Reply #113: Love it or leave it? [View All]

[Meldread]

Is that the mantra the party is taking now? Typically speaking I rarely bash either one of them, although I have issues with them both.

Kerry is a decent guy. I didn't support him in the primaries because I didn't feel he was strong on the issues and some of the stands he took (Iraq War, Patriot Act, etc.) were (and still are) inexcusable. I didn't feel he was someone who would step up to the plate and take a stand. That is what I admired about Dean -- he was clear. He was outspoken. He was aggressive. I admired -- no I loved -- Teresa much more than I did her husband.

As the election returns came in I was only slightly sad that Kerry wouldn't be President. Most of my sadness was reserved for Teresa. I was sad because the country wouldn't get to experience a REAL First Lady. I love Teresa because she is an authentic woman. If I had a daughter that's who I'd want to be her role model. Teresa is strong, independent, intelligent, charismatic and has one of the most beautiful souls that you could possibly ever hope to see -- these just scratch her surface and the words do not even remotely do her justice.

However, I do have many issues with the Clintons. They seem hell bent on moving the party to the right, and that is something I am opposed to. Well, they say the "center", but as the Republicans move further and further to the right the "center" moves with them. I can respect Clinton for his economic policies (even though the respect would be better placed with those who actually thought them up), but that is where my respect for him ends. I think much of the timidness of our party can be laid squarely at his feet. The fear of speaking out and being labeled "radical" or "liberal" seems to have paralyzed many of our leaders. The fear of "drifting to far from the center" is killing us.

Clinton's stance on gays is inexcusable. Telling John Kerry to go out and in every small town denounce gay people and gay marriage is something that I will not tolerate. I admire Kerry for NOT taking that advice. (And I sincerely hope Teresa told Bill to "shove it" when he offered it.)

Hillary is more liberal than her husband but she does not stray to far from him. Both of them are more than happy to sell out democratic values for political capital. Hillary is already trying to position herself "to the center" for a Presidential run in 2008. (A lot of good that will do her, despite the fact that she is center left in her positions compared to many others she's an "extremist".)

I believe in taking strong and bold stands. I believe in stating in no uncertain terms where we are going and where we are heading both as a party and as a country. I believe in letting the Republicans have it at every opportunity. That isn't extremism that's being the opposition. The Clintons would rather deal in compromises -- I don't believe in compromising Democratic Values. I think it should be rather obvious now why the Clintons and I clash so deeply.

On a final note, and I mean no malice by saying this because it is just a suggestion, I believe in the future when asking people to stop bashing someone you like it might be wise not to bash them back. Especially if you are going to try and get your point across with profanity. I understand that tempers flare from time to time but I think we can (and should) conduct ourselves in a more mature fashion. Just a suggestion.