How many would sign up for a Draft Edwards movement? hear this out -

[kelligesq]

starting right after the March primaries? It's already set up and just waiting.

Hear this out.

Obama has taken Wisconsin. Hillary is going to lose. And so will McCain

It does look like he's going to take the whole country. Unfortunately

Edwards is my first choice

If worse came to worse Hillary would have to do.

If you read above that PNAC and Cheney support Obama as does the entire dem party
DLC establishment, that he's taking in a million dollars a day, it looks like he
is going to be the next resident. He has spent $500,000 on buying Super delegates. Claire McCaskell forgot to mention the $10.000 she received from him -
(her daughter made her vote for Obama - yeah, right)

He's a slimy sneaky bastard. Even tipped off the reporters to take pictures of his meeting with John Edwards, while Hillary kept the whole thing quiet

Those damn kids are going to be awfully surprised when he continues along the path the current resident and his handlers have set out for him - they'll be even more surprised when he sends them to Iraq, cause he aint getting out of there.

If it looked like Hillary was going to win, we wouldnt do it.

The white men are voting for Obama, and that's why the dem party and Kennedy forced John out. As long as John was in white men would vote for john, then they'll vote for another man, even a black man yelling Yes,,We Can , before they;ll vote for a woman.

John is suspended and suspended candidates have come back in before.

If we draft him and upset the dem applecart, at least he'll take the white union and men older voters away from Obama.

And dont tell me this is racist. The whole campaign is racist with 82 % of black people voting for a black man, but the black vote is only 12 % of the population.

What about a convention floor fight over who the candidate will be?

It would be hard to believe that McCain could win with his 100 year war and his corporate tax reduction platform.

But McCain or Obama , will still be a republican in the WH.

If we draw away white men, unions to Edwards, oldsters to Hillary and Obama is left with the kids, what's the outcome?

[OneGrassRoot]

1. I'm with you. Come up with a plan and I'll do everything I can.

Hey, that rhymed. :-)

[kelligesq]

23. Good. You have to figure the plan works on several levels

it shows the current democratic party that the left wing is rebelling.
We're mad as hell and not going to take it anymore.

Attention is drawn to John Edwards Populist Platform and should
get the attention the media wouldn't give it.

Since the action is not connected to John, but to his supporters
who have voted for John by over a million people even after he has
withdrawn, the candidate might get it through his head he'd better
make room for John somewhere in the cabinet - a place of power where
John can accomplish something.

[Ninga]

n/t

[Ninga]

2. I am with you in spirit, but it is not practical. Emotions aside, take a long hard look

at what you are suggesting.

You want a movement that can in all practicality, negate the people who have voted so far.

You want a movement that can in all practicality, be as disruptive as the "super delegate" process.

I love John Edwards, but he had his chance.

Unless he had a gun pointed at his head, he left the process willingly.

He hegded his bets, and maybe for the first time in his adult life, made a decision that I would bet, if he had to do over again, would not make it.

[Creideiki]

3. Don't see it happening

Nice thought, but the general will be a center-right vs. lunatic right contest. We can still hold out hope for a nice cabinet position for Edwards (AG, maybe?) but that's about it.

[travelpet]

33. You can put money on

it not happening if people don't get off their fat butts and
make it happen. This is still our party and we still have a
say...if we force the issue. What do we have to lose? As it
stands now, we are going to lose either way. At least we can
go down fighting...I'm all for a draft Edwards movement...tell
me where to sign up.

[bpeale]

4. it's real iffy, but i'm game. tell me what i have to do

[balantz]

5. Of course I would support it.

But I too see the odds against success there. Don't want to be a downer, but it doesn't seem realistic to me. But I would still support such a thing.

My hope is a scandle-crippled Obama before the convention with John and Al Gore stepping in. But the crafty devils planning all of this will hold back the worse on the wonder "O" until after the convention.

I think America is destined to suffer once again through both the lies from the oligarchy and the stupidity to believe them. I fear we are in for some of the most difficult and horrifying years we have ever known.

Hunker down and hold on.

New mantra: "2012".

[asdjrocky]

6. I don't agree at all.

This would be a total waste of energy, imo, that could be given to local races, and local causes. You have to realize, the only way to really turn our nation Progressive, starts from the ground up.

Forget about pipe dreams of John being President, and get smart, and get local.

[balantz]

7. This is true.

Local and Congressional is what we can do.

Such a draft movement would be a waste of energy. Look at the energy (time, money and focus) that kept getting pumped into a draft Gore campaign. He didn't make that choice. I don't think John would either. Once he stepped out, for whatever reason(s), that was it. And I think we know that.

Like I said above, I'm willing to hold out a dream, if for nothing else just to make me feel better, that there will be some fortuitous event leading up to the convention.

