So, Kerry doesn't even have to appear anymore to get the Dem Vote?

[KoKo]

How interesting. He can save mega Bucks and the voters and the media give him the Democratic Nomination? I think this is really strange....but what do I know? :shrug: I guess his power is so strong and the ABB Movement is so omnipotent...that it doesn't matter about the other candidates at this point.

I gathered this from watching CBS Network News tonight ....after Blitzer and Schneider on CNN.

My conclusion as a "thinking DU'er" is that average Americans are being told "What the Hell....Kerry is IT! He's the NEW "Big Dog on the Block" so get used to it.....It's great! AND.....he's beating Bush by 5 or 7 points! Hey.....just give it up now...because we are reporting polls before they close based on our "estimates from interviews of exit polls" and so WE KNOW EVERYTHING.....AND YOU KNOW NOTHING!! :shrug:

Just "relax" and "enjoy" the ride?

[Padraig18]

1. What are you talking about?

Where has he not appeared? :shrug:

[boxster]

2. In a back-handed sort of way, shouldn't that always be the case?

First, I'm a Clark supporter, and this thought has crossed my mind on more than one occasion lately, usually when Clark is doing poorly in a state where he spent no time (like WA, for example). Obviously, campaigning is everything, so take the next few paragraphs however you wish.

If Mr. Joe Voter is researching all of the candidates, like we all would hope he would, Mr. Voter should have a pretty good grasp of the candidates' stances on the issues. Mr. Voter has also had the opportunity to see countless campaign speeches, debates, and the like.

That being the case, shouldn't Mr. Voter be able to make a reasonable decision about whom to vote for, regardless of whether or not the candidates visit his state?

I realize this is completely opposite of our current system. But, if voters were truly looking at all of the available information, watching the debates, etc., shouldn't they be voting for the best candidate and not just the one who happened to campaign to death in his or her state?

Now THAT would be ideal. Vote on the issues. Vote on the message. Vote for the best candidate, not just the one who has momentum or spent a ton of money or made a ton of appearances.

Yes, I'm dreaming....

Edit: I agree with the first responder - where exactly do you feel Kerry hasn't appeared??

[JI7]

3. Kerry has been in all states which held elections

Kerry has appeared in all the states which have held elections so far, and i'm sure he will continue doing it. even states which seemed an easy win for him based on polls such as missouri. even small states such as north dakota.

[sandnsea]

4. Even N Dakota!?!

I knew that, just being a smartass. He hasn't come to Oregon, only Kucinich has. Lots of people here have decided who to vote for in spite of it. Amazing!

[DrFunkenstein]

Lots Of People Look To Local Newspapers Or Other Sources They Trust

It may be disappointing that people spend more time thinking about the American Idol candidates, but that's the reality of the situation. People find a source they trust and let them do the research (as if the media even bothered with that).

[blm]

5. Kerry had to work his ass off to get that win in Iowa.

Did you complain when the media froze him out and declared his candidacy dead for months?

Did you complain that those reports dried up his fundraising while other campaign coffers benefitted from that perception?

Kerry was working hard building infrastructures in most states. Just because the media didn't pay attention and didn't inform you of Kerry's work and inflated Dean's balloon instead, you want to deny Kerry all his efforts?

[JNelson6563]

7. Gephardt throwing his votes to Kerry didn't help?

This is American politics friend, not Utopia.

Julie

[KoKo]

12. blm, could you give me examples of Kerry "working his ass off?" I really

would like some links. I'm serious....:shrug:

[WilliamPitt]

6. It is a sign of Democratic unity

People appear to be piling on with the frontrunner. People who support other candidates, like the guy I work for, will be pissed off at this. But taking the broad view - getting Bush's ass out - this is bad news for the White House. The folks are pissed.

[KoKo]

8. Will......I always knew that Kerry would be the "pragmatic" choice. He

and Theresa (I must use John's pronunciation TERRRR-EHHH-SAHHHH) would be the annointed.

I thought we here in the "Democratic Underground" had a "fighting chance" against all this dismantling of every social program Democrats have fought for starting with Roosevelt.

I was so naive. I should have just enjoyed the Repug lifestyle I could have had...and not lost friends and family because I was "So Different."

But, then.....I always was proud that I was a Democrat. Even in the face of the folks I've gone through life with.

Now.....I'm ASHAMED!!! DO YOU GET IT??? I AM ASHAMED! Because we CAVE, and CAVE.....AND CAVE! And we never stand up for our own principles and that's just how the RW REPUGS and FUNDIES got us!

Our WEAKNESSES ARE OUR DEATH! :-(

koko....not a "happy camper" right now....

[WilliamPitt]

13. Koko, you make your own fighting chances

I joined the Kucinich campaign for a variety of reasons, but one above all: Because I am given the opportunity to do good, every day, for a good man in a good cause. I did not cave. I am, in fact, beating myself to death out here.

