Gephardt is crying

[ringmastery]

very sad.

[BurtWorm]

1. Where?

[ringmastery]

5. CNN

press conference, he's withdrawing from the race

[Cooley Hurd]

2. So am I... (watching him)

Damn...

[kerry-is-my-prez]

28. Me too - and I saw two commentators who were trying to fight off tears...

n/t

[XanaDUer]

3. I know

I feel sad about that, too. Gep has done a lot for Dems over the decades. :(

[tinrobot]

4. Moving...

He's a good man.

For some reason I didn't know he was leaving congress.

[wryter2000]

14. Leaving Congress?

Nooooooooooo.

What a good man. I feel so bad for him. First Graham and now Gep? We can't lose good people like this.

[LoneStarLiberal]

55. Earlier in the Race

Earlier in the race Gep said he wouldn't be seeking re-election.

This was his final hurrah.

[MoonRiver]

98. I didn't know either.

It was a surpise today to hear that. I am very sad for him. I really wish he hadn't sold out to the BFEE over Iraq. What he did was much worse than Kerry and Edwards voting for a war they were snookered about.

[youngred]

6. very sad indeed

I would not want to vote for him for president had he won the nom, but I respect gephardt for the hard work he has put in for the party in congress.

Always sad to see a strong Dem go

[TheDonkey]

7. Gephart giving his last remarks on CNN live now!

Very heartbreaking.

[deutsey]

8. I'm sorry to hear this...

:evilfrown:

[CMT]

9. sad

he never got his two wishes, to be Speaker of the House or president of the US.

Though I think he can only blame himself for his poor fourth place showing. He went to negative. Dean too got caught in this as well and it backfired on both of them.

[Sly Kal]

87. He made a deal with Kerry

He knew he was going to finish badly, he gave his votes to Kerry in exchange for God knows what.

[in_cog_ni_to]

10. That was so sad.

It breaks my heart to watch it. He is such a kindhearted man.

[dreissig]

45. Kindhearted Man

Kindhearted Dick Gephardt voted for the war. At the time the vote was taken, there was much talk about "Shock and Awe" and the killing of a huge number of civilians.

Kindheartedness like that won't be missed.

[leyton]

51. Don't kick a man when he's down.

Everybody has different ideas on when it is just to go to war. You may not like the preemption doctrine (I'm a little skeptical myself) but there are those who have good reasons for believing that the Iraq war was not entirely a bad thing. So let's give Gephardt a little respect, shall we?

[dreissig]

59. Preemption Doctrine

It's not irrelevant to mention what brought Gephardt to this sad hour. His viability as a politician ended with his vote for the IWR.

Pre-emptive war may be ambiguous, but that one wasn't ambiguous at all. Gephardt beached his own boat.

[library_max]

61. Maybe you can explain why the two winners in Iowa also voted for IWR. /nt

[dreissig]

66. Anomalous Iowa

I'm not sure what happened in Iowa.

If the caucuses accurately reflect Iowa's political leanings, Iowans must be an oddball group. But I suspect a measurement problem arising from the caucus process itself. Because neither Kerry nor Edwards gets numbers like that anyplace else, the measurement is off.

In another post I called it the "speeding tree" problem. If your radar gun is clocking pine trees at 35 mph, blame the radar gun, not the pine trees. I don't accept the results of the Iowa caucuses.

[library_max]

94. You appear to be trying to have it both ways.

Gephardt came in fourth in Iowa because of his IWR vote, which is entirely his own fault. But Kerry and Edwards came in first and second despite their IWR votes because Iowa is weird.

You are aware that Gephardt is dropping out because of the Iowa results, aren't you? So when you say he "beached his own boat," you're blaming his IWR vote for the Iowa returns, which you then turn around and call "oddball" and "anomalous" because they don't support your thesis regarding the other candidates.

[IndianaGreen]

69. Only 25% of all Iowa Democrats went to the caucus

which means that a majority of them rejected the current crop of candidates.

Wes Clark is the only real winner out of Iowa by staying out of it.

