Finally, I'm endorsing a candidate

[welshTerrier2]

Well, the Massachusetts primary is tomorrow ... there's just no more time to leave my options open ... early on, I thought about supporting Dean but decided not to ... then I thought about going Green but decided not to ...

I've considered most of the candidate bickering on DU to be of very little value ... i hardly ever participated in candidate discussions although I did write several billion posts criticizing those candidates who voted for the IWR ... it was a hideous vote and should never have happened ...

I've watched every debate and vey closely followed all the campaigns ... one thing is undeniable, regardless of how you vote, you must do everything you can do to ensure that bush does not get another four years ...

So, after considerable anguish, I am officially endorsing Dennis Kucinich for President and will vote for him tomorrow ... His views are my views (well, most of them) ...

Now, having said that, I feel compelled to address the ABB voters and those who may not enthusiastically support the democratic nominee ... I am 100% squarely in the ABB category ... 4 more years of bush is not an option ... this is not the time to "send the democrats a message" ... bush is a very serious threat to the republic ... our futures are being sold to the highest bidders; our government is being systematically dismantled ...

There are many things wrong with the democratic party ... and there are many things wrong with John Kerry, our eventual nominee ... but I will enthusiastically support Kerry and do everything I can to help him get elected ... it's one thing to criticize him here on DU; it's a tragic mistake to not make the best case you can for him when talking to republicans, independents or even other democrats ...

This should not be a case of "well, I really don't like him but I guess I'll vote for him" ... that's nonsense ... if you want bush out, you fight like hell to do all you can to get him out ... if you would rather teach the democrats a lesson, fine ... you can sit back and feel very self-righteous when bush wins ... and you can say "see, I told you so ... you ignored the left ... this is all your fault you stupid loser democrats" ... and millions will suffer while you can knowingly sit back and say "Hey, don't blame me ..."

The 2004 election is NOT an ordinary election ... bush is a disaster ... if the republicans were running someone less corrupt and less evil than bush, I too would consider "sending a message" ... we cannot afford to do that this year ... it's time to stop bad-mouthing Kerry and start talking about what a great leader he'll be ... if you're not able to do that yet, work on it ...

Kind of a funny endorsement for Kucinich, eh ?? but that's the way it is ... Kucinich (and Dean too) has re-energized many on the left in the party ... I commend him for the campaign he's run, the issues he's raised and the life he's breathed into the "democratic wing of the democratic party" ... and perhaps next time around, he'll be on the ticket in November ...

So, I'm endorsing Dennis Kucinich in the primary ... but I'm working for Kerry and voting for Kerry after tomorrow ...

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. Well said

And I respect you for your views.

[redqueen]

2. Amen. The time to send a message is NOW.

The time to elect the democrat (yes, even if it's a Ham Sandwich) is in November!

If Texas were close for bush, I'd vote for the nominee. Since I expect we'll be safely in bush's pocket, I'll probably be casting a 'message' vote then as well.

[jpgray]

3. You rode the same train to Kucinich that I did. Cheers (nt)

[blm]

4. Many of us Kerry supporters have voted for Dennis Kucinich in the primary

or plan to. I find that gratifying as someone who supports them both.

[no name no slogan]

5. Thanks for your vote!

And even if Dennis is not the nominee, we STILL have to stand up for our values and vote our conscience in the primaries-- it's the only time we get to send a message to our party.

And don't be too sure about Dennis being out after tomorrow....the fat lady hasn't entered the building yet!

:hi:

[welshTerrier2]

9. Dennis won't be out after tomorrow

but Kerry is clearly going to be the nominee ...

I hope Dennis stays in right up until the convention ... i wonder if Kerry would be willing to continue to have debates if Edwards drops out in a week or two ...

It would be interesting to see Kerry debate just Sharpton and Kucinich ...

I think Kerry would actually benefit from this because he would continue to get free air time and he would be able to show he's not really as progressive as many in the party ... in the general election, whether we like it or not, the name of the game is to run towards the middle ...

[Mairead]

6. Thank you, WT, and welcome to the bus! (Soon we'll have to get a train!)

[dtseiler]

7. I did the same in the Wisconsin primary [eom]

[MaggieSwanson]

8. Go Dennis

...and thank you, welshTerrier2!

[cally]

10. I just voted for Kucinich for very similar reasons

I'm already volunteering for Kerry and I support him wholeheartedly. I voted for Kucincich just to send a message that the left votes and does care.

[Octafish]

11. Good for you!

I mean that, too.

As a Democrat, I respect you for your opinions, which are just as important as mine. And I respect your vote, welshTerrier2, which is just as important as mine.

Good luck to you and Kucinich and all good Democrats!

Down with the BFEE!

[mvd]

12. Kucinich in the primary and Kerry all the way in the GE..

for me, too. I commend your attitude. :hi:

[scarletwoman]

13. Great post!

I'm voting for Kucinich, not because I think he could be the nominee -- I know he won't be -- but because it's my message to the Democratic party. We of the "Democratic wing" are NOT going away!

Go Dennis!
sw

[bobthedrummer]

14. He comes with no strings attached-good choice!

:hi:

[TheBigDemo]

15. My conclusion as Well, Thank you!

[welshTerrier2]

16. one last super tuesday kick

n/t

[Mairead]

17. yastk

[bobthedrummer]

18. Kucinich kick.

:kick:

[welshTerrier2]

19. so, after all this time, there was my ballot

right there in front of me ... none of this electronic mumbo jumbo ...
paper ballot with little ovals to color in ...

and a list of all the names we've argued about for so long here on DU ... well, and Larouche too ... all the names were there ... gephardt, cmb, lieberman, graham (i think) and dean ... they felt like ghosts ... it seemed like they were names recycled from 2000 ... it was hard to believe they were all in the running just 6 weeks ago ...

the names were not in any particular order ... there was Kucinich with a little oval after his name ... i just had to color it in and I would become a Kucinich voter ... all those months on DU ... all the debates ... all the articles I've read ... and it all came down to coloring in just one little circle with the number 2 pencil they gave me along with my ballot ...

well, according to my very own personal exit poll here in the sleepy little town of ashland, massachusetts (home of the first electric clock), if the trend holds up, Kucinich will have one vote and none of the other candidates will have any ...