Who else here is ANTI-ABB?

[LiberalTexan]

Who else is afraid that if we get someone in the White House JUST because we fear they are the ONLY candidate to beat Bush that we will be left with a Pandora's box of problems for our party in the future?

I ask this because what I've noticed since Iowa is people being exit-polled and the number one reason they are voting for whomever they did vote for that day is because they believe their candidate to be the best one to "BEAT BUSH".

I truly think this it is wonderful to see such good turnout-- the media should be covering THAT much more. But, I fear that if we just get someone in there to be there with a (D) behind their name, what will happen to our party and our ideals if they DON'T fix this broken economy or Homeland Security for example? Then all we've gained is a win for Republicans in 2008. They will say Democrats had their chance and blew it. Then how long will it take our party to recover?

I had the chance this week to register a family of four new voters. But, the husband said to me "oh, no hurry. We don't plan on voting in the Primary. We just want to vote in November for whomever it is that is going up against Bush."

Is this what we've come to? ABB? What about shaping our party for the future? What about our ideals? Who exactly are we offering to America? A solution or just ABB?

[kalian]

1. Excellent point....

and I would be categorized as "anti-ABB". I think that its a
simplistic and dangerous thing to be "ABB" to be quite honest.
What worries me the most is how Kerry is being "engineered" to be
the dem candidate...its just "feels" wrong.

[George_Bonanza]

30. Yeah, engineered by the people's votes

Before the media got on the Kerry bandwagon, he was scrapping it up in Iowa. Kerry had to win an absolutely improbably comeback win in Iowa to finally get some of the media attention that was fueling the Dean campaign through the summer and autumn of 2003.

[kalian]

32. Keep thinking that if it makes you sleep better at night....

:eyes:

[benburch]

2. I used to have those fears.

But none of the current candidates worry me in the least. Except I wonder if Dean is gonna find his job harder than he seems to realize?

[corporatewhore]

3. I prefer not to help imperalists into office whether they are dem or repub

[DuctapeFatwa]

4. A political solution is no longer a realistic possibility

There are people who feel very strongly about this particular election, but the reality of elections being a vehicle for changing a figurehead, not government, is not a recent phenomenon.

And while there are many Democrats who do not agree (to put it mildly) with US policies and the status quo, there are many more who are either happy with the policies but sincerely believe that they will be more efficiently implemented by their candidate, and still others who do not realize that politics is not about policies.

[lcordero]

5. I don't like it

A bad candidate is not only going to blow it but they are also going to put an end to the Democratic Party.

[truhavoc]

6. It does worry me some, but..

I feel you are mis-characterizing the position of most ABB'ers. First the slogan arose before we had any serious candidates to follow, and was just a mantra that it didn't matter who was going to end up running against bush, all that mattered was bush's defeat in November. This doesn't mean you can't choose your own candidate in the primary, it just means that all ABB'ers will be for the winning candidate in November. About the family that you registered to vote, I hope that they are not the typical voter, which I doubt due to the fact that you had to register them to vote. The same apathy which caused them not to be registered before, is the same thing that is causing them not to vote in the primaries. Could it be that they don't know issues, and all they care about is ABB? Could be, and if so at least we are getting more people to vote, I could care less about the "uninformed voter" as long as they are voting democratic party in November :7

[Darth_Ole]

9. I'm anti-ABB.

Bush is the worst president we've ever had, but I'm also concerned about the direction of this party. Kerry and Edwards voted for the war, Patriot Act, Ashcroft's confirmation, NCLB, and countless other things for this administration.

I'm tired of seeing people vote for a Democrat because they say simply because he's "electable" or "good-looking" or a Southernor. So what? He beats Bush because he's from the South and then what?

I'm a Dean and Kucinich guy. They are real opponents to the Repukes. What do some of the others have to debate Bush about?

