The Most Admired Democrat of 2004!

[Jackson4Gore]

Since Gallup made their choice...I think it would be cool for us to see who we admire the most!

Here the choices:

Howard Dean
Al Gore
John Kerry
John Edwards
Wes Clark
Hillary Clinton
Barack Obama
Elizibeth Edwards
Theresa Hienz Kerry
Other (Please Name)

[iwantmycountryback]

1. Barack Obama

[billbuckhead]

4. Wes Clark

The way NPR tried to suffocate his candidacy showed what a true threat to the Reichwing Wes is.

[Crunchy Frog]

193. I agree. I could tell just by the way the corporate media

was treating him, that I was backing the right guy.

[FloridaPat]

2. Kuchinich. He put action behind his words and defended the

Constitution and the American public. Howard Dean would be a close second.

[Debs]

48. I vote

Dennis, an unrepentent liberal

[Chicago Democrat]

52. I vote Dennis... UN in! US out!

UN in! US out!UN in! US out!UN in! US out!
UN in! US out!UN in! US out!UN in! US out!UN in! US out!UN in! US out!UN in! US out!

[NYC]

166. Kucinich.

I agree.

[genius]

178. Dennis got Congressperson of the year from a progressive think tank

That's because he's the best.

patrickhenrythinktank.org

[whistle]

3. Howard Dean, he has stuck to his beliefs and his principles

[PassingFair]

10. Personally, for me it's

Dean all the way. I look at pictures from the campaign before Iowa and wonder what could have been. Ah, well. Here's to 2006 and a bluer senate and house, brought to us by the power of Dean via DNC chairmanship!

[formernaderite]

46. And then in a very principled manner he supported the democratic...

candidate. I hope he runs again.

[Dancing_Dave]

182. From that list DEAN...

But Rep Conyers from Michigan is the most amazing of all, with his bold investigation of "what went wrong in Ohio.":yourock:

[latteromden]

5. Barack. Kucinich, second, Dean, third. (n/t)

[Peggy Day]

156. Where's Kucinich?

Northern California, and the SF bay area, is one of the most liberal areas of the country, and I pretty much knew that Kerry was going to win the primary (hadn't he already?), anyway, I voted for Dennis. I really liked his independence.
I'm listening to Daschle now on C-Span. He isn't so bad, is he?
My point is that maybe we shouldn't be so taken in by the glitz and glitter of politicians.
On Jan 6, I'll be doing so much praying that we can finally get our country headed in the right direction, but I realize that this might not happen.
If that doesn't pan out, (that the tree-hugging and proud of it liberal doesn't prevail happens), on the 19th and the 20th, I will not be at work.

[LittleClarkie]

6. John Kerry with Elizabeth Edwards as a runner up

I still think she could run for office herself. Well-spoken woman, I hope she's doing well.

[greenohio]

43. I agree.

Kerry ran a pretty good campaign and mopped shrub up in the debates. Elizabeth Edwards WILL get elected to office someday.

[muse]

94. I'm with you on this.

[Norwood]

152. Agreed

Kerry ran a strong campaign and did a good job against the bush hate machine. He would have been a great president but I'm not surprised at the result. I'm still holding out for a miracle.

Elizabeth Edwards goes without saying. I'm praying for her swift recovery.

[manhattanite]

176. I agree completely.

I agree completely about Kerry. Also, I wish Elizabeth Edwards would run against Dole.

[Muddy Waters Guitar]

7. 3-way tie among Dean, Gore, and Kucinich

They were the only ones unafraid to speak the brutal, unvarnished truth on Iraq-- the truth that Bush & Co. should've heeded before blundering into this disaster in the first place.

[PunkPop]

9. I agree. nt

[DaveinMD]

8. Wes Clark for a very personal reason

My friend was working as a volunteer on the campaign in NH. She found out that her sister and nephew were killed in a car accident in Minnesota. They paid for a limo to take her to logan to fly back to Minnesota. General Clark then called her the next day to check in on her. That really made me feel good about him.

[Erika]

11. What a class act!

Good for the General.

[autorank]

12. Thanks for sharing that. Validates my choice: CLARK

This sort of story offers a real insight into the personality of the candidate. He didn't have to do this but he did and the call just caps it off. He seems like an awfully decent guy and you confirmed it.