Make your own fate.

[KoKo]

20. Yes.......true......make one's own fighting chances. Branch out...expand

I hear you.

[MAlibdem]

23. Personally

I think JK is the man to bring back those social programs.

[Old and In the Way]

9. I guess I'm a "non-thinking DUer", but

isn't it possible that the majority made an informed choice to support Kerry? Or is that ability only resident in the supporters of the other candidates?

[KoKo]

10. OAITW.......the majority? Majority of what? Majority of Media Controlled

folks who tune in at 6:00 p.m. to see what the Media tells them happened today?

[Skip Intro]

14. I'm with you KoKo01

It seems to me like a large portion of the party has been lulled into some media-induced trance.

Forget Iraq, forget patriot act - don't even ask, we're focused on...

((((((electablity))))))

((((((e-lect-a-bil-i-ty))))))

((((((eee-leec-taa-biiil-iiity))))))))

[KoKo]

21. Love your "vibes" (((((you are getting sleepy, sleepy..we will decide))))

OMG.....it's the truth!

[ShaneGR]

16. Oldest reason for loss in mankind's history

The media. The media didn't even pay attention to Kerry until the week of the Iowa caucus. Meanwhile, Dean was on the cover of every magazine even slightly political.

And Edwards GOT ZERO attention.

[KoKo]

22. And weren't we all "hoodwinked" by that Dean PhotoSpread?

It was planted to make him the "frontrunner." He was the "then annointed." Now it's Kerry til the RW/Media/Fundies/Murdochs get ahold of him. AND! of they don't.....then it means ALL OF THEM LOVE HIM?

AND.....if they don't love him they will paint him as a LIEBERAL EVIL....and where is our "Back up?" hmmmmmm.

We are fighting to save America against the accumulation of Decades of Power and Wealth and Influence and Cronyism......you think Kerry won so easily? Give me a break!

[Old and In the Way]

25. I just responded on another thread to your same point.

You presume a lot.

"The Average Joe/Jane on the street wants to vote for who the media says is winning."

Or maybe the "average Joe/Jane" has made just as reasoned and informed decision as you have....but reached a totally different conclusion on who can best effect this regime change.

Remember this Koko01. The "ignorant masses" who are "duped" by the "evil media", (1) don't vote in primaries; hell, they don't vote in GEs either. (2) Are more likely to be Republicans who buy this the BS story of this administration. Democrats who vote in primaries are probably just as likely to be as politically active and informed as you and I.

[drfemoe]

11. I'm just getting a stockpile of drinking water .. nt

[KoKo]

18. Someone posted in DU "Economic Forum" that we needed roomfuls of food!

I'm not sure...but maybe we need to be thinking about this? And, bottled water since I've read that there's a new "Enron" type group trying to buy our water rights in America. A roomful of bottled water is propably one of the best things we could do...and if one reads all the DU Economics Posts.......well.....it's worse than that!

I have a "canner" that I haven't used in years, but I might just start to "fire it up." Given the way things are going.....:-(

[ShaneGR]

15. Ummmm.... just a point... Kerry has been in all 11 states in the last mont

All of them, including North Dakota, where he watched the SuperBowl with a local Firefighters Union.

[KoKo]

17. They've all been in all of the states...but how much did Kerry "expend" in

monetary and labor resources? He doesn't need to do much because CNN and MSNBC and Networks are doing it for him....and the LAZY DEMS WHO ARE BOOB TUBERS.....(I know that sounds harsh) but since Kerry was declared "dead" by the Media before Iowa/NH it does make one wonder.

However, I'm aware of the DU "Sour Grapes" mantra.....that Dean just "imploded" and that there was a "pent up demand for Kerry/Edwards" which was just overwhelmed by the Dean Juggernaut before IW/NH. :D

So....I understand your partisanship and glee......but I just am asking you to think long and hard about what this means to have a "CHOSEN" so early......

Just think. It's always good to have three.....I learned this from my old "Graphic Design" classes. Three is good..and two if one can't do better to have "Back Ups."

Given what happened in FLA 2000 we needed to have "Options/Backups" more than ever we did as Democrats..... That's all.......

[genius]

19. Exactly. I'm beginning to think he may become a run-away winner.

Kucinich and Edwards are the best on labor and trade issues. Yet Kerry was a runaway winner where these issues should have mattered. I think people (even ones without jobs) are more concerned about beating Bush than with the issues. By the way, I like Kerry. It just seemed illogical for him to do so well in Washington and Michigan and this may say something about the trend in this country.

[KoKo]

24. But, it's only February, so few states have voted. Good to have Runaway

Winner at this point? Do you thinks so? What are the pitfalls of this?