]

15. I understand Dean's appeal

I used to be for Dean - and I like his fire, his passion. A lot of Democrats miss that - they're sick of the pink tutu Democrats and want someone who's anti-war and not afraid to stand for their positions.

Fortunately, Clark is anti-war and is not afraid. I just happen to think he's also much better in a match up against Bush. Not to say Dean can't win, I just think Clark has much better chances. And with the Repubs cheating every election now, we need a surer thing.

[BootinUp]

16. lol that was funny

I understand the sentiment...

[deminflorida]

13. Clark is going to do extremly well in the South....

If Dean knocks of Gephardt in Iowa, he really cuts his own throat because then it opens Missouri to Clark as well. I wouldn't be surprised to see Gephardt endorse Clark after that...especially after all the sh*t Dean has thrown in his face. Burning bridges is going to bite Howard Dean right in his flip-flopping rear before all of this is over.

[dsc]

17. I know I wasn't invited

but for what it is worth maybe if his supporters actually touted him instead of attacking Dean's wife as ugly it might help.

[absyntheNsugar]

18. I thought those posts against Dean's wife were BS

and I said so on the thread. Anytime I see a cheap shot against Dean I respond back. We should stick to issues and strategy, and stay away from childish BS.

[robbedvoter]

19. You mean we are alowwed? You won't get DU to forbid it? Sheesh!

[wyldwolf]

20. dsc, you're well known for thinking the only bias and cheap shots here...

..are against Dean.

You got smacked down pretty good once for it, didn't you?

[dsc]

27. Oh really then why oh why did I write this?

crap is crap


even when the other crap came first.




In response to this

that's just unfair---I don't think Clark's wife is pretty either


she has a very odd-looking eyebrow ridge....

Vote Dean in 2004

The above come from

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=9958&mesg_id=10015&page=

posts 79 and 10

Or this

This is crap


Yes, I know that you could post about 100 of these and still the ones about Dean and Republicans would be more numerous. That said, this doesn't help Dean


In response to this

Republicans are donating to Kerry's campaign


I just spoke to my father who's a registered Republican.

he said that after reading about Kerry's financial problems he felt sorry for the guy & sent him a check for $5.

I'm sure he's not alone.



From posts 30, and orginial in this thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4563&mesg_id=4563&page=

Or this

I understand why you are in the spirit you are


but this kind of thing could well bite us on the ass. Great poll though.


In response to this

Kerry polls last among Dem contenders.



Post 22 and original of this thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4047&mesg_id=4047&page=

All of these threads are under 2 days old. All of them are me critcising a Dean supporter for trashing Kerry or Clark. You owe me an apology.


BTW next time you try to portray me as a hypocrite try using facts, try backing it up. This post took me over 20 minutes to do but it shows, categorically, that you were flat out wrong.

[dsc]

28. Oh and one other thing

Where is your fucking link. I got smacked down you fucking prove it.

[wyldwolf]

30. HERE is your PROOF...

...or "fucking" proof as you demanded:

you got exactly the reply that you deserved. I have seen you complaining frequently about how biased the moderators are against your candidate, and frankly I am sick of it. The complaint is completely without merit.

Guess who wrote you that? Skinner, the board admin!

bwahahahahahahahahaha

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=120&topic_id=5888

[dsc]

33. that was bias

You mentioned mean spirited comments. Care to try again? Oh I notice not one response to my post siting not 1, not 2, but 3 seperate times in the last 48 hours times where I criticised Dean supporters. Can you find even one where you have criticised Clark?

[wyldwolf]

34. bwahahaha

...sticking to your story, huh? Whining "bias." Typical of you.

You asked, "Where is your fucking link. I got smacked down you fucking prove it."

I gave the link. Skinner smacked you down.

Now, show me where I mentioned "mean spirited comments." Where is your fucking link? Care to try again?

And your attempt to change the subject hasn't gone unnoticed. I don't give a rat's ass that you've criticised Dean supporters nor will I look for any time I have criticized Clark.

The topic of our discussion was, as started in post #20, was your constant whining about the only bias and cheap shots here are against Dean.

So try to stick with the subject if you can.

[dsc]

29. Oh and one more thing

I would like a post of three times you have publicly criticised Clark posters all dated before now.

[wyldwolf]

31. Panties in a wad?

?

[Tatiana]

21. I have that thread hidden.

So I wouldn't know. But, I'm pretty sure the majority of Clark's supporters don't resort to such low blows.

[absyntheNsugar]

23. It was a low blow...

reminded me alot of the way Freepers attacked Hilary.

[KittyWampus]

24. I Am Sorry If A Clark Supporter Attacked Dean's Wife

and said she was ugly? :(

[Jerseycoa]

32. I didn't see the thread

I'm sorry to hear it happened. Candidates' families are out of bounds in my book.

[robbedvoter]

22. Join your local group and work DU is not appropriate for this discussion

Suffice to say that polls are BS - they only poll Dems - in states with open primaries. As someone who talked to the voters I know a bit better.
So, if you want to make a difference, get going.

[mikehiggins]

25. Just keep plugging away

Wait and see how things turn out in a 1000 hours or so.

Polls are useful but, like astrology, they don't always predict the future the way it happens. The most successful polls are those that, after the event, say "look, I predicted that."

If Clark doesn't win a single primary, but Dean fails to win enough delegates to take the nomination on the first ballot at the convention everything is up for grabs.

If Dean doesn't do as well as expected in Iowa and New Hampshire he'll be in trouble in a hurry.

There are any number of permutations to these numbers and there still isn't a vote cast.

And look, there is no guarantee we're going to win. This was a long shot from the start and the fact that Clark has gotten as far as he has in the last three months is amazing, especially considering how fast he disappeared from the press and cable news.

The hard core of Dean supporters are emotionally committed to him and it is hardly likely that they will budge from their support. Those who are not so committed, however, cannot be let down or they may start rethinking the situation. Anything can happen.

Right now, though, what you should do is what you are already doing.

[Bill of Rights]

26. I also wonder what I can do.

I can't afford to donate any more bucks. And I'm not gifted with the powers of persuasion.

On Thursday I was the host of a Clark House Party. It's a small thing, but I pulled in money to send to Clark, and opened a channel to some Dems that are undecided.