Democrats, do you realize what you have done?

[beachmom]

We Democrats are at a handicap in winning the presidential election. The media establishment and the right wing media establishment are as powerful as ever at shaping the message, with the traditional media very biased toward John McCain. We are still operating within a conservative era, which began with Ronald Reagan, and has influenced my generation, Gen X, considerably. 9/11 has been the defining moment of the 21st century, and there still are many Americans who are very afraid of a terrorist attack. The culture itself is still in the throes of backlash against sex, drugs and rock and roll, not to mention secularism -- I would love to say that the culture wars are over, but they are not. Add in the new fears of a plunging housing market and the worst recession since after World War Two, and you have the making of a perfect storm of irrationality that swings, despite the issues that are on our side, to the reptile brain politics of the Right.

We Democrats contest elections at a considerable disadvantage because of these forces. The only way we could have won, was to be fully united. Not united in July. United at the beginning of 2008, if not earlier. This has not happened. And, in fact, our own perfect storm of chaos engulfed us, and left us in a state of unreality: that we could fight amongst ourselves in the most personal, destructive, and vitriolic ways, and then turn around, heal in a matter of days, and ramp it up to defeat the Republicans in November, without anyone outside our Party noticing. Well I tell you, they have noticed, and we have already blown it. The damage is done. The Right, with a willing mainstream media, has successfully demonized our candidates for which it is doubtful that they can recover. And, yet, an article like this will be the one on all of our minds today. Another Democratic infighting story completely irrelevant to the problems our country faces, and the battle we needed to wage to defeat John McCain in November.

I am tired of the blame game. The truth is we are our own worst enemy. I suggest we all reflect on the stupidity we have all engaged in during this primary season, and ask ourselves whether it was worth it to stick it to Candidate X for a short term satisfaction of "winning", never mind the consequences of this behavior. And, yes, I am speaking to all Democrats, whether they be the candidates, the political consultants, the surrogates, the staffers, the activists, the volunteers, the A List bloggers, all the way down to us peons typing on this board today. Remember the old saying? United we stand, divided we fall. Well, we made our choice. Now, we must face the price we will all have to pay for our lack of judgment.

[Inuca]

1. All I can say is

that I hope you are wrong. I have no valid counter-arguments to offer though, and I often share the fears, and for quite some time now I just want this whole process to be OVER.

[beachmom]

2. I have anecdotal evidence that unfortunately, I am right. People

who I thought would be leaning Democratic this election, have now changed their minds and now, 2 months later, "don't like any of the candidates". Very worrying, and clearly a direct result to the nasty primary wars.

[Erin Elizabeth]

3. I'm sorry, but I have to all-caps this:

IT'S CALLED A PRIMARY. AND IT'S NOT CARRIED OUT IN SECRET. Sorry, but it's true. Because of this primary process, we have discovered the candidate who is the STRONGEST one to win in November. That's the whole fucking point of a primary. We get to decide within our party.

Do you think that decision process is going to involve hushed polite whispers, tea cakes and Earl Grey in the afternoon? Or maybe just a few quiet mailers in your mailbox?

Yeah, THIS one's been a longer decision making process than the primaries we've been used to in the past when one fucking state pretty much decided the whole thing (which is silly).

But hell's bells, this is the PROCESS. This is what happens. And you can't control everyone else's actions or inactions, their words, etc. If some other Democrat acts like an ass and is making racist or sexist comments, I can't control that and neither can you. The party that CONTROLS their members is over there...to the RIGHT.

Just sit back, relax. Enjoy the process. It's almost over.

[zalinda]

8. No, we didn't find out who's strongest

we found out who the media loved and didn't love. We found out who could raise the most money. And we found out that issues take backseat to personal slurs. Neither of these 2 left will do anything for 75% of the country and the vast majority of those who could go the primary or caucus got there choice taken away from them because their candidate didn't have as much money. It has become a fucking auction, with American Idol thrown in. In other words, it's a joke, and unfortunately, the joke's on us.

zalinda

[grasswire]

10. well said (eom)

[Erin Elizabeth]

16. I love the way you completely left out the candidate's

SUPPORTERS. LOL.

