Mr, Edwards is out-I am finished

[RestoreGore]

What a birthday present...I have tears in my eyes... I vowed I would not invest my heart and soul into any other political campaign because of the corrupt corporate stench that prevails in DC, and again was proven right. This gives even more credence to why Al Gore is not in this, and now John Edwards is out. It seems good men like them do much better work outside the system. I just hope his wife is well, and that he was not unduly pressured in any way to end his bid. Perhaps we will see him as AG in the next administration if a Democrat wins, because it is not guaranteed. All I know is, I am finished with this. I too have fallen out of love with politics and today is very sad. I just hope Mr. Edwards continues to fight for the middle class in America and for those who are forgotten. Al Gore has done and is doing tremendous work out here to make progress with climate change and I will continue with my own work on that and supporting his endeavors, and I think John Edwards can do just as much for poverty and I will support his work on that as well. I will try to stay upbeat, but I now have no reason to vote in my primary this coming Tuesday. What a let down. My condolences to all Edwards supporters here. It was truly a pleasure to post with you in support of Mr. Edwards. You are in my view the most adult and civil posters on this site.

[redqueen]

1. Happy birthday? *sigh* "Who's afraid of John Edwards?"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4285825

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4286520


Might make you at least feel better that you picked the right guy... he scared the right people. Might we have been just a little bit closer, maybe?

:pals:

[bdamomma]

10. John definitely hit a nerve.

but we all must go vote no matter what, we don't need another repig sitting in the WH, they have caused enough damage.

[redqueen]

16. That's an opinion... I can understand why others might disagree. (nt)

[LiberalHeart]

2. Feeling your pain, buddy.

[waiting for hope]

3. Thank you -

I don't know what I'll do now, feeling somewhat finished myself.

[here_is_to_hope]

13. Come on kids, chins up....

We still have ah...well...shit...time to take a few days off...
:shrug:

[Eurobabe]

4. I'm sorry RS

:grouphug: I know how you feel, from 2004, and now in 2008.

Edwards added alot to the race. :hi:

[RestoreGore]

29. yes, he was the closest policywise to Al Gore...

Especially regarding the climate crisis. The fact he is against nuclear was a BIG plus for me. It's like living 2000 and 2004 all over again... and I surely don't want to do that. So onward.

[SammyWinstonJack]

5. Happy Birthday RestoreGore

:party: :hug: I'm done too.

[RestoreGore]

31. Thank you, and I understand that.

I've had it with the media picking the president. And it has happened again.

[SammyWinstonJack]

51. Yes it has, sadly.

[davidwparker]

6. let's see what JE has to say at 1 pm. We also need to be pragmatic. Vote

for JE in your primary. I still plan too, but let's see if JE wants his supporters to go to someone else. JE may have a deal with someone that he could be supporting and he can work on Two America's (or be Attorney General).

[bdamomma]

19. yea, is the stupid media going to cover his message.

the media is filthy what they did to both Edwards and Kucinich.

[Solon]

7. Happy Birthday...

Mine is tomorrow, and I feel pretty much the same way.

[RestoreGore]

32. Thanks, and Happy Birthday to you too

[progressoid]

8. I too hope that he will be able to be as effective against poverty outside of govt

as Gore has done with climate change.

:thumbsup: :hug:

[RestoreGore]

33. Perhaps he and Al Gore should join forces...

since climate change and poverty are so closely linked. I am convinced now that running in this system however, is not the way to go.

[frogcycle]

49. I made a similar suggestion a while back

not so much that they join up, but that if the nomination did not work out, he follow Gore's lead and find another venue to drive his message. I could envision him giving powerpoint presentations on the dollars and cents of how to fix problems, promoting legislation, etc.

Al made the best of a bad situation, and should be a role model for a new generation of activists who have "fallen out of love with politics." There are many ways to skin a cat.

[glowing]

9. What if he's been promised a spot on the Supreme Court.. now,

that would be better than president.

