2004 primaries were NOTHIN' compared to this year's primaries..

[Hawkeye-X]

For that, I want to walk to the Deaniacs, Clarkies, Kerryites, Edwardians, and others I forgot and give them a great big hug and a *THANK* you for helping us see what we needed to fix for 2008. The result of that was another 4 more years of Chimpy McFlightspoon, but we also elected Dean and put his 50 state strategy in place, and right now it's working beautifully - we have won the 2006 elections and solidified the House and and took back the Senate. It is my hope that Obama will continue to follow the Dean plan that he's so successfully following and at the same time, HELPING the downticket Dems to solidify EVERYTHING - including the Senate (We need at least 60 for filibusterproof Senate - and we have an excellent chance - even without Loserman) - also continue to strengthen the Democratic Party itself. I know from one aspect that it's "fractured" but really it has never been stronger than ever and this is OUR banner year to show us why Howard Brush Dean III deserves the name "Chairman Dean". I certainly hope his foresight will continue to the next few decades, if possible, and groom his successor as well, whoever that may be.

Can I get an AMEN, people?

Hawkeye-X

[Nitrogenica]

1. This is going to be our time, sceptics be damned.

:kick:

[babylonsister]

2. 'Nothin' meaning better or worse now? I wasn't

around this time 4 years ago, so don't know what I missed. But I do love Chairman Dean, and someone was listening to him!

[Hawkeye-X]

8. Looking back in '04 primaries... and now..

Let's just say it was more of a slapfight in '04 than a bloody brawl in '08.

Hawkeye-X

[babylonsister]

9. Gotcha. Maybe because there's no incumbent, there's more at stake?

We all know there is SO MUCH at stake, and we might be able to actually do something about it. Thanks, Hawkeye-X.

[FrenchieCat]

3. You know you get an Amen From me......

a hard fighting Clarkie, fighting even harder for Obama! :patriot:

[Maddy McCall]

4. Former Clarkie here. C'mon. Hug me. You know you want to.

Put it right here....c'mon. You know you can.

[Hawkeye-X]

7. Naw! For ya, I'll give you a GREAT BIG hug!

[Maddy McCall]

12. Cute.

I'm the cat. :rofl:

[roseBudd]

5. Question: Were there DUers that knew Kerry would lose the general even though polls had him up?

I am going to speculate some reasons

Winter Soldier

Throwing medals

Wife is too rich

Too East Coast

Name ryhmes with Scary

Personality deprived wonk like Gore

[babylonsister]

10. I got here in Sept 04; there were not many DUers who thought

Kerry would lose. There were some who weren't fans, but I thought he had it in the bag. I still think he did.

:-(

[karynnj]

11. Kerry had a more dynamic personality than any of his 2004 competitors

Although Teresa is very wealthy, she is funny, warm and absolutely brilliant. Go look at her foundations website to see her real work on the environment, health( where programs she's funded have filled gaps the government doesn't), women's pensions (I guess you don't see that Teresa can understand the concerns here.) I am sick and tired of seeing posts on Democratic boards attacking this incredible woman.
In my area of NJ, where some knew her as Senator Heinz's wife, she won Kerry votes that I don't think another Democrat would have gotten. As one woman said - he can't be sleazy (as she labeled a former Dem President) because Teresa wouldn't have married him. Consider that the Republicans smeared her because they KNEW the more people were able to see the wonderful person she is, she would give people on the fence a reason to trust her husband.

As to stupid rhymes - they would have them for anyone - "Mean Dean", anyone?

As to his efforts to end the war in 1971 - he was incredible - he stayed within the system and worked to get students and veterans to follow him. That was an immensely angry time and he had the ability at 27 to bring that many extremely angry people together in a non-violent protest. His testimony would have been impressive from a sitting Senator - and that is why it was widely praised. He was told by Senator Pell that he hoped he would someday see him there as a Senator. Pell was the leading Democrat on the SFRC when Kerry did become Senator and asked to be on that committee. (I would love to hear how what they said to each other then). This was something that had to be explained - it wasn't a negative, In fact a Rep WWII vet I know voted for him, after he read the entire testimony. He had been for the Vietnam War, but his comment to us was he saw where he was coming from and thought he was a good man. (A lot better than writing a ROTC general who helped you avoid the draft "that some loathe the military")

The fact is Kerry very nearly won with the playing field steeply tilted against him.

[roseBudd]

14. But we had nominated an egghead wonk, I felt like we were running on Bush sucks, vote for Kerry

I never really had feelings for Kerry. Obama has something special that causes people to be drawn to him.

I was for Clark, because I thought his military credentials and plain spoken opionions would serve us well in the GE.

I am excited about doing GOTV for Obama, not at all about having to do it for Hillary

[JVS]

6. Long live chairman Dean.

[LWolf]

13. No.

You cannot get an "Amen," and I, for one, am repulsed by the emergence of preaching from the pulpit-like speeches and congregational voter responses. I like a solid, thick, impenetrable wall of separation between faith and politics.

:puke:

You can, however, get agreement: 2004 was quite neighborly in comparison to this cycle.

I also am pleased with the work that Dean has done, with one exception:

Who is responsible for the un-democratic primary schedule that narrowed the field so early?

Dean, or someone else?

This primary has been, and is, a disaster for the party.