Disappointed non-Kerry supporters: BUCK UP!

[Gringo]

Enough melodrama, already! There is still time to push your candidate to the front, but it is dwindling.

I was very much behind Dean, and even gave money and volunteered, but switching to Kerry was NO problem for me. Kerry is NO Lieberman, and he has the potential to be a fine president.

I'm sick of dithering over whether the media chose him, or whether he is a corporate tool. He has, at this point the best shot at beating Bush, and can only be a VAST improvement. If we turn our energy in a positive direction and UNITE behind this man, and work for getting him a DEMOCRATIC congress to reverse the horrible damage Bush has done, we will be unstoppable. I'm starting to suspect that many of us are clinging to a Dean, or Clark or Edwards or Kucinich candidacy merely because we're so accustomed to the "underground" notion of being AGAINST something (Bush) and doing the easy thing - complaining about him.

I've hade enough of that. I want to work FOR something. FOR Kerry to win, FOR a democratic House & Senate, and FOR an America we can be proud of again. As Clinton said, "Don't sacrifice the good for the perfect" (correct me if I messed up the quote)

Buck up! 2004 can be a good year for us, if we wisen up and play our cards right!

[revo2004]

1. Vote for 'special interst' millionare Kerry ? Ha ! Good one ! /eom

[funky_bug]

3. For IWR Kerry?

No thanks.

My guy just dropped out. You can save your "buck up" speech for the healed wounds, thank you very much.

[Gringo]

4. You have my sympathies, but

Clark's nonstop cheerleading of the war, and silence about it's justness on CNN last year did as much to further and legitimize it as did Kerry's single IWR vote.

I would've forgiven Clark's media whoring if he were ahead now. I wonder why so many can't forgive Kerry's wrong vote?

[For PaisAn]

9. You're kidding, right?

n/t

[shindig]

16. please, stop saying that!

You could not be any more wrong when you say Clark cheerleaded for that war. I supported Clark for President. I was part of the draft Clark movement precicely because of his reporting on CNN during the war. Did you watch Clark during the war? Or are u just assuming because he worked as a commentator that he was cheerleading?

Let me tell you something, you are really pissing people off when you make blatantly false statements, such as that Clark "cheerleaded" the war. Clark was the ONLY person on television at that time going against the war fervor. Clark was banned from Lou Dobbs for not being rah-rah! Tom Delay spoke of blow-dried generals (referring to Clark)not knowing what they were talking about.

During the war, I had such a pit in my stomach, I often could not eat my dinner. I so worried about what the long-term ramifications of this phoney war would mean to our country.

Clark was the only person on television speaking sanely. He was the ONLY person on television who was watchable to a person like myself, so completely against the war in Iraq. (I was against the first war with Iraq, as well, btw) I hate cheerleading!

Clark reported on the the reality of the situation at the time as commentator on CNN during the war. The war had begun and he reported on the operation. But it was his sanity and "lack of cheerleading", while everyone else was so happy about kicking Iraq's ass for no reason which drew me to Clark in the first place -- A qualified man, in terrible times, who I knew WOULD NEVER, EVER lead us into ill-conceived war for political purpose.

[Gringo]

17. I agree, Clark wouldn't have committed that atrocity

if he were president, neither would Kerry.

I personally SAW Clark on numerous occasions on CNN, batting his doe eyes, and describing lovingly how our tanks work, and where our men were going and what the strategy was going to be. Sure, he was no Sean Hannity, but he NEVER ONCE said "I oppose this war, it is wrong and shameful" He participated in its glorification by appearing on CNN, which banged the war drum just as loudly as Fox. By appearing on a pro-war propaganda outlet, and NEVER ONCE stating his opposition back when it counted (in the weeks before the war) he implicitly condoned or even sanctioned it by his silence. Sorry, but that's how I see it.

[shindig]

24. thanks for clarifying

Points well taken. But he couldn't say he was against the war at that time and place. They would have had security come to take him away in a straight-jacket. He would have lost his place to express alternative sane views in a very large forum if he would have expressed his views on CNN on whether the war was proper after it had begun. His views that the war should not begin were given in the proper forum, during his testimony before the Congress before the war started. He never cheerleaded the war on television after it begun.

[For PaisAn]

6. Did he drop out?

Say it isn't so. Where did you read or hear him say that?

