I am not going to be positive about this.

[dorktv]

My heart is broken with Dean leaving the race. He was the only one who gave me hope that WE can change things and it looks like that is and never will be true. I have been a democrat all of my life, I am third generation and today I want to leave it for the first time.

[a_random_joel]

1. There are bigger things than Dean

This country is in the biggest mess since the Great Depression.

This is not about one man. Wake up.

[curlyred]

3. and politics as usual is going to solve that?

We needed a change and I fear Kerry will just be more of the same.

[a_random_joel]

19. There are politicians...

and there is Bush.

Any questions?

[dorktv]

7. Let me put it this way:

FUCK ABB! If we only go for something that lame then we DESERVE TO LOSE. We MUST give people a real alternative.

[a_random_joel]

21. Let ME put it THIS way.

There is a real alternative.

Do you want to get drafted or not? Sounds like an alternative to me.
Do you want the US to turn into the economic model of a third country? Sounds like an alternative to me. Do you want the right wing to completely dominate our culture? Sounds like an alternative to me. I can keep going, but I think you get the point.

There will NEVER be some grand sweeping overnight change. Change is gradual, it takes time and compromise. I am sorry to have to break it to you.

Until then, ABB. Or else, I guess I'll see you in the draft.

[Carni]

22. Should more of our kids have to die...

Because individual people didn't get their sought after candidate?

I was for Clark but am ultimately YES, ABB...WHY?

Because bush has f***ed up America in the eyes of the world.

If we don't get bush out and get someone in who will try to fix this mess in Iraq and get some help from the world community, I am firmly convinced we will have a draft in 05 (unless something remarkable happens like bush pays off the world at large to bail his ass out on our dime and I highly doubt there is that kind of cash left.)

Were Kerry or Edwards my first picks? No, but I am going to do everything in my power to back either one to send that SOB back to Crawford.

IMO a protest vote isn't an option in this election.

[a_random_joel]

24. Well said.

Thanks. They'll come around eventually.

[saracat]

32. The Art of Compromise

I agree.No one's personal agenda should override the necessity of ridding the country of Bush. He is the penultimate evil that is poisoning our country. We will not be finished with reform if he is gone , but we will have no chance at all if he remains.
Voters who think throwing their vote away in defense of their "principles" are naive and spoiled. "You can't always get what you want" and no candidate is perfect. We need to work together to make change and that will take compromise.Politics is the art of compromise and those that can't compromise effectively damage the rights of the majority and themselves.

[dorktv]

38. So we vote for someone who voted for this horrible war in the

first place? And Protest votes ARE ALWAYS AN OPTION!

[saracat]

54. Option

The same option the Nader people exercised in 200 and look where THAT got us.

[BL_Zebub]

29. And part of the reason why this country is in that mess

..is that the Democratic Party has been invaded by the same corporatist fascists who have been running the Republican party since WWII. Eisenhower was their first President, and he saw their agenda for what it was and tried to warn the American people. Nobody listened then, and even though this disease has now taken over BOTH major parties, they still aren't listening. :evilfrown:

[dorktv]

47. The republican party was started in response to the

ignoring of what a large number of people wanted. Why do we not do the same thing? We have a huge number of disaffected people, why not start a new party and really go after getting the votes out and whatnot?

[rucky]

50. Or you could say that Dean movement is bigger than just his candidacy

Let's take the good Dr's advice: WE have the power... and although it would be nice to have a Howard Dean in power, we can still make a difference. No shortcut this time, but he's mobilized something that we can make work, which is a hellova lot more than we had before Dean announced his candidacy.

[MostlyBlackCat2]

2. Yours, mine, and so many other

hearts are broken today. We believed in something, and it was destroyed by lies, greed, and a political machine controlled by money and power. I feel like we all just need to get together and have a good cry and maybe then we can figure out what the hell to do next. my heart, broken as it is, is with you.

[dorktv]

5. I just wish I could go home and cry but I have three hours

left before I can go home.

[democratreformed]

8. Biting your tongue helps

I'm serious. I knew we weren't doing well after the "early leaked exit polls" last week. I fought off tears all afternoon here at work.

[MostlyBlackCat2]

17. me too.

I'm going to leave and go to my favorite place for lunch and try to think about something positive, just put my sadness aside until I can go home - and that's not for 6 more hours. Hang in there, and know that you are not alone today.

[democratreformed]

4. I can't even begin to tell you how frustrated I have been -

all the anger, rage even. The feelings of hopelessness. The sadness and pain. I could go on. Mainly, I just hope you can take some comfort from the empathy of others. I truly know what you are going through and I am sorry it is this way.

[BlueEyedSon]

6. I'm watching him now.... I'm gonna miss him! n/t

[AngryYoungMan]

9. Dean changed the country! Cheer up...he's a hero.

Respectfully, I ask you to think about the Democratic process and how it's supposed to work. (It's been so long since we've seen legitimate democracy, it's easy to forget the basics.)

