Kerry making $1M contribution to help DNC to build, support grassroots

[flpoljunkie]

I want to talk to you today about the future of the Democratic Party and about a dramatic step that we can take to make our party stronger.

In 2004 you did something amazing. You helped build the largest, most aggressive grassroots effort in history -- and that has fundamentally changed the face of Democratic politics.

Thousands of you have written in about how to continue the fight. I believe the answer is to transform the movement you built into a permanent grassroots presence for the Democratic Party in every state across this nation. If we want to prevail in the 2006 elections, we've got to start mobilizing now.

To help kick-start this, I will make a contribution to support grassroots organizing at the Democratic National Committee in the amount of $1,000,000. Join me with a contribution of your own to show the incoming DNC Chair that you want to support organizing in your own community:

http://www.democrats.org/BuildTheParty

A new DNC Chair will be elected at the end of this week. Let's make sure that he has everything he needs to start strong. The Democratic Party should have powerful and nimble organizations in every single county and precinct. There's only one way to win - we've got to compete everywhere, all the time. Our party should be a constant positive presence in every American community, and we can be if we tap into the grassroots energy of volunteers.

In 2004, members of the JohnKerry.com email list alone knocked on millions of doors and staffed thousands of phone banks to reach out to voters. Members of our Media Corps had thousands of letters to the editor published; and members of our Phone Corps recruited tens of thousands of new volunteers to work in swing states. I know that for most of you, it was your first time volunteering with a campaign. None of that effort will be wasted as long as we keep building on what we started.

Together, your contribution will show the new DNC Chair that you want to keep working -- and it will show the Republicans that the movement you helped build in 2004 is stronger than ever:

http://www.democrats.org/BuildTheParty

Contributions will help pay for year-round organizers, ongoing recruitment and training of grassroots leaders, infrastructure such as phone banks and the latest technology to support field work.

The $1,000,000 I am pledging will come out of our campaign committee's funds. This is an investment in the incredible movement that you started last year - a movement that can continue to build our party, advance our values, and elect Democrats.

Thank you again for all you have done and all you will do in the future. Let's go to work and get it done.


Sincerely,


John Kerry

[GOPBasher]

1. This is so true.

I don't want to lose the gains we made this election season in terms of grassroots organization. We need to keep the 56,000,000 voters who voted for Kerry, and then proceed to add to that list.

[cindyw]

2. Small detail, I think it's 59 million.

[Helga Scow Stern]

4. Yeah, or more. n/t

[GOPBasher]

10. That's true too. I keep telling people, if we don't fix

the e-voting problem, nothing else matters.

[GOPBasher]

9. Oh, cool. That's even better. :-) nt

[DoveTurnedHawk]

3. The $1,000,000 Is Nice, But How About the Rest of It?

I contributed to Kerry '04, not Kerry '08. I hope he does the right thing and donates the rest of the money he raised during the 2004 campaign to the DNC and local candidates.

As for me, I definitely plan to donate to the DNC...on the same day Dean is elected as Party Chair.

DTH

[CWebster]

6. Lol, glad you said it first

I was afraid to say anything about the funds from '04 he has been criticized for sitting on to apply towards his next campaign.

He wouldn't be trying to...buy influence, would he? Nah, that would just be so cynical, right?

[DoveTurnedHawk]

7. I Think He Has Every Right To Run Again...Just Not With My Money

Or the money of anyone else who donated to oust Bush in 2004. That would be just flat-out wrong, IMO.

As for buying influence...I thought his efforts to influence the DNC Chair selection were very interesting indeed. I'm glad the insiders are going to get shaken up a bit. We need it, as a party.

DTH

[flpoljunkie]

8. Let me guess, you did not support JK originally. Kerry had $14M left 1/31

John Kerry transferred $4 million in leftover money from his 2004 presidential-primary campaign to his Senate campaign fund leaving $10 million in his primary campaign account after the transfer.

His general-election campaign was about $3.5 million in debt and had about $800,000 in the bank as of Dec. 31, the last date covered by the reports.

Would you require that your candidate transfer all his remaining funds over to the DNC at one time?

[DoveTurnedHawk]

11. Nope, And Neither Did Most Democrats Until Iowa

I supported him as soon as Clark dropped out, however.

As I said, I hope he does the right thing. I'm not writing him off until after I see him transfer the remaining money into his personal campaign accounts, or until early-mid 2006 if he chooses to continue to sit on the money that long. In either of those cases, I will scream bloody murder.

I also think the $4MM already transfered to his Senate campaign is quite high, considering he ought to win his Senate race in a walk. I also note with great interest that Senate campaign funds are readily transferable to Presidential runs.

DTH

[flpoljunkie]

40. Senators build up campaign warchests to ward off challengers.

I did support John Kerry from the very beginning, but I am also an admirer and supporter of Wes Clark, my first choice as Kerry's running mate.

I believe that John Kerry will continue to help both the House and Senate campaign committees for the 2006 races, but do not expect him to decimate his Senate campaign acccount. He could actually donate $5 million more and match the $8 million left in Gore's 2000 prmary campaign account.

[Tigress DEM]

114. Estimated cost for a Senate campaign 2006 = 12 - 25million

Last time Mark Dayton - a Democratic Challenger to Republican incumbent had to raise 12 million and he put in about 80% of that off his own money. This year he bowed out for multiple reasons, but the money was a biggie. He couldn't afford to out of pocket that much if he wasn't getting backing from the party.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

123. Kerry Lives in Massachusetts, and Has Huge Positives and Name Rec

He will not need $12-25MM.

DTH

[sandnsea]

70. YOU aren't the only Democrat in the freakin' US

I am so sick of this bullshit. Guess what. YOU are not the only one who gave him money. People who supported JOHN KERRY gave him money too and WE are perfectly content with him using the money in the best manner to support the Democratic Party. WE may not WANT him to give money to the DNC. Maybe WE prefer he give money direct to candidate campaigns or state parties or whatever other ideas WE might have.

Some people need to get down off their goddamned high horses and either join the Democratic Party and support ALL Democrats or get the fuck out.

You CAN support Clark without pissing on everybody else. WTF is wrong with people in this country. The whole place has lost its collective mind.

[ChiciB1]

102. Well Said!

I was a Kerry supporter BEFORE he ever ran. I always wanted him to run, and I don't think he really lost.

