I'm Nervous

[Stevendsmith]

I'm a Dean supporter, but I'd feel a whole lot better if my candidate appealed to a broader segment of Americans. I fear the McGovernization of Dean.

The conservative media machine is powerful and effective. Can my rather wooden candidate withstand the assault? God, I hope so!

Frankly, I'm counting more on Bush defeating himself than any of the current Democratic hopefuls winning the hearts and minds of America.

[terrya]

1. I know how you feel.

So am I. First, Bush will have $200 million+ to use.

Worst thing I'm worried about is the slimy stuff. Push polling, for instance. Plus, there WAS that theft of the election in 2000....

[Patriot_Spear]

2. Bush* defeats Bush*...

Howard Dean IS the best candidate and besides, Bush* hasn't a prayer in the next election- nobody who voted for Gore will vote for Bush*- the only hope he has is to try to steal it again, and in doing so ensuring the Second American Revolution.

[Red_Viking]

3. Fear Not

The Dems, no matter who gets the nomination, have a stable of very qualified candidates. Whoever is chosen will withstand the slings and arrows of the lapdog media. They're all tough enough, every one.

KKKarl Rove is an evil genius, but even he can't spin the truth favorably enough. * is going down. The only sad part is, he'll return to Texas, and we don't want him back.

:dem:

RV

[aldian159]

31. Go Hamlet allusion!

Sorry, just my favorite work of literature.

[Bandit]

4. We're all Nervous

No one has all the answers. I'm sure no matter who our candidate is the "Liberal Media" will tear them apart as best they can. Dean has a record of governance for all to look at. Clark has only his Military Success but in this new America where guns are king he may just get the nod. Our Senators and Congressmen are still floundering about trying ti relive past glories and not focusing on tomorrow. We should all be Nervous but yet hopeful. Just remember Ignorance has a Cure.

[Pastiche423]

20. "where guns are king"

That's it! That is the explanation I have been looking for.

How fucking sad.

[Don_G]

5. The VP Candidate Will Help

Clark would be a very good choice.

[mmonk]

6. Dean will have to be assertive

in defining himself.

[NeonLX]

7. The conservative media machine will smear *any* Demo candidate...

'coz they ain't a republican. In my mind, it's "may the best man win"...not, "may the person who most resembles Bush but isn't Bush win".

Note: I wish I could also open the above statements up to women as well.

[Ress1]

39. Yep

*

[rucky]

8. Does Clark make you Nervous?

That's exactly why i switched from Dean to Clark.

[Renew Deal]

9. There is only one person that has a chance to win over all types of people

That's Wes Clark. He has the background, experience, and the smarts that people like. He has the most to offer thic country. Dean or someone else would have to fight it out to possibly, maybe, beat Bush. Clark is the only one that has a chance to open up a real lead. That's also evident in his polling numbers vs. Bush. He is almost always the closest to him.

[ShimokitaJer]

10. Don't buy into the rhetoric

Everyone who's looked at his record knows that Dean is no McGovern... and once the Democratic field gets narrowed a bit, looking at his record is exactly what a lot of voters are going to do. Personally, I think the attempt by the right wing to paint him as a flaming liberal are going to backfire in a big way. Dean can point to a record of fiscal conservatism back in Vermont that will reflect VERY badly on Bush's record both in Texas and in the White House.

I'm also skeptical that the media will rip the 2004 Democratic candidate apart the way they did Gore. I certainly don't believe in the myth of the liberal media, but I don't believe they're right wing either. For the most part, what they are is cowardly, afraid to stand up and be the only one commenting on the Bush administration's abuses. But I know from some of their own comments that many in the media resent being bullied and manipulated by Bush and Co. and that will have repercussions in the way election 2004 is covered. I'm not saying I think the medai will suddently grow a spine, but protraying a Democratic candidate in a more positive light than Bush is a perfectly backhanded way of getting back at a president they are afraid to take on to his face.

[in_cog_ni_to]

11. I, too

supported Dean. Donated money, went to Meetups and made a 2 hour trip to Wisconsin for a rally/convention...in other words? I really do like the man. BUT, I switched because I feel VERY comfortable with Clark. Everything about him speaks to me. His tone, his stand on the issues, his intelligence, his military service...Supreme Commander of NATO, 1st in his class at West Point, Masters in ECONOMICS... he speaks out about the shrub in regard to the Iraq invasion?....he makes a BIG impact being WHO he is. He really does come across as an admirable man. I like him a lot. If Dean speaks to you, stick with him. If not, start looking at the other candidates.

[CMT]

12. what segment do you think he appeals to?

