A view of DU - with no dog in the fight

[DancingBear]

Everyone,

Today is the first day in a long long time that I have viewed GD Primary as, well, an observer. With Wes Clark now officially out of the race as a Presidential candidate, I (after the obligatory stages of despair, regret, anger and whatever others there are) read today with a somewhat non-biased eye. Here's what I found:

Things that matter greatly to those still in the fight matter little to those outside. What I mean by that is simple - even the smallest campaign related things, when viewed within the sphere of your respective candidate, go careering out of control and tend to take on importance inversely proportional to their actual merit. Like this:

Kerry gets slimed by Drudge. It should be viewed in the context of something along the lines of night follows day, which is how I see it sitting out here. I do not think a) Dean started it b) Clark started it c) Teresa started it d) aliens started it. I think Drudge did. I will not shoot Drudge, or dailykos, or Santa Claus, for that matter. I will , though, be reminded of my friend Tom, who when confronted with this would have turned to me and said "There are 400 billion Chinese who couldn't give a shit." Political folks are playing politics - wash your hands when you're done and eat your spinach.

Same thing with the Clark endorsement. He was going to endorse someone, so it was Kerry. Anybody think it wouldn't be? No. Anyone think they might have talked 'bout "the future?" Probably. Anyone think politics is like Ivory soap - 99 44/100% pure? Nope. (side note - anyone remember Marilyn Chambers?)

Much as I wish it didn't happen, it is fascinating to watch the machinations here from a safe distance. While I don't wish it upon anyone, if it happens to you try it - it's damn interesting, I'll say that.

P.S. Anyone think Dean and Edwards will now hold hands at the next Endorsement Dance? (So shoot me - I'm still in rehab) :)

[salin]

1. lol

this has long been my view of this forum. Welcome - at times it gets just as maddening though... watching thoughtful folks suddenly careen into directions with apparent blinders on... or watching folks let the vitriol get so loud and harsh that it makes one wonder if we can, indeed, pull together as we must do in order to beat the bushco back to texas.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. I hate to say this, but...

The good news is that there is a Democratic Party world out there, outside of some of the loud, parochial viewpoints offered here on DU.

Most of the Dems I know now, through county party involvement, don't know about DU and aren't particularly interested. They would certainly consider some of the opining here aberrant, at best.

Some. Not all, some.

[boxster]

3. Wow, a Marilyn Chambers/Ivory Soap commercial reference.

Ok, now that I've gotten over that, I'll respond! :)

I, too, suddenly found myself undecided for the first time since there were even pre-rumors that Wesley Clark was running for President. I never expected that I'd *need* a second choice.

I was pretty certain that Clark was going to back Kerry based on his comments yesterday, and frankly, everyone loves to back a winner, and Kerry certainly looks like he's on his way.

For Clark, though, I believe that it's more about the overall mission - to remove Bush from the White House. Clark knows that unity is important, and he's hoping that his supporters will follow his example and anoint ourselves a candidate. I just hope that Kerry has enough of everything to beat Bush in November.

I think you're right about Edwards/Dean. Dean certainly isn't going to get behind Kerry, and Dean is likely the next to go, barring a surprise from Sharpton or Kucinich, neither of whom I expect to leave the party anytime soon.

[DancingBear]

4. Well, that's 2 old DU people that I know of

:)

[boxster]

7. Actually, I'm not as old as you might think.

I'm still a couple of months shy of being able to run for President, but I have seen the Ivory soap/Marilyn link talked about many a time.

It's kind of hilarious when compared to today's stars and their ad campaigns - and lack thereof after they have behaved badly.

[DancingBear]

8. Actually, I'm not either

That first digit "5" on the "age" section of my drivers license is a mistake!

[boxster]

13. Hehe.

My mom always says that she's 29 "and some months".

She's just not saying how many months!

One of my best friends is 59, so I'm pretty age-inclusive. :)

[Adelante]

5. Well said, DancingBear!

Virgins to the back of the bus! ;)

[DancingBear]

6. Why, thank you, WesDem!

Cue the late great band Traffic: "Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring"

[Crunchy Frog]

9. If there is one silver lining

to Clark being out, it is to my sanity in no longer having a dog in this fight.

I have made a very deliberate decision to not support anyone else in the primary and to accept the verdict of the voters, and support the eventual nominee whoever it is. It is a very liberating position to be in.:)

[DancingBear]

10. Ain't it the truth! n/t

[BootinUp]

11. I will toast to that!

yes quite liberating indeed...

:toast:


and a liberal amount of my favorite alcoholic beverage.

[West Coast Democrat]

12. Notice how Drudge got in his parting shot at Clark......

making him part of the phony Kerry story. That's the main reason why I didn't believe the story for a moment.

[Exgeneral]

14. I remember Marilyn Chambers

they don't make porn queens like THAT any more.

[DancingBear]

15. A tip o' the hat to Marilyn

and to the Berlin Drive-In in CT - but that's a story for another time. :)