I think the political climate of today is a bit WHACKED and certainly way off course. I still think the election was rigged, but if the leaders of the Party don't want to pursue it, then all we're left with is the "spirit" of fighting on. For me, I've never seen so much game playing in my life! I first campaigned for McGovern, and even though things got a bit nasty, you still felt there was some "fairness" involved. Today, the American people are getting rolled and don't seem to mind at all!

The Phantom of The Pied Piper has returned and too many mice are falling into the trap!!

Still, I remain determined to see a better day!

I like Edwards and especially admire his wife Elizabeth!! She's some class act with super intelligence too!

[LittleClarkie]

107. You see, some people gave to ABB, and in 2008, he will no longer be ABB

I on the other hand did as you did. I gave to John Kerry. I still want him for president. I still feel cheated. I'm perfectly happy if the $25 bucks I gave in September is in his warchest somewheres.

[Laurab]

115. Well Said Indeed!

I get so sick of it too, sick of the fact that Kerry can't do anything right, sick of the bashing of this one, or that one,because they didn't do what someone wanted them to do. I too donated to Kerry - not all that much, but certainly more than I could really afford to. I don't give a rats ass what he does with what he has left. I wouldn't have given money if I didn't think he was a man of integrity. I wanted him to be President. I think he won, as well.

Instead, we have a disasterous chimpanzee in the WH, who is destroying our country more and more each day, and we fight back by whining about each and every little thing our side does. If Kerry hadn't donated this money, no one would be bashing him today - the less he does, the less he's bashed. It's a lose/lose situation for him.

I donated because I wanted to help in some small way, and once I donated, it was no longer my money. I trust it will be spent well, because I trust the man I voted for. We really have so many more important things to be fighting.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

124. Read More Carefully

The only person using the word "WE" is you. I used the word "I" which, from what I've heard, means me, not other Democrats.

I supported Kerry, and I continue to hope he will do the right thing. But I also spoke to a group of a dozen Democrats tonight, and none of them wanted him to keep the money or run in 2008. Seven said they wanted him to donate all of the money to the DNC, four said to the Tsunami victims, and one joked to him.

The people who think he somehow owns or is entitled to this money are the people I do not understand. He should donate it all before early 2006. I hear many people saying he will. I hope that's true.

DTH

[LittleClarkie]

138. How is "Kerry 2004" different from "Kerry 2005, 2006, 2007 or 2008"

Did your donation have an expiration date?

Did you donate to Kerry, or to Kerry, 2004.

Personally, I wasn't donating to the year 2004. I still want this man as President. Those who want him to cough up ever last dime apparently don't.

I don't understand the distinction, frankly, unless it was an ABB donation, and since he'll no longer be the ABB candidate, the ABBers figure the money should go away. Well, I don't think any candidate before this has been expected to expell the warchest down to zero.

Come to think of it, does Clark have any left from his campaign?

Does Dean?

Edwards?

Any of the others? Why just Kerry? How much did everyone else end up keeping from the primaries?

[DoveTurnedHawk]

139. Kerry Promised to Use Monies Received in an Effort to Unseat Bush

The leftover money was not used in that capacity.

My donation, like the donations of the dozen folks I spoke to tonight, was intended for 2004. None of us -- us being a diverse group of Democrats -- want to see Kerry run for President in 2008.

DTH

[cestpaspossible]

13. If I were to follow your model of party-building

this post would be about what I don't like about Dean.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

19. I Worked My Ass Off for Kerry, and Donated Tons

And I used to hate Dean.

I call 'em like I see 'em.

DTH

[cestpaspossible]

21. Who cares? that's the past.

I'm just assuming that everyone here worked their ass off in the election and donated tons, so saying that you did so doesn't really impress me.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

24. Not Trying to Impress You

Just calling 'em like I see 'em.

DTH

[cestpaspossible]

25. In that case, good job! lol

[DoveTurnedHawk]

27. Thanks, the Blunt Truth Is What I Prefer (eom)

DTH

[cestpaspossible]

33. I think humility is just as important

For instance, I would be embarassed to make a self-righteous declaration that I was the arbiter of truth.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

34. Arbiter of Truth? Who Said That?

I prefer hearing the blunt truth from others, and I prefer speaking the blunt truth for myself. Obviously, what I see as truth, others may not. That should be self-evident even without a bunch of mealy-mouthed qualifiers attached to it.

As for being embarrassed, you might want to try taking comments on an Internet bulletin board a little less seriously, it might help.

DTH

[cestpaspossible]

37. I said what I said, you said what you said

isn't that the way it usually works? lol

As for being embarrassed, you might want to try taking comments on an Internet bulletin board a little less seriously, it might help.

At least I own a mirror.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

38. I'm Not the One Claiming to Be Embarrassed (eom)

DTH

[cestpaspossible]

39. And of course, I never claimed to be embarassed either

so what's your point? I did use the word embarassed... is that what has you confused?

[LittleClarkie]

30. I worked my ass off and donated tons too. Okay if I take defense?

He's already stated that much of that money will go to the 2005 and 2006 Democrats running for office.

And the money for his PAC, Friends of John Kerry, had to be fresh, not campaign money.

He gave more than any nominee in history, as much as folks asked for.

And finally, did anyone bitch at Gore for the 8 million he had left over in 2000? That's why I thought it disingenuous for Donna Brazille to even bring it up. What did she do with Gore's money at the end of the campaign.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

31. Has He Said That?

I've asked for a source, do you have one? I would be happy if he said that.

You're the second one to mention a PAC. What's the scoop on that?

As for how much he's given, it doesn't change the fact that there is a lot of money left over still, and that the great majority of that money was donated to him, as the sole candidate (more like a vehicle, IMO) with a chance to defeat Bush, for that sole purpose of defeating Bush in 2004. Not to support a Kerry Senate run in 2006 or a Kerry Presidential run in 2008.

Finally, as for Gore, I don't recall that controversy, and if I knew about it, I would have advocated for him to donate the money as well.

DTH

[LittleClarkie]

57. Here's one, after a quick check

It was one of the first stories out. Considering it was Donna Brazile making the most noise, I tended to think it was politicking.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2004/11/19/some_democrats_decry_kerrys_unspent_16m?mode=PF

Look about 2/3 of the way down to see that aides say that much of the money will be given to 2005 and 2006. As I said, Donna had approx. 8 mil left over, so her "I've never heard of such an amount being left over" seemed disingenuous, considering Kerry will have just under 10 mill when done. But now, no matter what he does, it will appear and will be claimed that he's only doing it under pressure. Maybe, maybe not.