[Red_Storm]

11. "For Patriot Act Kerry?"

NO !

[agingdem]

19. Or...

vote for George Bush and get 4 more years of hell. Your choice.

[Paulie]

2. I'd be holding my nose to vote for Kerry

I'm voting FOR Kucinich. Sorry, but you'll just have to DEAL WITH IT.

I'm united in the cause of justice and peace, both here and abroad.

Kerry hasn't earned my vote, and it's doubtful he ever will.

Go Dennis!

[justinpower]

20. Glad to have you aboard. n/t

[Democrats unite]

5. You are correct Kerrry is no Lieberman

Lieberman stood up for what he believed in!

[For PaisAn]

7. Exactly

I don't agree with Lieberman but at least I can respect him. Not so for Kerry.

[Gringo]

8. Too bad that what Lieberman believed in...

...was George Bush, the Iraq war, and the Republican Party!

[JasonBerry]

10. Very good post

Especially those new to politics - one day you'll say, "My first campaign was for Wes Clark and John Kerry in the general election - what a great feeling it was to be involved and kick Bush out. Of course, we have the great Kerry presidency to remember. It was a fun and exciting campaign."

Think positive! Good post, Gringo.

[Reverend_Smitty]

12. I agree

As the primary season began I was very much in support of Dean...I am still holding out a little bit of hope. However it is shaping up to be a race between Kerry and Bush and I am all for getting Bush out ASAP!
I think it is time that we all start to come together and work for the common good...I know I am.
We as a country can't survive 4 more years under this current administration so I am going to do all I can to make sure a change happens and if John Kerry is the man the party is putting up, then John Kerry is the man who has my whole-hearted support!

[Panda1]

13. Surely you jest.....

Democracy? Hahahahaha


California didn't even get to vote.....it's all over now baby blue!

[countmyvote4real]

14. And if Kerry has a Dean scream moment in the media...

will you stick with him or switch to the next potential "fine president?" I'm just asking since Dean is still running.

I have no doubt that we will all unite around the eventual nominee, but good grief, it's not even super Tuesday yet. I still intend to cast my vote in my primary for the candidate that I think is the best for person with the best platform for the job. I think it's a little early for you to tell non-Kerry supporters to "buck up" and cave on our preferred choice. (I'm sure Dean appreciated your support however long he had it.)

Otherwise, I do strongly agree with you that it's not just about the POTUS. We have got to really concentrate on our local representatives to Congress, as well.

[Gringo]

15. Kerry is seasoned and cautious

A "scream" moment is unlikely. Dean's unpredictability could've been a plus, but lack of media savvy can be deadly. That's the breaks.

The only way I will ditch Kerry is if he loses the nomination. I will support the nominee. Early or not, it's shaping up to be Kerry.

[shindig]

22. true,

but a completely rigged, corporate and facist media is also proving to be quite deadly.

[Panda1]

25. I'm still going to vote

for DEAN! I don't care what the pundits tell me. I'm voting for the candidate who inspired me and is REAL!

[Armstead]

18. It's not dithering

How this happened is inmportant to remember.

Sure if necessary we an unite behind Kerry and it'll be a 10000 percent improvement over Bush.

But we should not sit still and allow the media and the corproate elite continue to pervert the process.

Remembr the spirit of the guy you have as your avatar picture. That's not corporate Democrat.

[Gringo]

21. Even Martin Sheen endorsed Dean, a corporate DLC dem

I never thought he would go to the right of Kucinich, but there you have it.

[Eloriel]

23. Actually, I've thought about this. I think I'd vote for Lieberman

over Kerry. Really.

The one thing about Lieberman is that I don't think his campaign engaged in any dirty tricks. There's a helluva lot I DON'T like about him, but in that regard I think he is an honorable man.

[Cheswick2.0]

26. Yes there is a certain honor in Lieberman

at least he is honest and has character.

[Cheswick2.0]

27. Gringo

I understand what you are saying but I don't think you understand. I have been voting since 1976 and have voted for every democrat in every election held (primaries, special elections, off year national elections etc...) I have never had anything in particular to hold against any of the democrat candidates. I have never dislike one even if he were not my first choice.
Kerry has broken that run. I can't go into a booth and vote for someone I can't stand.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

28. Thank You Gringo!

there's been enough melodrama for several lifetimes here. On to victory!