If you're mad at Gore, write to Josh Marshall

[grasswire]

He thinks that only D.C. Democrats have been mad at Gore for the campaign and aftermath of election 2000.

"I've always been a big fan of Gore's and I remain one, a strong one. But I was talking to a friend this evening about Gore's announcement and he said that Gore's endorsement wouldn't be all positive since a lot of people are still pissed at Gore for what happened in 2000.

But I think that's very much a DC reaction, and not one, I think, that's shared very widely among Democrats around the country. Whatever they thought of Gore going into 2000, I think most Democrats around the country see him as someone who by every measure was robbed of the presidency and thus has great credibility to make such an endorsement. (It's an estimation I agree with.)"

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/

Yes, Josh. We think Gore was robbed. But many of us also think he handled the recount and aftermath poorly. Especially the certification of the votes on January 6.

I, personally, believe that Gore capitulated in order to preserve his own future electability. The marker was never laid for history that a coup happened, because to make the point would have brought hellfire on Gore's head. He didn't stand for the Constitution and its provisions. He let the Congressional Black Caucus plead for a challenge to the Florida vote certification and simply chuckled and let them twist in the wind. I have never been so ashamed to be a Gore supporter as I was on that bitter day.

[w13rd0]

1. I think Gore capitulated....

...because to do anything else would have resulted in a civil war, a real one, not the cold civil war we're in now. Granted, maybe no one imagined that Bush could f*ck it all up this badly, but now he has...time to kick his ass...

[Nlighten1]

6. I think Gore knew

That he may end up JFK'ed if he didn't back down.

[madfloridian]

2. Gore's FL base (think Penelas) sort of let him down.

I have been angry at times, and understanding at times. Penelas went on vacation and left him hanging during the recount. Lieberman let him down.

I did not see any of the party coming to his aide, not Graham, not Clinton.

I really don't know what he could have done without his base.

I am stunned at this board tonight. I would have been hurt if he had endorsed another candidate. I don't think I would have become a Gore hater.

The Clark blogs are livid, giving out Gore's phone number to call and harass him. That is just dead wrong. Bloggers who support Clark are condemning the party to failure (TPM).

I am beginning to think we just might lose it all next year because of hate.

[WillyBrandt]

4. "Bloggers who support Clark are condemning the party to failure"

Again, if you're not with us...

[madfloridian]

7. Not sure how you meant that, but that is not what I said.

I do resent the fact that all of a sudden Gore has become a hate figure here by people who have liked him before.

That is two-faced and it is wrong.

[ibegurpard]

9. Way to cherry-pick something out of context

sheesh

[Guaranteed]

12. Yup.

I've said it before, I'll say it again:

I am NOT afraid of Bush. I'm afraid of the Democrats giving into their own fear and hiding behind Clark instead sticking together and supporting Dean.

[BayCityProgressive]

3. I think

Gore did what needed to be done. If he dragged the election out any longer the biased media would have hammered the Dems and the party would have been seriously hurt. He would have been seen as power hungry. The same thing happened to Nixon when he ran against Kennedy and Eisenhower told him not to fight the election results.

[jmaier]

11. dragged out (snip) any longer?!

We haven't had a single VOTE yet. How much less could we be dragging this out. I know you support your candidate but, hey, a GOOD majority of Democrats don't! How hard is that to wrap your mind around? We would like to actually have a bit of an election and I don't think the Gore endorsement precludes that BUT I really feel personally insulted to be told over and over by Dean supporters to get with the program -- anybody but Bush (as long as its Dean). Get your ass in line.

[Guaranteed]

13. He meant 2000. nt

[eileen from OH]

5. Anything that Al Gore did or didn't do when running. . .

or during the recount, he has more than made up for by the wonderful statesman-like speeches and demeanor he has given since then, starting with his eloquent and wise concession speech.

I supported and voted for him but never could get too excited about him and didn't work actively for him. But just as others (like a lot of Nader voters) will admit, we had no fucking clue what we'd get with Bush or we'd have been out there every day working our butts off. I had an epiphany after that "lost" election and its aftermath, and I think Gore did too. And he's emerged stronger and better and, quite frankly, now I think he's worth two of just about every Dem out there. Including the Big Dog himself.

eileen from OH

[madfloridian]

8. You are right.

It is a little obvious for some to be slamming him here tonight. It is thoughtless. It will hurt us.

[stickdog]

10. Who should we write if we're mad at

Bush?