I tend not to trust Brazile. She's too close to Rove, some have said, and she was just to stary-eyed at the thought of Condi in office.

I'll look for more. Also, one of our own, PeteNYC, who worked on the campaign, had said that the intention was always to give money to 2005 and 2006 candidates and that this was a non-story. You can look up his posts in the archives. His comment was among the last posts I saw him make here. He doesn't appear to be around anymore, so the post shouldn't be too hard to find. It would be in a thread addressing an article like the one I referenced.

There's also Kerry's comment on MTP, when he said he gave all he was asked for in 2004.

[cestpaspossible]

62. I wish someone would explain to me

what Donna Brazile's claim to fame is. I know about her involvement in the Gore campaign, but I don't understand how she achieved the status in the CW as some kind of uber-Democrat.

[LittleClarkie]

65. I know she's written at least one book

but I also wonder if the reason she's got status because there aren't too many black women running things in the DNC. The fact that she is black, and ran Gore's campaign might have something to do with her status.

I don't know much more than you. I should go check before I run my mouth, to see what her claim to fame is. I just wish she hadn't been so excited for Condi.

[cestpaspossible]

67. It was her appearances with Bay Buchanon

that made me into a non-fan. She just seemed to consistently concede the framing of the debate and it was very frustrating. She also seemed to really lack the simple message discipline to stay positive about Democrats -- even in the heat of the 2004 campaign season. Haven't watched cable news in quite awhile though, so I don't know if she's still doing it.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

125. Hey, That's Great

I'm glad to read it. That said, politicians also make lots of promises. I hope he keeps this one.

DTH

[KittyWampus]

47. Gore Donated 6 million.

Gore donating 2000 election funds to Demos
By Ron Fournier
Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Al Gore, drawing from his 2000 campaign accounts, said Wednesday he will donate more than $6 million to five Democratic Party groups and help John Kerry fight President Bush's "outrageous and misleading" re-election bid.
The former vice president pledged to donate $4 million to the Democratic National Committee. The party's Senate and House committees each will get $1 million, and the party from Gore's home state of Tennessee would receive $250,000.
The Democratic Party in Florida, site of the divisive 2000 recount, will get $240,000 from a separate Gore campaign account. Republican campaign committees still hold a fund-raising advantage over Democrats.
"The outcome of this election is extremely important for the future of our country and for all that America stands for," Gore said. "I want to help John Kerry become president, and I want to help Democrats retake control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives."

[KittyWampus]

59. Please Note Gore Donated AFTER Kerry Got Nomination.In Other Words

he held onto that money for four years.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

126. You Prove My Point

Gore held on to his money for a long time, because he did not rule out a Presidential run in 2004 until the very end. He should have donated the money donated to him a long time before then.

Similarly, I hope Kerry donates the money donated to him a long time before 2008.

DTH

[LittleClarkie]

60. Thanks!

I appreciate the information.

I think if he'd been given time rather than being jumped on days after the election, we'd have found that Kerry was doing similar things. Now no matter what he does, it looks like he's doing it because he has to. I didn't like the spin Donna Brazile put on the proceedings. She was making accusations with little but suspicion to go on, it appeared.

[AlGore-08.com]

68. Apples and oranges - - Gore's $6 M was from his GELAC fund

which could not be used for campaigning, only for lawyers and accountants. There was an additional $240,000 left over from his recount fund. Everybody knew the amounts in those accounts, up to and including Donna Brazille.

Kerry's surplus was $15 M and only $8 M of that was GELAC. Three of Kerry's former staff spoke anonymously to the press, claiming they had no idea those funds were there. Kerry claimed the money was potentially for recounts - - which doesn't square with his staff complaining they had no idea the money was there, and also doesn't make sense legally or strategically. The candidates could raise unlimited donations for recounts, why set aside money from the general campaign fund for it? And why not tell your staff? And why wasn't his staff wondering where that $15 M had gotten off to? Was nobody in the Kerry campaign paying attention to the cash flow?

Another interesting twist on all this is that last week, Kerry transfered much more than this into his own re-election fund. According to the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55386-2005Feb1.html

The transfer left Kerry at the end of last year with $9.8 million of the $254.2 million he raised during the Democratic primaries in the first half of 2004. He also had $5.2 million in his legal and accounting fund, and $811,104 left over from the general election campaign, which was financed with $75 million in federal funds.

[cestpaspossible]

69. How can what you are saying be true?

his GELAC fund which could not be used for campaigning, only for lawyers and accountants.

I thought Gore held on to that money for four years and then in 2004 donated $4 million to the DNC, plus $1 million each to the DSCC (the Dem Senate Campaign Committe) and the DCCC (the Dem Congressional Campaign Committee) plus $250,000 to the TN State party and $240,000 to the FL state party.

Is that not true? he still has the money?

[Laurab]

116. I bet she gave it to Kerry....

and he squandered that TOO!!!!!

/sarcasm

Sorry, I couldn't help myself....

[blm]

16. It will go mostly to congressional candidates across the country for 06.

.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

18. Source?

Or is that wishful thinking?

I wish the same thing, FWIW.

DTH

[blm]

36. I heard it about 2 months ago.

Kerry can always be counted on to do the right thing with money. He is not a venal man and wants the party to succeed.

[flpoljunkie]

66. Here's a source from littleclarkie's post...

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2004/11/19/some_democrats_decry_kerrys_unspent_16m?mode=PF

The surplus money is in the account set up by Kerry for the Democratic primaries. Under federal regulations, Kerry could not spend the money after July 29 -- the day he accepted the Democratic nomination -- because he agreed to a spending cap in exchange for federal financing.

Aides said much of the extra money came via Internet donations during the convention, meaning it was too late for Kerry's own campaign. But the rules allowed Kerry to give the money to other candidates or to the party. He also is allowed to use it to pay for costs associated with his Senate career, or in a future run for president.

One top Kerry aide said that after all bills are paid, the primary account is likely to be down to about $14 million. Approximately $4 million will be used to defend against allegations that the Kerry campaign illegally coordinated with independent groups.

That would leave a $10 million surplus in the account, and Kerry is considering distributing much of it to Democratic candidates in 2005 and 2006, the aide said. And Kerry will use some of the money for his own campaign activities.

Shortly before he accepted the Democratic nomination, Kerry used his primary funds to send $3 million to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, $3 million to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and $2 million to state parties that had competitive gubernatorial races. After the convention, he shunted a record $32.5 million to the Democratic National Committee, including $9 million earmarked for state parties in battleground states.