[ShaneGR]

76. FALSE

They had record turnout.

[TLM]

85. 25% is record caucus turn out.

[West Coast Democrat]

77. Yeah, or maybe the other 75% are Clark supporters!

Anyway, caucus attendance was WAY UP this year!

[Sly Kal]

90. Deal making

The democratic machine affraid of a insurgency candidate, Dean, called in all their favors. I have heard Gephardt was in on the deal too.

[madmax]

11. Gep is a classy man.

Whenever he speaks I believe he's speaking from his heart and soul.

[maddezmom]

12. very sad

:(

[Fovea]

13. No one hates Gep

It is just that

1. a lot of people think that he really caved on Iraq.

2. He just did not seem to have a message that was going to stick.

I am sad it was so hard on him. He needs to re-collect his thoughts, and go back to Congress and give the Pugs hell.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

15. He cried in '88 too

but did it behind closed doors after conceding and only in front of his closest staff.
I feel bad for Gep. Fighting for so long the the good fight of the working class. When it was clear what the result would be, Kerry called him first last night.

Shit. I'm ready to cry now.

[jmaier]

16. Gephardt wasn't my choice

for nominee though I have always respected him and thought, in theory, that he'd make a great VP choice for 'outsiders' like either Dean or Clark.

He has been a strong, committed warrior for the democratic party for a long time and it's sad to see him defeated although his nomination would probably not have been a good GE play for us.

:toast: to Dick Gephardt. If we win in November, I hope the winning administration offers him something substantial to keep contributing to the effort.

[Walt Starr]

17. Good

He should be ashamed.

[youngred]

19. so should you

for a comment like that

[Walt Starr]

22. I am proud of my post

Very proud.

[youngred]

26. Proud of an undeserved insult to a good man at the end of a good carrer

and proud of Howard Dean.

Stuff like this gives Dean a bad name, for the sake of your candidate I hope you can realize that.

[Walt Starr]

30. I really don't care what others think any longer

After watching how DUers piled on Dean over the past nine months, I really don't give a flying fuck what people think of my opinions.

It is my opinion that Gephardt got precisely what he deserved.

[youngred]

31. pilked on Dean? surely you jest

it may be your opinion, but one could at least have some modicum of class...too bad

[madmax]

48. Dean supporters are so frustrated

that they're directing their anger to everyone but Dean. Dean is the one who acted out last night.

Just as Gore shot himself in the foot during the first debate with too much make-up and his damn sighing. I didn't blame bush for Gore's poor performance. I was furious with Gore and his handlers.

If you're p.o'd about last night take it up with the Dean campaign.

:eyes:

[Name removed]

58. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Zomby Woof]

63. since you're a Wiccan

Maybe you should keep the threefold principle in mind.

[hlthe2b]

64. Walt, I want to give benefit of the doubt because I know you are

feeling intense disappointment. But, I hope you will soon realize that your broad stroke assumptions that everyone that you don't know to be Dean supporters are, somehow, Dean "enemies," is both sad and self-defeating. I have not committed to any one candidate and I would be willing to bet others here have not as well. Wouldn't you, at least like to keep the lines of communication open for others who might be persuaded to come and assist the Dean effort?


As for Gephardt, he disappointed us on numerous occasions, but taken at balance, the man has been a tremendous asset to his contituency and to Democrats in general. I give him his due.

[Sparkle]

67. Pile on?

I didn't read much of that. Of course, I don't have a candidate yet so I'm pretty safe. But you guys shouldn't put all your hopes in one candidate early on. The Democratic nominee choice is still up in the air.

[youngred]

72. that's the problem

some were of the opinion that it was a sure thing

[SidDithers]

86. Yeah, I think you've maybe said that once or twice. nt.

Sid

[kerry-is-my-prez]

33. sick... that's all I have to say

n/t

[Walt Starr]

56. What's sick is that Gephardt lost us the elections in 2002

along with McAulliffe and now the bastards are out to lose 2004.

[Seldona]

52. This is EXACTLY why I left the Dean camp last night.

Feels good too.