[karynnj]

35. Respectfully, 2004 changed that to a real degree

Howard Dean and then John Kerry both raised huge sums on the internet from small donors who believed in the candidates. each of the 2004 candidates was able to set up web sites and invite the people who believed in them to see what they stood for and to contribute. In a way, the number of people willing to donate is a metric of how much support they had. Note that I said the number of people - not the money raised.

I assume the candidate that you are referring to is Edwards. He in fact was pushed in 2006 and 2007 as one of top tier. In fact, his polling numbers and money raised were not competitive - and the top tier designation likely helped him. He in fact was a media favorite in 2003 and 2004 and to a very real degree even in 2006 - there was also a very large amount of coverage when he opened his campaign in New Orleans. In spite of this, he won exactly one primary in 2 years. He spent more time in Iowa than anyone and still lost 30 to 38 to Obama - with HRC at 29. His entire plan was predicated on a huge win in Iowa - Iowa was one of the states he did best in (still losing) in 2004. One telling thing a friend who worked in a long ago Iowa race told me was that he thought Edwards actually did less well in some of the areas he targeted the most heavily. I don't know Iowa districts so I can't verify this, but it is clear that even with enormous face to face contact with Iowans - he lost.

This also doesn't address that serious issue raised - whether a nasty internecine fight has destroyed our chances. It's an issue that worried me as well and not one with an easy answer.

[GarbagemanLB]

4. The only way this will cause us to lose is if it is allowed to go to Denver. If it ends in early

June, we should be fine.

[Erin Elizabeth]

5. Exactly. And I really think it will.

[zalinda]

6. You got it

Our only chance is to change candidates at the convention for someone new. This will give the public something bright, new and shiny to focus on and want. Hey, when you go to the store do you buy something that's in the beat up looking box, or in a new box? And the fact that I don't like any of the candidates adds to "give me someone that's new" but comfortable.

zalinda

[beachmom]

9. But who? Gore is also damaged -- people have bought the lies about him, too.

Every Democrat we put up is destroyed. Our only hope is the a FEW more people don't fall for the lies this time, and that support for McCain is soft.

[Mags]

20. zalinda, I think you have figured it out. It is sad but true.

[futureliveshere]

40. However 'old' & 'beat-up' our nominee will look, McCain will still look "ANCIENT " in comparison

[MannyGoldstein]

7. We're Fine, As Long As The Clintons Are Gone Quickly

They need to get the %^&* out, and fast, lest we have another convention debacle like in 1980.

[Mags]

22. so you some of the BO folk, it is about kill the Clinton's ability or put them

in their place , then you will be satisfied. How sad to fall so far, Bill Clinton has been very good to the American people and the Democratic Party, why to you want to trash, tarnish and demean his place in history ?

[MannyGoldstein]

38. They've 'Trashed, Tarnished and Demeaned' *Themselves*

Didn't meed my help at all. And that's certainly OK by me.

It's their attempts to destroy the presumptive Democratic nominee that have to stop ASAP.

[Auntie Bush]

46. Seems to me... the Clintons were very well respected within the party

until Obama entered the race and many wanted an opportunity to have a black president and turned against the Clintons. The rest followed and the destruction of the Clintons on the internet and media have been absolutely shocking. It's hard to believe this election is even close. I can't believe the lies and innuendo flung at the Clintons. They are really good people and want to help all Americans and Democrats and alway have. Too bad so many people around here are so blind.

[mopinko]

11. i think that you are greatly underestimating barack obama.

and his message for that matter. once he has the nom, he can and will bring the party together. cuz that is who he is.
i am sorry to see so many people who are so averse to a contest. as messy as it is, no other process would yield an acceptable result. it is part of politics. anybody that has not been through a few rounds would be nervous. but i am an old fart, and i know we can do it.
it is not the jostling of the primaries that has sunk us in recent years. it is the octopus. we do need to lock arms and march forward, and stomp on it. it is a tall order. but primary battles are not the problem, they are the solution.

[Stinky The Clown]

12. The campaigns have put me in a "Pox On Both Their Houses" mood.

Arrogance and shit flinging. Whining and self-proclaimed victim hood. He said she said. Unlikeable surrogates and camp followers that, it has become clear, reflect the candidate.

I do not see how we can come together. It appears to me that the wounds are too deep and too fresh. The hatred is very real. It is much more visceral than it ought to be.

