"We need to be United"

[dave29]

in our belief in Democracy.

The primaries have not ended.
All of the delegates have not been assigned.

Democracy is messy, but it is all we've got. Lets not "fall in line" like Republicans do until we have chosen the nominee. We should not rig and "frontload" our primary process so that the nominee is chosen by a small percentage of states, handicapping our candidates - forcing them to pander to an increasingly smaller group from it's constituency.

If there is any lesson we should have learned from 2000 it is that every vote counts. Lets let all Democrats say loud and clear who they want to be the party's nominee.

We don't annoint people in this party, do we?

[DenverDem]

1. The media have annointed Kerry

and the sheeple have responded.

I'll vote for ABB but the circumstances sure make me uneasy.

[funky_bug]

3. Only a small portion of the media make up the voter numbers

While they have certainly helped Kerry along, that I do not deny, they cannot be blamed for the votes of the people. I always complained that Clark didn't get enough media, and while I think more would have helped him, ultimately it is the responsibility of the voter to, frankly, be a responsible voter. That means doing the research, contributing to healthy debate, and making an informed decision. Just because people can be sheeple, doesn't mean the media has to take full responsibility for their votes.

[DenverDem]

4. The media frames the issues.

I understand what a responsible voter is, I just don't think there are very many of them. This forum is not representative of the population at large. Unfortunately, most voters get their information from network affiliate television, and unquestionably those sources frame the debate with their owners' agendas. Thus a power elite friendly candidate is annointed.

[funky_bug]

5. It's not my fault that "most voters" vote blindly

No more than it is John Kerry's fault that the media annointed him, no more than it is Howard Dean's fault that the media trashed him, no more than it is Wesley Clark's fault that the media abused him,
no more than it is Dennis Kucinich's fault that the media ignores him.

The blame rests in a jaded nation.

[paulk]

6. the media had declared the Kerry campaign dead

but democracy, in the form of Democratic voters, intervened.

[pezcore64]

2. right on!

Go DEAN!!!