Clark/Dean/DK/Edwards Supporters

[Mile Hi]

Do you think the DNC was fair to your candidate once the primary started?

With comments from TERRY MCAULIFFE like
"If a Candidate doesn't win in Febuary they need to drop out"
"We need to rally behind one candidate now"

We are barely into the Primary and the DNC has all but said Kerry is the guy.

I think that the DNC should at least wait till after Super Tuesday
when 10 states cast their ballots. At that point about half the states will have had their voice.

To try to influence the voters after only 3-4 states vote is wrong.
I know Kerry supporter may think this is sour grapes, but Kerry could have been in the same boat. What if Edwards was in the lead now or Dean. Would it have been fair to the rest.

I live in Colorado and our Primary isn't until April. The way it's going I'm going to be told who my candidate is. I won't get a chance to voice my opinion.

I suggest you write the DNC and let them know you want your vote counted in the Primary.

E-mail - http://www.democrats.org/contact/

Phone - 202-863-8000

Post - Democratic National Committee
430 S. Capitol St. SE
Washington, DC 20003

Send to the attention of
TERRY MCAULIFFE

[AP]

1. If Edwards ends up nominee, I will thank McCauliffe for everything he did

whether it was stupid or not.

[ShaneGR]

17. I have no problem with Terry's strategy

We needed to have a nominee early so that nominee can raise money and get the fight against Bush underway ASAP.

That being said, I don't think anyone expected a candidate to have won 12 of 14 primaries.

But I'm not gonna cry because it looks like it's Kerry. He's a formidable candidate.

[mmonk]

2. The whole design of the front loaded primary

was to choose quickly. They don't care if our vote doesn't count. It's not in the DNC strategy. They will continue to ask candidates to drop out.

[bearfartinthewoods]

19. the old saying....if you chose in haste you may regret in your leisure

this is going to be a looong year.....

[jmoss]

27. Public election..not Coronation

.....I admire edwards for saying this last night.

The whole unbalanced, front-loaded system has to go. We have freedom of the Press..but WE are not really FREE from them. Too may people just follow the typical self-fulfilling prophecies created by our major media outlets.

[demnan]

3. You know, this brings up a good point

but it needs a real solution. We need to have all the primaries occur on the same day so everyone has an equal voice. Also we need to allow D.C. to have a voice in this. The Republicans have done everything they can to keep D.C. as a "colony" and it's just not fair.

I'm tired of all the fuss over North Dakota, New Hampshire, ect. when most of the people in this country live in urban areas.

New York, Illinois, California haven't weighed in yet. Those are the states containing our three largest cities.

[AP]

5. All primaries occurring same day = richest, most well-known candidate wins

[Atlant]

9. Which is almost what we have anyway.

(One could argue that Lieberman had better name recognition, but
it's pretty clear the richest candidate is winning.)

Atlant

[Atlant]

8. Do you honestly believe they *WANT* everyone to have an equal voice?

I certainly don't.

One of the lines from The Last Temptation of Christ that has
always stayed with me is a line spoken by Pilate when he's interviewing
Christ. Pilate says something like: "You want to change things. Unfor-
tunately for you, we don't want things changed."

THIS is what is at the heart of American politics right now. We want
changes, but for the leadershop of BOTH the Democratic and Republican
parties, the system suits them just fine and they DON'T WANT CHANGES.
And they'll do whatever needs to be done to ensure that change does
not happen.

Pilate: "So you know what must happen now. You do know, don't you?"

Atlant

[Snivi Yllom]

14. put it this way

If there was a National primary day, it would be a very different situation today.

The entire promary system sucks. The strategy sucks, it's anti-inclusive, it's kingmaking, and it is all controlled by the party, not the people.

[oc2002]

16. Totaly agreed!

The primaries should all be held on the same day, that way all candidates get an equal shot, just like a REAL ELECTION! not the BS that we have now, it only disenfranches the rest of the voters that did not have thier primaries.

The DNC stinks like a dumpster at the fish market on a hot August afternoon.

[DjTj]

18. A national primary...

...would make it impossible for candidates who are less well-funded to compete.

The entire race would be based on fundraising rather than voting.

[Eloriel]

24. I'ma gainst a national primary too -- for a slightly different reason

The candidates would have to compete almost as if it were the general, so the states with the most delegates would get lots more attention.

What we need is for it to be dragged out over a period of months instead of front loaded so a win "here" (wherever) could be vetted against the population via the campaigning, etc. We saw that clearly with IA and NH what happens -- the momentum alone (and the notion of "more electable") carried Kerry when it otherwise might not have, PLUS Dean did a yeoman's job of bouncing back from the unfair and over-the-top maltreatment at the hands of the media for his IA speech, but a week wasn't quite enough time to complete the process.

The candidates -- whoever they are -- need a FAIR opportunity to either make it or break it. Momentum ought not be the main thing that decides elections. Negative and unfair media treatment (or the lack of virtually any media) oughtn't be such a factor as it has been this year.

IOW, if we want the people to choose the nominee, we have to make that what happens instead of manipulation of perceptions which there's no time or opportunity to counter.

Right now, it's a sham.

[jmoss]

29. 2-sides to that, demnan...

front loading IA, NH, SC, etc. allows our "regular" folks to have a strong voice. But it's disproportionate to the impact these places will actually have on the outcome in Novemeber.

The Dem. candidate could win all 14 States that have held votes, thus far, and STILL handidly lose the election to GW.

How in the heck does this empower Democrats country wide to select our candidate of choice, rather than the one apparently being "coronated" already bythe darn media machine!!!!?????

[Toronto Ron]

4. I have a sick feeling that Clark was set up

When he entered the race, he was supported by the party's "powers-that-be", as the anti-Dean. When Dean's stock plummetted, coupled with the rise of establishment candidate Kerry, Clark was dropped like a hot potato.

If this is so, we need to ask: Is the Democratic Party democratic?

Note: I'm not anti-Kerry; in fact he's second on my list behind Clark. But I'm left with a sick feeling.

[AP]

6. Clark was seen as a one-issue candidate.

There was a quote from an IA caucus-goer (even though Clark wasn't running there) which said it all: "If it wasn't for Iraq, this guy wouldn't even be running."

Voters rejected the idea that Iraq was the ONLY issue -- that's why Dean didn't get too far either.

[Ninga]

7. It's just me again, with the same song and dance.

The DNC is not going to take any letters seriously. The only way to get their attention is through collective organizing.


I can not stress enought that everyone continue working for change.

If all of our collective power can be organized for change, then watch the DNC start to sweat.

It can happen.

It can only happen if every single person who supported a candidate for change continues the fight.

My biggest dream is to see the DNC/DLC start to have to consider the views of all of us.

I will continue to support my candidate, Dean.

The more votes he gets, the more delegates he gets, the stronger position he will be in to have change written into the party platform.

[Turkw]

15. That's because other than Iraq, the only thing they reported on was

attacks on him.

[polpilot]

10. Clark was rolled out as the Dean take down guy. Now he's been reined

in. He's military, not political and was 'engaged' by the rabid hounds of hell. Their 'mission is accomplished' and he's finished.

Dean '04...

[salin]

26. No offense

but that is offensive. He may have been brought in (or drafted or however one frames it)... but he has run a real campaign. And like real campaigns there is a point of assessment of what it would take to move forward (costs, etc.) and what are the likely chances. I regret that Gen Clark is getting out of the race right now - but I believe it has to do with the typical campaign assessments. The assertion of him on some kind of leash is, at least to my ears, offensive and unnecessary.

[jmoss]

28. Hello NC-Greensboro

FYI: Clark's campaign leeked Edwards big newsday when he was supposed to announce his candidacy at the old mill where his father worked.

Since you are not supporting your senior Senator, at least do that without thinking your candidate has an angelic record in this campaign.
He's a political rookie, and he tried making his debut at the All-Star game. I admire this. I admire him. But I would have been very uncomfortable if he were our nominee.

Jeff_Winston-Salem_NC

[SangamonTaylor]

11. "There are people in fancy clothes and others dressed in overalls.

http://www.wade.org/fancy.htm">Each has exactly the same one vote. Each has exactly the same say in the election. There is no place in America where equality means as much as in the voting booth." - Lucius Wade Edwards

979 delegates have been decided. 979 votes out of a total number of 4321 votes that count in the Democratic National nomination. That is only 23% of the voting public. A total of 2,161 delegates are needed to secure the nomination. John Kerry currently has 516 delegates, 102 of which are unpledged.

The next week in Wisconsin is crucial. A strong showing will provide the momentum needed at just the right time, heading into the key dates in March. John Edwards will gain national coverage and become the national candidate that Sen. Kerry became in less than a month. Just as Sen. Kerry moved from single digits in states only a few weeks earlier, to the eventual primary and caucus winner, John Edwards will go into the debates over the next two weeks as an alternative to the front runner. Watch for the numbers to rise.

Should Kerry falter in any way, there are still MANY capable candidates, whose political policy is more desirable in every imaginable way than that of the current administration, that I would support come November. However, I truly believe in the positive, optimistic message that John Edwards has made a central part of his entire campaign for President.

