ABB was the mistake

[Cyrix]

Of that I am now convinced.

It seems the moment ohio went red half of kerry's democratic support turned on him. (not saying that was right or wrong) But it seems that is a clear indication many supported him simply because he was not bush. Such support is a mile wide and an inch deep.

I'm willing to believe this was the problem more so than "moral issues" - a term the right wing media gave us 48 hours ago.

[montana500]

1. no it wasnt. look, this is how simple it is

The republicans get their talking points INSTANTLY blasted across the country 24/7 on am/fm radio.

we dont have that. Until we do, it will be an uphill battle.

[AnIndependentTexan]

2. WRONG WE HAVE ENOUGH PROOF THAT IT WAS

including harddrives that dumped votes. Yahoo just ran a story, but DU'ers aren't paying attention. Everyone needs to stop whining and get back on the ball and stay focused!

[Q]

4. I sincerely believe that something went wrong with the election...

...and it's called CHEATING. But there is something to be said about the ABB support for Kerry. And it didn't help that he conceded so early...without even a mention of Bushie dirty tricks.

[Q]

3. Let's try not to repeat that MISTAKE in four years...

...and vote FOR someone we believe in instead of AGAINST Bush*.

[Awsi Dooger]

7. Correct, voters usually want to be for something, not against

Let's say you're buying a car and the saleman spends all his time bashing the competitor model instead of recommending hs own. Meanwhile the dealer down the street shows you every advantage of his car.

DUers don't like to look at exit polls or host debate watching parties. They might actually learn something about human nature and priorities. Cynical denial is much more convenient and fun.

[patdem]

9. bush was the basher..cause his used car could not even start...so do not

go there...bush bashed Kerry more than Kerry bashed bush..did you watch the conventions?? gee...are you stupid or ignorant??

[htuttle]

5. I think you misunderstand the true strength of ABB

You see, I would have voted for a ham sandwich over Bush. Nothing -- NOTHING was going to change my mind.

About 3 weeks before the election, I tried to imagine whether there was anything that could have come out on John Kerry, or anything John Kerry could have done, to change my vote.

Nope. Nothing. I wouldn't have cared if he'd been arrested with a hooker and a crack pipe the week before the election. I'd still have voted for him Nov. 2.

That doesn't mean I'm entirely happy with him all the time. I voted for a different candidate in the primary. But I voted for him Nov 2 when it counted, and so did everyone else who was 'ABB', even if they bitched about him Wednesday.

[gottaB]

10. ABB was all about maintaining a unified front during the primary

Kerry, in his acceptance speech, paid respect to Braun, Clark, Dean, Edwards, Gephardt, Graham, Kucinich, Lieberman, and Sharpton. That was classy.

Some of Kerry's most fervent detractors believed (or still believe) he won the early primaries on the strength of the electability argument, and they came to believe that ABB was shorthand for "not our beloved candidate." It's an understandable reaction, but ultimately disrespectful of the other candidates and their supporters.

[Cyrix]

11. I understand

but while this make work for you it doesn't work for a LOT of the electorate. For them, ABB was not "strong" at all.

[TexasSissy]

6. No, it wasn't.

[bacchant]

8. This is a meaningless argument

As I stated in another thread; Kerry wasn't my Mr. Everything and was never going to be. He got my vote mostly because he wasn't Bush. ABB wasn't a mistake, because it wasn't a choice. I didn't choose to not agree with all of Kerry's positions after he became the nominee.