I hope you are not falling for the GOP arguments that he is a McGovernite.

Latest Zogby shows that Dean leads among Men 16-13 over Clark and women 15-9.

He is statistically tied with Sharpton among black voters 14-11 for Sharpton. He is tied among latinos with Clark 19-18 and is ahead among white voters.

He is leading in the Northeast and South and narrowly behind Clark in the west 22-17 and tied with Gep in the midwest 19-18.

He does best with voters over 30 years of age.

He is only narrowly behind Gep among union members in Iowa, according to the latest Des Moines Register poll.

He is getting backing tomorrow from SEIU one of the most diverse unions in the country.

www.zogby.com

[NewYorkerfromMass]

16. obviously it's the "let's raise our taxes" crowd

so comparisons to Mondale are more apt then McGovern.

[maggrwaggr]

13. you've been watching too much cable news

I'm not sure why you think he wouldn't appeal to a "broader" segment.

He's pretty middle of the road. There's nothing extreme about him.

And so far, he's been leading, everyone else has been following. I like that.

[Stevendsmith]

23. Perhaps

But where do you think most Americans get their "information"?

[barbaraann]

14. You've been misled.

Stop and think about how people respond to Howard Dean. They show up in droves when he speaks. They donate money. They participate in the electoral process for his benefit.

I have been to dozens of political events and I have seen that some candidates have "it" and some don't. Howard Dean has "it" and the only thing you need to worry about is whether or not he flies in small planes in marginal weather.

[Stevendsmith]

21. No offense

But I think you underestimate the power of the Republican spin machine. There are legions of Americans who lap up the B.S. This is going to be a close race.

[barbaraann]

35. No offense taken but

I know many people who voted for Bush who are now rabidly opposed to him and not one who voted for Gore who is sorry.

If you look at the trends in the polls, they are ALL bad for the GOP.

The Republican spin machine is getting desperate and starting to sound insane. Electronic voting machine fraud is the only thing that can save them.

[Ripley]

36. I agree barbaraan. Their spinning is beginning

to sound hysterical. Lots of people are noticing the disconnect...they say "it's a sign of success" but the video shows another helicopter burning.

[Capn Sunshine]

15. Coming soon at this location

more TALKING POINTS that start with the words" I'm a Dean supporter, but"

Honestly, people.

[ithacan]

17. yup, pretty transparent...

:-)

[NewYorkerfromMass]

19. Yeah, Dean support often is not qualified in any way. nt

[Hep]

27. Even you should admit that

Dean supporters fretting over McGovernesque lack of electability are few and far between.

Not a valid concern, especially if you subscribe to the Dean Campaign's philosophy.

[Stevendsmith]

18. Sorry, Capn Sunshine

But I make no apologies for examining and voicing my concerns. They are very real, and there has never been a more important election. I wish you'd elaborate on your frustration with my post and others like it.

[Hep]

24. This is not aimed directly at you,

but electability is a FAKE concern. We've seen a lot of "i like Dean, but I'm concerned that..." from people who adamantly support other candidates. A lot of times, this concern isn't verifiable. Like worrying about electability.Given what Dean's already been able to do, there's no logical explanation for assuming he can't expand it. A LOT of people still don't know who he is, and most people don't get involved this early.


But an unprecidented number of people have gotten involved in Dean's campaign in the primary already. And he's raising record funds in ways that few people have done.

McGovern is a tired comparison. McGovern himself doesn't see the connection, and neither do I. Anyway, his campaign is about what WE can do. WE'RE the backbone of his campaign. If you're worried about Dean's reach, then start reaching.

[Ripley]

25. Hint: How many Dean supporters describe him as "wooden?"

Nada.

[Stevendsmith]

38. Well, for one, Me

He is wooden. Electability is real. Jesus, take a look around you. We live in a supermarket. I could give a rat's ass if he's got a stiff demeanor, and I didn't post to criticize Dean. My point is that the stakes are unbelievably high, and I'm not in the mood for a photo-finish. Especially with the spector of election fraud.

[Stevendsmith]

33. Good points

My interpreation of McGovernization is painting a candidate as a peacnick, tax-raising, far-leftist that is out of step with mainstream America. They will unload this crap on Dean, who, of course, is a moderate.

Unfortunately the conservative movement has been extremely successful in portraying the liberal progressive project as one aimed at turning America into a bureaucratic nanny state run by tree-huggers and neo-Stalinists.

[Gephard]

22. Dean will lose the election for us.

Mark my words.

It is going to be very tough to win next year and it may not happen.

