To my friends who valiantly support Howard

[funky_bug]

It is very hard to believe that just one week ago, I was in the same boat that you fear now. We prayed for Clark to win, but we never expected we would lose him. I don't believe Howard is out by a long shot, but I've read a lot of posts today from you guys, and I can see a very dejected spirit. Unfortunately, I see another commonality - the vultures, swarming and hoping for a Dean demise.

If I might address a few common elements...

"Dean is not going to win, so you should get behind Candidate X." Hogwash. Many Clark supporters received a similar message just one week ago today, from many of the same posters. I hope that those people realize that dancing on Dean's not-yet-dug grave in hopes of boosting their candidate's chances at the nomination are doing NO favors for their candidate. In fact, they may be doing Candidate Y the biggest favor of all. Don't listen to their arguments about why you should give up. They are not heart-felt statements; if anything, they are vulturistic.

"Dean did this to himself." Hogwash. Dean has played the game, same as all candidates. Yes, the media treats each of them differently, but ultimately, it is not the media, NOR the candidate's fault. It is the general 'merican public's desire to do as little thinking as possible. Why READ and THINK, when you can have someone tell you what to do? Not "shame on Dean", not "shame on the media", but shame on the powers that dumbed down this country's educational standards - teaching rote memorization of patriotism, instead of critical thinking skills and analytical observation.


I guess, if nothing else, I wanted to let you guys know that you are heavily in my thoughts today. I am lighting the original Dixville Notch Clark Candle for Howard tonight. Yes, I'm a Wes Clark Democrat, and yes, I'm supporting John Kerry... but my primary vote is going to the candidate that NEEDS it. Come Super Tuesday, if Dean needs my vote to stay viable, he's got it... he's also got my hubby's, and anyone else I can convince. Regardless of who we support, I support all our guys staying IN THIS THING until THEY call it...not the media, not GD'ers, and certainly, CERTAINLY, not the supporters of Candidate X.

Peace out guys! I'm with you tonight!

[Cuban_Liberal]

1. Good luck to you, Dean supporters!

May we BOTH do well tonight! :hi:

[boobooday]

2. I think it's a shame

That most of us don't even really get a real choice in the primaries. Everyone is forced out so early!

I don't see the problem with it being a slugfest of ideas throughout the primary season, and choosing a candidate at the convention. It isn't supposed to be all about the person anyway.

So, I'm guess I'm saying that I'm sorry that any candidates, except maybe Lieberman, have dropped out.

Jeanette
http://www.wgoeshome.com

[janx]

3. That's one of the finest things I've read on DU--

EVER.

That is CLASS.

Thank you, and please thank your husband.

[slinkerwink]

7. exactly---Wife_of_a_Wes_Freak is definitely one classy woman!

:hi:

[janx]

16. She certainly is.

It was a good day around here when she showed up. She's funny, too.

[slinkerwink]

4. thank you for saying that!

:hi:

[funky_bug]

11. Glad you're back ;)

I missed you :)

[slinkerwink]

13. I'm glad to be back in GD2004 also....

can't stay away from defending my man, Howard! ;-)

[ibegurpard]

5. This is the first such post I have seen

that I can honestly say :thumbsup:

[bigwillq]

6. Great post, where's my Kleenex?

Seriously, the post was classy and heart felt. I too thought about how all the Clark people must've been feeling last week knowing that it might be soon that it happens to all of us Dean people. I will never give up hope on the doctor. It's a tough road but anything is possible. Good luck to everyone tonight.

[funky_bug]

10. You don't have to ever give up

As you have probably seen, many of us bear the name Wes Clark Democrats... because what he taught us, and what he inspired in us, changed us. We may not have our candidate, but he has us.

Dean changed us all. He inspired us, and fired us up, and he taught us all a valuable lesson in fighting for what we believe in. If he goes (and my candle says otherwise), he leaves a legacy that you don't have to give up on. Be a Howard Dean Democrat, and wear your badge with honor!

[bigwillq]

15. I will proudly wear my badge!

Thanks for being such a good Wes Clark fan as well as a good democract. I enjoy your posts. You're one of the DUers that has only positive things to say about our progressive movements. Before Dean, I barely was interested in politics and now I'm obsessed. I have a lot to learn about the political process but people like you inspire me to learn everything I can. Thank you.


edit: spelling. Must've failed that class in school.