[edzontar]

81. Give me a break---

Dean had nothing to do with this.

[lovedems]

24. I think we are all clear on your position.

[ShaneGR]

36. Typical.... I guess they haven't figured out the angry part isn't working

And you wonder why people are leaving Dean. For months and months the Dean people posted hit pieces on Kerry, Gephardt, Edwards, and then Clark. Their campaign reached the top. But when the bottom falls out it's everyone elses fault. And obviously, some supporters can't even have the dignity to wish a proud distinguished Congressman well after he worked for us for thirty years. Dick Gephardt didn't come from Park Avenue like Howard Dean, but he tried his best and did what he thought was right. The IWR vote doesn't erase those 30 years.



75% of those entering the caucuses yesterday said they opposed the Iraqi war.

14% said it was the reason for their decision.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

46. Good point. I like Walt but really...

this is just bad form. I hope and pray Dean doesn't shed any tears along the way. Of course he just seems to get angry.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

54. Yes..he could have been posting on the internet all this time instead

of drawing attention to the miserable failure of the Bush presidency, pointing out the failings of NAFTA and doing his best to defend the rights of the working man.

He could have mounted to so much more. :eyes:

[chiburb]

57. I can't see the post...

You (and others) are responding to, but I'm sure it a doozy!

:-)

[Jerseycoa]

70. I have that experience all the time lately

This one I do see and it wouldn't surprise you in the least.

[TLM]

62. Walt, while I agree with you in spirit and have no pity for Gephardt...

If this was Dean dropping out, folks would be in here popping champaign and glaoting... we should not lower ourselves to that level by behaving in the same dispicable way.


Gephardt tried a hail mary move to take out Dean and he seceded only in bumping Dean into 3rd at the cost of his own campaign. The man's career is over. No need to rub it in.

Lets grant them the courtesy that we know they would never show us.

[edzontar]

75. Yes--let us not kick the man when he is down...

We have been the targets of this in spades in the past few days.

The jerks who have been attaccking Dean here today and yesterday have no respect for the efforts and the feelings of others.

We know who they are a, will remember.

But I for one do not want to act in any way that resembles them.

Gep did good work on labor issues, and had a decent health-care plan.

His "miserable failure" line was a rouser that should be echoed by whoever is our candidate in the GE.

I was profounfly disappointed and angered by his suppurt of the war, the Rose Garden, etc.

But he has paid a price for his mistake, and now is not the time to kick him.

[Walt Starr]

84. Thanks for giving me a new perspective, I rescend my prior statement

and regret it.

[TLM]

88. Take heart in this simple fact....

Gephardt sacraficed his career last night to give Kerry that win... Kucinnich sacraficed his to give Edwards his 2nd place...

4 guys vs Dean... two of them sacraficing their campaigns/careers to try and beat Dean... yet all they could do was bump him to 3rd place and Dean still held onto 18% or 19%.


Imagine that... a 2 men sacraficed their careers and they still couldn't knock Dean out of the running.

[Bake]

99. Wow. Talk about Spin City!

So I take it yesterday was a huge victory for Dean? Is that what you're saying?

Bake

[AntiCoup2K4]

102. Wouldn't call it a huge victory, but not a huge loss either

And by that definition, Kerry and Edwards only scored because Gephardt and DK threw the game.

Legal yes, but cowardly when you think about it.

[LoneStarDem]

65. Lord

Crass, tactless, and wholly without merit. What a simple test for the soul it must be to live in such a black and white world. The rest of us will honor a strong man who has done much for his country and her people.

[rumguy]

89. You should be ashamed

[Piperay]

96. Cold

really cold. :-(

[Jackhammer Jesus]

18. It's a shame...

but on a lighter note, is that his daughter behind him?

Yee-haw, what a fox!

[sandnsea]

20. He's been a great champion

He has really fought for families and working people for years. We're losing a real advocate in Dick Gephardt. And just a fine human being.

[PVnRT]

21. Why is he quitting Congress??

Jesus, what is with all these Democrats quitting Congress in these elections? We are just opening the door for more Republicans to fill their seats - isn't Edwards not running for re-election as well?

