Personal Testimonial from a person who attended the Debate...

[LosAngelesDemocrat]

I just got home about 2 hours ago from the pre-debate rally, debate, and post-debate candidate rally. I gotta say that it was great! So many issue advocacy groups I've been in contact with were all there in representation. I've been concerned about the divisiveness in the democratic party apparent in this forum and in other regional grass-root meetings but after what I saw and participated in, it makes me feel like that there is progress being made in holding to the democratic ideals of "the big tent party", inclusiveness, diversity, and coalition formers. Every candidate's supporters were there (including Dean) and demonstrated solidarity and civility in the kinship we all generally shared as fellow liberals. Kucinich's supporters even providing some really cool beats also with people free-flowing. Of course there were chants advocating each particular candidate but at times there were groups of people from different campaigns chanting anti-bush slogans in unison. The kinship expressed with different supporters amongst each other with people wishing the election of Dean delegates well, the sentimentality toward the Bohemianess of Kucinich people, the good old sweetness of one-on-one conversations with the Edwards people, and the organizational might of Kerry people some driving over 3 hours to attend makes me feel that we all stood together in passion for change. The debate, regardless of how it will be perceived in the media as a fight, was still a civil discussion within the family, with people you call your allies and friends; and this permeated not only within the candidates, but all the way down grassroots with professors and students on the way home stopping to spontaneously join the rally. By the way, as a graduate from USC also, I know how conservative the school is. But to also have republicans stop by; some in support and others to pursue a dialog of ideas makes be feel like things in this nation are not as bad as they can be. So in regard to the verbal banter that occurs here, which serves useful in its own right in construction of ideas and platform; when it comes down to face-to-face, heart-to-heart conversation between like minded liberals - I have faith we can work together to pursue these ideals. Whether it be all of specializing in different areas (health care, environment, economy, foreign policy) or it be on different levels (federal, state, local). I know people need not feel disenfranchised... it is about personal participation. And that is something we all personally own and can do in our own unique way. Remember that there are also people behind you if not in specifics but always in spirit.


Democrat Meetup LA Volunteer

[JI7]

1. i saw this on tv on local news

they showed supporters of various candidates at times cheering their own candidates on, and then other times all the supporters of all the democratic candidates would start chanting anti bush statements together. it was really good to see.

[LosAngelesDemocrat]

3. More details on people I met

I just can't describe the passion I'm filled with about the democratic party overall and that we are on the right path. Things are not purfect, but pretty good. I think i networked with 100s of people there, I got to shake Gray Davis' hand and see him with his wife, I got a chance to talk with the minister from the the AME church (Tom Bradley's church), I spoke with asian and asian-american groups, met a congressional aide from the leader of the hispanic caucus, met aides for Antonio Villiagrosa & Alex Padilla, saw some people running for city council races, met the webmasters for a multitude of political websites; not to mention all the different advocacy groups all working together. The way I see it, if all these people can work together and actually accomplish something(even if they disagree on some issues), why can't the rest of us do the same thing - united we stand, divided we fall.

[mac2]

2. The debate was not run well....

Again...the media determine the questions...which we are getting sick of hearing.

Kucinich wasn't even allowed to respond to some issues.

[eridani]

4. Glad there was all this good person to person stuff

Too bad that those of us stuck with Shitstain King couldn't have any.

[molly]

5. Thankyou for taking the time to keep us informed

California is extremely important to us and we should not be taking it for granted. You better believe "they" will be pouring millions of dollars into campaigning there.

Keep up the good work and keep us informed - please!

:toast:

[LosAngelesDemocrat]

8. California and the democrats in 2004 election

Thanks molly, your comments were sweet. Another side issue though, dealing with the general perception that California votes democratic in the general election; there has been some worry, especially with Schwarzenegger getting elected last year. Though in November we will know for sure what is factual, personally I am not worried as much as other people(though I am still a bit worried). The wedge issue of "gay marriage," well it may work with socially conservative republicans in the south, does not work as well with pro-business libertarian republicans that are far more plentiful in California. I am waiting to see a clear concise sound byte from the campaigns that resonates with libertarian minded individuals without disenfranchising liberals (similar to the shift from being "pro-abortion" to "pro-choice"). That inoculates criticism and allows us to take the higher road, not make this a "cultural war", and win on the social issue. Even the log cabin republicans and Cheney type republicans are starting to rebel.

On the economic issue, I think we already have it, being "pro-jobs" vs. "pro-profit" in describing the state of the economy. In addition, all the fellow attendees that I talked to makes me feel that the democratic base has never been so energized as it is now. I saw and talked to so many political newcomers that never even volunteered or at the least voted. What I would like to see though in response to what Schwarzenegger said about Bush being able to win California if he sent us back federal dollars is our democratic nominee or local elected official saying if Bush gets elected that California will get federal funding for a couple of months till November but if a democrat gets elected California will get funding for 4 years. I think that that might nip things in the bud. I don't see Bush taking the bait, it's too much of a Pandora's Box to mess with California when it doesn't fit within his campaign strategy. I only see Bush coming to California for raising money, nothing else. A parallel example would be New York voting for republicans at the state and local level but voting democratic in the presidential race. However with the Convention being in New York, I'm wondering how this is going to be played. In campaign strategy, the general proved approach is going after moderate voters. However when the public is polarized, the name of the game is voter turnout of your base.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

9. kicking this back up

[spooky3]

6. Thanks for the great report!

It sounds SO much better than the horrid job of the panel on TV. This was absolutely the worst "debate" ever from my standpoint.

[flpoljunkie]

7. Thanks for your report, LADemocrat. Wish I could have been there.

The Democratic party seems more united this year than ever--united in their fervent desire to throw these corrupt, crony capitalists out of office.

I agree with another poster. Larry King is awful--the "socialism" crack about single payer really showed Larry's incredible bias toward the chimpster--King is just another disgusting, greedy Republican ass-kisser.

[democratreformed]

10. Thanks for this report

It does my heart good to hear it. I am so hoping our "united strength" will pull this thing off for us.

[oasis]

11. good, refreshing report.

:thumbsup:

[LosAngelesDemocrat]

12. thanks

thanks, just wanted to give a personal grassroots account.

[flpoljunkie]

13. My daughter was there and added this Kerry remark...a crowd pleaser

After reading your post, she replied, "That pretty much says it all. The Kucinich people were fun, with their dancing and drumbeats. Very bohemian. At the after rally, Kerry started by asking how many Trojans were in the crowd and then said "The first thing I'm going to do as President is repeal the BCS!"