This is the Convention opening I wanted - because right or wrong...

[Selwynn]

I am sick and exhausted with all the negative attacking. Hear me out. First, on the other side of the isle, I am so turned off by the nonstop negative bashing and baseless slanderous attacks on Kerry and Edwards by the Bush Campaign. Now, I admit my bias: I don't support the Bush Campaign in anyway. But beyond political affiliation, just as an American I am sick of them never being able to say what they're really for or defend what they've done. It is the act of desperate dividers seeking to keep the country divided.

Second, I am extremely familiar with the failings of the Bush administration. I know lots of people here believe that most Americans just don't realize what a miserable failure Bush has been, and the key to winning is hammering that home at every turn, in the most negative, partisan aggressive ways possible. But I must confess I don't believe that. The actions of the Bush administration almost speak for themselves. It's hard to deny the failures of their domestic and foreign policies, its hard to deny the disaster of Iraq, its hard to deny the insecurity and fear present in America today. No, I don't believe the real problem is that people are just unaware of Bush's failings. I believe the real problem is that people don't understand what the real alternative is, the haven't heard enough of a clear and pointed organized message that reflects a clear them and an honest direct plan - a real plan for the future. In short I believe that many Americans are not actually all that different from me: people unsatisfied with the way things are, but starving to hear a forward-looking proactive challenging message with clearly spelled out goals for action. I believe people are hungry to hear a party say what they are FOR, and why their candidate is the BEST person for the job.

I don't personally agree with the centrist platform of the Democratic party - I deeply desire a return to more progressive ideals within the party. But I don't feel those things with rancor - I don't hate my party. And furthermore, I believe in the character and quality of men and woman that I don't necessarily agree with point by point. I deeply respect and admire Al Gore without agreeing with his whole platform from 2000. I feel the same about Clinton. And I stand ready to support John Kerry. But what I desired was an atmosphere of building up the candidate, clearly defining what is right, what the Democratic party will do, why its candidate is the right candidate and continue its focus on positive inspiration and a commitment to a message that says NOT "John Kerry is the man because Bush is such a horrible bastard." But instead, one that says "John Kerry is the man because HIS ideas are BETTER, and his character is BETTER, his integrity and commitment is BETTER, is desire to unite and govern compassionately is GENUINE and here is what WE WANT TO DO if you will support us.

As a progressive minded person, this is what I deeply desired from my centrist party. To me this is the right and proper beginning point. And I wish they would carry on this theme through November. All the while I will continue to fight and encourage other progressive democrats to fight for a movement away from the safe center and back toward the principles of the people. I hope to do this during four years of Kerry Presidency and I hope to work with all of you to keep taking this country back in a right direction. I see this election as the beginning, not the end, of that effort.

[5thGenDemocrat]

1. Good for you

I thought it was a hell of an opening night. And I, too, believe that our ideas are simply better than their ideas.
We will win, because the alternative is too horrible to contemplate. I suspect that I'm saying that as an American and a citizen of the world -- rather that merely as a Democrat.
John
Only 99 days to go to the election. Chin up, stiff upper lip and all that.

[drscm]

2. From now on, I think we should simply refer to *Bush as

"He Who Should Not Be Named."

[K-W]

3. Attacking the administration and repub party rather than Bush is great.

It focuses peoples attention on the cold hard facts rather than personalities and perceptions of people. Bush isnt the problem, the republicans and thier wrong headed views are. Bush just happens to be the one making the wrong decisions for them.

It also helps us win seats in congress, which is pretty damn important.

[Selwynn]

4. Agree, but I also think it was so effective because it wasn't just attack

there was positive forward looking substances as well, and a clear message that said, this is what John Kerry and Democrats are for this year, this is why you want US, not just why you don't want Bush.

[Bake]

5. Amen and amen, my friend!

Tonight it feels good to be a Democrat.

Bake

[Selwynn]

6. Kick for all the recent party bashing and infighting

[KharmaTrain]

7. Kudos...You Cover What I Think Many Feel

There are those who wish the election was yesterday and Bunnypants was in leg-irons, but this is a marathon and one that we're still quite a distance from the finish line. I hear and read a lot of people who barely remember '92 yet the battles of years past, so it's understandable.

There are those who are angry...sick and tired of putting up with the 3 years of verbal abuse compounded on the 10 to 20 years of attacks on our lifestyles and patriotism. Many of us are fed up and are standing our ground. Personally, I from feeling futile in 2002, I now feel emboldened in both my core convictions and that I'm not alone in how I see and view things. DU has been a great window for that, as well as the Internet that has opened up a flood of perspectives...positive and negative.

The theme at this show is "not to fall in love with Kerry", but in "like". And this is just another step in a long process. This regime's record has made many take a closer look in recent months and the question has been if this regime is worth keeping for another 4 years. I sense the answer is starting to form at the same point where Kerry can make his pitch. This speech Thursday will be big as there's gonna be a lot of fence sitters or moderate Republicans who will be tuning in and a unique opportunity can be had. It won't be won by shouting down Bunnypants...that's rubbing it these people's faces (no one like to be reminded they've made a bad choice, unless they decide to talk about it themselves)...but to say there's a better way than what's going on now. If Kerry is able to do that on Thursday, I'll feel a lot better from here on out as the sale will have been made. Hopefully he took lots of notes from the Big Dog last night.

Cheers!