[Name removed]

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[Melinda]

26. Buck up, Suck up . . . and Come Back When You F*** Up

In the words of Paul and James:

Put Yourself in the Position to Win

One of the reasons that people who persevere often succeed in the end is that they put themselves in a position to win. The great Mississippi singer-songwriter Steve Forbert has a song titled "You Cannot Win If You Do Not Play," and like most powerful truths, this one is simple.

The easiest way to be undefeated is to never compete. But folks who don't try, who don't fight, who don't compete are losers already.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/ae/books/ch1/1217677

---------------

Or, you can bite your nails and gnash your teeth. Guess which action Dean supporters are taking. ;)

[Stevendsmith]

40. I hope you're not implying that I don't compete or fight

I am an active Dean supporter who contributes to his campaign. This doesn't mean that I shouldn't address concerns. This is politics, not a pep rally. In any case, I'm with Dean all the way.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

32. I'm worried that Bush will "fix" Iraq - make it go away temporarily

and it won't be as much of an issue during the election as we think. He'll withdraw a bunch of troops, kick out the objective journalists and then have the media b.s. about how there's new schools being built in Iraq, etc.

I just don't believe that Iraq will "appear" to be as much of a problem by the time the general election rolls around. THAT'S why our candidates can afford to put all their eggs in one basket.

Already, they're talking about how the Iraqis are now being trained to "take over" more responsibility.

Then, the economy will miraculously get "better" - according to the media anyways. We also can't afford to put all our eggs in that basket either. We need to plan for EVERY "what if."

[Ripley]

34. They can deflate the casualties, but can't erase them.

Iraq is the weight around Smirk's neck that will bring him down. He over-reached with his PNAC buddies and he will pay the price. As we are already witnessing.

[Alex88]

37. There are differences between the 1972 and 2004 Presidential

campaign. One is that Nixon inherited an unpopular war and had to deal with it, he didn't create it. The Iraq war could well be a negative for Bush on election day.

Whatever Nixons flaws, he was quite intelligent, and it showed. Bush rarely does a press conference in order to hide his mental mediocrity.

Nixon was respected around the world, Bush certainly is not.

McGovern would have been a fine President, but his campaign had its flaws. He was a Senator and that never seems to help. Howard Dean has gone from being an unknown long shot to the front runner. That says something about his political instincts.

And remember Howard Dean can't truly appeal to the swing voter unless and until he has secured the Democratic nomination.

Lastly, the media profits get payed to predict, not to be accurate, which they frequently aren't.

[Donna Zen]

41. The Democratic candidate

Must have foreign policy experience. This is not an option, if we don't get a grip we will lose and lose big. This isn't about electing a security-blanket daddy figure, this is about the reality of our current condition.

I'm a Democrat, I will vote for whomever, but I'm not representative of a vast number of Americans. And yet, even I want someone in the White House who knows what the hell they are doing, who knows the players.

By putting Dean at the top of the ticket--and no one votes for the VP--what am offered? A progressive liberal agenda? Nope. I am being offered an organization that has been well assembled and run, but is represented by a candidate who has the very weaknesses that will take us down. That's why the central players in our party are resisting. I am not anti-Dean; I am anti-losing.

Kerry has always been high on my list because he is very liberal and knows his stuff. I am truly distressed to see his campaign in trouble. I always knew he was a hawk, but I also knew that he would never have gone looking for a fight in Iraq.

I like Edwards, but while he can make some claim of knowledge on the international scene, it will fall short. Nevertheless, he would appeal to most of the Democratic stronghold, while keeping the boy king busy in the South. We don't need to win the South, we just need to be able to work it.

Clark has proven to be a much better candidate on the stump and with his policies than I could ever have hoped to see in this country. Yes, for the most part he is non-partisan, but that's because he sees clearly that the American people are being completely fucked over from both sides. Unfortunately, the rightwing knows that Clark's strengths are exactly where bush plans to run. They tear Clark apart everyday in the media. Saving our democracy is not part of the corporate agenda.

Yes, I fear what is coming too. We actually had a very good chance to win in 2004. But if anyone truly believes that given the media, the polarization, and the current cultural climate in our country, we can seize the day without the strongest candidate, then all hope is lost. And that's where I am at this minute. We need two red states plus all of the blue. I'm in a rural area and I can tell you that none of my neighbors will buy Dean. And yet, when Clark announced a Christian co-worker, who votes repub every election because of the abortion issue, who adopted the term Freedom Fries, came and watched the coverage on TV. She said, he's very interesting. I told her upfront that he was pro-choice and her response shocked me. She said, she could cross the line for him.

If you want people who voted for bush to cross the line, you must understand that they will make the move on foreign policy grounds, not because they disagree with bush culturally.