Sure, there's only one nominee. But the whole point of primaries and a convention is not just to find that nominee but to perform a democratic synthesis of all the party's desires and agendae. Every candidate makes a difference, because their ideas and their followers have power, and that power influences the debate and the thinking of everyone. This is the way the system is supposed to work. This was the idea behind a convention before it turned into a television extravaganza.

If Kerry or Edwards wins in November, it will be because of Howard Dean. Without Dean, the whole landscape is different. Your man did very, very, very well.

I personally do not want him nominated, for reasons outside the scope of the point I'm discussing here, but I am fully aware of what we all owe him.

Dean's a hero, and the party's not forgetting him or his lessons any time soon. Don't feel bad. And please don't leave us; we need you.

[dorktv]

15. Oh the Democratic party will appriciate him? Maybe the rank

and file members but the leaders HATE him.

[AngryYoungMan]

26. This was LEGITIMATE POLITICS, damn it!

We've been looking at smears, cheats, lies, scandals, and dodges for so long (read: republican tactics) that we've forgotten how to deal with the way the system is supposed to work. And THIS was thoroughly legitimate. Yes, the powers-that-be were frustrated by Dean, but doesn't that make sense? He directly challenged them!

Dean DIDN'T GET THE VOTES. In America, unless your name is Bush, that does you in. Other factors may have contributed but it was a LEGITIMATE defeat.

And he changed the whole party! I'm disappointed too, but can we please be precise about what happened here? Dean didn't get "removed"...he just LOST.

[BL_Zebub]

30. Legitimate politics my pointy tailed ass!

They did the same thing they did to JFK, MLK, RFK, Carnahan and Wellstone. They just did it in a slightly less messy way :grr:

[AngryYoungMan]

31. That's absurd.

Where were the votes?

Where were the VOTES?

Not blogs, emails, contributions, endorsements, but VOTES.

[dorktv]

42. Let us ask Maine.

[diamondsoul]

34. And thinking Democrats HATE

the leaders. Hang in there, friend. I'm so very sorry.

[Lefta Dissenter]

10. Dork,

There are a lot of Clarkies here who understand exactly what you are going through today. I am finally starting to pull myself together and trying to figure out how I can be valuable in helping to get bush out of our White House.

It sounds like Dean will help to provide you with a path, as well. Take a break, if you need to, but don't leave for long. We NEED you!

[dorktv]

16. I am running for congress...Today nonwithstanding I will be

a Democrat...The leaders of the party better watch out because I hold a grudge for A VERY LONG time and I feel this is partly because they will not support anyone THEY do not pick.

[BootinUp]

18. that was nice

but the nick it is addressed to makes it hard to take seriously :)

[Lefta Dissenter]

27. HAHA,

I even thought of that when I typed it. It's not often I can call someone 'Dork' and not get slapped for it! :D

[salinen]

11. Hey, I understand

I'm a Kucinich supporter. Imagine how hard it is when your guy never had a chance? At least Dean took the lead for awhile.

[democratreformed]

13. You guys are great

Your enthusiasm has been a continual shining light in all this.

[Cleita]

12. I'm thinking of changing to Green after I vote in the primaries.

I will still vote for the Democratic candidate in November but I feel Greens need to develop candidates at a local and state level and I will work to help them.

[bleedingheart]

20. I have been feeling the same way... I am going ABB in November

but am considering giving up my democratic committee slot and going Green. I feel like the democratic ideals of FDR are gone from our party.

I am also voting for Kucinich now in the primary if he is still in it when we finally vote in PA.

[Cleita]

52. Vote for Kucinich anyway in the primaries. It's time we showed the

pols that we will chose whom we want, not the candidate the DNC and DLC have manipulated for us. Write him in if you have to.

[diamondsoul]

37. I'm going Indy from here on out.

I'll vote Dem in deference to Kucinich's leadership in Nov. After that it's every Party for itself and they'll have to convince me.

[pezcore64]

14. ...

i feel the same way... im gonna give myself a couple of days before making a decision tho. I just cant support Kerry or Edwards. I just cant do it. id hate myself for it. My vote will go to kucinich if hes still on the ticket.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

25. I am so torn right now

I am extremely disappointed that Howard Dean has abandoned his effort, but am more disappointed that those who have already voted seem to have sold out to the notion of "electability." I took the online pledge last year not to vote for anyone who voted for the war resolution, and I really want to honor that pledge. I used to scoff at people like my sister who voted Green, telling them they were wasting their vote on a principle when they really needed to be practical and vote for the person who actually had a chance to win. How hypocritical I feel now! Now I'M the one wanting to stick to my principles by not voting for Kerry or Edwards. I suppose I could get behind Edwards, but I'm having a really hard time with Kerry's waffling back and forth on the issues and changing his stance depending on which way the wind is blowing. His voting for the war and the PATRIOT Act pretty much seals the deal for me in that I don't think I will vote for him.

