My Vote went to Dean!

[Egnever]

What a strange day it was today here in Nevada.

Today we had our caucus and I was fortunate to be able to cast my vote for the candidate I believe in. Not because the party wanted me to but because I stood my ground.

Strange things that happened today,

Kerry showed up outside the caucus. Apparently thats his right but I found it extremely strange that a candidate should be standing outside on the steps while the people are making their decision. It wouldn't have bothered me nearly as much that he showed perhaps if he hadn't been an hour and a half late and they hadn't held up the vote till after he had time to make his appearance.

Yup thats right Voting was supposed to begin at 9:30 but it didn't begin till 12:30

Rules were changed throughout the process which is something I also thought was strange.

Originally we were supposed to gather in the football field of the a local high school where we would wait till our precincts were called to go into a room that was filled conspicuously with only Kerry posters to cast our votes and elect our delegates. How Kerry was the only one allowed to have posters in the original voting room is beyond me but hey thats politics I suppose.

The Dean camp made arrangements for one of our representatives to stay in the football field and make us aware of when our precincts were called so we could show our support outside the room since we were unrepresented inside of it.

This lasted all of 15 minns before the fire marshals decided that it was unsafe to have people waiting in the courtyard outside the classroom ???? so we were all told that the caucus would be held entirely on the football field.

So off we marched to the football field our Dean contingent gathered on the field and we held our signs high in support of our candidate, There much tongue wagging ensued from the "democratic party leaders" on how we remembered Vietnam and how proud we were to be patriots willing to stand up against this war and asking how many veterans were in the crowd!

I wanted to puke. Our caucus had obviously become a Kerry rally from the top down from holding the voting till after he made his appearance to the speakers pushing the whole Vietnam veteran thing and thanking all the other candidates supporters for participation in their caucus.

The last thing to happen before we were sent to our corners for our precincts was a group of Kerry supporters came and stood in front of us as Kerry signs were passed out to them. Whole football field to stand in and they choose to come line up directly in front of us and then get their signs handed to them I was appalled at the gall but thats politics I guess.

The one thing I heard repeated over and over by the Kerry folks when asked why they made their choice for Kerry was.....

He seems like he is going to be the winer.....

WTF?

I didn't find one Kerry supporter that had anything else to say about him other than that.

It was amazing the number of people that came there completely uninformed about their candidates. Including the "democratic leadership"

In his speech before the voting the Kerry representative Said we wanted a candidate that could take on the bush administration against an unjust war against ashcroft and the patriot act and against things like no child left behind that was ruining our education system.

I could only roll my eyes as the crowd cheered and went off to vote.

[MaggieSwanson]

1. *sigh*

Egnever, my sympathies. Sounds like a strange day to be sure. Good for you for standing your ground for your candidate!

[Tinoire]

4. Welcome to DU MaggieFaye!

:toast:

[Egnever]

10. The Kucinich people there were great!

The speech from the Kucinich representative was very passionate and his supporters were all very informed voters I was happy to see them also standing their ground and not buying into the propaganda being fed to the masses there!

We may disagree on some of our issues but I have nothing but respect for the Kucinich people after today! They at least knew their candidate.

In fact there was a young Kucinich supporter on the field with me after the jerry folks had so rudely lined up in front of us that went up in front of the Kerry people all by herself holding a kucinich poster and a sign that said Kerry missed 50% of his votes and he wants to represent me in the white house!

She made me grin and I gave her a big thumbs up when I caught her eye.

[Tinoire]

15. Lol. Cool!

Wish we had a picture of that! Glad you both stood your ground.

[Tinoire]

2. Thanks for your report. It's consistent with other reports posted here

Yep... The fix is in. Let the coronation begin. :puke:


By the way, I'm shocked! Shocked that YOU voted for Dean. What a surprise ;) Good for you!

Peace

[Egnever]

14. Aww Tin anything for you!

I have always apreciated your posts here if theres anyones opinion on this board I apreciate its yours. I know we dissagree on our choice of candidates but your posts have always been top notch and chocked full of good information. Thank you for all that you do!

I wish i had one tenth of the ability you do for fereting out the facts.
Or better yet for keeping a civil tongue :)

[Tinoire]

25. Awww blush, blush

Not doing very well with the civil tongue this week I'm afraid. I'm literally heart-broken at how these "front-loaded" Primaries are being run and feel like scratching out the eyes of anyone peddling the DLC's garbage here. Your post here is great because it gave such a clear picture of what is going on at the Caucuses - and to think I thought it was the botox!