[LiberalTexan]

11. I'm not talking about the ABBers from yesteryear

I'm talking about the "oh, well, I LOVED my candidate, but now I'll vote ABB." THAT is what disturbs me. I'm not talking so much about the folks here at DU that say this (though that scares me even more). What I'm talking about are those people out there that were even Republicans that just can't stand Bush anymore and are coming to our side. They say they'll vote for ABB, but isn't it up to us to give them the best candidate we have, not just go along with the ABB vote?? And, isn't it up to us to shape our party and our party's future in the meantime? I don't feel that ABB is making our party stronger.

P.S. The family that I mentioned are not the typical voter. You are right. They just became citizens last month. And, already they are buying into what the rest of the states have already shown us so far: that our candidate is just ABB.

[truhavoc]

18. I understand what you are saying

Basically, the republicans can throw any conservative ideologue into the fray and get them elected. Whereas, if the dems select a liberal, he gets painted as a liberal and the campaign fails. The problem is why is being liberal still the "L Word" and being conservative is something even some dems associate themselves as being. Can you hear a republican saying that he feels that his views are liberal? It would be nice, actually wonderful, if we could have someone who was truly progressive in the White House, but until we can overcome the image of what being "liberal" is that the public holds I think we just have to take our shots were we can make them. It would be great to have someone who has my views being my candidate, which none of them do btw, but if it was a decision between picking someone like Kucinich over someone like Kerry I would have to weigh what is more important...winning back the white house.

[LiberalTexan]

22. Kucinich represents me, too

however, I don't see him as electable (just as I myself know better than to run for public office here in Texas. I'm just too far to the left). Having said that, I think from what we have left as far as candidates go, we can carefully choose someone who we feel will do the best job in fixing some very serious problems and NOT just someone who we think will be the best to beat Bush. Shit, I want to beat Bush, too. Who doesn't? I just have a problem with the word ANYBODY. Any BODY WITH A PULSE. ANY PERSON who can win the popularity contest. Anybody. Key words. I just don't like them.....was wondering who else was in the same boat.

(You brought up some good points, though. I didn't say it was fair that we liberals always have to prove ourselves as being actually able to run this country!)

[AndyTiedye]

47. I Loved My Candidate, But She Dropped Out. ABB? Hell Yes!

The only candidate I'd really have had to hold my nose for also dropped out, so it's easier to be ABB now.

All of our candidates have been on the wrong side of a critical issue
at some point.
Most of those in a position to do so voted for the IWR and the
"Patriot" act.
Kucinich made a number of anti-abortion votes not so long ago.
Clark was a Republican until very recently.

Bush* is on the wrong side of almost EVERY issue all the time.

Any of our candidates would be a huge improvement!

[DerekG]

7. I am anti-empire....

And I don't see how Kerry, Edwards, Clark or Dean will help bring us back from this ignominious role.

I'm donating to the Kucinich campaign in the hope that the candidate will stay in the race up to the convention, where the American people can see what a true progressive is.

[lovedems]

8. What exactly is the alternative to being ABB?

I don't get it. Is the alternative to let the chimp get 4 more years? I don't see how we can fix ANYTHING if the chimp gets 4 more years. Are we suppose to be ABK and hope for the best? Are we suppose to fix our party before we fix the country? First of all, Kerry is winning fair and square. There is something that the voters like about him. Do I get it? Not necessarily but I would rather see him win in 04 over the chimp. At least then we stand a chance.

When I hear people say they won't vote for Kerry, I see that as very selfish. I don't think this election is about me, I think it is about the future. It is about the future of the SCOTUS, the future of the children and senior citizens, the GLBT community, the environment and quality of air we breath and water we drink, etc.

What is the alternative? It is important that we get our country back before we change the party otherwise we may not have a party to change.

[LiberalTexan]

14. You've missed the point entirely

This ISN'T an Anti-Kerry thread. This is anti-ABB. I didn't specify that only voters who voted for Kerry came out in the exit polls as ABB. Other candidates' supporters were saying the same thing. Please re-read my original post-- or I'll have to assume that you are comfortable being ABB?

[lovedems]

16. I didn't suggest it was an anti-Kerry thread. Maybe you should re-read

my post. I want to know what the alternative is to being anti-ABB. And you are correct, I am comfortable being ABB. So what's the alternative?