[asdjrocky]

8. You know what they say-

If wishes were horses, then dreamers would ride. Nothing long with a wish or a dream, but we have to get serious about changing congress and states.

When it comes down to it, without a local Progressive push, the President doesn't matter at all. I just wish people would start to catch on with it.

[balantz]

9. Well, ultimately, a progressive/populist administration is needed.

But we are seeing that can't happen until the government is ours. We still have a lot of ground work to get the progressive movement happening full-force. As times get harder people will hopefully catch on that it is our only hope if we want our country back. We have to really focus on getting reformers in office on all levels, and with the big money machine of the corporatists, it ain't gonna be easy!

[asdjrocky]

10. And the way to make the government ours-

Starts in our own back yard. I wish there was a way I could address all the local races at one time, reach everyone at one time. It's a long process, but I believe it is worth it.

[kelligesq]

22. What happens when you put a good apple in a barrel with bad apples?

As John Edwards said, "The system is broken"

[kelligesq]

21. True Balantz. So stop buying anything not made in America - that

should begin to pinch the big corporate money machine.

Let all that carp (I know its misspelled) they're manufacturing in countries
other than America build up to the ceilings of their warehouses.

America is the consumer, we consume everything and anything.

Other countries are more conservationist. They actually FIX things instead of
throwing them out and getting new.

[Two Americas]

15. I agree completely

The presidency is lost, that that is just one battle, and not all that important of a battle at that. The right wingers immensely augmented their strength and power while there was a Democrat in the White House.

We can work where we can have the most impact, for example...

Organizing workers in California

;)

We can hardly hope to have a president that represents organized workers (and we are all workers, and organizing is our only real hope) if we don't have anything coherent organized that this perfect president can represent.

The problem is not that we are not being represented, the problem is that we don't give the politicans anything of any substance to represent. Our feelings? Our personal preferences? Our causes? None of that means a thing in politics - if it did, 30 years of liberal activism just MAY have resulted in something other than what we have - a near police state, growing facsism and an extreme right wing government that is owned by the wealthy and powerful few.

The politicians need to see our strength, our solidarity. We need to play just as tough as they are playing with us.

Let's get busy and stop hoping to be offered a lever in a voting booth that will make all of the boo boos magically go away. That ain't gonna happen.

[asdjrocky]

16. Yep, I've decided. Tomorrow is my first day.

[Two Americas]

18. hooray!

I am very excited for you Rocky. I think this is just great.

:applause:

[asdjrocky]

25. I'm on my second cup of coffee, and I have to be there at 10am.

I have to tell ya, I'm really, really excited about this.

[shimmergal]

11. The time isn't right for it now.

If--a big if -- monumental scandal or some other twist of fate intervenes before the convention (or even after) then the outlook would change. Short of that, it wouldn't work, and might just leave all his supporters more bitter.

Actually, I suspect the twist-of-fate, or act-of-God, or whatever, is more likely to happen to McCain, given his likely health issues, and who knows how that will affect both races?

In the meantime, the best we can do is try to elect as many, and as progressive, Democrats as possible to Congress.

And one other thing...we need a think tank, and/or a movement, that takes Al Gore's, Kucinich's, and John Edwards' (and now even Hillary's) bad treatment by the media to heart, and works on EFFECTIVE ways to counteract it in future elections.

[Hermes Daughter]

19. Waiting for the scandal...

Why is everyone waiting for the "monumental scandal" that's going to show Obama up? Why not make it happen? I don't mean, make one up. I mean research it and move it forward. There's a site called Rezko Watch and any college grad knows how to prepare a paper. Here's some key words: Chicago, Iron Guard, Hamburg, Madrid, Russ Bellant, Leo Strauss, Ronnett, Rezko, Syrian Brotherhood...

And that's just for starters! Or are all the college grads swooning over the Second Coming? :rofl:

[Andrea]

26. Another key word: Excelon n/t

[kelligesq]

28. Leo Strauss? The father of the Neo Cons -

[kelligesq]

32. Shimmergal, you got your scandal , only

to the wrong party LOL

I agree, there needs to be media reform - but there isnt going to be
any until the anti-trust-anti-monopoly laws and corporate regualtory laws
are brought back .

[saracat]

12. I agree with everything you say except drafting John.He wouldn't accept this.

Edwards is a loyal democrat and will likely support the nominee. He has , also, apparently , according to the NYTimes , opted to remain neutral so that he along with Gore, Dodd, Biden, and Pelosi can act as "brokers" at the convention should the need arise.

Somewhere, somehow, a deal was made and TPTB decided that Edwards was going to be "pulled". I believe the same PTB decided Hillary was going to be "punished" and they are going to give the nomination to Obama.I do NOT think there will be a "brokered convention" BTW.

