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Edited on Fri Feb-27-04 05:26 AM by LosAngelesDemocrat
I just got home about 2 hours ago from the pre-debate rally, debate, and post-debate candidate rally. I gotta say that it was great! So many issue advocacy groups I've been in contact with were all there in representation. I've been concerned about the divisiveness in the democratic party apparent in this forum and in other regional grass-root meetings but after what I saw and participated in, it makes me feel like that there is progress being made in holding to the democratic ideals of "the big tent party", inclusiveness, diversity, and coalition formers. Every candidate's supporters were there (including Dean) and demonstrated solidarity and civility in the kinship we all generally shared as fellow liberals. Kucinich's supporters even providing some really cool beats also with people free-flowing. Of course there were chants advocating each particular candidate but at times there were groups of people from different campaigns chanting anti-bush slogans in unison. The kinship expressed with different supporters amongst each other with people wishing the election of Dean delegates well, the sentimentality toward the Bohemianess of Kucinich people, the good old sweetness of one-on-one conversations with the Edwards people, and the organizational might of Kerry people some driving over 3 hours to attend makes me feel that we all stood together in passion for change. The debate, regardless of how it will be perceived in the media as a fight, was still a civil discussion within the family, with people you call your allies and friends; and this permeated not only within the candidates, but all the way down grassroots with professors and students on the way home stopping to spontaneously join the rally. By the way, as a graduate from USC also, I know how conservative the school is. But to also have republicans stop by; some in support and others to pursue a dialog of ideas makes be feel like things in this nation are not as bad as they can be. So in regard to the verbal banter that occurs here, which serves useful in its own right in construction of ideas and platform; when it comes down to face-to-face, heart-to-heart conversation between like minded liberals - I have faith we can work together to pursue these ideals. Whether it be all of specializing in different areas (health care, environment, economy, foreign policy) or it be on different levels (federal, state, local). I know people need not feel disenfranchised... it is about personal participation. And that is something we all personally own and can do in our own unique way. Remember that there are also people behind you if not in specifics but always in spirit.
Democrat Meetup LA Volunteer
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