Edit: When I mentioned Kerry's name it is because I am making what I think is a rather safe assumption that he will get the nomination. He is not my #1 candidate but suddenly alot of people who were once ABB are now jumping ship since he is the one who has been in the lead for awhile. That is my connection to Kerry and anti-ABB.

[LiberalTexan]

19. I did read your post and HERE is what you said

starting with your fourth sentence and continuing on to talk about Kerry, Kerry, Kerry (who I didn't even mention in the original thread):

"Are we suppose to be ABK and hope for the best? Are we suppose to fix our party before we fix the country? First of all, Kerry is winning fair and square."

Your post to me sounds like the whole primary process is wrapped up and here we have only two candidates: Kerry or Bush. Notice I'm not posting this thread in August. It's February and we've got a lot of states left.

The alternative to ABB is actually picking the best candidate for our party and for the future of this country, not just sticking someone in there who isn't BUSH.

[lovedems]

26. I edited my last post to show the reason I mentioned Kerry.

He is not my first choice and I will not vote for him in my primary. When you want to pick the best candidate for our party and for the future of the country, you have to realize that is a matter of opinion for who that person is. I guess I am not clear what your anti-ABB entails. Is it anti-ABB for the primary? Vote for the candidate you think is best or is it anti-ABB, if my candidate doesn't win I won't vote because nothing is going to change.

I know we still have alot of states left but I am also not living in a dream world. Like I said, Kerry is not my ideal candidate but I also have to prepare myself to rally behind him because at this point, things appear to be going his way.

[xultar]

10. I used to be ABB but I've decided that I won't do ANYTHING to

replace the Chimp in Chief.

This is a critical election. If a Democrat wins he will have HUGE job ahead of him. If we don't nominate the right person we could be screwed for generations. Meaning if they make the slightest mistake we will not be able to get a Democrat into the whitehouse for decades. As a black woman I know what it means to be held to a higher standard than others. I know I have to be three times as good to be considered equal. That is the standard that a democratic president will have to endure. He won't able to make any mistakes. He also holds the successes of those in congress, state and local governments and judicial appointments in balance.

No, after thinking about it for a while now, I will not do anything to be ABB. We need the right person for the job. If we screw that up we are screwed for generations to come.

[Tinoire]

12. I've been anti-ABB from the start. The slogan stinks

& is designed to lull people into accepting whatever, whatever as long as the name is not Bush. Bush isn't the bogey-man- the entire machinery and people behind him are. Those are the ones I want gone! All of them! Bush is just one head of the Hydra. It does no good to get rid of Bush if the beast still lives. Cut off one head and 2 grow back.

No thank you to ABB. I want something a little more substantial than some empty slogan.


Beat Bush indeed! The only way to beat Bush under this current corrupt system is to replace him with a more intelligent Bush. That's some improvement!

So no to ABB. If the choice is between Bush and just a smarter Bush, I'll keep Bush. At least I know what he's up to because he's just so... stupid.

Thanks DLC & DNC. You haven't offered squat in years and this slogan is just a bejewlled example of your insipidness. I'll evaluate the candidates on the issues and if they earn my vote, they can have it.


The entire purpose of floating ABB as early as they did and as obnoxiously as they did was to measure our level of docility in accepting whomever they wanted to force down our throats.

ABB. A blank check made out to the Used Car dealership.

[MoonRiver]

13. Fortunately the Anti-ABBers are a tiny fraction of the Dem electorate.

Most people view this vile administration as a big wake-up call that extends far beyond the ABB movement. ABB, through its anti-bu*h/Repuke rage based activism, is a good start toward restoring the Dem Party's liberal values and giving the country back to We The People. I'm an ABB PATRIOT AND DAMN PROUD OF IT!

:kick:

[LiberalTexan]

17. But how many believe their candidate IS ABB?

In other words, even though someone has stuck like glue to their candidate, how many chose him at the beginning ONLY because they felt he was the best to beat Bush (goes back to electability) and not necessarily the best one to change the direction of our party and best represent our ideals? They believe that their candidate IS ABB and that everyone else will just fall in line with their beloved ABB candidate.

I was just wondering who out there wants more than just ABB.