And I actually DO think people are paying attention. Maybe not as closely as we political junkies, but they're very much aware. And they react to media bullshit. They never stick around for explanations. They just go with the bullshit that's fed them. And what is being fed to them is that **both** our candidates are fatally flawed. There are bullshit story lines that follow each of them. Different stories, yeah ...... but equally damaging.

I'd rather take my chances with Gore by Acclamation in Denver. He's already won it once, only to see it stolen. He would be the fresh face that no one is ready for. And he's very much a different guy than he was in 1999.

[GoldieAZ49]

13. I agree, there are many that just will not vote for one or the other candidate

and they are democrats

[washingdem]

14. We're going to be fine. Obama will get the nomination soon and he will destroy John W. McDole

It's easy to worry ,but we're being prisoners of the moment here. It's April. Obama is going to have a huge financial advantage over McCain, there's an unpopular war and terrible economy, and a lot of voters are concerned about McCain's age. Plus we're going to tie him to Bush. He's done.

[Ichingcarpenter]

15. The Primary season was way, way, way too long and early

Which let it drag out for way too long.

[crankychatter]

17. what's this "we" crap?

I'm sick and tired of this MSM, Corporate Media spin, this relentless Meme... that Obama has engaged on an equal level with the slimey, gutter politics of the Clinton Camp

The media led us to Iraq... remember? Now they're on Obama like a duck on a june bug with the same, Rovian bullshit.

People are waking up...

There ain't no "we" in this

It's they'uns, not us'uns... that are the problem.

[beachmom]

19. Even if you're right, so what? The point is the damage has been done.

It doesn't matter who started it, who did it more, and so on. What I am pointing out is the FACT that it has happened, and pointing the finger at Clinton is really pointless at this time. She will not be the nominee, and she apparently won't stop what she is doing. The Sniper story really hurt her, so she also has been seriously damaged. Both candidates are damaged. And a lot of this is because we did it to ourselves. Our coalition split, and everyone got nasty, and here we sit with two damaged candidates.

[crankychatter]

29. everyone didn't get nasty... but on the brighter side

This is recognized by the Party Leadership.... Dean's 50 State strategy and pioneering in the area of fund-raising is vindicated in the candidacy of Barack Obama.

They can (in a nice way) tell the fat cats to shut up

They know what you're saying (point well taken)... BUT the damage can be largely reversed... here's how.

The SD's will follow PA, SC and IN with a flood towards Obama... so that his securing of the nomination is crystal clear... it wouldn't surprise me if they weight it so heavily for him that, Florida n Michigan become irrelevant... Dead, even to Clinton.

Since people KNOW the primary is hurting us and they KNOW Clinton can't win... the momentum in these State primaries is going to shift...

Obama has the proven ability to campaign and turn polls completely around... he's not been crippled... just handicapped short term...

He just needs time and the Party is going to make damn sure he gets that time

[liberaldem4ever]

18. K&R Very good post

This should be the Dems year to win big, and now it is looking a lot more grim than it should. The Repubs are laughing at us and that really pisses me off. :mad:

[BlooInBloo]

21. Yes. We've changed the direction of the party, and we're the better for it.

[beachmom]

23. No, regular folks haven't heard any of that. All they hear is Wright and snipergate.

[BlooInBloo]

26. It must be utterly mysterious how he's winning to you then.

[beachmom]

28. I support Obama, but the people I talk to (as in swing voters) who

not a few months ago liked Obama now don't like anyone. Hillary never had a shot, but Obama did. Now it looks less hopeful. All the negative campaigning worked .... against both candidates.

[BlooInBloo]

32. Right. So you can't understand how he can possibly be winning....

... But now I understand now - the way you reconcile the dissonance is just to convince yourself thru anecdote that he's simply NOT currently winning.

(shrug) Whatever gets you through the nite. Your concern is noted.

[beachmom]

44. Okay, fine, bury your head in the sand. Obama was doing very, very well

in February, but that was before the right wing machine coupled with the Clinton campaign pummelled him for basically 2 months straight. A lot of people have fallen for the lies; hopefully, more people know it's BS. But I am warning you that people who I thought would vote for Obama have been effected by all the mud slung at him. I wish it were different but it isn't.