[youngred]

29. Edwards isnt

Miller either (though he can hardly be called a dem).

Kucinich filed papers for Ohio's 10th district, but we are hurting on people not running again, esp in the south

[PVnRT]

82. I stand corrected

I could have sworn that I heard somewhere that he was not running for reelection to the Senate.

[youngred]

91. silly double negatives

he isn't running for his senate seat, I was unclear about that sorry

[leyton]

50. Luckily

in the House more Republicans are retiring than Democrats. Two Republicans are retiring in my state (NC) alone, and the Dems are staying put.

I doubt we'll retake the house, but we can certainly minimize our losses.

[mmonk]

23. It was really tough to watch

[kerry-is-my-prez]

25. He deserved better than he got.. Especially from the unions who

abandoned him for the "new flavor of the month." He did so much for the unions. The fact that half of the union support went for a candidate who had been a strong proponent of NAFTA and questionable on the "right-to-work" laws and had horrible relations with labor in Vermont...

That had to have been a tough thing to take - to see the unions "turn on him" and also for Iowa (a state he has had a long relationship with) to reject him.

[ShaneGR]

38. EXACTLY: McEntee and Sweeney should be ashamed

For those not in the know, they are the two biggest names in the AFL-CIO. For decades Gephardt fought for them, and when it came time to pay him back they split their support with Dean. Look where it got them. Yesterday was one of the worst days in labor's history.

[Blitz]

44. Yup

Labor was a big loser last night. The rank and file got shafted by the bad decisions of their leadership.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

Candididates will keep that in mind for the future I'm sure... This will

hurt them in the future. Why should a candidate and the Dems in Congress bother doing anything for those unions? It's apparently just a little "ego trip" for "King" Sweeney.

[Cannikin]

27. Gephardt said he would serve out his final year in Congress

[BurtWorm]

32. He's more of a man than Gingrich was.

Good for him! Maybe he'll be our next Secretary of Labor. I hope so.

[redqueen]

35. Secretary of Labor

Great idea! Hope someone is giving the various campaigns this suggestion.

[redqueen]

34. That is sad

He fought some good fights for us. I hope he goes on to more rewarding things.

[democratreformed]

37. I am glad I can't see it.

I want to cry just thinking about it.

[Armstead]

39. If a democrat gets elected....

I see a cabinet offer in his future.

[ShaneGR]

42. Possible VP spot if it's Edwards

All of the Gephardt staffers are going to Edwards, just so you know. Reported on in ABC's the Note today.

[Jerseycoa]

40. I couldn't watch

Last night was already heartbreaking. Gep is a working class hero to me. He had the balls to oppose NAFTA when it mattered.

On edit: fixed typo

[candy331]

43. Gephardt lost because people were looking for something

new, something fresh. It is too bad they don't know who has it.

[mvd]

41. This is a shame

He is a good man, and the Presidency is his dream. I feel very bad, and I hope he gets a cabinet position when a Democrat becomes President in November.

[Clark Can WIN]

47. I hate it when good Democrats make me cry.

Thanks Gep, we will miss you.:cry:

[diamondsoul]

49. Damn- first, I missed his remarks-

and second we should all be encouraging him to stay in Congress right now!

People, I know he's not been perfect by a long shot, but dammit he's NEEDED there! He's been a great voice for labor, and we need him.

[polpilot]

53. A few tears from the living and a forgetting of the dead. Pro-war Gep

pro rose garden Gep. There have been more than just a few tears shed by mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, etc. etc. for the ones who have died unnecessarily in an illegal war for oil 8,500 miles from the spot the Gep tears are falling. Gep/Kerry/Edwards and their supporters (Did I mention Kucinich) unapologetically pro-Iraqi War...

Dean '04...