[DaveinMD]

15. no problem

he's a really decent man. He's still doing great work too.

[autorank]

24. He was my first choice, Voted for him in VA (wife and brat voted Kerry)

That's the VA primary. Naturally, I supported Kerry all the way after that.

I think Clark is the one person that can make the Democratic Party a national party. If he doesn't step up now, it will still happen but I'd love to see it happen with Clark. He is so bright and skilled and getting better by the day, week, month. I know he wants to make a few bucks and he deserves it after all his years in the USArmy. Hope he strikes it rich enough or gets the call for a national tour. A great Mr. Outside for us while we fight the "morans" in congress.

[Stinky The Clown]

31. Clark defines "decency" .... he's my choice

Before he retired from the military, he was truly just an average American. Sure he had a high powered job, but he earned less than $100K a year - a lot less - for all of his life. Of all the candidates, he's the closest to being "one of us" ..... except maybe for Kucnich, but even he's been inside the Beltway for a while.

Clark is a decent man who clearly wants the best for the country he spent his life serving. And most important, perhaps ..... he "gets it", as this story tells so eloquently.

[cidliz2004]

187. The Honorable 4 Star General Wes Clark

Too many reasons to list. He is a great hope to politics in general. He is the type of leader that is desperately needed - not a politician, but someone who has lived abroad, dedicated his life to serving our country and is brilliant!

He is the type of man that would and could effectively - without hesitation - clean house (starting with the White House).

[zulchzulu]

13. The Democratic Grassroots Trench Fighter

There were plenty this year.

[incapsulated]

18. I agree with this choice

And got little for their efforts, as well.

Bless the roots.

[zulchzulu]

44. All the passionate people I met this election year....of all stripes...

I was and still am a Kerryhead. I met many Dean fans, Kucinich fans, Edswards fans, Clark fans and all matter of those deeply involved and passionate about all the other issues that were so dedicated, so thrilled with their choice and mission, so unified with others around them that agreed and spent tons of hours, money and were willing to show up even in the worst weather conditions on the streets and within minutes of posting fresh news on their web sites...it brings tears to my eyes how much passion this year brought to so many politically.

I've gone to those corners on the street where these events happened and can feel the ghosts of that time where democracy was real...and not something we would doubt is still alive due to the black box voting events that pollute what we have fought for.

As much as I don't like the political message of Bush fans, I did run into some that were passionate about their choice. Frankly, I found they were uninformed of the issues and what was really happening, but I give a hats off to them for their dedication.

It was all grass roots. No waiting for the Cavalry to arrive to get going and get the message on the virtual and real street. What I do favor are people that take it to the street over just blogging their passion. There is nothing like being in the political trenches on the street.

This kind of political passion would make our Founding Fathers proud. In the trenches, fighting for our cause...whatever it is.

[autorank]

26. Wow: I admire every single choice so far. We MUST have a great party!

:yourock:

[senaca]

162. Paul Wellstone's legacy

The democratic grassroot trench fighter is quintessential Paul Wellstone, therefore I think Paul Wellstone's legacy was very much a part of 2004.

[Poiuyt]

14. Russ Feingold

More integrity than anyone in Washington

[Lizzie Borden]

157. Feingold would be my first pick...

as far as integity goes too. I trust this man. Others I may vote for but not necessarily trust.

[Larry in KC]

16. Wes Clark

...which is why (if we're smart), he'll one day be a president we can ALL be proud of.

[Clarkie1]

17. Clark, Dean, Obama (all for different reasons) if I HAVE to pick one...

CLARK!

Clark/Obama 08'

[madinmaryland]

19. Uhh, They omitted Bill Clinton,

I know he is not on the list, but he still commands the attention of America. When Bill talks people listen, when * talks people are afraid.

[proudbluestater]

20. John Conyers

[zann725]

28. Conyers...I agree!

n/t

[Brundle_Fly]

196. Conyers, no equal

[UdoKier]

21. Kucinich, Dean and Clark in that order.

The fervor over Obama is totally unwarranted. He has yet to serve a day in the senate. He looks very promising and I'm very happy for him, but he has to do more than make a speech and win an election to win me over.

[Lenape85]

22. OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[zapp]

23. John Edwards!!

John brought a positivity into his campaign that was long overdue. His vision and leadership will see us through in the future

[Catchawave]

50. You betcha....

Edwards is the whole package :) How lucky for Elizabeth to have him in her life.

[Tia Juanita]

66. Integrity

John Edwards is who I would like to see as president in 2008. Just reading his book Four Trials. It's a good easy read. We'll have to find ways to combat the Repub bad spin on attorneys though.

[Name removed]

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[AP]

186. Edwards was the best thing to happen to the Democratic Party in the last

four years.

Obama is a close second.

[jojo54]

25. Barack Obama......

.....but you didn't mention Jennifer Grenholm of Wisc. A woman, yes, but she's got a VERY good head on her shoulders and isn't afraid to speak her mind.

[fujiyama]

36. Hey

Wisconsin doesn't get all the good politicians! ;)

Granholm is from my state!

[GiovanniC]

38. Granholm's From Michigan, Not Wisconsin

And what was with the... "She's a woman, but she's got a good head on her shoulders" comment?

[gmoses]

27. others--Robert Byrd, Cynthia McKinney, Dennis Kucinich, Willie Nelson

sorry for drifting off there...

[davidwparker]

29. Dean and Clark. That works for 2008 too.

[AntiCoup2K4]

30. Dean, Kucinich, Clark, Obama

4 examples of what the Democratic party could and should be.

[Obviousman]

32. Lieberman!

GOTCHA!

[njdemocrat106]

33. I love 'em all

John Kerry's still my first choice though.

[fooj]

34. Actually...

I admire DU's passionate patriots who work tirelessly to protect the freedoms and liberties of our beloved country. Courage, convictions, integrity...what's not to admire? It has truly been my privilege!

WHAT ARE THEY HIDING?:think:

[Cheswick2.0]

35. Dean , Gore and Byrd

all three for saying what is right and not popular or politically expedient.

[Rose Siding]

138. I'm there

:D

[They_LIHOP]

160. Top 5, Bottom 5

1. Dennis Kucinich. The man. Straight up. Right about every issue that matters to me.
2. Howard Dean. Without his presence, Kerry would've run way more to the right.kissed * ass even more, and gotten his butt kicked in the election instead of barely losing.
3. Robert Byrd. Stood up for what was right in his inspirational Senate speeches time and time again, despite hailing from W. Virginia, not exactly a hotbed of liberalism.
4. Al Gore. Finally found his voice the last couple years. Said many things that needed to be said, told it like it is, showed he is a fiery inspirational speaker when he wants to be. I think a Gore/Kerry ticket would've cleaned shitbird's clock, myself... Still bummed he didn't man up and run again, but, w/o that, we'd likely have never seen him get out there and stand up for what he REALLY believes in.
5. Michael Moore - even if he's not really a Dem, he showed a lot of balls in making F9/11, I admire him for taking his life in his own hands.

Bottom 5
5. John Kerry. I am still pissed at him for giving up and conceding so easily, and for not making a HUGE stink about the Diebold/ES&S voting machine scandal when he had the chance: BEFORE the electio. And also for failing to defend himself well enough from */rove's attack dogs such that there were still people out in the US that thought that he secretly met with the vietcong in france during vietnam (among other lies that he didn't defend himself vigorously enough against). He had the exposure and the means to show the world what total LIARS bushco and their proxies were, he chose to lie down and take most of it.
4. John Edwards. I was stoked on him at first, he didn't seem to add a damn thing to the equation from what I could tell.
3. Nancy Pelosi. She isn't doing S*IT to fight Delay and the GOP from what I'm able to see from out here in the Bay Area of CA, where I should be finding out about anything good if she's doing it.
2. Max Cleland. Yeah, I know I'll get a bunch of crap for saying this. I believe he came to know that 9/11 was allowed to happen, he HAD to have become aware of it during the 'independent' commission's work. Instead of alerting the Nation of what he found out, he put the screws to bushco to get himself a sweet job and ducked out on his duty to the Nation and the 9/11 survivors. Bob Kerrey also failed us, but I never heard about him getting a sweet job or quitting the commission, so he escapes my wrath.
1. Zell Miller.

[ulysses]

37. Kucinich, McKinney, Dean

In no particular order. There are others as well, but these three stand out to me.

[robcon]

39. Bill Clinton

You could tell - as soon as he started campaigning for Kerry (after his heart operation) the respect and awe for this man continues.

[VaYallaDawg]

40. My vote too robcon.

One sure measure of his importance is how much the repugs continue to revile him.

[mstrsplinter326]

41. Tie: Kucinich or Feingold

or maybe me. I am a Democrat!

[lojasmo]

42. Dean, Feingold, Byrd, Feinstein N/T

[Name removed]

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[Debs]

49. Before

We got riled up we would have to take you seriously and thats simply impossible. A decent laugh though

[cyn2]

47. Wes Clark and Elizabeth Edwards n.t

[dogman]

185. Now there's a ticket to vote for!

Wouldn't that have been a great choice.

[Name removed]

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[Chicago Democrat]

53. not a Democrat...

he's an independent

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[Tia Juanita]

55. Michael Moore

I like Michael Moore. But, what do you think of what Cokie Roberts said about him? I think he's being scapegoated unfairly now.

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[Tia Juanita]

58. Michael Moore

Yeah, I agree. I'm looking forward to his next one. Don't remember what it's called. Do you?

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[Tia Juanita]

60. Teddy

I thought you were talking about Teddy Roosevelt!! Yea, Ted Kennedy's high on my list. I think most of the Kennedys are great Democrats ... except for the one who married Maria Shriver. And is now governator of California. Bummer!!

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[DaveinMD]

77. Kathleen Kennedy did

and she ran the worst campaign I've ever seen. We have her to thank for our Republican governor.

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[DaveinMD]

115. you are bad

very bad

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[DaveinMD]

124. oh boy

I'm not going near these.

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[DaveinMD]

134. nothing like a good Kennedy joke

among friends.

[DaveinMD]

144. these jokes seemed fine to me

oh well

[Comicstripper]

172. Damn right, Dave

But Martin O'Malley's gonna win in '06, right?

[DaveinMD]

175. I think he will

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[Tia Juanita]

129. Governator

What side would that be? He is reputed to be "democratic like" on social issues, but I'll tell you, he is terrorizing California ... worse than Bush folks. The only good thing about him is his wife. And for me that's not good enough.

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[Tia Juanita]

148. Not enough

Yeah, if we just had a few more votes, we would be in the White House today. Oh for that Repub spin. Maybe we need to learn to be as lax with the truth as the Repubs are???

[Capn Sunshine]

161. Moore is NOT a Democrat

he's a registered Independent and proud ABBer.
But he, and Ron Reagan Jr. are Indies.

[Crunchy Frog]

191. Apparently he actually is a registered Democrat.

I hadn't realized that before, but it's what I've read, and it seemed to be pretty well documented.

[Crunchy Frog]

190. I have no idea what Kookie Roberts is saying about him

but I find her such a repellent human being that if she's saying bad things about him, I would see that as a badge of honor for him.

I do think that some in the Democratic party are trying to scapegoat him for Democratic losses. It's alot easier than taking an honest look at yourself and what you're doing wrong.

[ZombieNixon]

54. Skinner, Elad and EarlG...

Admins... :yourock:

Also Kerry(s), Edwards(es), Dean, Clark, Kucinich, Obama, Clinton(s), and ooh damn, I can't choose.

[intheflow]

145. Hear, Hear!

The Admins rule! :hi:

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[Amaya]

62. Conyers

nt

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[Amaya]

85. "You guys "?

:eyes:

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[slutticus]

199. Holy Mother of God!

:wow:


I always miss all the drama. :(


I've never seen so many deleted posts!

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[sampsonblk]

101. Dean, Clark and Kucinich

They put it on the line and they told the truth. No fear. No collaboration. No self-defeating circular babble.

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[PopulistDemocrat]

106. Byron Dorgan

And any other Democrat who is against corporate slave trade.

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[Sparkly]

122. I see the elementary school bus stopped here

:eyes:

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[Tia Juanita]

132. Danke

Huh?

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[Kathy in Cambridge]

137. Speak for yourself

:hi:

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[Sparkly]

142. Aw, but they're so cute when they're stupid!

Being obnoxious idiots is as close as they can get to actual thought, poor things.

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[Sparkly]

147. "They" have NOTHING.

Which is a large part of what makes them idiots.

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[dpbrown]

139. Dennis Kucinich

Right on the Iraq invasion and illegal occupation.
Right on the death penalty.
Right on NAFTA.
Right on Gay Marriage.
Right on the Liberty Interests of Pregnant Citizens.

Right on, Dennis!

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

[Liberty Belle]

143. Conyers, and Jesse Jackson, the only ones with spines.

[Peggy Day]

159. You're right! n/t

[sparky_in_ma]

149. I have to go with Kerry

His performance in the debates was outstanding.

[Peggy Day]

158. Kerry

I really hope he shows some balls

[Darranar]

150. Other: Dennis Kucinich. n/t

[lpbk2713]

151. Michael Moore, Bill & Hillary, Dean, K/E & their campaign workers

Bob Graham, Jimmy Carter. I could go on.

[satori]

153. General Wesley Clark

He no doubt is the only liberal Democrat Rove has ever feared. He also feared Al Gore but he fears General Wesley Clark much more.

[Hippo_Tron]

154. If we're talking about 2004, I'd have to go with Clark

I wouldn't pick him as my most admired OVERALL but he's at least 3rd place if not 2nd.

[Peggy Day]

155. Tom Daschle

He seems sort of statesmanlike

[jpgray]

163. Dennis. (nt)

[Zuni]

164. I have several favorites and reasons why

1. Wes Clark -- so capable, one of the most intelligent people in the country and obviously very pragmatic. A true patriot, and an natural statesman. Thinks rings around every issue and comes up with workable solutions that can be done. Also, when he said he was a liberal and America is a liberal democracy on Bill Maher, he made me proud to say I am a motherfucking liberal too.

2. Howard Dean -- so much energy, so much drive. He started out as a dark horse candidate, but reached out to the people themselves and got us all involved. A true man of the people, one I hope to see again. This guy is a fighter!

3. Barack Obama -- for being brilliant and savvy. He is going to get us fired up in the years ahead, we better watch out for this juggernaut.

4. Bill and Hillary Clinton -- I disagree with Bill on a lot of issues, most notably NAFTA. But the Big Dawg demands respect. When he talks, people listen. To see the reaction he gets when he goes out, to see the respect that so many people grant him, the love he gets when he goes out on the road -- well, it is inspiring. And the fact that the Republicans did everything they could to destroy him, but he came out more popular than ever, and didn't back down.
Also, Bill Clinton is one of the few Presidents who started with nothing and through sheer talent and hard work became the most powerful man in the world. That is not an easy task.
Hillary (who I hope will not be our '08 candidate) I respect because she takes so much abuse, and so much slander and still comes out swinging.

5. Mayor Martin O'Malley of Baltimore -- an incredible mayor who is doing an incredible job with Baltimore. After years of decay, O'Malley has reversed most of Baltimore's long term negative trends. Baltimore is now gaining population again, slums are being fixed up and violent crime is down almost 40% from when he took office. Verneral disease and teen pregnany is down! Even Baltimore's dysfunctional school system is showing signs of improvement. He is incredibly popular, and has proven to be a first class administrator. I hope he runs for govenor in 2006, and i wouldn't mind seeing a Presidential run in the future. Truly, his impact on Baltimore has been dramatic.

6. Dennis Kucinich -- I think he is too idealistic and not realistic enough, and perhaps even a little nutty? but he has some great ideas and he is a very moral, ethical man. And he was the one candiudate who came out and said he would cancel NAFTA and other Free Trade Agreements -- It is about damn time someone said it.

7. Jimmy Carter -- for being an all round good guy. He puts his money where his mouth is, and has spent the last 25 years doing good deeds and helping those who need it the most. A true Christian, a real gentleman. A class act any way you cut it.

8. John Kerry -- His performance during the 3 debates. Before that I was iffy on Kerry, but he was so damned good during the debates, and hit the nail on the head every time he spoke. I do not think anyone politician could have done a better job. He came off like he should be the President-elect, like that job was meant for him.

[ever_green]

165. Dean and Feingold.

[Forever Free]

167. JOHN KERRY AND BARACK OBAMA

[Lena inRI]

168. Clark , head 'n shoulders above all the rest

because he's the type who wouldn't look around to see who's watching as he perseveres with a challenge. That is, he's NOT FULL OF HIMSELF; he's task-centered, or as Buddhism would say, one who has found his center long ago.

He's what Plato would consider the philosopher-leader. . .someone we desperately need NOW. . .certainly anytime soon.

Which reminds me, Amy Goodman yesterday 12/30/04 chose to show, of all possible clips, the frenetic questioning of Clark by her reporter-friend Scahill during 2004 primaries in which he is accusing Clark of misusing cluster-bombs in Bosnia. What a skewed reflection of this great man! Will Amy and Scahill ever give Clark his fair, complete interview instead of pigeon-holing him as an unthinking crazed general??

I'm very disappointed in Amy/Scahill on this blatant biased view of Clark.

[melnjones]

183. Clark for me too, 100%

It took hearing him speak one time to restore my faith that there still was SOME hope in our country.

By the way, welcome to DU:-)

edit- punctuation:-)

[Lena inRI]

188. Thanks, I'm getting the knack. . .

of giving a piece of my mind over here without letting it really rip! DU word-watchers are stricter than those where I hail from!

Nonetheless, I like the smorgasbord of topics at DU. . .and the speedy news updates. . .as good or better than any wire service. . .like the good ole grapevine in high school days! ;-)

[Zenlitened]

169. I'd have to say Howard Dean

He deserves enormous credit, in my view, for putting some fighting spirit back into the party. And I sure hope he continues the fight in 2005... and beyond! :)

[Donna Zen]

170. Wes Clark

Who taught me, and all of those who were willing to listen, about liberalism, the world, and the true meaning of leadership. Some people are "change agents" and he is one of those rare people. If ever there was a need for someone to lead us out of the wilderness, that time is now.

"Good afternoon. It's a real honor for me to be here with General Clark, and with Edita Tahiri. My name is Samantha Power. I spent about seven years looking into American responses to genocide in the twentieth century, and discovered something that may not surprise you but that did surprise me, which was that until 1999 the United States had actually never intervened to prevent genocide in our nation's history. Successive American presidents had done an absolutely terrific job pledging never again, and remembering the holocaust, but ultimately when genocide confronted them, they weighed the costs and the benefits of intervention, and they decided that the risks of getting involved were actually far greater than the other non-costs from the standpoint of the American public, of staying uninvolved or being bystanders. That changed in the mid-1990s, and it changed in large measure because General Clark rose through the ranks of the American military. The mark of leadership is not to standup when everybody is standing, but rather to actually stand up when no one else is standing.  And it was Pentagon reluctance to intervene in Rwanda, and in Bosnia, that actually made it much, much easier for political leaders to turn away. When the estimates started coming out of the Pentagon that were much more constructive, and proactive, and creative, one of the many deterrents to intervention melted away. And so I think, again, in discussing briefly the General's testimony, it's important to remember why he was able to testify at the Hague, and he testified because he decided to own something that was politically very, very unfashionable at the time."

~Samantha Power

[Laughing Mirror]

171. "United States Coup d'Etat" Corrine Brown on House floor

07/16/04: Representative Brown said to Rep Buyer, "I come from Florida, where you and others participated in what I call the United States coup d'etat. We need to make sure that it doesn't happen again. Over and over again after the election when you stole the election, you came back here and said get over it. No we're not going to get over it and we want verification from the world."

It was a great day in Congress. Here's the video of my most admired Democrat of 2004, Corrine Brown, lashing into Buyer:

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article6505.htm

[StephanieMarie]

173. John Conyers, for challenging the election. n/t

[robbedvoter]

174. Wesley Clark - consistent, fearless, uncompromising

[librechik]

177. Bill Clinton or Jon Stewart n/t

[FrenchieCat]

179. General Wes Clark....

For speaking true and straight and consistently to this administration. Clark was the only one that questioned Bush's handling of 9/11. Clark was the only one that directly challenged President Bush during the primaries by reminding voters that he should be held accountable. Clark for defending Michael Moore's right to speak in America. Clark for putting his career on the line to save Albanian Muslims before it was too late. Clark for standing down the pentagon. Clark for understanding that Liberal is not a dirty word. Clark of his absolute support of John Kerry once he ended his own candidacy. Wes Clark for choosing to testify before congress against invading Iraq in 2002.....and speaking out against the Iraq war even when commenting on military maneuvers on CNN and being blackballed by the WH. Clark for publicly and clearly stating that all Democrats should all condemn the Confederate Flag.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/local/7166307...
http://www.abcnews4.com/news/stories/1103/108751.html
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/politics/7732...
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=1507782


Wes Clark, an true American Patriot who has walked the walk....not just talked the talk.

[Zynx]

180. Feingold

He stood up to Bush and won big time.

[Jane Austin]

181. Wes Clark

For all the reasons so eloquently stated above.

[Tom Rinaldo]

184. Wes Clark. I already voted for Dean for another honor.

I picked Dean for Democrat of the year earlier on another thread, and while I also admire Dean I am Clark all the way on this one. He has courage, compassion, clarity and commitment; 4 C's for our 4 Star General.

Honestly, I do admire Clark. His ability and toughness have been tested all of his life. He virtually willed himself into West Point after becoming a world class swimmer for his age group. He rose to the top at Wast Point and graduated first in his class. He won a Rhodes Scholarship and completed 3 Masters at Oxford. He showed real leadership and physical courage in combat in Viet Nam, and decades later in Yugoslavia where as a General he personally risked his life under fire again, trying to save his colleagues who died in a tragic accident.

He stood up to powerful forces in the Pentagon and advocated for an expanded definition of U.S. interests that includes stepping up and saving lives when we can, because we have the ability to do so, because we need to stand for more than unrestricted access to oil.

Throughout most of his career Clark had unlimited access to significant personal wealth through simply resigning and getting in bed with contractors, they were always after him to do so. Instead his family lived on middle class wages almost his entire working life because honor and duty still mean something to Wes Clark.

As has been noted above, once Clark entered politics he frequently took positions more daring and more forceful than almost all of the long time professional politicians. Clark talked openly about the danger of the PNAC plans for rolling regional conquests. Clark blamed Bush for being asleep at the switch for 9/11. Clark would not distance himself from Michael Moore when all other leading Democrats thought it either shameful or embarrassing that Moore was talking about Bush's A.W.O.L. Viet Nam status. Clark talked about rolling back military spending. Clark talked about strengthening the progressive nature of income taxes. Clark always held George Bush accountable for the horrors of his administration, he never let the buck rest with subordinates. That's what leadership means to him.

Clark always gives clear and direct answers to questions. He is not evasive. He respects people in that way, whether or not you agree with him.

[Auntie Bush]

195. Wow! You go Tom!!!!! I can't think of a thing to add. n/t

[ChiciB1]

189. Always Wellstone but Kerry/Edwards

who are still with us. I'm one of those who think that Kerry DID win the election and that no matter what he would have made a FANTASTIC President.

We all have a change of heart and with life's fast moving pace, it's so very hard to be as STUBBORN as The IDIOT whose butt sits in the Oval Office. It will catch up with him.... someday!

And I admire John Edwards even if they say he's just an opportunist! He worked hard to get where he is and I think his wife, Elizabeth is Fantabulous!

[Crunchy Frog]

192. I got here late. What is it with all these deleted messages?

Has there been some sort of fr****r fest here that I missed?

Anyway, my choices: Wes Clark for reasons that many others on here have stated far more eloquently than I possibly could.

Senator James Byrd for speaking out as a voice in the wilderness when no one else would.

Michael Moore. I believe that he is actually a registered Democrat, and he dedicated absolutely everything that was in him to the defeat of the Bush regime. Some people are into scapegoating him for our losses, but I think that overall he did far more good than harm. We need alot more people like him out there.

[DaveinMD]

194. there were some freepers

and a bunch of Kennedy jokes.

[Auntie Bush]

197. I have never seen a thread with so many deleted messages

Wish I hadn't missed it. Anyone out there that can fill us in?

[propagandafreegal]

198. CONYERS and JACKSON no Question..nm

[bobweaver]

200. Kucinich

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

201. I would say Howard Dean

But everything good that happpened to him happened in 2003. So I'm hoping Dean will be answer in 2005. Short of that, I think I have to go with Russ Feingold. He won overwhelimingly in a race people thought would be close despite the fact that he steadfasting kept to his liberal positions.

[amjucsc]

202. The Canvassers

The canvassers at the League of Conservation Voters in Oregon who volunteered 70 or more hours a week to spread the good word about Kerry, door by door, mile by mile, no matter how hot it got or how crappy the neighborhood was.

They were Ivy League College students, Alaskan Hippies, Barristers, readers of poems on NPR. I've never known a finer or more talented group of people.

And I'm sure that there are many more groups just like them across the country. To anyone who was ever a member of one of those groups I salute you...