Peace to you and looking forward to reading your posts (as always) :)

Between you, MidwestMama and Bicentennial Baby, I am in a much better mood this evening. Thank you!

On edit: And not to worry about the difference in candidates. About 2/3 of my friends are Dean supporters and the other 1/3 Kucinich. I've warmed up quite a bit to Dean. If you could only get him to drop the "Only one to have opposed the war" mantra I would be a lot warmer to him. I really wish the Dean & Kucinich movements would find a way of hooking up but that would have to start at the top. Together, with the grassroots activists scattered here and there, they could be a formidable force because most of us have our heart in the same place. There are quite a few Clark supporters (the ones who genuinely wanted change & are disappointed with the Kerry endorsement) who would join up. Is it too late?

[GodHelpUsAll2]

It's NEVER too late

[ozone_man]

32. Is it too late?

The only hope I see at this point is if Kerry scandal is true and he goes down. I would hate to win that way, but the process hasn't been a fair one to this point. Here we are letting Iowa and all the media/dirty tricks deciding the fate of the nomination.

Unfortunately, the left often gets fractured too many ways and ends up losing in the end. DK cost Dean a lot of the left vote, but then I guess you might see that differently.

But I agree that there ought to be a great benefit in having Kucinich, Dean and Clark grass roots supporters join together somehow. Even if it is too late for 2004, there ought to be a continuation of the grass roots movements of these campaigns.

[JVS]

3. See, this is why the voters get called sheep.

"In his speech before the voting the Kerry representative Said we wanted a candidate that could take on the bush administration against an unjust war against ashcroft and the patriot act and against things like no child left behind that was ruining our education system."

But really, are they the ones to blame? Not completely. To a great degree it is the corrupt liars who tell them such horseshit!

[Tinoire]

5. Take on the Bush administration after having voted for those things?

What a joke.

[JVS]

9. And if you look at the ads that the Repubs are making, they come right ...

out and say it. I saw an graphic that says, "I oppose the patriot act" and then "But I voted for it" They are going to tear Kerry to shreads if he is nominated

[polpilot]

19. What a joke indeed.The pro-war DLC Kerry opposing the war he supports.

Dean '04...

[Egnever]

18. This was probably the most shocking thing for me today

My jaw dropped when I heard him say it I was in complete disbelief.

I am not sure if this guy knew he was spouting complete crap or if he actually believed it but I certainly cant be surprised when people vote for Kerry when these are the things they are told he stands up against by the "party leadership"

I only hope they still buy into it come November.

[SadEagle]

20. Was the guy last to speak?

Just wondering whether someone got a chance to challenge him on that...

[Egnever]

23. Yes he was last

No one got to challenge him.

It was a very surreal experience to say the least.

[Robb]

36. Maybe he was being ironic

and nobody got it? :shrug:

;) Kidding. Thanks for the report!!

[Cheswick2.0]

37. LOL, Oy the irony!

:7

[Tinoire]

26. Kucinich on C-Span now asking if we are going to exchange a Republican

war for a Democratic one. I fear that's where we're headed with Kerry.

The DLC's war machine is rolling right over the Progressives in this election.

[Egnever]

28. I think we are being set up to fail

I honestly don't see how Kerry will Beat bush in the General. If my experience today was any indication his support is as someone else has said a mile wide and and an inch deep. The people I talked to over and over today supporting him consistently had no real knowledge of his positions other than he looks like he can win. Will that carry him to a victory over bush in the GE after the gloves are taken off and he is exposed for what what he is?

I honestly don't know if the supporters I saw today will be able to withstand that. Add to this the almost assured osama capture right before the election and I think this race will end up depending on those of us that ARE informed coming out to support a candidate we don't want simply to offset the wind-blowers that will go wherever the press leads them.

The idea that I may in the end HAVE to vote for Kerry simply because he will be such a weak candidate once the shit storm actually starts makes me want to weep.

So many better choices in this field and we get in the end IMHO possibly the weakest of the bunch. Based on a floated false perception of elect-ability.

[Tinoire]

34. I'll be weeping right next to you

Have you read this article? http://www.guardian.co.uk/uselections2004/story/0,13918,1148524,00.html

I started a thread about it because it disturbed me so much: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=336135

I don't think they care if we fail or win because either way the corporations win. It is NO wonder the corporate world is out in force for Kerry. With either Kerry or Bush, their golden eggs are safe because our goose is cooked.

They just may let Kerry win to maintain the illusion that the people have a say but we've all seen from these Primaries that we have very little say. Say too much and they talk of "purging" us and retaliating against politicians who supported candidates wanting change.

Check this out. It's a painful article.

FRIENDLY PERSUASION (excerpt)

Former Vermont Gov. Howie Dean traveled to Georgia on Sunday thinking he was getting an endorsement from Jimmy Carter. Instead, Dean got a lesson in humility from a man not known for possessing much of it. Late last week Dean's staff had been spinning the press in Iowa that a trip to Georgia one day before the caucuses was worth it, especially if it meant getting support from a former Democratic president.

Dean arrived to a warm welcome, some kind words from Carter, and news that the former president had told reporters that he had never extended an invitation to Dean and that the northerner had simply invited himself.

"Governor Dean shows up and everything we thought was planned was now off," says a Dean adviser in New Hampshire. "No endorsement, nothing. It was like we got shivved in the back."

It got worse. Carter also told reporters that he had extended an invitation to Dean's competitor Wesley Clark to come down to spend time with him. It is unclear when Dean's planned coronation by the peanut farmer got crushed, but a Clark staffer in Washington claimed that on Thursday, when word was leaking out about the Dean visit, both Clark and "a very senior friend to the general" made calls to Carter.

Who was the "friend"?

"Let's just say he held the same job as Carter did, but was more successful," says the Clark staffer. "The calls were made to the former president to encourage him not to jump the gun on any endorsements at such a critical time in the campaign. Apparently, President Carter agreed with that assessment."

<snip>

http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=6040

[Cheswick2.0]

38. You should look at how the attendance at Primaries and caucuses

has dropped off. People know the fix is in and they are giving up. So even though Kerry is getting these high numbers it is from a tiny portion of the electorate over the last few states.

PS... I am sure there is election fraud going on too. Sad that my own party would screw me this way.

[mzmolly]

6. Gawd, makes me sick to my stomach thinking about my caucaus.

I am finding the Primary system is really *wacked* for lack of a better word.

Thank You for supporting Howard Dean Egnever :hi: You'll never regret that vote.

[Bertha Venation]

11. I have to confess that I don't know how I will vote

here in MD on Super Tuesday if Dr. Dean isn't in the race by then.

MzMolly, what are your thoughts on this quandary? When's your caucus?

[mzmolly]

17. Im totally discouraged. Ours is March 2nd. I honestly might

stay home if Dean is out by then. I am actually quite disgusted that "momentum" is more of an element than the issues ,that superficial qualities are what Americans vote on.

Regarding the specifics on the situation described above - I'll add it to the list of *this is unbelievable* bullshit that we have been experiencing as of late.

I had real hope and felt like it was a dream come true to be able to vote for a man I really believed in - as President - for once. I generally vote with the D, though I have been a registered inde in the past, * I hate to be boxed in* ;)

I changed to a technical Dem in 2000 after Gore lost. I always voted Dem anyhow, and after working on the Wellstone campaign, I wore my D especially proud, because of him. I also wear my D proud because of Howard Dean and others like them. But, my pride is wearing thin as of late I must admit.

*sigh* Sorry, for the numerous edits, I'm having some Prosecco in the Spirit of Valentines Day. Off to watch a movie with my spouse. :hi:

Sorry I can't be more eloquent right now too, I'm just so down.

[Cheswick2.0]

39. as long as Dean is on the ticket I will vote for him.... if not

I will vote for DK. My differences with him are miniscule compared to my differences with Kerry.

[Bertha Venation]

43. eloquent? don't worry; you communicated well

and I completely understand.

I am equally discouraged, disillusioned, and disgusted.

I too will vote for our candidate in Nov., whoever it is, but DAMN IT! It's a got damned runaway train, isn't it? Who knew human beings -- creatures capable of rational, independent thought -- could -- hell, would -- actually jump onto a runaway train?!

[SadEagle]

7. Thank you for your report.

And for helping Dr.Dean get 2nd place in NV...

[slinkerwink]

8. thank you for voting for Dean!

I appreciate it! :hi:

[lastknowngood]

12. You got away a lot easier than some have at the caucuses

their have been some arrests and physical violence and much much intimidation from what I have heard on the Dean blogs. Glad you held your ground and it went peacefully. The DNC/DLC has been pushing their preordained Candidate and most people are just falling in line without any idea.

[JVS]

13. It's just sickening.

[Tinoire]

22. arrests and physical violence ?

I know about the high degree of intimidation and the Kerry goon squads showing up but arrests and physical violence?

If you have a minute and can do this without too much trouble, would you post a few links?

One of the things that disturbed me very early one in Bush's run was how desperate, how determined they were to get into the White House- I get the same feeling from Kerry and I don't like it one bit.

[Rationality]

16. Heh.

In the end, it seems most voters are that way: uninformed and dumb. Where I'm at, people vote for mayors based on their views on abortion, for instance...

At least you made a knowledgable decision.

[SadEagle]

21. That's one thing about caucuses...

... one gets to find out how people make their decisions... And these are the more politically informed people, too, those that don't mind spending a couple of hours on a vote :-(

[GodHelpUsAll2]

24. Thank you Thank you

For standing your ground and voting your heart. These primaries/causus's have sucked. I was at an actual caucus in Iowa. And have been to a few other states primaries volunteering for Dean. I was a driver for an elderly woman who called campaign headquarters for a ride to caucus in Iowa. It was sickening. Brutal intimidation and near threats was the words used by a young first time caucus goer as he was outside smoking a cigarette with me after the caucus was done. (And for the record, I stayed outside or in the hallway outside the room of the actual caucus but couls see through the door way and hear some of what was going on inside) The so called volunteers present for 2 other candidates whose names I will leave unsaid but will probably be obvious were swarming the place and pushing their candidate before people could even get all the way in the door. It was shameless. Especially since said candidates were the very one's whining about "out of state volunteers flooding the Iowa caucus". I had conversation with these "volunteers" in the halls as the caucus was going on as they would come out and conference with each other on what was going on inside. They were paid out of state people brought in just for caucus night. Funny, I always thought volunteer meant you didn't get paid.

[Tinoire]

27. Paid out of state caucus people. Yuck. Others have referred to them

as those candidates' "Goon squads". Sickening.

[GodHelpUsAll2]

29. Pretty much

An accurate description

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[drfemoe]

31. that's politics?

I guess fair is fair.

Thanks for voting :dem:

[Guaranteed]

33. IDIOTS.

God DAMMIT.

FUCK THIS.

On edit: Isn't this exactly like a stampede? Right over a cliff?

[Punkingal]

35. Interesting indeed!

I was at the caucus in Las Vegas today, too, and the reason it was held up was because the fire marshall made everyone leave the gym. He said it was unsafe...I know this because my husband helped with moving things that were blocking exits, etc.

It was also held up because there were 6,000 people there, and last time they had 500. They were not prepared to handle the crowd. It was pure chaos inside the gym where everything was supposed to take place. I also know this because my husband began helping move people out of the gym after they registered, before the fire marshall closed it down.

Nothing was delayed because of Kerry's appearance. He came in through the parking lot, spoke briefly at a place the unions had set up, and then left. I registered early and was just hanging around the parking lot, because I am claustrophobic and the gym was just chaos. I got to see Senator Reid, and Congresswoman Berkeley, and met a lot of great democrats. The Kerry supporters far outnumbered everyone else, but the Dean people were definitely an impressive presence there today. I thought it was strange that a candidate was there, but then one of the party officials told me that any candidate could have been there, if they had chosen to come.

I enjoyed myself there today. And I met a lot of people who had positive things to say about all the candidates, but mostly people were just talking about how much they dislike Bush. I met one young man who had on a DU t-shirt, but he never posts, he just reads. I urged him to let his voice be heard here. Mostly, I saw a lot of happy Democrats who at last felt like they were doing something to get rid of Bush and regain America, and I felt really good about that.

[Cheswick2.0]

40. interesting

yes happy happy democrats. We're more unified than ever, so mobilized to get rid of bush, all falling in line. Ain't it grand?
:7

[Punkingal]

42. I was merely stating my observations

from the same event, as well as why some things happened the way they did. I don't see any reason to be unhappy about the fact that
Democrats just want to get rid of Bush. And any Democratic candidate is better than Bush.

[Name removed]

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