ABB: All the more reason to vote for Dean or Kucinich NOW!

[Progress]

If you are a progressive Democrat who doesn't like the direction the Party has been taking but still plans to vote for the Democratic nominee in November no matter who it is... that is all the more reason to cast a vote for Dean or Kucinich now in the primaries. It will be your only chance to send a message that you don't like the way things are going.

To tell you the truth, if I honestly thought that Dean or Kucinich had a reasonable shot at being the nominee at this point, I'd have to think about it a little more. But at this stage, a vote for Kucinich or even for Dean is more a vote for the movements they represent than for the candidates themselves. To me, Dean represents the missing "spine" of the Party and the idea that strong opposition to the war (and other actions of the Bush administration) is not held by just a fringe minority but by a strong majority. Kucinich, IMO, represents true progressivism and an integrity unconstrained by special interests.

And your vote will count for more. If you just use your vote to fight it out between Kerry and Edwards, you will just be a face in the crowd. If you use your vote to show support for Kucinich or Dean, your vote will mean more because Kucinich's following is such a minority in the primaries to begin with that even a small number of votes will be proportionally a big increase. Now that Dean has stopped campaigning, I expect the same will also be true of him.

Also, a "protest" vote does not need to have the same numbers that a candidate needs to make a statement. Dean getting 15% as a candidate would not be particularly impressive. Dean getting 15% as a protest vote - after he has stopped campaigning - would be a huge story. Despite Nader's small numbers in 2000, he was a big story. A vote for Kucinich or Dean at this point would also make an important point without harming the Party. Instead of saying "I'm leaving the Party," it would be like saying, "I'm still a Democrat but I'm disgusted with the direction of my Party and I'm going to work to change it."

When I started a thread recently about how hard it was going to be to pull the lever for Kerry in November if he was our candidate, I was told by another poster "ABB or STFU." Since I had already said I was ABB, I think what the poster meant was "ABB and STFU." Well, I won't shut up. I'm going to vote for my Party's nominee in November, but I'm not going to deny myself the right to do everything I can to push my Party in the right direction. Since I am a Democrat and committed to voting Democratic, I have every right to take part in shaping the Party. I haven't voted in my primary yet, and when I do it's going to be my choice. I can still have a voice even if I can't have my first choice candidate win the nomination.

[liberalnurse]

1. No, I'll protest later....I want my vote

and the vote of my peers to mean something. I'll be voting and campaigning for Edwards. kerry can't beat *bush.

[liberalnurse]

3. Additionally, your rationale will not work in Ohio.

many of the Delegates have aligned with kerry......the one who treated Dean badly!

Kerry covens the ex-Dean union support now.....many are delegates!

Edward must take Ohio to stop the manipulation.

[Deaner1971]

10. What are you basing your opinion on?

Kerry was great last night in Columbus and the crowd really reacted to him. I brought people who weren't sure if they were going to vote Edwards, vote Kerry, vote Dean (protest vote), or let others settle the primary and just vote Dem in November. They were impressed with what Kerry had to say and the emotion with which he said it. His platforms address alot of areas that are near and dear to Ohioans and I think he should visit this state as often as possible to get his message out and make sure that Bush loses due to the trend that no Repub wins the White House without Ohio.

Kerry's numbers against Bush exceed those of Edwards and I think that John Kerry has what it will take to get the White House back.

Don't get me wrong, I think Sen. Edwards is a good man and does his state and our party proud but, I think Kerry is my man for the White House. However, I will make every effort to see Edwards when he swings through the Buckeye state and see what he brings to the table.

[liberalnurse]

11. Was it another private rally?

Here in Dayton, only selected UAW members could attend......So much for kerry....he's sharp at just covering what it takes to win.

[demnan]

2. Great post

you articulated my feelings exactly. Welcome to DU! Keep posting! :hi:

[liberalnurse]

4. It won't work ......I've done the research already.

At least in Ohio. As shocked as I was at the results, I realize that is not the way to go. Thats what kerry wants. DK is in the race for that purpose only.

[Progress]

5. Huh?

You think DK is in the race to help Kerry get more votes than Edwards? Please explain.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

6. At the time DK entered the race

John Edwards had been in it only one month. No one imagined that Edwards would be where he is today.

You must really have it in for DK, because first you say he's in the race just to spoil things for Dean, and now you say he's in the race just to spoil things for Edwards.

[Zomby Woof]

7. Damn that DeeKay!!!

He'll single-handedly bring down Western Civilization if he keeps his masterful plot of candidate-vote-usurping fed to the tabloids! :o

:hi: Lydia! :donut:

[mgc1961]

8. Gees,...

...and silly me thought I was (to steal a line from DK) voting for that third sting quarterback on the two string team.

That must be some team if a benchsitter can bring down western civilization.

[newyawker99]

9. Hi Progress!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: