Exclude our candidates, lose our support.

[genius]

Kerry and Edwards theoretically want those of us who are supporting Kucinich and Sharpton to actively support them in the general election. Kucinich supporters are among the most active volunteers around. Many Kucinich volunteers have donated close to the limit to their favorite candidate and have lots of money where that came from. Go to a peace rally and you'll see Kucinich supporters working the crowd. Whoever wins will need active volunteers and money. The Kucinich volunteers are the biggest prize any nominee could ask for. It would be smart to show them the respect of keeping their candidate in all of the debates. Kucinich has gotten third places in two states and has received over 15% in Maine. He brings up the most necessary issues in the debates that would never be brought up if he were not included. Sharpton is the other debater with courage. He received 30% of the vote in some areas of Detroit. To exclude him would enrage African-Americans all over the country. Those of us who are backing Kucinich and Sharpton are willing to back the nominee but we want that nominee to treat us and our candidates with respect. As long as our candidates remain in the race, we expect them to remain in the debates. Any candidate who tries to exclude them will only lose votes and money.

[ShaneGR]

1. We have now had over 20 debates

Your voices have been heard. Give us our chance to take down Kerry in a debate, or accept Kerry as your nominee. That is your choice.

[Desertrose]

2. bullshit...it is your choice

my choice is to continue to hear ALL the voices.

....and thank you very much for trying to shut down my candidate.

in the meantime, think on this...if your choice is so great...then he will be able to "take down" the other candidate now that there are only four left to debate, right?

Peace & hope
DR

[ShaneGR]

6. Fine, no biggie. That was your choice

My choice is to try to stop Kerry. Your choice is to muddle it and hand him the nomination. Seriously, I really don't care. We work together as a team and if you guys want to push it towards that direction, that's fine with me. It's not personal. I'm just being realistic. Without a 1-on-1 between Edwards and Kerry, Kerry walks away with it. Period.

[MuseRider]

14. Dennis Kucinich

is causing a muddle? Getting in your way is he? So if Kerry wins that is our/his fault? Funny, I think not and I resent the hell out of this. Seriously, you really don't care? Then why insult us with this? Seriously I think your candidate may have some problems, don't go blaming them on Dennis Kucinich.

[genius]

3. The media has tried to silence our voices. We have not been heard

And any candidate who tries to go it without our candidates until the race if over will not get our support. That is un-democratic and un-American.

[MuseRider]

4. That is our choice?

Says who? You can't take down Kerry unless we back away? That is not saying much considering we usually get 1/10th of the time in any debate. Your voice has also been heard and if you can't do it within the democratic ideals of this party and of this country then what good is it? I mean really, if we are in the way so much then you really are not that effective now are you. Others have managed in debates before this.

[Kanary]

17. Why do I feel like I've been backed into a wall

with a gun held to my head?

"Your voices have been heard. Give us our chance to take down Kerry in a debate, or accept Kerry as
your nominee. That is your choice."

This is the resulting legacy of the DLC. A refusal to listen to others, and an abundance of arrogance.

Any family counselor will tell you that when one side becomes rigid in it's stance and tells the other side to like it or lump it, the hope for that relationship is pretty much nill. The same goes for group dynamics. Thumbing your nose and telling us to accept YOUR assessment of the situation is tantamount to telling us to get out of your face. Have you ever considered what your reaction would be if the situation was reversed, and you were being dismissed in such a cavalier way?

This ongoing expectation in this forum that one group of supporters can diss others, then expect them to come running and protrate themselves in the name of "ABB" is completely self-destructive. Either/or thinking doesn't broaden horizens... it's limits them.

Kanary

[MurikanDemocrat]

5. I support keeping all candidates in the debates

[ShaneGR]

8. Of course you do, but it has nothign to do with DK or Sharpton

It has to do with JK. And don't you say otherwise, please don't insult my intelligence. I respect your opinion, until you continue spinning like that. Well, after that too but stop with that kiss-up! Be honest!

[genius]

13. It has to do with fairness, democracy and the American way.

Being an American used to mean something. At least, we were told it meant being fair and democratic. I expect nothing less from our candidates.

[MurikanDemocrat]

19. Check my previous posts

I have numerous posts supporting Sharpton and Kucinich in the debates before Edwards asked for a one-on one.

Kerry is a skilled debater. No spin needed.

[Syrinx]

7. Sharpton is an entertaining piece of sleaze

Kucinich is a good man, but he's never going to be president.

[genius]

9. Sharpton is bringing up issues. Kucinich would make toast out of Bush.

We need them both. And Dennis could walk away from a brokered convention the nominee.

[Syrinx]

10. how do you figure DK would win at the convention?

[genius]

11. Dennis is the candidate who supports all the issues people want.

Edwards is weak on environmental issues. Kerry is weak on trade. Dennis is the only candidate who voted against the war and who will provide universal health care. A lot of delegates will probably compromise and back him if it's a stand-off between Kerry and Edwards.

[Syrinx]

12. I respectfully disagree

The delegates want to win. They would vote for someone who could win.

[bowens43]

24. Kucinich is not a compromise between Kerry and Edwards.

As the primaries have shown us, the IWR vote issue is not that important to the majority of the voters. Two of the three candidates who ran as anti-war candidates have already been eliminated. Kucinich although hanging on, hasn't made an impressive showing anywhere. Kucinich can not provide universal health care, no candidate can. Only the congress can do that and you can bet that a republican controlled congress will oppose it.

[bowens43]

23. How would he do that?

He has almost no support. The Democratic voters have shown that they don't think he's up to the job. He's a good man but he isn't presidential material and the people know that. Kucinich as the nominee would mean a landslide win for the republicans.

[feistydem]

15. I have heard the media push for this because they want a fight...

but where did you hear/read that Edwards and Kerry were saying they want Kucinich & Sharpton out of the debates? I haven't heard it, read it or seen it.

You should source your allegations, "theoretically" or not.

[still_one]

16. Hey the rules our out of the DNC jurisdiction now

Only those that have over 10% of the vote.

If you don't want to support either candidate then don't. Is that supposed to scare people?

If it is pushed to its ultimate conclusion then Bush will win, and everyone will lose, but this time it will be far worse than the 2000 election.

The repugs will control the executive, legislative, and judical branch, and the effects will last for at least 20 years, especially the appoints to the supreme court.

Throw the baby out with the bath water, and nobody should complain!

[genius]

18. My candidate got over 15% . He's in - unless they cheat.

Why should I ever trust someone who wants to openly cheat by excluding Kucinich?

[krkaufman]

20. This isn't about you

Please don't forget that this fight is about the millions who will suffer under another 4 years of unopposed Bush/ROG rule.

Fight for your candidates but please remember the end goal.

[Adelante]

21. Unless something's changed today

Kerry is arguing this point in your favor.

[mmonk]

22. As long as someone is in the race

they should be able to participate in the debates. Everyone should tell the media NO.

[LWolf]

25. If debate sponsors choose to exclude

my candidate, I will choose to boycott them. To write letters of protest, calling for people to join me.

If the democratic party wants to keep my vote in November, they will call for inclusion.

[revcarol]

26. I guess Edwards doesn't want our votes, should he win the nomination.

He has challenged Kerry to one-on-ones.

And ;if Kerry accepts, I guess Kerry doesn't want our votes, should he win the nomination.

And they don't want our feet on the ground, canvassing for the Democratic Party or our money, or the votes of our friends and relatives either.They want the Democratic party to just die by losing a large part of the base.