Interesting Point Made By Russert On Morning Joe:

[EV_Ares]

Said talked with the big money people involved in these campaigns.
They said they would go into Clinton's meetings, campaigns, and they knew everyone there.
Would go into the Obama's camps, meetings, etc and did not know anyone.

Said Obama is energizing the black vote all over and looks like they will be out in force.
Said if the Independents do in NH as they did in IA, this is not good for the republicans in November and is not good for John McCain who is hoping for the Independent vote which all indicators are it is going to go for Obama and means they are registering to vote Democratic in Nov of 08.

Would say that is good news overall.

The other day Ken Melhman, former Chairman of the RNC said that if the republicans do not make the necessary changes, the democrats in 2008 are going to make it look like a cakewalk. Did not catch his entire interview but caught that remark. Democrats are energized and republicans are not.

The Winds of Change are upon us.

[vi5]

1. Dems were energized in '04 as well....

People were no less angry back then. But we all know that scare tactics and dirty tricks from republicans and their media enablers at the last minute work all too well.

I just don't want us to get too far ahead of ourselves on this thing by assuming everyone is energized and everyone will turn out.

[THUNDER HANDS]

3. it's a different sort of energy

people were energized against Bush. Now they're energized FOR Obama. It's a completely different feeling.

[EV_Ares]

6. You hit it 100%, it is a positive energy, one of hope, optimism, we can win, you

have to have that to win and a change of the powers that be in the democratic party.

[robbedvoter]

18. There was positive energy up to that point in 2004. Then Kerry was crowned

and activists believing in anti-war candidates had to settle for a pro-war ticket. But up to New Hampshire - hopes were fresh still(we weren't -really-aware about the crowning. I mean, Will Pitt boasted about being present and described it, but its significance only dawned on us after NH.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. I disagree

In 2004 the Democrats were convinced Bush was so bad he would never get re-elected. We weren't energized. We were overconfident.

[vi5]

8. Well, that's what I worry about...

..all these talks about how energized people are and how confident dems are and all that can only work against us. I'm sorry I want people to be excited as much as the next guy but taking anything as a given, even if it's something positive like being energized and motivated is something altogether different.

The ringing in my ears of hearing this same stuff from '04 is still fresh and I don't want to get burned again.

[EV_Ares]

13. So, are you saying we should not talk about people being energized, we should

not have any confidence in our candidate. You think that works against you.

Kerry lost by his own admission by mistakes he made in his campaign including just letting the Swift Boaters go after him.

Gore made mistakes including not having President Clinton out campaigning for him and Gore not taking advantage of the great economy they left behind.

It was a close election and yes we got screwed. What does that have with what is going on in Obama's campaign. You cannot win anything without any confidence and hope and optimism and you have to have your voters energized and feeling good about the candidate.

You have to have more than just Bush is bad and we certainly need someone other than the old establishment which has not proved they can win.

[vi5]

16. I'm not saying it's not good or don't talk about it...

I just think it's too early and all the evidence for this energy is highly, HIGHLY anecdotal at this point and thus subject to exaggeration. I hope it stays. I want it to stay and I want it to be true. But my concern/fear is that we rode this wave of optimism into '04 and talked about all the new people that (at the time) Dean was bringing into the process and all these unprecedented independents and new voters who were so fed up with Bush.

Swift boating or not, if people were REALLY that energized back then as we constantly heard on here and in the media then no amount of bogus stories in the media would have sunk them.

My bottom line point is that it ain't over until it's over and let's not just ride some vague notion of "energy" to November. Let's all actually do something about it.

[EV_Ares]

19. Agree with what you are saying. What I am saying the direction of the energy

is totally different than back then. You look back and learn from your mistakes which we didn't in 04 from the mistakes in 00. The energy is real, the candidate is real and the focus is on change, not on GWB as back then. The optimism is real and you never, never get over-confident as things can change tomorrow. This campaign in smarter and is running on the candidate, not GWB and when someone attacks Obama, he will strike back. He and Edwards have the right idea to ride this to the end. You can be pessimistic and negative, fearful all you want and that will not win elections. You can be energized, full of hope, optimistic, believe in your candidate, have a desire for change, united and know what your goal is and you can win.

Obama inspires people like no candidate we have had in a while. Kerry had a lot of trouble getting people inspired with his speeches.

