Reply #2: It was by far the best article about the primaries I've read. [View All]

[DjTj]

Their explanation of the Dean collapse makes perfect sense. I was always waiting for Dean to turn the corner and push his balanced budget and strong health care agenda, but day after day the Dean campaign pounded on Iraq and "You have the power." DU and the rest of the internet community ate it up, but I think the U.S. News article is very right in that what sells on the internet does not necessarily sell into the mainstream public.

Just think back to the strain that occurred on DU when Dean got the Gore endorsement and the AFSCME and SEIU endorsements. As soon as Dean started becoming more establishment, people started looking elsewhere, opening up a great window for Clark ... it really was a Catch 22 - Dean couldn't simultaneously be the internet/reactionary candidate and the Democratic nominee for President.

The vast majority of American voters do not hate Bush and do not have a strong desire to take back their government. Most people just want to be safe and secure in their homes and want to be able to pursue their livelihoods on an even playing field. They want to be proud of their country and proud of their leaders. Those are the votes that Kerry and Edwards won in Iowa, and they are the votes that will win the election in November.