Dean Supporters: is there a realistic answer to this question?

[John_H]

I hate "honest question" threads as much as anyone, but if Dean Supporters expect anyone to believe that Dean has a realistic shot at winning the nomination, they ought to be able to answer the following question:

Since Dean has lost to Kerry in every region--New England, Mid-Atlantic, South, Midwest, Rust Belt, West, Pacific North West, Great Plains, Rust Belt, and Southwest--since he has a fraction of the money he had when he lost those states, since he's getting mostly bad press, since he is losing important endorsements, since some his top staff seems resigned to defeat, since Kerry has all the momentum, since Edwards is taking votes away from him: How on earth does he have even a remote shot at winning?

If you were in charge of his campaign, what would be your plan of action?

[Tinoire]

1. First thing i'd do is denounce things like this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=345765

And keep going because the Dean machine isn't dead. Nevermind Murdoch & co.

And that's in all sincerity.

On edit- I'm more of a fence Dean supporter... Just want to make that clear... Thanks

[AngryYoungMan]

2. Because that's the way the party assembles its platform.

I'm a Dean supporter turned Kerry supporter, but I want Dean in the race because he can barter for "planks" of the platform. That's democracy in action; like Dukakis and Jesse Jackson holding that joint press conference in 1988 on the eve of the demo convention. You keep running becasue you want your message to integrate with the party's themes and intentions.

I DO NOT want Dean to be the nominee and I DO NOT expect him to win a single state.

But Dean is extremely important and will go into the history books as a pivotal figure in this incredible dark saga we're living through. So he should keep going. He restored our spines and much of our liberal agenda, and if Kerry wins, it will be largely because of Dean.

My $0.02

[IronLionZion]

3. exactly

Not everyone runs for election because they are trying to win. Most of them are trying to get their ideas out there and make a difference. That's why its important to have people like Dean, Kucinich, and Sharpton in the race.

[AP]

4. What Dean planks do you want in the platform?

[R3dD0g]

6. Like Dukakis & Jackson in '88

That's a reassuring thought.

The next time we honor Dukakis on President's day I'll say a thank you to Ambassador Jackson.

[eileen from OH]

5. well, first off,

I'd drop the negative, "God, you are such a loser" tone. Any success that any of the nominees have had is due, in no small part, to Dean showing the way. Until the Gov electrified the Dem party with his "What I want to know. . ." speech they were ALL in the 2002 election mode. As in, rolling over to have their tummies scratched by the Repug machine and trying to out-do themselves in Bush love. ("I supported the President!" "But I supported the President FIRST." "But I supported the President the mostest and the bestest!")

Dean led the damn way and deserves a shitload of recognition and respect for it.

And with THAT out of the way, my advice would be to drop while he still has clout (after Wisconsin) and urge his supporters to vote for Edwards. I think (and the Gov has stated as much) that Edwards is a lot more electable than Kerry. Combine their numbers and even with the margin of those who wouldn't switch, Edwards would give Kerry a real run for the money.

eileen from OH

[John_H]

9. not gloating, just pointing out facts

sorry if you're offended.

[stickdog]

7. 1) Dean is strong in big states like CA & NY & IL..

2) Kerry doesn't have any money, either, and all Dean's needs to get millions more is to show some signs of life.

3) Buyer's remorse.

4) Media could decide to vet Kerry or discuss Dean's record as VT's Governor. Nah!

[dfong63]

8. hang in there and see if Kerry stumbles

Kerry is far from infallible, and far from invulnerable. Kerry may look hot now, but there's never a guarantee that the front-runner's fortunes will hold. if it turns out that Kerry lied about this young intern - or some other hot-button aspect of his past - Kerry could fall like a rock.

[nonconformist]

10. My take

I think if he had the shot to go up against Bush, one on one, that Dean would do very well. I truly think that to the average person, the Bush admin arguments that Kerry voted for several things that he now claims to condemn will resonate with voters. Hopefully it won't, but I fear it will... an argument they cannot make against Dean. I also believe that Dean could have won at least some of those states had the media not started an all on assault of him after his "break up the big media" comment.

As for where he stands now and what can be done... I don't know. Probably little. I believe in Dean's message and he inspires me like no other candidate, so I'm in his corner until he decides it's over - even though I sadly realize that a nomination at this point is unlikely. I'm hoping for a great showing in Wisconsin, because as we've seen momentum can change at the drop of a hat. However, being realistic, I hope that Dean can rally his supporters - who are behind him with their heart and soul - into supporting the eventual nominee and getting King George the hell out of there.

[bigwillq]

11. I agree with Dean going "one-on-one" with Bush

would prove Dean could hold his own. I feel Kerry one-on-one would look less convinving. Kerry voted for the IWR, No Child left Behind, the Patriot Act. How will Kerry defend this against Bush? Kerry is looking like how the media portrayed Dean, his changing mind theory.
Dean at least one-on-one with Bush,could prove he didn't support Bush on any of those issues. Only my opinion.

[Finch]

12. as things stand

I’m happy for either Edwards or Kerry to get the nomination…I would have been best pleased with a Clark / Breaux ticket… finished yelling…sorry about Breaux but that’s my honest opinion of what our best ticket was…as for Dean while I supported him for some time early last year (after that great speech in Sacramento last Christmas) I became convinced that he really was not suited to being a the leader of the national ticket and latter that he should not be on the ticket at all… now I’d not here to have a flaming row with any still loyal Dean supporters…I respect you a great deal I just think that Dean would have been a disaster for the Party in November (if you want me to elaborate my argument email me and I’ll explain) … Dean has dramatically improved the Democratic field and redefined the debate within the party to a large extent and he really did do a lot to revive the party after the 2002 debacle… but it is not him who will beat Bush in November IMHO…

If I where on Dean Campaign team now I would argue that unless Dean did exceedingly well in WI he should suspend his campaign and put his efforts into founding some kind of liberal version of the DLC and after supper Tuesday barring a big upset he should endorse Kerry… If Edwards does well in WI, soundly beating Dean and does not drop out himself then Dean should endorse him and site his positions on trade and tackling inequality as the reasons for the endorsement…

That’s my two cents at least…

[HereSince1628]

13. A liberal version of the DLC? Oh my...

Please, no more caucuses of the party elite.

A liberal counter-force to the DLC is needed but that needs to be a place where all democrats are equal -- no elite distinctions between members and officers.

Taking back America, begins with taking back the party. You can thank the "losers" of this primary season for making that clear. The rhetoric has changed. Now that "they" have learned it's possible to bray like donkeys and win, we must push them to legislate for our interests, too.

[BL_Zebub]

15. Wouldn't a liberal version of the DLC be like:

A Black version of the KKK?

A Jewish version of Hitler?

The Atkins Baked Potato & Donut Cookbook?

The DLC's reason for existence is Republicanize the Demoncratic party. Liberals and true Demoncrats don't need to destroy the party from within like the DLC is doing. We just need to stop their destruction.

[Snivi Yllom]

14. Hang in there and keep fighting

It's not over till it's over. Dean has nothing to lose, and it makes him dangerous to Kerry. Kerry can still trip up.

[madfloridian]

16. First I would question some of the headlines today.......

that have Dean having already lost Wisconsin by 8 in the morning. LOL

See my post.