"Angry" outsiders. How conveeeeeenient.

[gardenista]

I'm angry. I want Bush out. You all know why I'm angry. You're angry, too. This anger is propelling a Democratic resurgence, and, I hope a reassertion of Democratic values in the face of the corruption and hubris of the Bush Administration. Dean and Clark have best voiced my concerns for our country.

I demand that the Kerry and Edwards take responsibility for making the Democratic Party strong again and reflective of its roots in equality, fair labor practices, environmental protection, international cooperation... In other words to REPRESENT Democrats in this nation, all of whom are *angry* at Bush, and want him out.

So, Kerry, get your own board or get off the wave we started. Kerry supporters, show some appreciation for what Dean and Clark have done for this party, or get out of my way. This nomination will be decided at the Convention, and not before. By voters, and not the media.

So, please, no more loyalty oaths, until you show some appreciation and loyalty yourselves.

On edit: The wave/board analogy refers to surfing, not DU. I would never imply that Kerry or any other supporters not participate in this forum.

[girl gone mad]

1. Amen. n/t

[wyldwolf]

2. Explain please...

When you say, "So, Kerry, get your own board" are you referring to DU?

[gardenista]

4. Surfboard. Wave. Not DU. Thanks for clarification. eom

.

[MaineDem]

9. How about a windsurfer?

I'm not sure exactly what you're trying to say.

I think all the candidates are responsible for this tremendous depth of the field we Democrats have right now. I haven't dissed a single one of them.

Any one of them will be a viable candidate and one behind which we should all rally.

(Just back from a lit drop for my candidate.)

[ClassWarrior]

6. I think it's a reference to a surfboard...

...to ride the wave, y'know.

[Jack_Dawson]

3. I recognize sarcasm - I'm just not sure which way it's tilting

:freak:

[PassingFair]

5. Channel it, mg

and keep fighting the good fight! Going to phone bank...

[gardenista]

7. No other choice, thanks!

I just got fed up with the loyalty oaths and lack of appreciation for what Dean and Clark have done for the party, and had to have a little rant.

[poskonig]

8. I was supporting Dean.

I appreciate what Dean is trying to do. However, his campaign is predicated on bringing new people into the party against the corporate-addicted insider Democrats. The new people have not shown up.

In addition, while everyone (including myself) gets mad in the short-term at times, I have not seen any Edwards or Kerry supporters repeatedly pronouncing they will not vote for another candidate. Some Clark supporters, if you recall, started the ABD stuff when Dean was ahead, and many Dean supporters have been pushing NBD in everyone's face lately. Why you're demanding people "appreciate" this behavior while damning voters who *are* loyal to the Democratic Party (and who will not let Bush back in office under *any* circumstance) is confusing.

[gardenista]

11. Glad you appreciate what Dean is trying to do.

As for your analysis and yet another reference to the *few* NBD people, (I have *never* encountered NBD in my involvement with the off-line Dean campaign, I'm sorry, but I think this is a red-herring used to discredit Dean supporters, and is part of the Kerry justification for failing to appeal to us on the issues, or to effectively voice our concerns and commit to representing us in the GE.

You and he can do better than that.

[lcordero]

10. I know well enough that those that ask for loyalty don't deserve it.

I'm a liberal and a Progressive first, and a Democrat second. And being a Democrat can be subject to change.
I will not give in to fearmongering as far as voting is concerned.

Loyalty is not given, it is earned.

[girl gone mad]

12. I second that.

Bush has been able to completely screw over his conservative base with the same kind of fearmongering now being pushed by the Dems.

"Sure, Bush is squandering our future and spending is at record levels, but just think how bad it would be if the evil Democrats were in charge."

[gardenista]

13. The "loyalty" thing is irrelevant, in my view.

I appreciate your sentiment, and agree that loyalty is earned. That's my message.

I will not fall in line after only two primary elections and sign an oath to Kerry. It is supremely arrogant to expect me or anyone to do so.

In a democracy, our elected officials are representatives of the people.

I'm waiting for some representing to start happening here. Dean and Clark get it. I think Kerry can get it, too. I suggest he start practicing now.

[54anickel]

16. "I will not fall in line after only two primary elections and sign an

oath to Kerry".

Thank you!!!

I was a bit disheartened listening to the voters rhetoric of "electability" for their reason for voting Kerry. They were not looking at the issues and stance of the candidates and turned it into a "Beauty Contest".

There are a lot of unhappy Repugs out there just beginning to look at the Dem candidates stances on issues. The ones I have talked to count Lieberman out - he was Gores buddy. They do not like Kerry because of the references to Kennedy. Most are taking a serious look at Dean right now and like what they see in his record as Gov.

I myself am still undecided, do I vote with my heart and mind which would be DK, or do I go with a 2nd or 3rd or 4th choice from my list.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

14. Well....

I agree that Dean has RE-ENERGIZED THE PARTY BASE. He must be credited with this much as the party was in bad need of a shake-up for some time now. However, I was never Dean supporter and I do not care for his record as Vermont governor as a whole. But should be be the party's nomminee then I will fully support him.

Here are my choices in order:

1)Clark
2)Kerry
3)Edwards
4)Dean

:dem:

[gardenista]

15. Clark also deserves credit.

I think we'll see great things from Clark in the days ahead.

[kaitykaity]

17. Well said, and my thoughts exactly.

Howard Dean gave the Democratic Party an identity, and he did it when it was unpopular (understatement) to do so.

Thank you, Howard. We're not worthy.