[kelligesq]

29. Yes we know. But it's a device to raise his platform and his followers to

make changes, demand changes without being under the thumb of any pol

[ChiciB1]

31. I Agree With You... But I HAVE A DREAM! The Dream Turned Into A

NIGHTMARE, and we ARE where we ARE! I would LOVE to do ANYTHING to get John back myself, but I don't think it can actually be done. STILL, I will never put him down for "suspending" because I don't think he was given much of a choice.

Sure, many will say he could have stood his ground, but I don't think it was EVER an option. Just like what is happening to Clinton... the FIX is in and it's been in the works for a VERY LONG TIME!

I may be one of the most cynical here about what the future looks like because I don't have any desire to do ANYTHING locally. You would have to live where I do to understand. Just trying to get 10 to 20 people together to do anything other than DLC would be like climbing a mountain. There are several of us here who have stuck together, but have been unable to get a movement going. The most aggressive movement going on right now is Christine Jennings! She does have a "D" behind her name, but she was an "R" and even though her fight went on and on and on... in the end, the votes were never found.

I'm sick of getting bashed and battered and it's extremely difficult to go out a become a punching bag again. Living in Florida is difficult enough, but living HERE is even more difficult. I still consider myself a Liberal, and make no bones about it... calling myself a Progressive is just a replacement name to cover up the "liberal" word. Anyway, I would LOVE to see John Edwards back in and IF there was some way it could work... I'm in! Just don't have a plan myself!

[kelligesq]

13. I agree, it's unlikely that it would get Edwards the Presidency but

it might get him into the WH or a very prominent position when they see
the left wing of the dems rebelling.

The best platform is Edwards'.
It's the only one that's truly for the people.
Hillary has now been spouting more of Edwards' platform than Obama.

I didnt ask about the local and the congressman and senators, but I expect nothing less from Rocky.

There's time for them AFTER the convention.

Just asking -

it's already in the works.

[kelligesq]

14. The New York Times Just knocked McCAin out of the race

publishing story about his having an affair with a lobbyist
and giving her company favors.

Now why the f- couldnt it be Obama

[asdjrocky]

17. What does that mean?

"but I expect nothing less from Rocky" I certainly wasn't trying to be rude, and I was just trying to answer your question.

If you really study political history, you'll see all Progressive movements started from the bottom up. That really is all I was saying.

[kelligesq]

20. It's a funny thing. I've asked several people who describe selves as Progressives

what is a progressive?

And you know, they don't know. They cant tell me why they
are called Progressive, why they call themselves that, or
what it stands for.

I prefer the tag the Chamber of Commerce hung on John.

It's history and the name stands for the people.

[asdjrocky]

24. I can tell you, or I can show you.

Progressives are much more about who they are and what they do then a label. Take a look, there is a long list of Progressive accomplishments, and if I remember right, not one of them was a President.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/asdjrocky/57

[vireo]

27. There's one progressive reform that might warrant revisiting, however

Open primaries.

[ChiciB1]

30. ALWAYS, ALWAYS... Go, Johnny, GOOOOOOOOO! I've Already Made

my choice and it was made some time ago... John Edwards! If there is SOME WAY, SOME HOW, and Enough time, give me my BOOTS BACK and I'm ready to MARCH for John Edwards!

I can't stand what is going on! I didn't watch the debate, have NO interest anymore in ANYTHING right now. I was determined NOT to get so down, but I did and haven't really recovered from his "suspension!" I heard something about people swooning at the mere mention of Obama's name and I just about POPPED a blood vessel! Are we grown-ups? Is this an election for POTUS? Has everyone lost their minds?

From what I'm hearing, this man will soon be able to replicate GOD!! I KNOW I'm missing something, but something says it's better to miss it. This country needs a REALITY check!

We need JOHN EDWARDS!!

[travelpet]

34. Put me on the list and tell

me where to sign...You said it...THIS COUNTRY NEEDS JOHN
EDWARDS!!!!

[kelligesq]

35. Travelpet,

there's a thread up above this one that says Petition

sign right there

and pass it on

[kelligesq]

36. Edwards Petition

We’ve made a petition directed to the Democratic Leadership and Dem Congress to let them know they have not fulfilled their promises and the membership is unhappy. John Edwards’ 80 page platform was the best of all the candidates obviously since they all began to copy his words.

This petitions the Democratic Leadership to adopt John Edwards' platform as the Democratic Party Platform, and of course "suggesting" that John be on the Democratic Ticket no matter who the candidate is.

Hey, we'll even take a cabinet position, because John Edwards populism is needed to straighten out this country and do for "we the people" instead of we the corporations.

If you want to help by signing the petition and
passing it on, here it is:

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/DraftJRE/petition.html