[vi5]

20. I really, really hope you're right...

I guess I'm just like the dog that's gotten too excited and then been kicked once too often.

I just remember feeling this energy in '04. The high point of it was actually when Kerry picked Edwards as his VP. I just didn't see how it could go wrong. Elder statesman war hero, younger photogenic southern populist vp. All bases seemed cover and everyone was excited. Even former Nader voter friends were coming out for Kerry just to get Bush out of office.

It does feel different this time around. I just hope it actually is.

[EV_Ares]

21. Know what you are saying. I was the same, excited about J. Kerry, Edwards as VP,

also didn't see how it could go wrong. as you say, war hero, young, enthusiastic, southern (Edwards). You know what, it should not have gone wrong, they were the best.

One thing I will never understand is how the veterans of this country could let someone like Kerry down and give GWB who was afraid to go to war a pass. That is the mistake that never should be made again, don't give them the slightest edge, go after the media to get the truth such as the Swift Boat Veterans and the other RW organizations that lie, cheat and steal. Know your enemy and never let your guard down.

I will always believe we could have won those elections and still don't know how Gore lost when he was leaving office on a high note regarding the job he and Clinton had done. The Monica affair really didn't resonate with the public as they proved to the republicans on their impeachment of him. They liked the job he did and he left office with one of the highest approval ratings of any president.

Didn't mean to ramble, I understand what you are saying and lets just do our part regardless of who our candidate is to not let it happen again. God help us if it does.

[robbedvoter]

10. No one was overconfident - unless you count the delusion of "votes being counted this time"

which exists now as well....Kerry had lawyers...Edwards "wanted"...How are we prepared now?

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. We aren't

Good point about those "lawyers".

[robbedvoter]

9. Excellent points. It's just that last time we were dragged kicking and screaming

by the MSM to support a pro-war ticket, but support we did. How they repayed us - another story...
keep your eyes peeled for dirty tricks. Ruslut said nothing I didn't read in 1000 blogs, BTW. Seems to me he's reading mydd

[flordehinojos]

2. it is not the first time that timmy boy has mistated facts.

so, if it is to obama's advantage for timmy to state facts again, he will do so without the blink of an eye ...

[ellacott]

5. He did call it correctly with Florida and Ohio in the last 2 elections n/t

[Horse with no Name]

24. I suppose that's a joke

meaning he had the inside scoop of where the election was going to be stolen.
And if that is the case, it ought to scare the shit out of everyone.

[EV_Ares]

7. Obama doesn't have to worry about Timmy boy, just look at the results, and kekep

on doing what he id doing, solidifying his base, voters and lead the charge.

[robbedvoter]

11. Talk about overconfident - is he theft proof? why? How? Not like the 2 Johns

even allowed the public at large to know what really happened...

[EV_Ares]

12. Nobody is over-confident by any means. He doesn't have to depend

on Russert to get elected. Just because you didn't like what Russert said doesn't mean is wrong every time. No he is not always right but what is the worry about Russert. Obama knows who the MSM is and how they frame things. You have to deal with them no matter what.

What is your point, you don't believe what Russert said. OK, you can. Obama is well aware of the MSM and no he should not buy everything they say. Has nothing to do with what really is going on like the Independents voting in IA and looks like they are going to go for Obama in NH. That is a good thing and something you need.

[robbedvoter]

17. I agree - unlike Kerry, Obama has earned his followers - and I am hapy about it

[Bad Thoughts]

14. Not necessarily remarkable

I've worked several primaries in New Hampshire (though not this one), and it seems typical. The surging candidate gets a lot of curiosity from voters who may are may not vote for her/him. Candidates who had led but dropped have already been seen, and there is little need to see them again. Obama's momentum is certainly a factor in drawing new crowds, especially approaching the vote, but Clinton's more intimate affairs, that may include people who come from elsewhere in the state, need not reflect weakness on her part.

[surfermaw]

22. Believe what you want

Some in this race are winning by republican support, which will go back to re publican in the General Election, and we will be stuck with 8 more years of Bush Lite

[EV_Ares]

23. What do you have to support that and who are the "some"? As far

as republican/conservative support, I know Rupert Murdoch held a fundraiser for Hillary at his home.