Why I worry so much for our democratic nominee...

[jab105]

Right now, DU is a place of optimism. Current polling suggests that most of our candidates would at least tie if not beat Bush at this date, and our enthusiasm is growing in leaps and bounds. However, I have to be cautious. Certainly, we all must be incredibly wary.

What happened to Governor Dean in the course of 2-3 weeks of non-stop media criticism was like nothing I had ever seen before. He literally dropped 30% in 3 weeks!! And this had nothing to do with the candidate, it was the media, they have the power, so it seems...

I have read all the depressing posts on here about how Bush would win, and lately, I've seen all the optimistic posts regarding Kerry, however, the GOP and the media have not begun to fight over Kerry.

It was obvious that with Dr. Dean it took a few small questions to devour him? How in the world can we trust that they couldn't do the same thing to Kerry?

I am ABB, but what happened to Dean really suprised and scared the crap out of me. We have gone on and on ad. nauseum about the strengths and weaknesses of our candidates, and any of these things about kerry could devour him if the focus was not placed as squarely on Bush at the same time...

I want to be confident as your are, but after feeling the "people-power" of Howard, and seeing it disappear like nothing, I no longer feel very confident...though I hope for the good of the country that we can get rid of Bush...

just my thoughts...

[mrdmk]

1. Dean annouced Media Caps

Then went media crazy with his ads, then wound up in 3rd and 2nd place. Does not look good when in this day of age when appearances means everything.

edit: an oops

[On the Road]

6. You Think That Had Anything to Do With It?

I don't even think most people here knew about that. That's one of the few things that HASN'T had an effect.

[Eloriel]

2. You have a funny view of optimism

:evilgrin:

That said -- you're absolutely right, of course. And IMO Kerry has a LOT more baggage (nuance and all) than Dean ever will, even with his alleged "gaffes." That's one reason I've always thought that we at DU should work to fight against RW talking points and media savaging that we've seen instead of engaging in them. But most people here, including Admin, see it differently.

:shrug:

[Renew Deal]

3. I think the scream was everything.

Dean would have come out of Iowa OK if it wasn't for the scream. Iowa would have been a fluke and Dean would fight on. That scream made Dean look bad. Yes, the media played it a million times, but Dean also gave them something to play. I mean Dean even ended up on ESPN. Anytime you are compared to a WWF wrestler, you are in trouble.

[jab105]

9. But the ABC NEws report that came out...

exactly ONE freaking day after the New hampshire primary showed the on floor video cameras where the "dean scream" couldnt be heard at all...the media MADE the scream what it was...

[MikeG]

4. The key to winning in November is to do it to the other guy first.

There need be no courtesy. This is a fight, not a ballroom dance.

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

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[On the Road]

7. I Didn't Read NBD,

I read ECWHTSFAD (every candidate will share the same fate as Dean).

Yes, I am also flabbergasted at Dean's plummet. And yes, I think that it was the portrayal rather the substance that changed so quickly.

[jab105]

11. Ribofunk...yes, thats exactly what I'm saying...

n/t

[jab105]

10. You really need to dust off the reading glasses...

in no way am I NBD...I am, and have always been ABB...

Nothing will stop me from voting for the democratic nominee...

However, witnessing what was done to Dean in 3 weeks time was astonishing to me...and it is frightening to see how much more power the media had then the thousands of Dean supporters...

If Kerry is the nominee, I will support him 100% however, if the media want to cream him, it is clear as day to me that he can be creamed just as Dean was...

I'm scared shitless by this!!

[democratreformed]

8. I hope I am not just naive

I do have much optimism right now. (Actually, I am kind of sick right now dreading next weeks primaries and am beginning to sweat really bad). I understand what you are saying. You guys did have a lot of optimism and were even confident. That's one thing I've never been quite able to muster - the confidence you guys displayed when you would say "Just wait, you'll see". Then, what you thought would happen didn't and there is this new doubt.

My candidate hasn't really faced the BIG challenge yet. That will be Tuesday, I think. After that, I may be feeling just like you. I hope not. I hope that I can keep thinking that WE can make a difference. I do sincerely hope that.

Another thing is that I tend to have this complex - where if things don't turn out right, I start thinking - what did I do wrong. I always come to the conclusion that I didn't work hard ENOUGH. I can see that happening too. I'll look back and think "Damn you, you spent too much time on that computer instead of actually DOING something."

I don't know. I hope I can keep some optimism - which to me, means HOPE.

[jab105]

12. But look at what happened to your candidate...

just by saying that Bush could be a deserter...well he was!!

And Clark was creamed in the press for saying it, even now, the newspaper reads...(my own made up quote)..."Clark made a huge mistake in the debate by not clearly insisting that Michael Moore was out of his mind for saying that Bush was a deserter. In other news, we are now looking into the possibility that Bush was a deserter"...

It is so crazy...

If you dont think Iraq is better off now, you are crazy...

If you dont think that the Iraq invasion was justified you are in bed with Osama...

If you dont think that Bush is the best pResident ever, you are unpatriotic...

If you question anything...you are automatically portrayed as being from Mars...instead of being portrayed as an intelligent person who wants answers...

I am so afraid of this!!

[OneBlueSky]

13. Kerry has already taken a lesson from the Gore campaign . . .

and is responding immediately and forcefully to all charges against him . . . if he continues to do that while pointing out Bush's record, we win . . . unless, of course, BBV comes into play . . . in which case all bets are off . . .