I'm glad to see that at least some of you do. :)

[MoonRiver]

20. You're talking about utopia. That cannot be accomplished immediately.

I believe in your sentiments totally. But we really are headed for a fascist police state if these PNACers and far rightwing Pukes maintain their strangle hold on this country. Maybe I'm just too practical, but I've never been as activated to oust an administration as I am toward this one. Millions of other Dems and even Repubs feel the same way. I believe this is a great start toward true reform even if it is, initially, based on ABB.

[bowens43]

54. Wow! Talk about spin or lack of understanding.

ABB is NOT a good start toward restoring the Dem Party's liberal values , it's exactly the opposite. It's another step by our party in it's unrelenting march toward conservatism. It possibly the most harmful movement our party has ever seen.

So you would vote for Hitler, LaRouche, Stalin, Ashcroft, Trent Lott, David Duke, Jerry Falwel if they were running against bush? My guess is no. ABB is a farce that makes our party look like a party of bushbot clones.


Win at all costs, principles be damned!!!

At least he's better then bush!!

What inspiring mottos....

[Frances]

15. Nader was anti ABB

and he got 3% of the vote.

[donco6]

21. It's a bad strategy

We need to stand FOR something, not be seen as simply standing AGAINST something else.

[LiberalTexan]

24. Oh, thank you!

You got it! In one short sentence you wrapped it up. Just like we can't JUST be angry, we have to show vision, I think after we put ABB in the White House, people will see the mistake that was made in doing so. I don't want our party to suffer because of it.

[pop goes the weasel]

23. Please

I know you are only looking for other people who share your viewpoint, but, please, Texan to Texan, think about what you are proposing. Think about what 4 more years of Bush will mean for our state. The only protection from the yahoos we have ever had was the federal government. Now, from bottom to top, in the state and out, not only Texas progressives but any Texan who believes that government should serve the people and not vice versa is blocked. Communities that resist are punished--witness the redistricting fiasco, the appontment of unskilled party hacks to judgeships and regulatory positions, bottlenecks in release of funds, etc. Even rebellious Republicans are punished. I'm no friend of Carol Keaton McClellan Rylander Strayhorn Whatever, but you and I both know that the Comptroller's office was stripped of powers because she dared to tell Perry he was destroying the state budget with unnecessary special legislative sessions.

Look, I am supporting DK in this primary race, but I am damn sure going to vote ABB in November. And anyone in any state in which the Bush machine is deeply entrenched (that would be you all in Florida), needs to seriously consider doing the same. As for the rest of you, think of us, and think of what will happen to your states if the Bush machine isn't stopped.

[LiberalTexan]

25. You are ANTI-ABB

I'm talking about RIGHT NOW, primary season. I'm NOT talking about the general election. I'm talking about going and pulling the lever for who you feel is the best person to make a change in this country AND who can beat Bush, of COURSE.

You are anti-ABB because you are voting for Kucinich, in my opinion.

You will NEVER see me post a thread like this in August. At the very point we have a candidate, I will support that candidate. However, right now, I am anti-ABB and I want the BEST solution for this party and our country. I just see sheeple not even thinking about it and just jumping on a bandwagon (be it whoever the candidate is) just because they are ABB and not even looking more closely at the issues.

I'll be severely disappointed if we just get a ho-hum ABB candidate for November. But, I will vote for him.

[MoonRiver]

27. Wow! I'm glad you clarified that. I'm Anti-ABB for the primary also!

I really support the person, General Clark, whom I most believe in and want to be president. The primaries are one thing, the GE is quite another.

[bowens43]

28. Me.

ABB is bad policy. It makes our party look like a bunch of lemmings. It demeans us. It makes us appear to value victory over substance. I really don't care who someone is willing to vote for or not vote for , but when they say ABB I have to think that their decision lacks integrity. I really don't think that many of those who claim to be ABB really are ABB. I think that by ABB they actually mean any of the current mainstream Democratic nominees. To me , not all of the Democratic candidates are acceptable. Not all of them would be better then four more years of bush. Maybe 4 more years of bush is what we need to make people realize that liberalism is ethically, morally and intellectually superior to conservatism. Maybe 4 more years of bush would finally put a stop to our party's steady march to the right.