[Skidmore]

60. This was exactly why I didn't caucus

for Gephardt, even though I support many of his positions on labor. He made a caculated political decision to support the IWR and it blew up in his face. He thought the war would be over and forgotten by the time the campaign season came around. Well, he was flat out wrong. I have a draft age son whom I refuse to feed to the war machine, and a little grandson who will be paying for this debacle when he grows up. Hopefully, the neocons will not be allowed to further destabilize the world and this war expand so that this little boy becomes cannon fodder too. I did not caucus for any one of the guys who voted for the war. Now, I will support the candidate in November, but none of those guys who voted for that resolution got my first vote. Gephardt, in my eyes, ruined his legacy by trying rationalize his vote. The time for him to have stood up and made a difference was at that moment, before the dogs of war were unleashed. I'm still waiting for the remaining candidates to admit they were wrong, and not just "misinformed".

[IndianaGreen]

68. Pathetic performance by Gephardt, crying for himself

while ignoring the torrent of tears this appearance of his has brought to families in Iraq, US, UK, Poland, Thailand, etc:

President, House Leadership Agree on Iraq Resolution



President George W. Bush along with bipartisan leaders from the House and Senate announced the Joint Resolution to authorize the use of the United States Armed Forces against Iraq. "The statement of support from the Congress will show to friend and enemy alike the resolve of the United States," President Bush said during the announcement in the Rose Garden, Wednesday, October 2, 2002. White House photo by Paul Morse.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/10/20021002-7.html

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

71. To Rose Garden Gep, all I can say is

Ha-Ha!


look for him to retire soon-or leave the house to run for governor or senate. He gave up his leadership spot in the huse to run for president. i don't see him sticking around as a lowly common representative

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

73. Ahhhhh, how touching.

Unless he's crying over the deaths he helped cause with his vote for war.

[edzontar]

79. I know, I agree that all the Dems who voted for this must share

The blame with Pukeboy....the blood of those who have died for Haliburton is on their hands...

But the story is over now for Gep--let him be.

[KaraokeKarlton]

74. Yeah, it's sad, but he did do this to himself, too

He did spend many months attacking Dean, and it turned many people off. Then there was one of his staffers making threats to Unions and some very, very inappropriate accusations.

Did he reap what he had sown? Most certainly. It is still sad, however. You know, Dean worked for him in another campaign. They were actually friends. Gephardt started misrepresenting Dean, which had to really sting, because Dean considered him a dear friend. Not only did Gephardt hurt an old friend's campaign, he also destroyed his own and probably lost a valuable friendship in the process. The whole ordeal is sad, indeed. At the same time, it is very difficult for me to feel sorry for him. But I definitely agree the whole situation is very sad...for everyone...both those involved and the rest of us who have had to be witness to it. :shrug:

[sleipnir]

78. My thoughts exactly!

I concur, he did it to himself.

Perhaps we will now get a fighting Dem in charge of the House in a couple of years instead of the recent incarnation of Gephardt, the Bush Rubber-stamper...

He's made me quite angry over the last couple of years. I can't say I'm sorry to see him go.

[loudnclear]

80. "Rejection" is hard on anyone.

We love and respect you, Gep for all your years of public service. Now go out and make some money for yourself!

[eissa]

83. I cried

but it doesn't take much to get me to cry. I'm sure Gep is a good man who has served our party well for many years. That said, the "murder-suicide" he commited in Iowa and his support of * policies really soured me on him. I wish him well though.

[Loren645]

92. Ow. This is gonna be a tough primary season.

The only person I want to see crying is chimpy.
And I don't think he's capable of it, what with being
a sociopath and all.

[Kal Belgarion]

93. It's very sad

The man's been in Congress for close to 30 years. He will be missed. :(

...But pencil him in as the new head of the Department of Labor, come next January. :)

[Neecy]

95. well....

Maybe he'll run for Kit Bond's Senate seat some day. I wish he would, I despise that scabby little poisoned dwarf and would love to see Gephardt take him on.

[mmonk]

97. 30 years of service

and fighting for the working family. He can cry with dignity.

[TexasSissy]

100. So sad.

Hopefully he'll go on to something else, or even return to politics.

[jsw_81]

101. Gephardt had no business running for president this year

He should have run against Bond for U.S. Senate.