[ultraist]

83. What else is he going to do with it? How much did you donate?

You seem really steamed that you donated money and now Kerry has some surplus. Maybe he spent what you donated and the rest of those funds are from the rest of us that donated.

Regardless, I highly doubt that Kerry will embezzle that money for his own personal use. He will follow campaign finance laws which means it will go to some Democratic campaign or org, like the DNC.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

127. Take a Poll

I'll bet you all the money I've got that:

1) Most people who donated did so for Kerry 2004, not Kerry 2008; and

2) Most people who know the situation want to see Kerry donate his money to the DNC and local candidates, and not hold onto it himself.

It sounds like he's said he'll do the latter, and if so, I'll tip my hat to him.

I don't see how anyone can justify him using the money for his own benefit, however. I've seen a lot of insinuation to that effect, but no one out-and-out saying it.

DTH

[cestpaspossible]

23. I don't think so; I think that's what the new PAC will be for. nt

[DoveTurnedHawk]

26. What New PAC? (eom)

DTH

[LittleClarkie]

32. Friends of John Kerry -- if you go to his website you'll see the name

And PAC money can't be campaign money. It has to be fresh. So he can't just transfer it over.

Another question. All this money that we gave in the campaign, were we giving it to the DNC or Kerry. The money he has, is it what he raised himself, or primary money, or the public money he was given that the larger candidates get, or what?

I thought toward the end there I was donating to the DNC. Doesn't that mean that they have my money and not Kerry? Did you have to donate straight to him somehow for him to still have it? Is this corporation money. I mean, what is it?

Is there a good source for finding out how this stuff works. It feels like we're jumping to conclusions based on not alot of information here.

How about www.opensecrets.org?

[DoveTurnedHawk]

35. My Understanding Is This

Money donated after the convention went to the DNC. Money donated up to $2,000 per person before the convention went to JK for President, anything above that went to the DNC.

Money in JK for President can be transferred to a JK Senate campaign in 2006 (which he ought to win in a walk) or a JK Presidential campaign in 2008 (which I hope he does not do). It can also be transferred in bits and pieces to local candidates, and I believe in its entirety to the DNC.

That's my understanding. I could be wrong.

DTH

[fujiyama]

61. Kerry is not up

for his senate reelection until '08. He won in '02.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

128. Thanks

That's good to know.

DTH

[Eloriel]

74. Clarification

I've read this several times, and once in a while ALMOST think I know what you're talking about:

And PAC money can't be campaign money. It has to be fresh. So he can't just transfer it over.

PAC money is ONLY for campaigns, unless it's some other type of PAC. I presume you mean that if he raises money for a PAC of his it can't go to HIS campaign sometime in the future. If that's what you're saying, I'm not at all sure you're right. Maybe you are, but I'm not sure.

[LittleClarkie]

77. I was under the impression that 2004 campaign money couldn't be used

not that the new money couldn't be for 2008, among other things. He also formed it to work on the issues that were important during the campaign, like kid's health care. That's why the petition and recordings of people's stories about health care and such are on his site, I believe, because they have to do with one of the reasons he formed the PAC.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

5. I sent them $25.00.

That's all I can afford right now, but every little bit helps right?

[flpoljunkie]

12. Yes, indeed it helps a great deal, especially multiplied by the thousands.

[cestpaspossible]

14. I kicked in one one-hundred-thousandth of what Kerry did.

[moggie12]

15. This is great -- this is Kerry saying, "Everybody support Dean"

I really think this is an enormously positive sign -- Kerry is endorsing not only the grassroots rebuilding of the Party but Dean himself, too.

This line from Kerry's letter is great:
"Together, your contribution will show the new DNC Chair that you want to keep working -- and it will show the Republicans that the movement you helped build in 2004 is stronger than ever."

We need this kind of message!! Democrats need to work together....

[DoveTurnedHawk]

17. I Disagree

I don't see this letter as a support of Dean at all, especially as it does not mention him by name. If he really wanted to support Dean, he would have sent this letter out immediately after Dean was elected as Chair, IMO.

This strikes me as an effort to show off how much influence Kerry has, by bringing in money BEFORE Dean is elected.

"your contribution will show the new DNC Chair that you want to keep working" -- translation, your contribution will show Dean that I still have pull in this party.

Of course, as I say earlier in the thread, I also have a concern about all of the rest of the money he's holding onto.

I guess we'll see.

DTH

[moggie12]

20. Yeah, maybe, but I prefer to look at the glass as half-full

People who aren't as savvy as DUers will see Kerry's action as a positive thing, a sign of support for what Dean is trying to do, (i.e., get all the Democrats working together to build our grassroots organization and beat the GOP). With all the negative stuff that the media has been spewing out against Dean, this public gesture by Kerry shows that Democrats are united behind Dean's efforts and are going to help him succeed.

Like you, I gave money to Kerry last year and don't like the idea of him keeping the money for a 2nd run in '08 -- I'd rather see that money go to our efforts to rebuild the Party, take back Congress in '06, defend Harry Reid against RNC slime attacks, etc.

That said, this is better than Kerry not doing anything to help the DNC and support Dean. All politicians -- Democratic or Republican -- take their own interests into account: It's just the way things are and have always been. I'm still glad Kerry did this whatever his motivation!! If he gets positive feedback on this, maybe he will disburse more of those funds to other worthy Democratic causes over the next months.....

[DoveTurnedHawk]

22. A Very Fair Statement

Thanks for your thoughts on this.

:toast:

DTH

[CWebster]

28. I thought so too

Much better than some of Kerry's foot soldiers, who amusingly enough automatically assumed you must for Dean. Lol, I enjoyed that.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

29. It's a Strange World, Isn't It?

What a long and interesting road it's been. :-)

DTH

PS: You'd think the avatar would give them a clue. ;-)

[cestpaspossible]

41. Well the thing is

Clark is so irrelevent in Democratic party politics, I have a tendency to not even see him -- kinda like an empty suit. It's hanging in the closet, but not actually doing anything, so you forget it's there.

Does he even have a job? What is it?

[moggie12]

42. hey, quit that

The whole thrust of my comment, that DoveTurnedHawk graciosuly said he/she agreed with, was that Democrats need to stick together and fight Bush. You seem to be following DTH down from a comment above, not having read this particular exchange. I don't see why you feel it's necessary to criticize Clark on this thread about Kerry. We've got enough on our plate fighting Bush without this internecine warfare among ourselves. Please take these comments in the spirit they are intended -- I was not a Kerry, Dean or Clark supporter during the primaries -- I liked Edwards. First and foremost, however, I'm a Democrat.