[MoonRiver]

29. All I can say is

there isn't a Democrat in this country who I wouldn't prefer to *. Can you tell me that you prefer * to one or more of the current Dem presidential candidates? If not you're ABB, whether you like it or not.

[bowens43]

31. I can say that 4 more years of bush

would be better for our country and our party then electing a Democrat who would move our party farther to the right. And yes, I believe that there are one or more Democratic candidates who would do that. We need to stop compromising, it's destroying our party.
I can say that there are 1 or more Democrats that I will not vote for in the general election if they were to get the nomination.

[MoonRiver]

35. Glad you set the record straight.

Now I have yet another reason to be ABB. If you get your way we DUers will be having meet-ups in Gitmo Bay.

[absyntheNsugar]

52. I agree 100%

And I will add anyone who isn't ABB is a traitor.

A vote for a 3rd party in this election is a bullet in a soldiers back.

[bowens43]

59. Wow. You know who you sound like?

Think about it. It disgusts me to see what our party has become. If this is a common attitude , there really is no difference between us and them.

[Forkboy]

62. Scary

I fear the country is already lost :-(

[bowens43]

60. So you're in favor of moving our party to the right?

That's too bad. It's too bad that so many lack the ability to see beyond November. It's sad that so many are so short sighted.

[JackDragna]

33. Right here.

There are some things which I will not suffer from the Democratic candidate. Supporting the war in Iraq is one of them. You can preach to me all day long about how destructive the president's policies are, but there must come a time when one's own party deviates so much from one's own beliefs that one can no longer support it in good conscience. Bush is terrible for this country, but we've had terrible presidents before and managed to survive. Democratic candidates who constantly co-opt Republican political positions will do nothing to fix our health care system, high poverty levels, educational system, our international reputation or any number of our other problems. America needs progressive solutions to its problems and if the Democratic party refuses to run progressive candidates, then I'm not voting for them.

edited for gramma. I mean, grammar.

[Monte Carlo]

34. Are the remaining Democratic candidates REALLY that bad?

Are any of them really no better than Bush? If you're not going to vote for them, who are you going to vote for? Will this person beat Bush in November?

[bowens43]

56. This isn't about the candidates as much as it is about

the message that is sent by ABB. The message is that principle is not important, ideology is not important, our parties platform is not important. All that is important is beating bush and we we will stoop to any level to do that.

So many people are missing the point.

[Lynda]

36. Former Anti-ABB

Hi Liberal Texan: I hear ya. As a Howard Dean supporter, I've been anti ABB for quite a long time now. I never even considered voting for any of the senators in the primary. It's not that I dislike any of them, I've just been disappointed these last few years with their votes and not standing up to bush. I wanted them to stand with us, the American people, but instead the majority of them, stood for themselves. That's why Gov. Dean's message of change struck a cord with me.

However, today is a new day and I woke up with a new attitude. I want bush inc. out, as we all do. Can John Kerry do it? I don't know. I think the repukes will go over his voting record with a fine tooth comb and twist everything. We know how the whore media works. But today I am visualizing Inaguration Day 2005 with the Demcractic president winner and vice president winner standing there next to bush and cheney. At this point they have no faces, they are just the winners. I want to see that arrogant smirk wiped of bush's face once and for all! I want these evil, corrupt people out of there. This has to happen.

I've been unemployed for over two years, left a good job of 17 yrs. in 2000 to have two major surgeries. I've had some set backs with my recovery, however, how that I'm ready for work, my former job is gone and after sending out tons of resumes, I can't find a job. My savings is gone, my credit cards are maxed. My husband has a decent job, so we're basically just getting the main bills paid, i.e., rent, utilities, car payment. But the employment outlook has been so bleak, that I get discouraged about future job prospects. And if bush is allowed another 4 yrs., so many of us unemployed will really be hurting. I want a strong economy back so companies will hire again. I know even a Dem president won't be able to do this overnight, but at least I'd have some hope. I feel any of our Democratic candidates can do this. I just want them to win. That's why today and until Nov. I'm returning to ABB.

