For Dean supporters - looking ahead......

[shance]

As upsetting as this deal may seem to some, its reminded me of the reason for this whole experience.

The key word is movement, and its going to take some time to
influence and move more Americans in this direction and inspire them to get
involved.

As a friend of mine used to say, the Republicans didnt get here
over night and neither will we.

I think its easy and understandable for Americans to get caught up in the
short term of things including this election, and yet I think we need to
look ahead and fine tune how to make this movement change America and bring
America back to whats really important. I realized last night that this
will take time. And for Americans who are used to immediate gratification
and instant results, we got ourselves some learning to do. **

Compared to the Washington establishment, a sturdy well conditioned machine, the Dean
movement is a a yearling thats been feeling pretty spirited, but not having
fully experienced some realities that season one into being stronger and
more able to weather the storms.

I think we have had our first taste of the opposing dark forces we face and reality check the last month, and I think that is good.

Its good, because it gives us an opportunity to realize that this movement
is much bigger and more significant than one election cycle, however
significant this election cycle may be. We have just begun to implement
change. We are building strength with each and every event that we
experience.

I believe Americans and Dean supporters need to think in terms of this
movement being like a marathon. Its a process. I believe we need to
consider the course, pace ourselves accordingly, build up our resistance and
overall strength, especially cardiologically (we need a strong heart*) and
fuel our bodies and our minds with good nutrition and good insight. *

So with that said, its takes time (and training) to take the nation back:

it takes time to build relationships and connect with others who are not
involved and informed as most of us are, it takes time to show people that
they truly can create change and that their voice matters, it takes time to
change and challenge longheld beliefs and fears driving many Americans, to
build neighborhoods of involved and responsible citizens, to educate and
inform the public whom have been neglected and censored by their media, to
create communities where people are engaged and talking about politics
instead of running away from conversations that include political issues,

and being the pursuers of immediate gratification, I think we in America
tend to get impatient.

There is the reality that we may not get 2004 and I think we need to
consider that possibility so we can plan for our next goal. When push
comes to shove, this election is merely a stepping stone for the bigger
picture.

By no means am I throwing in the towel, but this election is a part of a
larger, broken, spiritually bankrupt system, as Dean has so incitefully
observed, and we need to address all the ingredients to fixing a broken
system, and realize we now have the foundation from which to build.

I believe Governor Dean when he says we have to stand for something. That
is what I want to be governed by, not by resignation of allowing a system to
continue on its path.

I think being involved in this movement has shown me how truly broken our
system is. I have been a die hard Dem and towed the line, along with being
a Republican way before that, and I dont think those leading are party are
acting like Democrats. I dont think those leading the Republicans are true
Republicans. Im seeing alot of opportunism, greed, and buying and selling
of our country, and that is not essentially what either partys purpose and
goal initially.

To elect candidates who, will further reinforce a broken system will, in my
opinion set our country back and allow bizness as usual to continue. They
do not seem to grasp the reality that it is the bizness as usual that is
killing our country and our planet.

Currently, Republicans and media pundits are doing their best to shame Dean
supporters and Democrats into submission by telling us that we are angry and
demanding that we return to our and BEHAVE.

They want to tell us we are angry?

They dont need to waste their time because of course we are angry! I am
amazed they are that inciteful. Just when I think the Republicans are
clueless, they surprise me every time.

Hell YES we are angry. Its the ones that ARENT that Im concerned
about****

Our nation, our Constitution, and our planet are being dismantled like the
Queen Mary and being rendered obsolete and totally ineffective by people
that are daily waging war, not on terrorism, but on Americans in general. I
dont know about you, but I think that warrants a little anger.

A friend of mine who is also working on this campaign and myself, are
creating bumper stickers saying, "We are angry too, Howard!"

We need to wear that anger like the shiny badge of truth that it is.

I think most of us have watched election after election where Democrats,
(myself included), have allowed Republicans and the media to dictate and
spew off a list of all the reasons the Dems have screwed it up, and of
course its always the Dems fault. ***And we Dems have been the first to
blame ourselves, instead of taking a closer look at how the system attacks
and marginalizes Democratic candidates in general. Democrats are going to
have to wake up and without being a victim, awaken to the fact that there is
a tremendous double standard and bias going on in elections, and how
significant and problematic the treatment against Democrats is remains to
be seen. We have to stop blaming ourselves and stop thinking that its
noble to do that. Its not noble. Its self-destructive and
counter-productive. And it plays right into the Republicans hands. Of
course we have responsibility and fault, and that is vital in recognizing so
changes can be made. But when we keep blaming ourselves when things like
electronic voting, campaign finance, and Florida are involved, we have to
look at whos doing the real damage.

By denying the bias, the corporate influence and those things that
undeniably are affecting and controlling much of our election outcomes, we
allow a dysfunctional and dishonest system to stay in place. We need to
work towards more transparency in the election process in order to have fair
elections. The more transparent our government is, the more Democratic it
is.

Changing America isnt going to happen with just one election.

The American philosophy (in my opinion) that we have to have it now, and our
need for immediate gratification needs to be addressed and this illusion
needs to be dispelled. Its going to take time, commitment and dedication
towards a much larger picture, like the picture Dean has so eloquently and
frankly stated to millions of American. So if Dean happens to lose this
election, is not at all a failure. Its just the stepping stone towards our
next phase of development.

I feel as though the Dean for America movement is in the phase of building
our house right now. It may take years to fully build it and it will take
periods of remodeling. And well always be redoing things***

We have been taught to believe that when elections end, so does everything.
That is where we lost. Thats a place we can take responsibility.

We cannot go back to doing things the old way.

We now have the foundation necessary to really make the most powerful and significant changes. Weve accomplished so much and theres so much more to fulfill.

Like the Civil Rights movement, the Dean movement, or the Take Back America
movement is becoming equally significant and equally historical. It is
that powerful.

We have to commit and dedicate ourselves to continuing our path, no matter
what this election outcome is. I think we need to have the objective that
we are moving forward, no matter what "they" do! That is irrelevant as
far as our progress is concerned.

Rome wasnt built in a day, neither will this movement be built. I think we
need to take a look at Europe and Africa and other continents. We need to
pace ourselves and be patient and persistent. Well get there.

We are getting there - every single day with every single action.

[bobbyboucher]

1. I am still in Dean's camp.

While I really like all of our candidates, and defend them when warranted, I think that Howard Dean is something different. Yeah, they all say he can't get elected, but they all say a lot of things.

Remember, the states that voted today are Bush states, or are close. Did any of today's primary states go to Gore in 2000, besides Delaware? Have any of the primary states up to now been solid Gore states in 2000? If I remember correctly, Iowa was damn near a toss-up. When the liberal states speak up, then we will know whether or not Howard has a chance. And we will know soon enough.

So work harder. Keep thinking about why you sided with Dean in the first place. Remember, If the media doesn't want him, then that's got to be a good sign.

Keep the faith. A long and hotly contested primary only helps disperse the rude attacks that await. Howard Dean lit the fire. Let's keep it burning.

[shance]

2. Thank you BB***

I agree and well see what the future holds, but I am with you and Dean all the way.

[xxqqqzme]

3. the whorporate media hasn't even

seen angry yet. Their current whirlpool is really pissin' me off. Let some blue states vote - then will C what shakes out! I wrote letters to Michigan voters 2nite. Have postcards going out 2 people in my precinct. I have been supporting and talking about Howard Dean for 14 months now. I'm not about 2 stop now!

[shance]

4. Right on Rozf***Good for you.

Action is the key to all successful progress.

You are obviously a part of the movement. Keep up the great work!

You inspire me to keep moving.