[cestpaspossible]

50. I'll tell you why

You say Please take these comments in the spirit they are intended and, I agree.

I was responding to the comment that I responded to, which included the statement: You'd think the avatar would give them a clue. -- that was obviously meant as a slam against me. Now rather than slam DTH in return, I simply said why I didn't notice the avatar.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

53. I Repeat

You might want to try taking comments on an Internet bulletin board less seriously. Thank you for proving my point, though. :-)

DTH

PS: Your baiting is obvious and crystal clear, but nice try again. :-)

[cestpaspossible]

56. What I don't understand

is why you think you know the emotions of other posters? Just how 'seriously' am I taking these comments? Am I laughing? Am I crying? Am I happy? Am I sad? how can you tell?

LOL

[moggie12]

58. Fair enough, and thank you for taking my comments as I meant them

I just hate to see so much warfare between DUers. All the time we spend doing this could be better spent fighting the Bush trash (e.g., sending e-mails to the media defending Reid, Pelosi, Boxer, etc. and slamming Bush's stupid SS reform proposal)

[DoveTurnedHawk]

44. LOL!

You are just too cute. :-) Sorry, but it will take a lot more than repeating old, tired, weak and untrue slams to bait me into a Clark flamewar.

DTH

[cestpaspossible]

46. Untrue? You mean he has a job? What is it?

I keep asking this question but, no one seems to be willing or able to answer it.... which I find puzzling... what's the big deal?

[moggie12]

48. It's me again

My understanding is that he's a retired Army officer. Some ex-generals spend the rest of their lives golfing or make a few million by taking jobs with defense contractors. He seems to have chosen to continue to fight for his country in the political arena. Do you see a problem with this choice?????

Edited to add:
I still don't see why you're talking about Clark in a Kerry thread.

[cestpaspossible]

51. See my response to your previous post.

[knight_of_the_star]

49. So you would be ignoring his media appearances then

And how his campaign was completely grassroots in its inception and how he was the ONLY candidate to talk about things like the PNAC and was not afraid of fighting Bush on his own turf then. That empty suit has a lot more body in it than you give credit for.

[LittleClarkie]

80. Here is the link to his PAC

2 things about Clark:
1. Even though I'm a Kerrycrat, I still have a soft spot for my original candidate
2. He's a Dem, so under my Dem Party Back Watch, I have his back.

He campaigned for Kerry, helped Kerry with his national security statements, and has battled mightily against the neocon agenda. He deserves better than to be made fun of, no matter who one plans to support in 2008.

[cestpaspossible]

144. Mea culpa

Ok, maybe I exchanged in a little unnecessary tit-for-tat, I apologize. I do actually like Clark, I'm just not that starry-eyed about it, and although he certainly does have valid experience of a certain type, imho he has yet to establish his bona fides in the political realm. And frankly, I'm disappointed that he apparently has decided to forego any lesser political ambitions than the Presidency, which, again imho, I think is out of reach for him unless he works his way up to it. I really want him to run for Arkansas Gov in 2006.

[LittleClarkie]

147. Unless he's not even doing that

I dunno. I think you might be right. I think politically he might still be a bit rough around the edges. A governorship or something like that would be a good thing.

I'm figuring around 2006 we'll have a better idea of who's running. He might not even be.

btw thanks for gratious mea culpa. I'm just looking out for Dems in general and trying to keep things fair.

[KittyWampus]

43. Regardless, Your Bitching Is Out Of Line. Kerry Is A Sitting Senator W/

clout and he could have either ignored Dean or sniped at him.

And frankly, just because YOU don't like the way he worded it?

The timing indicates he's doing it for the incoming Chair who happends to be Dean.

I haven't seen anything in Kerry's past to indicate he'd going to hoard the money for his own Presidential run but have seen stuff posted here saying he'd donating it to Democrats.

Why don't YOU provide a link to any statement or facts that would suggest Kerry will do otherwise?

Especially since you're being as divisive as a lot of other counterproductive posters around here.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

45. We'll Have to Agree to Disagree

I'm not going to mix it up with you.

DTH

[KittyWampus]

52. Kerry Gave $250,000 to Gregoire in Washington- Post Nov. 2nd

from DU archives-


Sunday, on "Meet the Press", Kerry stated taht he gave Gregoire
$250,000 for her recount effort

MR. RUSSERT: One area that many Democrats were concerned was leftover money. This is the way one of the papers, The New York Times, reported it: "Senator John Kerry had more than $14 million in one of his election accounts in late November, according to a report filed with the Federal Election Commission, causing some Democrats to complain that he should have spent all of it to defeat President Bush or to help other Democratic candidates."

Why did you hold that money? Why didn't you spend it on yourself and other Democrats?

SEN. KERRY: Well, we spent unprecedented sums on other Democrats around the country. No candidate has ever given as much money as I did to the Democratic Committee. We gave $40 million. I gave $3 million, $4 million, to the DSCC, to the Democratic Senate committee. I gave $3 million to the House committee. We gave money to parties, to the degree that every state director wanted. And the reason we had some of the money left over is that, as you know, I wanted to hold my--I wanted to accept the nomination later. There was an uproar in the party. People didn't want you to accept it because there was a 13-week general election for our campaign and an eight-week general election for the Republicans. We couldn't spend the money legally in the month of August. We had the money held in reserve in the event that some state director said, "We desperately need the money," and we gave more money than the directors seemed to be able to--we were--money was not an issue in the outcome of what happened in this race.

MR. RUSSERT: How much do you have left?

SEN. KERRY: I don't know what it is now because we paid extra costs of the campaign. We still have audits. We paid--I gave $1 million to the Senate Campaign Committee. I gave $250,000 to Christine Gregoire's recount in Washington. I gave $50,000 to a House race in Louisiana...

MR. RUSSERT: A few more dollars...

SEN. KERRY: ...so we're trying to build parties...

[DoveTurnedHawk]

54. Good for Him, I Hope He Keeps It Up Because There's Still a Lot Left (eom)

DTH

[KittyWampus]

55. Some $4 million to $5 million of that will be transferred to a legal and

Some $4 million to $5 million of that will be transferred to a legal and compliance fund to help pay for the costs of fighting or resolving 16 Federal Election Commission complaints pending against Kerry. That legal fund already has $8 million.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

129. GELAC Is Cool

Although the question should be asked, what happens to GELAC funds that are never used?

