Despite the pressures... I won't stop supporting my candidate.

[curse10]

When I log onto DU everyday I make the choice to be bombarded with negative information (propaganda?) about the candidate I support.

It's hard to take sometimes. So hard, in fact, I've put a great deal of people on ignore (over 100 at one point). I took a lot of what was being said personally. I felt like, and was told on more than one occasion, that I was an "idiot" or "stupid" for supporting my candidate. No one could give me any real reason (besides the constant rhetoric about the IWR vote). So I recently went back and re-did the research I conducted months ago in an effort to learn more about the field of candidates. And I came back with my original choice.

So, I've decided to not let my support waver. I will fight for my candidate until he drops out of the race (which I don't think will happen). And then, I'll support him as my senator (and he's a damn good one, at that).

I'm not asking that the attitude change on this board, I don't have the power on this board to actually make change. But, some of the attitudes on this board have caused me to lose respect for a lot of DUers (including several long-standing members, who I always admired).

I guess I'm just tired of having to defend someone I shouldn't have to defend. My candidate of choice is a great man, and a great liberal. And, I happen to be of the opinion that some of the other candidates don't meet that criteria. This doesn't make me a bad person. It doesn't make me an idiot. Nor does it make me stupid.

I've never attacked another candidate on this board (my rantings and ravings at home don't count :-) ). And I don't plan to. But I will continue to criticize and ask questions. I will start to defend my candidate against unwarranted attacks (sorry, but I've had enough of the skulls and bones stuff and the child labor rhetoric). I will not bow down to the pressure of supporting a candidate I don't believe in, just because it's the most popular thing right now.

I ask my fellow Kerry supporters to do the same. Don't attack, but stand strong. We have a good candidate and no one else should make us think otherwise.

[MoonAndSun]

1. I agree absolutely with your post, curse10.....I am a Dean supporter

and I have not engaged in any of the flame wars that have been going on. I have reluctantly put several posters on ignore until after the primaries, then I will work my behind off for our candidate, whoever it is.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[curse10]

2. I've officially taken everyone off ignore

To be cliche... if I can't stand the heat I should stay out of the kitchen.

[9119495]

9. Ditto n/t

[Lady President]

3. Agreed

I completely agree with you. I do my best not to attack any of the other candidates, but I will continue to ask tough questions. In return I try to answer the tough questions about my candidate.

I understand why people were so upset by the IWR vote. (In fact I think it was harder for many Dems. to handle Kerry's vote compared to other members of Congress because he is so liberal.) Regardless of one vote, I truly believe that Kerry has the strongest record in the field and his years of public service have earned him my respect and support.

I attended a college where I was the only liberal. I have been told I'm wrong or stupid too many times to count. I didn't believe it then and I don't now. My mind and my heart tell me that Kerry is the right choice for our country.

[blm]

4. Ask and answer tough questions. That's what we do in primaries.

Scrutiny of a candidate's record of governance is supposed to be a TASK for every voter. If we bemoan it when Republicans don't examine their candidates beyond their rhetoric, we should hold our candidates and ourselves to a higher level of scrutiny.

I agree with you that Kerry's record when scrutinized closely by any standard holds up the best. It will be a devil of a time if the Democratic nominee doesn't have a record to match their campaign trail positions.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

8. Interesting how they go after Kerry's personality more than anything now

After his record, after his experience, after his demeanor, seems it's the only thing left that they can attack.
Kerry's got the longest, straightest record, there's certainly nothing to hide.

[quinnox]

5. Don't let it get you worked up

I also have let myself get upset a couple times recently over what were low blows against Kerry, my first choice.

But I then decided to ignore the more heinious offenders, and DU is a better place.

I am misquoting this, but this is how I think about it;
Why wallow in the mud with pigs, you are only bound to get dirty.

[jarab]

6. I respect your stance

It would be somewhat spineless to jump ship because of others' criticisms. Many Democrats are so loosely attached and weakly wed to (and fixated with) their candidate and his/her principles, they're liable to (and do) vote Repug or fail to vote at all.
Your candidate is a good Democrat. That alone is enough to warrant your unflinching allegiance.
...O...

[deutsey]

7. Great!

We certainly don't need Democrats who crumple at the first sign of trouble.

I am a Dean supporter but I think it's laudable that you are committed to your candidate and publicly stand by him in good times and bad.

Whoever wins in 2004 over Bush will need for ALL of us to do the same because he (or she--hi Carol M-B!) is going to be hit from all sides.

[phillybri]

10. From a fellow Kerry supporter....I agree....

It gets pretty depressing sometimes given the amount of crap Kerry gets around here (much of it deserved). I've considered moving to the Clark camp a few times, but I believe in John way too much to give up now...

[proud patriot]

11. Good For You curse10

I highly respect you for it .

I too have , felt pressure at times
to change my support .

But I am commited .

all of our candidates are lucky to have
such dedicated support .

[sandnsea]

12. They guy they love to hate

He would be such an amazing President. We'd finally have a President who would take the lead on so many things that Democrats have wanted for so long. We'd have a President who wants to eliminate WMD's here and around the world. We'd have a President who understands and respects foreign cultures and would bring a new level of international cooperation to the world. We'd have an America we could really be proud of again.

I can't count the number of times somebody has posted that John Kerry would make the best President, and then go off on some tangent on why they're supporting somebody else anyway. Well I've got news for those folks, if they want the BEST President, they need to support the guy. He can't win this by himself. If we're going to have the kind of President we deserve, it's time for those people to step up for John Kerry.

[Bandit]

13. I like your candidate and wish him and you well

I feel Senator Kerry is finally starting to make some good decisions. I am a Liberal and would like to vote for one. It is to my chagrin the one candidate who is decidedly Liberal is unlikely to get the nomination. Senator Kerry is drifting back towards the left and I find that a good sign. I would vote for him in a heartbeat if he gets the nod. Keep your chin up you are backing a good man.