[Mountainman]

37. And if we don't beat Bush what then?

I'll take any Dem vote no matter what the reason. The reason why someone voted Dem won't show up on the ballet. A vote for conscience and a vote for ABB all looks the same. Just so long as I don't have to put up with 4 more years of conservative horse dung.

Vote for a noble reason but vote Dems!

[OneBlueSky]

38. Chief Justice Antonin Scalia . . .

or, if you prefer, Associate Justice John Ashcroft . . .

nuff said . . .

[roughsatori]

39. ABB gives the Democratic party permission not to change

It lets our Reps know we don't care if they are more beholden to corporations then to the Constitution. It sends a message that they need not be responsive to our needs, and that it is OK to have voted for anything Shrub asked them for in the last 3 years.

I will not vote for anyone who supports SOA/Whisc, or who is not brave enough to clearly answer when asked about equal rights finally being "granted" to GLBT.

[MoonRiver]

43. What ABB does is give the Repuke Party a message, loud and clear,

that we're NOT putting up with their crap any more and we're taking our government back!

[bowens43]

57. The message it gives them is

that we , like them, have decided that principle is baggage that we will no longer carry. The message is that we will sacrifice everything we believe in because bush has made us angry.

[bhunt70]

40. You have to get your foot in the door before you make a sale.

[bowens43]

64. But if you don't know who the salesman is

you have no idea what he'll be selling.

[Meldread]

41. I agree 100%

I said the exact same thing yesterday, but the thread got locked because too many people were 'offended'.

[PatrickS]

42. ABB is ludicrous

If you're a democrat, that's supposed to automatically mean you're Anyone But Bush. Anyone But Bush-Lite would make more sense in deciding the right democratic leader!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

44. I am anti-ABB for the primaries.

During the primaries, people should support the candidate they think will make the best president based on their interpretation of what "the best president" engenders for them.

[RichM]

45. I'm Anti-ABB.

I think ABB is for fools. I've always been repelled by the stupidity of that slogan. It encourages mindlessness & mediocrity. It appeals to goose-stepping instincts.

The fact that so many Democrats embrace this idea reflects some very unpleasant truths about the Party as a whole. Namely, it doesn't really stand for anything, & doesn't know what it wants. Most Democrats opposed the Iraq War, yet they're all about to line up behind a senator who voted for it. All Democrats hate Bush, yet they're about to choose a nominee who, with the exception of ONE speech in the last 3 years, was virtually silent during the last 3 years, while the most criminal government in US history ran rampant over the nation & the world.

Try to wrap your mind around that - here we are moving towards the pivotal election of our lifetime, & the Dem Party is about to nominate Kerry, whose recorded "opposition" to Bush in the last 3 years was limited to one notable speech.

[Hippo_Tron]

46. There's a difference between being ABB and choosing your candidate...

Because he/she has the best chance of beating Bush. ABB just means that you will vote for the dem nominee come the general election, not that you will vote for somebody in the primary because he is "electable".

[Renew Deal]

48. Isn't being anti-ABB the same as baing pro-Bush?

I think it is.

[Forkboy]

49. I think it isn't

crap,we cancel each other out :)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

50. Not in the primary

Bush isn't on the Democratic primary ballot

[corporatewhore]

55. If you notice the Poster is from Texas!!!

I cant see texas going to anybody but bush

[bowens43]

61. You're wrong of course.

[Iverson]

51. the negative construction

I agree. ABB is a minimum but not a sufficient condition for support.
The idea that anything not-Republican does suffice is what justifies endless "triangulation" and necessitates the existence of the Greens.

[Donkeyboy75]

53. It's possible to be very much FOR a candidate, but also be ABB

They are not orthogonal positions. I am certainly ABB, but I am a strong Dean supporter...although I also like Kucinich. The others I am OK with, but they are all better than Bush.

I have not once read on any thread that somebody's first choice is ABB. I think your real concern is that "electability" is a primary reason for why voters choose a certain candidate. That bothers me, too, but it doesn't mean that ABB is a bad idea come November.

