Overheard on the radio twith Ed Schultz - it really hit home with me

[BigBearJohn]

a Repub caller was speaking to Ed
and he said, "if all you guys are
putting down your OWN candidate,
how on earth did you expect any of
us on the other side to vote for him?"

I can't argue with that. (Though,
I'm positive some will.)

[meganmonkey]

1. I won't argue with that, BBJ!!!

We're all on the same side here, we just need to remember it more often.
Plus, it's kind of embarrassing to get called out like that by a republican ;)

And no, I am not implying that diversity of opinion is a bad thing. I am just saying that despite opinions, working together toward our common goal is better!

:hi:

[skypilot]

2. The guy has a point.

Even now I'm hearing people talking about what a "lousy candidate" John Kerry was. Too bad we'll probably never know what kind of a president he would have been.

[riverwalker]

3. what I say

when people (usually repugs or fence sitters) ask me "why couldn't you dems come up with a better candidate?" I just say "Why couldn't the repugs? Is GW the BEST your party has to offer?" They get quiet REAL fast.
I for one have never bashed Kerry, and would proudly vote for him again.

[cindyw]

4. Exactly. The key here is that someone attacking Kerry is fair game

and part of free speech and ideals. But god for bid someone criticize Dean. That is off limits.

[Mistwell]

5. We DO deserve some blame

We, as voters, deserve some of the blame for the primaries. It IS our fault we selected Kerry instead of someone like Dean. *WE* fell for the MSM Dean Scream stuff (or the anti-whoever stuff, if you liked someone else), because it was OUR votes involved. Kerry was chosen by many because of his resume, and not because of his charisma (or lack thereof) or ability to hold firm to a position - even though we know from past experience that those things are as important or more important to independant and undecided voters. It was a dumb move. I'm not saying I am certain a different choice would have won...but I do think we would have had a better chance.

[marions ghost]

7. Charisma couldn't have done it...

This poll shows that "undecideds/independents" were not a significant factor--most people made a decision and stuck to it.
So much for swing voter appeal.
http://www.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/naes/2004_03_mindset-bush-kerry-supporters_%2001-05_pr.pdf

All this is theoretical. Since we can't seem to conduct elections without controversy around here, who KNOWS who could have won...it's *possible* that no Dem candidate could have won. It seems apparent that in 2000, no Dem candidate could have won under those conditions.
So analysis of the candidates is well...so much hot air.

Personally as a voter--I take NO BLAME for anything. I did my best.

[garybeck]

6. personally I didn't put Kerry down until he wimped out after the election

Now he's fair game and he deserves it.

[libertypirate]

8. If we are not willing to stand convicted...

to the demands of democracy on us to question the actions and motives of our leaders. We will never convince the republicans to do the same, and stand as people not a party for democracy.

[quiet.american]

9. Which candidate was he referring to? n/t

[Beth in VT]

10. Dissention in the ranks and varying points of view

are tolerated and even encouraged much more among Democrats than Republicans. Ask him why it's not okay to disagree with a candidate on certain points and whether he thinks there is a perfect candidate.

[sandnsea]

12. That's the justification

That's why we lose. There's a time for discussion, and a time to just shut up and win.

[sandnsea]

11. Said that for a while now

Some can pretend we were united, but rolling your eyes and holding your nose while saying "vote Kerry" is not unity. Running with the RW media rhetoric and ignoring what the campaign released didn't help either. Democrats buy into the media bullshit as much or more than the right does. If this was a unified Presidential campaign, I'd hate to see what an un-unified one looks like.