DTH

[Eloriel]

76. I agree with DTH, totally

Kerry is just getting out in front of this pro-Dean parade, in a slightly more public way than Hillary did specifically WITHOUT supporting Dean. If he wanted it to be about supporting Dean, it would have been after the official vote. It ain't, so it's not.

IOW: this is all about supporting KERRY. Self-serving and opportunistic as always. Am I glad he did it? Yeah, but let's be honest about the whole thing, shall we? Aren't we just a wee bit tired of all the DISHONESTY abounding (which is one reason why Dean is so attractive to start with). Let's not fool ourselves too.

[KittyWampus]

94. Of Course You Do. Some DU'ers NEED To Divide Democrats To

perpertuate their own melodramas.

DEAN HASN'T GOT THE JOB OFFICIALLY YET.

And if anyone thinks Dean is a fucking Mother Teresa... think again.

Remember, he was going to run against Gore in the primary's back in 2000.

And don't' forget he seeded his campaign with money from the Koch Brothers and did them favors by selling a Power Co. to them cheap...

And fought for an Enron style Energy deregulation at the behest of Industry.

[LittleClarkie]

72. I prefer to make a different assessment

I don't want to be caught in the mental trap of thinking that if we support positive action from a Dem, be it Boxer, Kerry, Dean, Reid or whoever, that we are being flung around as political clout.

If we get that idea stuck in our heads, then no one will want to support anyone's initiative, for fear that they are supporting a person for later office that they do not support.

I've been advocating supporting positive actions, even if they come from someone you don't plan on supporting in the next election. Regardless of why you think Kerry is doing this, it is good to give the Chair a good healthy pushoff.

I prefer to see a coordinated effort among the Dems of late, up to and including what Kerry's doing here. I would hate the operation to get factionalized more than it already is.

[Eloriel]

79. Well, here's the deal, and why some may want to hold OFF w/Kerry

Not all of us are going to be able to donate twice -- so do you want to make Kerry look good by bumping up HIS ability to fundraise "for the cause," or do you want to do what others have suggested several days ago: donate when DEAN has been voted in, to show our solidarity with The People who lobbied for Dean, and the majority (250 or more) of "the 447" who voted for him?

So when some people say, "It's still the primaries," maybe they're not as wrong as I thought they were.

You see, knowing that Chris Heinz has posted here, who could say that this isn't a way that the Kerry camp devised to draw off some of that "grassroots" support for Dean and upstage him? "Let's see who has the bigger clout here -- am I the findraiser with the macho grassroots operation, or is Dean?" I am NOT saying that's what's going on -- but I'm also not sure it's not.

[LittleClarkie]

84. :-)

[ultraist]

85. Kerry just donated 1m bucks and mentioned the new Chair

So what he didn't use his name, he DID say, there will be a new Chair. Maybe it's not kosher to name him yet, since they have not voted.

How can it be a bad thing that Kerry forked over 1M to the DNC?

[cestpaspossible]

90. It's a bad thing because

Kerry did it.

[Laurab]

117. AHA!

Thanks for the answer - I was trying to figure it out too!

[DoveTurnedHawk]

130. Timing Is Everything

Why didn't Kerry wait five days? Hmm.

And don't give me any BS about the five days making a damn bit of difference to the DNC or its incoming chair. Because it doesn't.

The only reason for him to do this now as opposed to five days from now is self-serving, IMO. I welcome alternative theories.

DTH

[cestpaspossible]

143. What a bummer for Dean to have an extra million plus dollars

the day he assumes the chairmanship, already in the bank, specifically earmarked for the exact purpose that is the essence of Dean's message.

I'm sure he was on the phone with Kerry the minute his chairmanship was assured, begging him not to send out a DNC fundraising email. :eyes:

[Dr Fate]

63. Good for John! He is pro-grasstoots -he is not going to blow that....

...it looks like Kerry is not wasting all the grassroots contacts that were built in 2004- good for Kerry!

[Califooyah Operative]

64. awesome. wait till dean is official though, to make a statement. nt

[Eloriel]

71. This man just absolutely amazes me

Yes, WE the PEOPLE built this "movement," but it wasn't thanks to Kerry, it was Dean. Any "movement" Kerry had was primarily thanks to Dean. And yet there's not a single reference to that. Rather, he pretends as if it either happened in some mysterious but wonderful vacuum, sprung up full blown on its own, or perhaps was due to his own irresistable charisma.

Glad he's doing it. I just wish it didn't appear so goddamned opportunistic. Again.

[Blue_In_AK]

73. HELLO??? We're all on the same side here...

Dean, Kerry, Edwards, Clark, Boxer, Conyers ... ALL of us. Who cares who "started" the grass roots movement. Let's just keep it going because we're the only thing that's going to save the country, at this point.

[flpoljunkie]

75. The Dean movement was also more ABB than Dean, who caught the wave.

Dean took advantage of the anti-war feelings in the Democratic base--a smart move, but he burned out in Iowa, and that was before the scream.

That said, I stand ready to support Dean totally as DNC chair. He is our guy now; he represents us and we will hold his feet to the fire, too.

[LittleClarkie]

82. If you're always looking for it, you'll always find it

whether it's there or not.

Sort of like John Birchers and Communists.

Any action can be spun that way if you really want to. But I'd say it wasn't just because of Dean. It was the entire coalition of Dem candidates coming together, from Kusitizens to Deaniacs to Clarkies and Kerrycrats, et al., plus ABBers like ACT and Moveon.org. Dean was there, but he wasn't the only one there.

We came together, and it would be nice if we remained together as a force. The three million or so on Kerry's email list aren't all Deaniacs, by the way. Any movement Kerry has is indeed a coalition of many sorts, probably even a few Greens and a Republican or two.

I'm glad you're glad, but please get your nose out of that gift horse's mouth. He just might bite off your nose to spite your face. (/clichemode)

[cestpaspossible]

86. I disagree. I give Dean credit for riding the wave

but it was the drops of water that made up the wave that propelled him. The credit goes to each of us, whoever we may have supported a year or more ago.

[zulchzulu]

103. How arrogantly pathetic

Kerry gives a million bucks to a campaign..and it's "opportunistic".

Thinking that Dean is the only one responsible for grassroots efforts when he got his hat handed to him in Iowa and other parts of the country by a much stronger, more dedicated and overwhelmingly strong grassroots support for Kerry. They just didn't get hyped up and brag about it like newbies.