[Stuckinthebush]

58. Agree and Disagree with your post

First - I agree that all Democrats should examine the Democratic candidates and actively participate in the primaries. Doing anything less is a travesty.

Also, I agree that people are moving along with the press crowd giving play to the "most electable". The problem is that as with the press, the American citizenry has very little critical thinking ability. Why is Kerry the most electable? Because the press says so. Yes, there are other reasons to prop up Kerry's electability, but other candidates have their strengths in that area as well. So, I agree that we are obsessed with a mythical "electability" factor.

Where I disagree, however, is in abandoning ABB. If we examine ABB, most people mean Any One of Our Candidates Over Bush. We joke that we would vote for a ham sandwich over W, but we are all actually very selective about our nominees. Eric Rudolph couldn't get up there with a Dem label and get our votes. So, given the fact that those who are ABB are saying they support any of the given candidates over Bush, then I'd say that is a wise statement.

The Democratic Party is made up of many different types of individuals. Those of us on this board represent the left and way left of the Democrats. We have our issues that are important to us. For instance, one of my biggest issues is environmental protection (just to name one). When I examine our candidates, every one of them would do a much better job in this area than the current occupant of the White House. This is the same in the areas of jobs, economy, taxation, defense, social programs, etc., etc....

There are issues I would love to have addressed by a candidate such as the insane influence that corporate America has over our nation and world. However, I am a pragmatist. I know that if this was a major piece of a candidates platform, that candidate would be labeled as fringe.

Let's take a look at Mr. Bush pre-2001. He ran from the center. He never mentioned the neo-con agenda, and yet his base understood that if he became president, then they would be able to get into the White House and have his ear. They knew to support him in his centrist message in order for him to win, and then they would demand his attention. It worked.

So, in the context of the current Democratic field, ABB is a wise way to go. Demanding unwavering allegiance to lofty left ideals will not help any of our candidates win the support of the middle and middle right in this country. If we don't have their support, then we don't win. If we don't win, we don't have entry into the White House, and then Mr. Bush continues to destroy more of what we hold dear.

I am not willing to take that risk.

[corporatewhore]

63. You can be guilt free Anti-ABB your from texas!!!

I am too i cant imangine texas going to anybodybut bush

[FubarFly]

65. You don't have to be ABB to vote for a Democrat.

I will vote for a nominee who I think will adequately represent my interests.

What ABB is asking me is to vote for a candidate even if they don't represent my interests- because the other guy is that much worse.

If I cave in to this line of thinking, I will only be encouraging this type of behavior. The Republicans will learn to run nastier and nastier neocons. And the Democrats will counter with watered down compromised candidates who will still advance the corporate agenda. The new AB(ultimate evil) chants will begin, and I will be forced to vote for the lesser evil in hopes that next time, surely things wil be better. After all what choice do I have?

The day I admit that I have no choice, is the day that I admit democracy is dead.

No thanks.

I am ABSOLUTELY not ABB.

What I am definivitely is a TBMCer.

(Take Back My Country)

I will only vote for candidates who serve more in the interests of the working class, than the corporate status quo.

If candidate X is truly working in the interests of the PEOPLE, then THEY will have to make the effort to prove it. For my part, I won't hold them up to such an unreasonable standard that I will never vote for anyone. But I do have a minimum standard. And that standard must be met:

My vote will never be based on fear, and always be based on hope.

Give me a reason to hope, not just despair less.

[Tesha]

66. That's why I'm not ABB.

Who else is afraid that if we get someone in the White House JUST
because we fear they are the ONLY candidate to beat Bush that we
will be left with a Pandora's box of problems for our party in the future?

That's why I'm not ABB.

Tesha

[dansolo]

67. We will probably lose more seats in Congress

Even if Kerry gets the nomination and wins, by making this election entirely about Bush, we aren't going to convince people to vote Democratic in the Congressional elections. The Republicans will have a greater majority in both Houses, but the Democrats will proclaim a victory because Bush wasn't elected. Do you think that the Republicans in Congress will allow Kerry to get anything done?