I am torn because we need to get Bush the squatter out of our White House. Do I vote for Kerry not only holding my nose, but also shutting my eyes and crossing my fingers?

This will be only my second presidential vote in PA, and I'm not sure if PA has a presidential write-in ballot or not. At this point I'm still with Dean all the way, and nothing is likely to change my mind. If I can vote for him, I will. Call me a hypocrite.

"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines."

[DK666]

23. Consider Carefully.

The weight of your vote should not be taken lightly. Party hopping just strengthens the opposition and demoralizes the Democratic Party. You must ask yourself “Do I really want to be part of the democratic process?” if you lurk or post here then the answer is a resounding “YES” the BFEE has trampled OUR rights, OUR economy, the lives of OUR young soldiers, and the very essence of OUR lives. Now is the time to stand up and fight for YOUR rights, YOUR economy, and the lives of YOUR youth. Let your voice ring loud and clear for it is YOUR voice that will set US free.

[LSdemocrat]

28. Take some time, focus on something other than politics, then reflect

As a fellow Dean supporter, this is not the time to make rash decisions about leaving the party.

Please take some time, from a few days to a couple of months, to take a step back, focus on something other than politics, then come back, reflect on the current situation, and then make a decision.

[Tinoire]

33. Kucinich is a great alternative. Help us try if you have the heart left

They won't let him get any further than Dean though.

My heart is broken too. I cried listening to Dean's speech.

[BigBigBear]

35. The Deaniacs' spirit was impressive

and I commend all of them.

But let's be real here. If Dean could crater that quickly and that completely in the primary season, Bush would have crushed him in the GE.

[in_cog_ni_to]

36. dorktv,

I know exactly how you feel. I am leaving the Democratic Party after this election. The whole process has shown me just how corrupt our government is. I will GLADLY leave the Democratic Party and become an Independent. If you DO leave the party, at least wait until after the election. We must get the Bush cabal out of office. We have to.

I feel your pain! :hug:

[PlanetBev]

39. Politics is not like Burger King

You can't always "have it your way". Politics is about compromise, and it's a substitute for violence. Kerry was not my first choice, but I cannot live another 4 years with the smirking idiot squatting in the People's House.

[in_cog_ni_to]

43. I know.

That's why I'm voting Dem in this election....then leaving it. Terry McAuliffe can kiss my ass.

[dorktv]

41. No, I will what the conservatives have done.

Think long term and take over the Democratic party.

[genius]

40. Check out Kucinich

He's the most idealistic candidate we've ever had.

[K8-EEE]

44. Dean Had The Major Backing And Endorsements

Frankly he BLEW it. He's just not a good politician. The fact of the matter is everyone says they hate politicians but I want a skilled politico in that job. Raw idealism has a place but it's not enough.

Still, he had Al Gore's endorsements and other establishment advanages just weeks ago. It was his to lose and he lost; end of story.

I have also been heartbroken when my candidates have lost and probably will be again (Edwards.) But I'll be happy if Kerry wins. Sometimes you can't have EVERYTHING you want all at once; getting Bush out is BIG start.

[spooky3]

45. I feel bad for you and all others when their candidate

leaves the race. But Dean is not going away. I thought he was very classy in his statements today, and I am sure he will do a great job rechanneling his team's efforts into a Soros-like advocacy group or some other format that will continue to have a tremendous impact.

[progressivebydesign]

46. A question. If my state has open primaries..

can I register as an Independent and still vote for a Democrat in primary and GE, if I choose? If that is true, I may consider switching my affiliation as a protest of the wrong turn the Party has taken, in my eyes, while still being ABB in November? A sort of soft protest, on my part. Is that feasible?

[Lefta Dissenter]

51. It depends on your state laws

In Wisconsin we don't register for a party - pick up a ballot and vote on it! It's so different from one state to the next, though, so you'll need to check into that.

[Renew Deal]

48. I partly felt that way last week.

I felt like that when Clark left, minus the leaving the party part. I was disappointed too. But Dean might have served his purpose for this election. He will move on to other things like taking this country back. I have moved on even though I am undecided. Hopefully you will also be able to one day. Remember, we have a greater goal. Also, there were 10 candidates running. That means there are going to be 9 groups of upset supporters. Make sure there aren't 10.

[BL_Zebub]

53. There will be 10, and you can thank the DLC for that!

They're getting away with their scam and they will end up with their chosen candidate. And he will lose to Junior. Truman warned us, and Dean repeated it: You can't beat a Republican by voting like one.

[salin]

49. It is natural to go through a sort of grieving period

take some time... and when you can - start reading the news/stories again - and enjoy for a little while - being able to just read (esp when in this particular forum) with no ox to gore or fight to pick (re: between supporter groups) - but with more objective eyes... see where it takes you and how you feel when some time has passed.