Super Tuesday will prove that this is no coronation, this is an election. John Kerry still requires another 1651 delegates to become the Democratic nominee. Those American people who are inspired to take part in the democratic process will follow a man based on his promising vision for America in our future, ability to convey that message convincingly.

The candidates have the time to distinguish themselves, their experience and credentials, build fund-raising, grassroots support and organization. Further the perceived public likability is as volatile a factor as ever this year.

Much like the past month, the next four weeks are an eternity when it comes to the amount of available national exposure.

American's of all types will converge on the polls on March 2nd. The number will comprise 26.6% of the delegates, from the Democratic primaries and caucuses in the states of California, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont--1,150 delegates to be decided.

Then the next week, March 9th, he takes his message to Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, comprising a combined 460 delegates. March 9th is when I am allowed decide who I wish to be the nominee.

This election is just beginning and I want my voice to be heard.

[progressivebydesign]

22. Best post of the morning! N/T

[Tinoire]

12. The DNC needs to STFU. Kerry is their guy- not mine.

They are subverting the entire Primary Process and I'll be writing to them too.

It is NOT their job to crown a king- it is OUR job to vote for whomever we think we want to represent us and for whom we'll vote in the GE. They can take their pathetic cry of "ABB" and STUFF IT.

Screw them.

[K8-EEE]

13. I Don't Think Anybody Really Listens To McAuliffe....

Just IMO -- Kerry wasn't my first choice but he's a career politician and he made some really smart strategy moves starting in the big push in Iowa.

[Nashyra]

20. I emailed the Dnc

with a very nasty note, asked to be taken off their mailing list, told them I would vote for their candidate and not anything else, obviously not for real change. Clark was pulled in by the powers that be and his mission was accomplished and after that they did not like how his grass root base started to grow. What a loss for America, Clark or Dean a real change.Can't see kerry overcoming 20 years worth of ammunition that the Repukes have on him and the LAST thing we need is some one like Edwards who has no Foreign policy experience, sorry but OH got to go * is commming up on CNN. Imagine that the nomination is locked up swith to the idiot so all the other idiots will vote for him. My hope for the future is dashed today.

[progressivebydesign]

21. I have a HUGE problem with DNC!

They are the dolts that designed a front loaded primary season. I resent that a handful of states, none of which are the most populated, pick our nominee. It's total crap. We are allowing the DNC to totally TOTALLY disenfranchise the rest of the states. Oh.. yes.. I'll hear.. "but the polls say..". The polls reflect the current wins. The candidates have not even begun to campaign in the most populous, most important states, because they had to spend all their money on Iowa and New Hampshire. The system is broken, and needs to be fixed.

Florida and California, which will be THE battleground states, are being totally dissed. DNC is asking US to fall behind their annointed candidate. If Kerry is not their annointed candidate, then why.. when Kerry's campaign was faltering and he lost crucial staff, did the DNC send their communications director to Kerry to work for him? Kerry may be the greatest candidate and president, ever. BUT.. I resent the DNC and the media forcing him down our throats now.

When I hear commercials on the radio for the garbage that the majority of people are watching hour after hour on television, I realize that America is wholly owned and manipulated by corporate America now.. and that includes the Democratic Party. Once we're thru with this election (regardless of how it turns out). There will be a third party movement. Mark my words. I'm sick of a bunch of corporate suits running the Democratic Party. I want my country AND my party back!!!

[Zomby Woof]

23. I don't give the DNC much thought

I give the DLC even less. I am a Democrat, but it would sadden me none to lose these apparatchik organizations. Ah well, I refuse to mope about them and blame them for how DK is doing. I am pleased that he is out there, increasing his support on a true grassroots level. His campaign has me proud to be a Democrat, regardless of DNC or DLC involvement, or lack thereof.

[bigfishsmallpond]

25. One word - Firesale

let the DNC cook their own goose.

If they think they can force a candidate on us through their front loaded process, then good for them. If Kerry falls apart after being the sole GOP target between now and Nov, blame McAullife.

If Kerry crashes and burns in the GE, then the Dean, Clark, Kucinich and Gore grassroots need to seize the opportunity, get the Democratic Party at firesale prices and take control. Hire Joe Trippi as our acquisitions guy.

hey on the optomistic side, barring an October Surprise, Kerry might beat the chimp. or perhaps Chimpy's downward spiral and AWOL and Iraq and Haliburton will pile on and anyone could beat bush.

only time will tell.

[Cheswick2.0]

30. I guess Terry would have said the same to Clinton?

I don't think he won by February did he?

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