Sulk. Blab. Insult JK. If it makes you feel better.....

:boring:

[Thrill]

78. Who Cares?

Dean isn't running for a national election.

[Eloriel]

81. Who cares? It's another little glimpse into Kerry's character, so I care

I care quite a bit, tho the incident itself isn't all that important. I'm sure Dean is big enough to overlook the attempted upstaging completely.

[cestpaspossible]

88. Yeah I'm sure Dean will manage to overcome his upset

at having a one million dollar plus infusion into the DNC coffers for the specific purpose of building the grassroots just as he is assuming the chairmanship. :eyes:

Have you ever heard of teamwork?

[paulk]

93. Your twisting of Kerry's support for the DNC

and it's chair into somehow "upstaging" Dean provides a glimpse into your character, not Kerry's.

[KittyWampus]

95. Thank You. This Is Portraying Some DU'ers In A VERY Ugly Light

[DoveTurnedHawk]

131. I Believe There Is Absolutely No Reason For Him to Hold Onto the Money

Unless he is planning a 2008 run. I feel passionately about this, this is not his money, it is our money. Sorry if that bugs you.

DTH

[LittleClarkie]

136. You gave it to him. It is now his money

When Gore was given money, it was his.

There is no money back guarantee.

And he has, as I showed you in a link, said that much of it will go to 2005 and 2006 candidates. This 1 million was a positive thing. Why insist on seeing it in a negative light.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

137. I Gave It To Him for a Specific Purpose

A specific purpose (using it to try to unseat Bush) which he promised in countless e-mails that he would fulfill.

His failing to do so and potentially converting it to his own personal use (if that's what he does, I hope he doesn't) would arguably be a fraudulent misrepresentation.

As for the $1,000,000, it is positive, and I have said so. I just want to know what he's waiting for on the rest of it. Not one Kerry defender in this entire thread has given an adequate answer on that.

DTH

[LittleClarkie]

140. Candidates to set up their warchests?

Sorry, I don't think that's how donations work. You may have donated with it in your mind that it was for one specific purpose, to defeat Bush. (I was right then, ABB donation) Well, you didn't donate to ABB. You donated to Kerry. Whatever any other candidate has ever done with his money is what he will do with his.

Sorry there was no way to suck the money back into your hand when he didn't win, but many a donor has donated to many a losing candidate without getting his/her money back. It should be no different just because you didn't really support the man. There was no special ABB fund. You donated to the candidate. It's his money now.

I, on the other hand, did support him. And still do. I'm not worried about getting my money back. I still want him as president, I don't care what year.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

142. I Donated Because of His Promises to Use It Against Bush

He didn't fulfill that promise. He didn't use all of our money to unseat Bush, he sat on a big chunk of it and is doling that remainder out quite slowly, IMO. I hope he doles all of it out before very long, as you have said he will do. I will wait and see.

DTH

[LittleClarkie]

108. :-)

[ultraist]

87. OMG! Kerry gives 1M to the DNC and people are bashing him over it?

Get over it! It's ok to bash Kerry and not Clark? Whatever!

Money talks BS walks. He just gave the org that DEAN will be heading up a ONE MILLION DOLLAR JUMPSTART! That will make Dean's job a bit easier. Doncha think?

I bet Dean is pleased as fucking punch to get that 1M!

[politicasista]

89. Yes, Clark is spared, but Kerry is not!

:cry:

[FrenchieCat]

91. In reading this thread

I saw Clark being bashed out of the blue, even though this thread was not about him....

Someone with a Clark avatar happens to have an opinion, based on the subject of a thread....Which was about Kerry, and therefore legitimate for open debate....when C'ellequipue decided to do a real bash on Clark out of the blue. Just because DTH wasn't as positive about the donation as some would have wanted him to be, there is no need to bash the person represented by his avatar. That is childish and unrequired.

I think DTH had the right to have an opinion and to voice it here...since that's what the thread was started for (I know the poster who started the thread wasn't expecting any negativity...as that would be unreasonable).

That's what I witnessed....and I wasn't even going to contribute to this thread....until I saw the Clark bash.

My opinion about the original subject of the thread? 1 million is better than zero million. I'm sure that Kerry will come out with the rest in due time. It's true that Gore held his money for quite some time before letting it go. Good for Kerry and good for the DNC and good for us.

[cestpaspossible]

92. Out of the blue?

I guess you missed this post

[DoveTurnedHawk]

132. Thou Dost Protest Too Much

Your posts are like a broken record.

DTH

[cestpaspossible]

145. Whatever.

You felt compelled to respond to my reply to someone else. Why? Can't bear to see me having a dialogue that you aren't pissing on?

[cestpaspossible]

99. BTW, could you tell me what you meant by

C'ellequipue ?? is that some kind of slang? I'm not French, just a francophile so I'd appreciate the help.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

133. BTW

It's "ce n'est pas possible."

DTH

[cestpaspossible]

146. BTW

not really in spoken French, no.

[ultraist]

105. Uh...No, a Clarkie started trashing Kerry and then it was countered

Clark was not just attacked out of the blue.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

134. "Trashing" Kerry?

Wow, I raise a legitimate question about what he's going to do with all of the other millions under his control, and that's suddenly considered "trashing"? I commended him for what he did, and expressed a hope that he will do more.

The attacks on Clark (when I'm not being mistaken for a Deaniac, anyway) are just bizarre. "Countering" my question requires no attacks on anyone, not even me. Too bad people don't seem to get that.

DTH

[pbartch]

96. Hallelujah........thank you John for providing $$$$ for the DEMS

[DemDogs]

110. Couldn't he have given it to the Ohio Dems in October?

Glad he is handing it out now, but what could Ohio Dem Party have done with $10M in October?

[cestpaspossible]

111. Don't think so

he made a massive transfer to the DNC just before he accepted the nomination, and I think once he did accept, he couldn't do so anymore.

[LittleClarkie]

113. He said on MTP he'd given out all the money that was asked for

Why didn't they ask for 10M if they needed it? It sounds like he would have obliged. As it was, he gave more than any other candidate has ever. He had more, of course.

He wasn't going to fly over these areas in a biplane like 5 o'clock Charlie and just bomb them with it.