[Triana]

11. It's MY birthday too! And it started like THIS???

First thing when I awoke, I heard that they're building a new goddamned coal-fired power plant in my state. Bad enough. Idiots.

THEN, I heard on NPR that Edwards was dropping out.

Happy Frickin Birthday to me eh?

Yea, I'm *whining*. But shit, I'd like to have had a nicer birthday than this.

[SammyWinstonJack]

17. Happy Birthday Triana!

:party: :grouphug:

[redqueen]

18. Happy birthday to you, too...

At least we know picked the right guy... he scared the right people...

"Who's afraid of John Edwards?"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4285825

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4286520

[bdamomma]

20. Hey Happy Birthday everyone!!!

[waiting for hope]

Happy Birthday Triana!

Mine was on the Neveda caucus day - I know how you feel.

[Apollo11]

30. Happy Birthday!

There's an old saying that goes "The only way is up!" B-)

[RestoreGore]

35. Happy Birthday Triana

And yes, I've had better myself. Even my teenage son was getting into supporting him... now? On top of this being sad, I find it every strange in the timing. Perhaps when I am not feeling so down I can better try to understand why today was the day.

[Fresh_Start]

12. happy birthday, today is husbands bday, he's voting Edwards

anyway.

I haven't decided what I'm doing yet

[RestoreGore]

36. happy bithday to your husband... I am totally unmotivated to vote in the primary now n/t

[Amy6627]

14. You said it perfectly! nt

[Liberal In Texas]

15. I'm pretty sure I'm still going to vote for Edwards when our primary finally rolls around.

I'd at least like to see him with a bunch of delegates to use a bargaining chips.

[bdamomma]

21. Yea, I will still vote for Edwards in my primary too but it's not until

March 4th.

[Barack_America]

22. RestoreGore, I'm really sorry...

We've all suffered this loss before, whether in 2004 or during these primaries. I hope that you can find it in you to resume your interest in politics again.

[Yael]

23. I have tears in my eyes as well

I feel like I have been kicked in the gut and had the wind knocked out of me.

:hug:

[RestoreGore]

37. Me too...

:hug:

[Yael]

40. SOmeone said in another thread that it feels like all the air has been let out of

the balloons.

:hug:

[Turn CO Blue]

24. Happy birthday, Restore Gore! The good fights always have

ups and downs and take a very long time.

I too, am crushed, and am not capable at this moment of considering who my next compromise candidate will be... I will give the ubiquitous, requisite statement that I will, of course, vote for the Dem nominee. But I feel we've really lost our progressive values along the way.

I sincerely wish John and Elizabeth and family all the best. They and their supporters including you and I must stay committed to the cause of ending poverty and of fighting the domination of our government, climate, and economic system by the large corporations.

Chin up, girl! I am with you. This feeling of devastation too shall pass and we'll fight on.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead

[RestoreGore]

38. Yes, we must continue to fight against poverty and especially for our planet

I just won't be getting my heart broken anymore in the process. Thanks for the well wishes.

[Turn CO Blue]

47. That's pretty much how I feel. Not sure I can risk

getting as involved again either. At least not today.

[femrap]

25. I feel the same...

I put the blame at the feet of the MSM who is owned by the Repugnants...they want to face an easy candidate....now they will.

It makes me physically ill to think of the possibility of McCain/Huckabee in power.

Today is one of those days that I wish I cared about 'Access Hollywood,' make-up and hair styles, Glamour Magazine, 'American Idol,' liposuction and recipes. Instead, I care only of Justice, a quaint ideal that fades along with the Geneva Convention.

[RestoreGore]

39. Well, now I will have more time to start my book on the global water crisis...

Which is something I started then stopped... And yes, The Assault on Reason Al Gore wrote about in his book? We are seeing it firsthand today.

[femrap]

46. yep...

I am going to reassess. I have been pondering a book/seminars on 'managing one's financial, spiritual, and basic survival as the U.S. drops into oblivion.' I just feel sick.