[crankychatter]

34. Obama won all National Polls against McCain until Clinton went Berserker

and the media hopped on board the crucifixion express

but they will do that to him anyway... no matter what...

they're after him because he's winning despite them...

people have a bitter taste still in their mouths from 04 and 2000... we recognize that the media is complicit in the War and destroying our candidates if they can...

they're kids are taking them to the internet and saying "Yo, Mom, yo Dad.... look here!!! "

[Mags]

24. please tell me in what direction we are goint. Thanks

[BlooInBloo]

25. You may as well peddle your it-can-never-change pessimism elsewhere.

[Mags]

36. can you not answer in what direction Obamb will lead the country? Do you know?

simple question, I just want to know what you folk know and I don't. Thank you.

[PassingFair]

27. In the direction of the common people.

And AWAY from the DLC Corporatist agenda.

Finally.

[beachmom]

30. The people I chat with have no clue what the DLC is. I'm talking about

people less politically involved. They only understand preachers and imagined sniper incidences.

[PassingFair]

33. They may not know the NAME...

but they feel the crushing results of the
policies.

Some people call it SMASHING THE DLC,

some just call it HOPE.

[KoKo]

39. Why do you think Obama is to the Left of Hillary. There's little difference between them in Policy.

Hillary has run a terrible campaign...but there's little difference from Hillary's DLC to Obama. Except Obama takes Carter and Clinton's Message of "Hope and Change" and because he's "unique" in his background folks flock around him. America has always loved "Silver Tongued Orators." Obama is a Preacher Man for a country that still lives in an era that loved being told that "Hope" is "On the Way."

Some of us have heard that from our Democrats for too many Decades. At least John Kerry was honest....He said: "Reporting for Duty." That was a break from the Clinton/Obama/Carter religious evangelical stuff. :shrug: just saying...

[PassingFair]

41. That "reporting for duty" crap was a LOSING strategy.

Obama is just ONE MAN. He is being
backed by the most vocal progressives
in the Democratic Party.

He will have the better team.

[KoKo]

42. That's my Point! Dems love "Silver Tongued Oratory" over practical solutions...

and anyone who gives the "song and dance" and "Tent Stuff" about "Hope & Change" ends up being the one who might win... But if our Dem Party doesn't even honor Clinton and Carter...then what the hell does "Hope and Change" mean..in the end. I voted for both of the above to "make a difference." Did they?
:shrug:

[beachmom]

31. The Hillary campaign has a lot to be ashamed of. All Democrats do, so please,

don't turn this into something that it isn't. All this negativity within the Party is killing us.

[KoKo]

43. There's definitely "Splits" in the Dem Party...and it's time for us, Lefties

because we've been let down, hung out to dry...with stolen elections that nothing is ever done about. If Al Gore hadn't been hung out by his own Party...I am CONVINCED there wouldn't have been a "9/11" and all that followed.

It was a STOLEN ELECTION AND A NEO-CON COUP!...So...we SUFFER and SUFFER...because of that EGREGIOUS THING that was done to AL GORE!

[Orsino]

37. The unanimity of the Republicans is nothing more than their allegiance to money and ignorance.

Don't bemoan our divided Democrats; celebrate their diversity as the force that could save this country. The GOP, out of ideas, can only cling to a tired, lackluster * surrogate.

The Dem nominee will look like hope, and not even the MSM will be able to steal November away.

[beachmom]

45. God, I hope you're right. I really do. nt

[Lindsey]

47. Response to OP - I know how you feel. I don't know if the supporters

of Obama are going to vote for Hillary and I don't know if Hillary supporters are going to vote for Obama. I'm an Obama supporter but I'll be the first to stand in line to vote for Hillary if she's the candidate. We MUST look at the issues: stem cell research, Supreme Court appointments, Roe V. Wade,Iraq, on and on and on. I know its been incredibly nasty but I'm STILL a Democrat and that's how I'll vote......

[Firespirit]

48. I am naturally pessimistic, but it depresses me enormously to be proven right

when I said, early in 2007, that this election would be a nailbiter like the past two because of human stupidity and bullheadedness. That's worst case, though -- I do not see Democrats voting Republican. We're turning off Indies, though.

This is salvageable ONLY if the losing candidate can get behind the winner, or at least SAY NOTHING and perform no spiteful acts of sabotage. Dean had better give that person a very stern "If you can't say anything nice, STFU" talk.