After the primaries, all is forgiven

[WillyBrandt]

I don't care whatever any of the candidates do. After the primaries, I resolve to hold no grudges, to think of old wounds inflicted by Clark opponents, or hold reservations about the winner. It's politics, and shit will be slung. You know, these guys all really want to be President, and are all willing to go a bit far do so. No illusions.

There's a bit of psychological gymnasitics involved in thinking that way, but so it goes. I am sufficiently impressed by all four of the candidates, that I'll have no issues changing (or keeping!) my Clark bumpersticker after the primaries.

It's funny. Though Clark's prospects have--for now--dropped a bit after rising for weeks, I feel better about the outcome in November than I ever have. I'm more sympathetic towards all of them than I ever was. And, as the Horse has pointed out, they are not "seven dwarves" who could never usurp Bush: they are four extremely strong contenders with their own strengths and weaknesses.

One more thing. This four-man horse race actually seems to me to be a better outcome for the Party than a two-man one, or an early coronation. It keeps the GOP from concentrating their fire, even while all of the candidates attack Bush relentlessly. (They have one machine gun shooting in four directions; we have four machines guns shooting in one direction. Mostly.) It keeps all of the candidates in the media eye. Also, it gives all of the candidates a chance to recover from missteps and gaffes.

This four-man dynamic will become, I think, formalized with the (I predict, I hope) withdrawal of Lieberman after New Hampshire. We might actually get a bit of policy discussion in that context, and we'll certainly get an enormous amount of airtime.

No amount of advertising could have gotten us this kind of constant publicity. Despite the whorish media, everything interesting politically is happening in the Democratic party.

So, I can't predict the future. I don't know who will win. But I'm optimistic about the contours of what's upcoming: cross-candidate supporter sympathy; infinite media exposure; a (relatively clean) four-man race; nothing doing on the GOP side; four great candidates; and a Party ready to be unified in kicking out the thieves who have hijacked our government.

The needs of the nation are great, but the commanders of the State are so small. We'll kick them out soon enough. Don't worry.

[cavebat2000]

1. I tell you I agree

But the thought of Kerry becoming the nominee just sickens me. I truely believe that Kerry will lose in a landslide against Bush. I will support ABB, but that doesn't mean I am gonna like it.. at all.

[MoonRiver]

13. I don't agree with that.

Clark is the one I believe will be the best candidate AND president, but I think Kerry can pull it off too. Dean, NO. Anyway, we do have to pull together no matter who the nominee is. That is a fact or this country goes down the tube once and for all.

[Justice]

2. I Was Optimistic

but am very very unhappy with the way in which Kerry is campaigning right now in NH.

It is fine to win, fine to be the nominee, but I am digusted with the way in which he is being so negative/lying about other candidates.

[Walt Starr]

3. I WILL hold grudges

Sorry, can't get around it. The grudges will be there for certain candidates.

Others, I could let by-gones be by-gones.

[WillyBrandt]

5. Why is your vote transferrable to Clark

And not to Edwards or Kerry

[Walt Starr]

11. Populism vs. Corporatism

Anti-Iraq_War vs. IWR
Right vs. Wrong

You know, small issues like that.

[WillyBrandt]

12. But what tipped you from NBD to allowing Clark therein?

[Walt Starr]

14. His campaign is still populist

He's working from the point of view of the people rather than the point of view of the Corporations first.

The final tipping point was a single post by Wife_of_a_Wes_Freak.

[DjTj]

21. What is corporatist about John Edwards?

I feel that Edwards' tax plan is as populist as it gets, focusing on letting working people save money and buy houses and decreasing the incentives people have to incorporate and use tax loopholes.

Also, Edwards taxes capital gains for the rich at a much higher rate, which is how the richest of Americans make all their money while being taxed much less than the working people.

I think that Edwards' tax plan is a fundamental reform that we need to shift the tax burden away from working people and onto rich corporations.

[Rowdyboy]

4. I'm with you

Clark-Edwards-Kerry-Dean all pass the smell test with me. I'd be happier with Clark or Edwards but Kerry and Dean have unlimited fund raising potential. I'll be satisfied, whatever my party decides.

MY VOTE IS TRANSFERABLE

[WillyBrandt]

6. I'm with you: Clark or Edwards

I'd be most optimistic with both of them.

I used to be Clark/Dean, but I'm thinking Clark/Edwards would be better, despite mismatches on Iraq.

[OhioStateProgressive]

7. I forgive everybody who doesn't vote for Dennis Kucinich

but I will still say they were all wrong

[MoonRiver]

8. Good to have you back Willie!

I was wondering where you've been! :hi:

[JNelson6563]

9. I agree to an extent

but there has been far too much done/said and views of some so altered IMO they will never go back.

Speaking from my own experience, I have seen folks I used to hold in pretty high regard behave with such contempt and/or dishonesty I could never have high opinions of them again.

As to my political outlook, once a nominee is chosen I will vote for them. If I do not much care for them I will simply continue my dedicated efforts to party growth in my state and region, do whatever I can for any other Dem races, work the usual fundraisers etc. I won't be hittin' the pavement for the candidate I do not like but if I hear a reich-winger bashing I will counter with facts about Jr. All anyone has to do is recite a few facts about the Simian to prove he's got to go.

My determination to change the direction of this country is not so shallow as to evaporate over an election. I should hope every single person here could say the same.

Julie

[Lex]

10. Of course

Any of the Dems running right now are FAR BETTER than having Bush another four years.

I will work my arse off for whomever the eventual nominee is. I can get behind any of the candidates, even if my guy doesn't get the nomination.

Don't bicker about what size bandage is needed when the patient (the U.S.) is bleeding to death.

[Adjoran]

15. Yes!

The competitive race also attracts a lot of public attention to the Democratic position.

When it's over, we MUST unite if we are to have any chance.

Those whose feelings have been hurt will have to get over it, lest their pique result in a repub sweep.

If they can't do that, maybe politics is too rough a hobby. I hear there are some soccer leagues for kids that don't even keep score; maybe they should look into volunteering for one of those.

[MrSlayer]

16. I agree. At the end of the day we all have the same goal.

And that, of course, is to kick these bozos out of office. Whoever gets the nomination gets my vote and money. Period.

[IndianaGreen]

17. We may not hold grudges, and we may vote for the nominee, BUT

if the Democrats nominate a prowar pro-PATRIOT candidate like John Kerry, many people that would have voted Democratic in the Fall are going to sit this one out.

On the war and on civil liberties, Kerry's differences with Bush are tactical not substantive. The two Bonesmen are cut from the same piece of cloth.

[WillyBrandt]

18. Self Kick

[oasis]

19. No. If my guy's out, I'd rather have Bush starting more wars,packing the

Supreme Court with right wingers and turning the constitution upside down.

[CalProf]

20. lol! n/t

[Cuban_Liberal]

22. When the ship sets sail, all bills are paid.

Once we have our nominee, I'll wholeheatedly and enthusiastically support him, no matter who he is. :)

:dem:

[WillyBrandt]

23. Wait: Another Cuban Liberal?

Whoa!