And why would he, as you have suggested, take the warchest all the way down to zero, when he didn't know exactly what was going to happen in Florida or Ohio. Gore had about 8 mil at the end of his campaign, and some said it wasn't enough for what he was up against in Florida. He ended up, at the end of the campaign, having to decide between Ohio and Florida, and look what happened. So Kerry had a bit more squirreled, and that's supposed to be bad?

Plus, taking the warchest all the way down to bupkus doesn't seem to swift either. And it appears that's not what's generally expected of a candidate, so why pick on Kerry?

[Uzybone]

97. Fanatical Deanies strike again

Kerry donates a mill to the DNC and he is bashed for it. Once again I thank goodness that Dr Dean isnt afflicted by this pettiness and idiocy that has soiled the reputation of Deanies. Hopefully he will do great things for our party, not snipe at other dems.

[LittleClarkie]

109. He's not

[DoveTurnedHawk]

141. I'm Not a Deanie

But I think it's extremely telling that you and many others here would rather lash out at irrelevant associations than answer the fundamental and legitimate questions raised here. Here are two big ones.

What is Kerry waiting for to dispose of the rest of our money?

Why did he send his plea now rather than five days from now?

DTH

[MuddyBootStrap]

98. It was our money he gave away

He still has millions more of our money that was not used to fight the election results.

[marcologico]

100. Would you rather he gave it to Bush?

Or just kept it, like most politicians with letover cash find ways of doing?

[DoveTurnedHawk]

135. False Dilemma

We would rather he donated it entirely to the DNC or local candidates, sooner rather than later.

DTH

[cestpaspossible]

148. I just wanted to take this rare opportunity

to agree with you, yes, that obviously is a false choice, however, I think you are just fooling yourself if you think your particular political hero would have donated the entirety of his leftover funds by now, if he were in Kerry's position. Get real. What human being with enough ambition to run for President would do that? The election was only 3 months ago. As has been pointed out elsewhere in this thread, Gore held onto ALL of his leftover funds for four years.

[ultraist]

104. You donated a million dollars? DAMN! I thought the limit was 2k!

I'm glad Kerry donated MY PORTION to the org Dean will be heading.

[LittleClarkie]

106. He keeps it. You're pissed. He gives it away. You're pissed.

He stands at a grave. He's campaigning.

He goes to thank folks in Iowa and NH for getting him started in 2003. He's campaigning.

He joins a lawsuit in Ohio, then starts one of his own. He's only doing it because he has to.

He gives money for a recount in Ohio and runoffs in Louisiana. He's only being pressured.

He promises to give money to 2005 and 2006. He's only being pressured.

He starts a PAC to fight for campaign issues like health care. He's campaigning.

He fights for children's health care. He's campaigning AGAIN.

He goes to Iraq. Wrong place, wrong time, and HE'S CAMPAIGNING AGAIN!

He starts a petition to get rid of Rummy. Useless gesture. What-EVER.

He votes against Condi and Gonzales. He's only riding Boxer's coattails and again, campaigning. Shameless bastard.

He gives money to the org that Dean is about to be head of. He's latching onto the glory that is Dean.

The horror... the horror...

[Spiffarino]

112. He had the election stolen out from under him

...and now we're all pissed.

Good post, LC.

[IronLionZion]

101. Awesome John, you did good

that will be well spent supporting democracy for all Americans. I bet Chairman Dean will be happy as a pig in mud.

This is the kind of stuff we need to see. This and Kerry's kicking ass over health care for children.

[ginnyinWI]

119. Yes, and he's only getting warmed up

He said on Meet the Press that he'd be doing a lot more this year.

I hope everyone realizes that Dean and Kerry are fighting for the same cause; I hope their followers will, too. I see Kerry's and Dean's messages as being very similar,compared with, for example, Sen. Clinton's.

Peace. I am a strong Kerry supporter, but I like Dean a lot, too.

:grouphug:

[wisteria]

118. I gave, I'm giving and I'll continue to give!

As long as my contributions are put to good use. They were during the election process and I trust John Kerry to manage the funds which remain from his campaign in a similar manner. The grassroots effort is an example of a good cause and I would rather have him overseeing the distribution of the remaining funds in his accounts in a careful way,rather than have him turn over all the funds for others to manage. So what, he may be using some of the contributions from the election for another eventual campaign run. My contributions during the election went to support him and I gave with no "strings attached". Just because he didn't win I don't expect a refund. I can't believe some of you would allow a little bitterness to prevent you from contributing to a very important and much needed undertaking.

[ginnyinWI]

120. exactly how I feel, too

If people want to hate, there are a whole lot of people over in the White House that they can direct that to! Let's not blame the guy who probably should be in that White House this very minute. It is unbelieveable how much anger has been directed at him, just unbelieveable.

[LittleClarkie]

121. I was thinking the same re: gave with no conditions attached

It's as if the ABB vote gave on the condition that he win. When he didn't, they wanted their money back. But that's not how giving to a candidate works. You waved bye bye to your money.

I supported John Kerry in 2004. I will continue to support him. And I would be delighted if he eventually became prez #44.

[wisteria]

122. Thank you LittleClarkie and ginnyinWI

I thank you for your support. It gets ruff out here in this forum. It's a shame the ABB voters don't appreciate any of the efforts that John Kerry puts forth. I wonder if we could get any of them to look beyond the bitter campaign and see that they actually voted for a wonderful,extremely qualified candidate who actually deserved better than just a ABB vote?

[Andromeda]

149. God bless you John Kerry.

You are a patriot and a true American hero! :thumbsup:

[CWebster]

150. check out the end of this article:

"Dean is also up against a formidable and unified Republican Party machine while the Democratic domain is fragmented. Often, Democrats are divided along interest group or ideological lines. This time there is a new twist. Besides the official party that Dean expects to lead, the so-called 527 organizations are there.

These pro-Democratic but unaffiliated groups raised more than $200 million for the election. They are duplicating a lot of what the party needs to do and siphoning energy and resources. The law requires them to be independent, and it's not clear whether they will be complements or rivals. In addition, with Senator Kerry contemplating another run in 2008, Kerry is keeping his separate donor lists and organization. In effect, there are three parallel parties.

The contrast with the unified Republican machinery is striking, where, as some obscure German didn't say, there is ein Bush, ein Rove, and ein party.

The only way Democrats can compete with this is by energizing activists and building their party. It's a more selfless job than running for president. Let's see what Dean can do."

Note in particular:

"In addition, with Senator Kerry contemplating another run in 2008, Kerry is keeping his separate donor lists and organization. In effect, there are three parallel parties...."








http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0209-31.htm