[dionysus]

32. Clark (and you) are a class act.

Wes isn't going away and neither is Howard. We live to fight another day...

[w13rd0]

8. Thanks...

...going thru this forum is like dodging bullets lately, most fired recklessly into the crowds. Your words are good, thumbs up.

[Ramsey]

9. Thanks

You are a credit to DU.

I miss Wes too! :-(

[dsc]

12. You are one classy lady

Thank you so much.

[Lisaben2619]

14. This message may personify the difference between

Kerry/Leiberman Democrats and the rest of us. Thanks.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

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

[slinkerwink]

18. that's your perspective

and my perspective is that the primaries are so front-loaded that voters aren't even doing real research on candidates and are just automatically voting for the frontrunner which happens to be Kerry.

[Lisaben2619]

21. You posted "Looking forward to March 2. When Kerry steamrolls everyone"

and then call me "mean" LOL!

[PretzelWarrior]

23. because I didn't attack you as not a true democrat

I can hope for victory. I can hope for party unity. Maybe I said it in a way that wasn't sensitive to the many people who are still fighting for their candidate, but I apologized for that.

I am not accusing anyone on here of not being a real democrat except for the obvious freeper from time to time.

I changed my post. Maybe you'll change yours.

[Lisaben2619]

26. Why should I apologize for your interpretation

that the "difference" is that you aren't a real Democrat? There's been an obvious difference between the tone of many recent (not all) posts supporting Kerry and the ones supporting many other candidates. That I think the original post in this thread personifies that does not mean that I think you're not a "true Democrat"; whatever the hell that is.

[funky_bug]

22. With all due respect...

Let's not turn this thread into a flame bait. There should be a safe haven for all of us. FYI - you might edit your post. You cannot directly insult another poster. It's against GD rules.

[PretzelWarrior]

24. assuming you meant the guy I replied to

because his/her comment was out of line. I merely pointed it out. Calling someone "mean" for insulting isn't flaming.

[funky_bug]

25. Guess again

Saying a poster is "mean" is probably at the very least, skirting on the thin ice that is the GD forum regulations.

[GodHelpUsAll2]

20. That was great

It's a brutal ride through here sometimes. I have my fingers crossed and have prayed all day. I will NEVER give up. Come on Howard you can do it, I know you can! I have faith!

[NV1962]

19. Hear, hear...

Today, I'm a Deanie too.

Just because, dammit!

[juajen]

27. You know what? I agree with you

I am sick and tired of Dean bashing. He's done fantastic things for this race. You persuaded me. If Dean needs my vote on Super Tuesday, he will get it. I will certainly counsel my family members to do the same.

GO DEAN!!! With love from a Clark Democrat.



:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[Habibi]

28. That was an astounding, inspiring post, and

is there really a place called Dixville Notch?

:hi:

[funky_bug]

30. Unless my memory has evaded me

That is the name of the first little burg that cast their votes in IA. We Clark supporters sat up that night with our candles lit, anxiously awaiting the outcome. Clark took first that night, in that little town, and we were elated! It was like Christmas morning when you're five, like Disney World the first time you see Cinderella's castle, like your first kiss... it was incredible. That memory will stay with us all, for a very, very long time.

That's why that Dixville Notch candle is lit for you guys tonight.

[Habibi]

34. Very cool.

Thank you.

[mzmolly]

29. Thank You.

:hug:

[stickdog]

31. Thanks. As I saw Clark getting much the same raw deal from the media, I

began to realize how much Dean, Clark & Kucinich supporters were all in the same boat.

[RetroLounge]

33. Very Nice Post. Thanks!

:yourock:

[Rose Siding]

35. Thank you

[opihimoimoi]

36. Mahalo Nui Loa,

Thanks too much for kind words.

Sending lobsters and poi.

[DemocraticDonkey]

37. I support Kerry but...

I agree with you. It only serves to help the party and get our message out. Forcing everyone out early will let the Bush smear-machine start up early...its begun. I hope that all democrats will support whoever our nominy is to get that criminal out of the white house, but theres no need to tell people who support candidates other than the front runner to give up.