It's truly pathetic that the only thing that brings a smile to my face is the end of the Mayan calendar on 12-21-2012...which could just be Our New Beginning...a paradigm shift. Who knows?

[bluedawg12]

50. Fresh water is THE issue of today and tomorrow! Keep going

and don't forget, JE, is still fighting and would want his supporters to vote for a progressive.

BTW- Lake Michigan is losing 2.5 billion gallons of water daily via the St. Clair river "drain hole" the loss of water is alarming and actually visible along the shore line- year after year the Lake recedes.

Lake Michigan holds 1/20th of the worlds fresh water--please, please look into it!

http://www.lakemichigan.org/news/drain.asp

[islandmkl]

26. In all of this

the point getting lost is 'what did John do?'. If he lit you up, keep the flame burning. This isn't El Cid, we can't prop him up on his horse to lead us against the Moors. He's out of the race, he's not gone. This is the time to show him the strength we have, thanks to him. Just possibly, he sees a better way for him to achieve his goals. Chasing the nomination was going nowhere. It is time for him to get his stand established, however he may do it. You might mourn his leaving the race, but don't confuse this with a funeral. Did you believe in just him, or DO you believe in what he stands for?

[RestoreGore]

41. Oh absolutely. As I stated I will support his work on poverty wholeheartedly

It just would have been great to se a charge led for real on the corporate govt from inside it... now, I doubt that will happen...at least in the next four years. But yes, you are right. I support him for his values and what he represents as I do Al Gore. It is just very sad to see that the system you knew was dirty and corrupt but felt you could change, really is and feel helpless in doing much to change it.

[crispini]

27. We have certainly had our differences in the past.

But I would like to give you a :hug: and encourage you to keep fighting the good fight.

Half a loaf is better than no loaf.

[RestoreGore]

42. Well, I will try to stay upbeat

I'm just not into the media circuses and sparring, the mudlslinging and all that and allowing the media to pick who I vote for. I'm done with the politics of it, but I will still do what I can to make a difference from where I am. And if I ever was less than civil to you, my apologies.

[Apollo11]

28. Hey RestoreGore - best wishes on your birthday!

:hi:

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I always make a point of reading your posts (even if I don't always agree with what you write). I know you are a good person who cares about the country and the world.

I am sorry if you are feeling down today, and I hope you can find reasons to be optimistic as you look ahead.

One year from now we could have a Democratic (and a history-making barrier-breaking) President, blue majorities in both Houses of Congress, and the chance of finally reversing some of the damage that has been done over the past 7 years, and hopefully make some progress on poverty issues, on energy and environment issues. I expect Al Gore will work closely with the next Administration to start making some of the changes we should have been making already 10 or 20 years ago.

But it's not just about having the right person in the Whitehouse. We know that real change has to happen from the bottom up. Al Gore and John Edwards have both talked about the need for "We The People" to be actively involved.

I know that you will keep fighting for the causes that are close to your heart. You are a good example to all of us!

So despite all the reasons to be sad ... let me wish you a Happy Birthday! :patriot:

[RestoreGore]

43. Thanks very much

Doing all I can to preserve this planet is my life's work as well. I'm not giving up on that.

[krabigirl]

34. Happy Birthday - I feel the same way as you.

[RestoreGore]

45. Thank you.

[iris5426]

44. Happy Birthday

I'm right there with you...

[OzarkDem]

48. I sympathsize

There's no point in being active in the upcoming primary or GE. The corporations have that on auto-pilot. They can handle it, we'll have to live with whichever outcome they choose. Don't bother with local Dem activism, there are going to be a lot of people out there throwing some sharp elbows as they compete and jockey for position to get a good job in the administration of whichever Dem wins, if they win. Its not usually a fun, inspiring or constructive experience.

Another poster suggested running for office and getting invovled in your community. That's an excellent idea. There's no time like the present to start the long process of rebuilding the Democratic Party and freeing it from corporate/DLC control.