Though Dean was not my candidate, I do acknowledge the difference he made

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

I had written this as a response to a now locked (appropriately so) thread.

Dean had a fine line to tread between ending his campaign and breaking the hearts of those who wanted to see reforms he proposed and disaffecting hundreds of thousands if not millions of supporters.

There is NO LAW that one must fade like a flower simply because they cannot continue on.

He has a responsibility to the people who supported him to make their efforts meaningful in the long run, rather than to write off all that energy and make it futile.

I have supported as many Dean stands as I have been critical of, I just support someone else for president.

I don't deny the difference he made and the manner in which he exited makes me glad that he remains committed to returning the Democratic Party to the VAST umbrella of people they are supposed to represent and doing so from within the party.

Had he picked up his jacks and left, I would have been disappointed because THAT would have been about him rather than the force of people he organized.

[proud patriot]

1. Thank You NSMA

:hug: You don't know how much that means to me .

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. Take me at my word

I am truly sorry for your disappointment.

[MuseRider]

2. May I join you?

I feel the same way. He did this with class and with respect for his supporters. He was not my candidate but I will back what he is attempting to do 100%. He and his large group of supporters can help push this party back to where it belongs and I have the utmost respect for him for doing this. Perhaps we will all be able to join together to keep things going in the right (left) way.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

5. Hopefully Dean is talking with Kucinich since their interests regarding

change overlap in some regards.

[MuseRider]

10. Well I would hope that

they are both putting together something after all, who else is going to stand for us? I'll vote for whoever wins reluctantly, perhaps even very reluctantly but these two need to get together so we are all represented. Fingers crossed.

[woofless]

4. I agree entirely.

The Party has long needed a "backbone transplant". I was furious that Gore didn't fight harder and the 2002 elections were a disaster. While I do not agree with some that see Dr. Dean as "the only viable savior of the Democratic Party", he did inject some fire, anger and purpose into the campaign and they were sorely needed. The Dean movement deserves our respect and heartfelt thanks. They have mine.

[sendero]

6. thanks...

... and well said. I'm 'philosophical' about Dean's failure to win the nomination, and hopeful that his contribution will be remembered and that he can continue to contribute.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

8. He already committed himself to such

I completely support him in that.

[genius]

7. I actually worked on his campaign for a while. I left because of issues.

However, I think his campaign did a lot of good. I think he lost because he lost a lot of his anti-war support because of his Vermont record. Protestors unfortunately know how to research. Most people care about more than one issue. But he proved that the right candidate could create a strong force. I wonder what the landscape would look like right now if Dennis had jumped into the race two years ago or if Clark had not waited until the last minute to run.

[silver state d]

9. Thank Dr. dean

It takes a special kind of intellectual courage to do what dean has done. He ran on his issues with the party and the president and he has shown a willingness to do what good he can without selling out to Ego and taking the ball and going home just cause he couldn't have it all his way. I am proud to call him a democrat.

PS this is from an Edwards supporter. thank you Dr. Dean

[MuseRider]

11. I would like

to second that, from a Kucinich supporter.

[GumboYaYa]

12. Thanks NSMA, I know you are very sincere about this. I

remember you supporting Dean after the Scream speech even going so far as to donate to his campaign.

As far as that vast umbrella, I'm sure there is room for all of us.

Our efforts will be meaningful. We have a great core of people committed to changing politics. The big problem I see right now is finding candidates worthy of that support.

[salin]

13. It will be interesting to see where he

(and his movement?) will go next. I have to admit I didn't pay attention.. until mid last summer when I went to the local farmers market and there was a group handing out Dean literature... they were on their second or third small fundraiser/outing... the thing is - this is Indiana and we have a May primary. There rarely local action for the primaries (we are a red state with a very late primary). And a year out... there are people active? And who was active... older americans through college students... in Indiana.. in July 2003?

By the fall a Kucinich group was active... and this winter a Clark group. I am not yet aware of Edwards or Kerry groups - but I have started seeing more of their bumper stickers suggesting that those groups are now active as well. In short - there is more activity - and much of it from folks who are not long time party members... this early... in this red state. I think the fact of an organized group that was making itself so visible - long before Labor Day...spurred others who were interested in different candidates to start organizing as well. Really quite remarkable.

Here's to hoping that the energy generated goes on to continue generating more energy... and translates to the eventual nominee for president... and to local congressional races, state races and municipal races. :toast:

[R3dD0g]

14. I'm thankful Dean ran.

I don't think the Pink Tutus, led by Kerry, would have had the guts to challenge * on anything.

Since my state's primary isn't until May 18, I don't normally get emotionally attached to any candidate in the early primaries, and this season was no exception.

But, I am grateful to Dean for his gift of a spine transplant to the rest of the field.

Thanks Doc!!!

[library_max]

15. Yes. Beautiful post. Thank you.

:yourock: