I just figured out that the old primary way is the best way after all .

[madfloridian]

I have been pushing too hard against the grain, and I should just leave it alone and let it happen. It just occurred to me how much cheaper life will be for my husband and I politically.

You see, we were so enthusiastic during the 04 campaign. We donated large amounts to Howard Dean, and then later to John Kerry. We were enthusiastic for both, and we worked hard locally. It got very expensive during the primaries.

Then when Howard Dean formed DFA we donated to candidates supported by the group. It was a great thing. We felt we were important and were accomplishing something.

We had something then that we don't have now. It was enthusiasm. There was an excitement during races, even though it got very tense sometimes. We were excited over people, over races, we cared deeply.

But tonight I looked back at my old DFA folder. I realized that many had at one time or another tried to run again. DFA people tend to do that because that was one of Howard's favorite sayings..."you have to run twice."

But to make a long story short, it was all really kind of in vain for now. I can see that we will definitely come out ahead now financially. We give monthly to DFA and DNC, extra if needed. Now since we have decided that it is too risky to give to individual candidates....we will be much better off.

We will be better off financially and emotionally. No more roller coaster primary rides. I think it is best that the party just make the decisions up front, do it get it over with. Just let them decide, since there seems to be good agreement that political novices are interfering in the process. I notice lately most here and at other forums think it is just fine for the party's leaders to pick the candidates. They are said to be more experienced than we are, and more knowledgeable. Perhaps so.

Of course, if one wanted to be contrary, one could say we are totally out of power in Washington. If one says that, though, it turns out to be the fault of gate crashers.

So perhaps it is best that we let them do it, let them pick who runs. Then there is just one thing I ask....they must take full blame if they lose. No excuses, no spinnng, take the blame.

So our checkbooks will be better off, but there will be some things missing. Isn't that how life really is anyway...trade-offs?

The missing things will be change in the party, infusion of new people in the party, enthusiasm and love of politics that filled many of us for several years now.

But it will be better in the long run to let them do it. Then if we lost again, they can't blame it on us. And we won't be throwing away money never knowing if that candidate is next to go.

[madfloridian]

1. And there won't be any quarrels over who picks who.

We will just let the leaders of the DSCC and DCCC decide who will be the best person. Then in turn, they can contact the future 08 candidates, and the congressional elected leaders and tell them who to support.

Or they can even pick their own. It should work out so much better with experienced people doing this. It really should.

And it will surely be cheaper.

[snowbear]

2. And you have to do what's right for you and your family!

:hug: ~~ ~~ :hug:

I'm hoping that after the November election, we're going to be have some major Mojo that will take us right into the 2008 election..

Then again.. I'm one of the "DU Optimists"

"Yes we're gonna win!" "No we're no gonna win"

"We DO have a plan" "We DON'T have a plan"

That's just me though!

[madfloridian]

3. But we don't need mojo, we have practicality and experience.

And that will take us into the winner's circle. I feel better already, really. There are 3 congressional candidates pressing us for funds, and we don't yet know which one the party leaders will pick. So now we can just sit back and relax and let them do the thinking for us.

[snowbear]

4. Hey.. where's your DFA avatar?

You gonna change it for a while?

I just noticed it was missing..

[madfloridian]

5. People said I was hurting DFA by being critical

of the party picking candidates. So that is why I took off the avatar so they couldn't say that, and that is made me change my mind and see that we were wrong.

In fact, we were sending 100 to a candidates in the next district whom we met the other night. But see, the problem is that that DCCC might put someone in to run against him...and our money wouldn't count. So we will split it between DNC and DFA. And we won't give to prez candidates just the DNC and DFA. Should even out pretty well.

[xxqqqzme]

6. well, it is exactly the opposite in

California. I pick the local congressional candidates who get my time & money. The DCCC & DSCC NEVER support our congressional candidates - oh, we get endless pleas for money cuz they think of CA as an ATM. I hate 2 tell you of the million$ that left California in '04 never 2 find its way back 2 support any candidate. DFA, DNC (& DU) get auto pay from me because I will continue to support Howard but the remainder stays local. I don't donate 2 the state party either. My $$$ goes to the county party cuz they get NO support from the state.

[madfloridian]

8. Oddly enough, our state party doesn't ask much for money.

We give locally and county wise. Maybe someday we will grow things better here in Florida.

But I still think today it is right to let the party decide the leaders who are best. They have more knowledge and experience than I do.

[madfloridian]

7. Yep, a new day, and I still feel this is right.

I say congrats to the big guys in the party for their ability to fundraise. I think it is wonderful that Hillary and Boxer are into the IL fundraising as well. We need to stop being babies and just understand they know best after all.

Yep, I feel better. I don't have any enthusiasm about it anymore, but financially we can help build DFA and DNC and contribute more.

It really is good for the party to use their experience in this way. It puts the decision making on their back. They just have to carry the burden when things go wrong.

It's a bright sunny day here in Florida, and I feel the party leaders are right. They have the power, and they need to use it.