Isn't it important for the 08 nominee to have party support?

[politicasista]

This isn't directed at any candidate or any Dem, but how come we are overlooking the importance of party support for the 08 nominee?

Because playing the blame game is more fun and productive, we are continuing to ignore the fact that the nominee in 04 had very few Dems or the party in general backing him, let alone the ticket up.

That is how the GOP wins, (by stealing elections of course), but by staying on message and doing the homework for the incumbent. No, I am not saying that mistakes weren't made, but the blame game crowd is missing the big point.

I think for the Dem nominee to be successful in 08, there needs to be party support (especially when the smearing starts). As an observer and voter from 04, I didn't see that. Hopefully, the support will be there in 08.

This isn't a flamewar, just something to think about. I think we need to ask ourselves why didn't the party do more to back the candidates from 2000 and 2004 up? Instead of blaming the candidates why are we letting them off the hook? Why are we not asking them why didn't they back the candidates up? Why are we not demanding accountability?


Party support, in addition to the message and election reform is going to be crucial for the 08 nominee, which is why I am glad Dean is focusing on this issue.

[ClassWarfare2008]

1. The most logical answer to that question

is that the Democratic nominee should support the values and traditions of the Democratic party.

[goodhue]

2. Whomever is nominated will be supported by the party

[ripple]

3. Sometimes party support is established well before the campaign

from a few insiders, rather than the party as a whole.

WE are the democratic party. Or we should be. I have a problem with democratic leaders in key states pushing a candidate.

I'll support whomever receives the nod, but I do believe that sometimes political alliances unduly influence the primary outcome, even within the party.

[illinoisprogressive]

4. We nominate a true Democrat with progressive values

[AtomicKitten]

5. of course

:shrug:

[countmyvote4real]

6. The candidate also needs to support his/her platform for victory.

The Gore campaign tried in 2000 by only challenging a few selected counties rather than the election management of the entire State of Florida. He nobly backed down after the SCOTUS stepped in and chose the victor for us despite the fact that Gore won the popular vote.

Forewarned as it were by these events, the Kerry campaign suggested they would have lawyers in every precinct to defend GOP challenges to Kerry votes. And yet the Kerry campaign “nobly” conceded the 2004 election in less than 24 hours without any protestation. They did this despite subsequent investigations of election in fraud in OH, NM and FL (no surprise there) that could have verified the count in Kerry’s favor.

I’m just saying that you either want to win or you don’t. I’m not suggesting that you steal it by fraud, but you DO NOT concede to fraudulent tactics from the opposition that ultimately seeks to win by fraud. (Their policies do not resonate with the majority of Americans. That's why they are compelled to commit election fraud under the guise of vote5r fraud.)

I must confess that the 2008 election could be difficult for me if HRC is the nominee. For one, I am freaked out by the thought of another 2G dynasty, even if in hindsight I liked the first Bush better than the second. And for number two, Bill and Hill are just too DLC/Republican Lite for me.

WE NEED A REAL COURSE CHANGE FROM OUR ELECTED LEADERS. (Yet, again I suspect that change will be left up to private third party voting machine software to determine the outcome.)

In short, I will support any progressive/liberal/democratic/whatever-they-go-by these-days candidate that will fight for all votes to be counted in order to secure their victory and save our country. Short of that fortitude, I’m not likely to offer my vote to the Democratic Party if there are more potent options from a third party candidate. (I’m not talking Nader.)

I just want some real commitment to change before and AFTER the election.