A message from Governor Dean.

[madfloridian]

http://www.blogforamerica.com/archives/004044.html

Message from Gov. Dean
Hi folks,

Thank you all so much for the great response to the roll-out of DFA 2.0 as some of you call it, otherwise known as Democracy for America. We have already raised 40k without asking, and some of our partners have kicked in a lot in the cause of corporate responsibility (SEIU) and working to get George Bush a one-way bus ticket to Crawford. (AFSCME).

The grassroots part of this, which encourages and helps local folks to run for office is the key piece of this, and the meetups in April will focus on this. We want to have Chapters of Democracy for America in every state, and work through you to support grassroots candidates who can win, or who can credibly spread the message of empowerment, and teach Americans that there is another set of values besides the right wing values of the Bush Republicans that we can offer, and that are better for out kids and out lives.

I don't want to give any of you a heart attack, but I plan to formally endorse John Kerry on Thursday, along with all 34 Congress people who endorsed me during the campaign.

One of the goals of the campaign was to send George Bush back to Texas, and the only person with a chance of doing that is John Kerry. I have spoken with him on numerous occasions. He is committed to universal health care, he has an excellent environmental record, and for that and many other reasons, he is a far better choice for president that the current resident of the White House who apparently (as revealed on Sixty Minutes over the weekend) ignored warnings of the potential of a terrorist attack before 9/11 in addition to costing us 2.3 million jobs!

I any case, I encourage you to support Sen. Kerry, but if you are not ready to do so, I hope you'll put lots of energy into the other two goals: reforming the Democratic Party to nurture it's recent backbone transplant, and making the grassroots stronger to get progressive voices on every school board, county commission, City Council, etc. in the country. Many thanks for all you do!!

Howard Dean

[UrbScotty]

1. Yeah, Howard!

:bounce:

[ScreamingMeemie]

2. I am sorry that he is endorsing anybody.

:( I had wished he would just work for the Democratic cause and stay out of endorsements. Not that it's a big deal, I just think his stances and Kerry's were vastly different. Oh well. That's politics.

:hi:

[madfloridian]

3. If he did not endorse, I doubt he would be welcome within the party.

I notice that Kucinich, unless things have changed, is not invited to the unity dinner, I think it is Thursday. WP said it is because he is actively campaigning and not speaking for Democratic causes.

I think Dean knew this had to be done, and he is going to do it. He said it will take a long time to get the change we need, but we won't get it unless Kerry is elected.

I have mixed feelings, most do. I will vote for Kerry, and I have donated to him through a grassroots organization which is taking donations.

I feel very sad when I come here now and see the bitterness and hatred toward those of us who were longstanding members.

I wanted to post this, but I am no longer putting myself in a position to be attacked because I supported a certain candidate.

Peace.

[ScreamingMeemie]

4. Hug for you. I will vote for Kerry as well. I just wish someone

would stand up against the machine. I guess not this time around. It breaks my heart. I was hoping for so much change...I guess I was hoping for too much.

:hug:

[Robb]

11. I feel a lot of the same feelings

...but I have to admit my hopes for the Doctor were tempered by my experience of 2000. I supported (but didn't ultimately vote for) the Greens, less because of Nader and more because of my admiration of the Green platform. After 2000, though, I put away my belief in cataclysmic change, and started believing in political evolution again -- and got involved heavily again with the Democrats. I figured it was lined up as good as it ever would be in 2000 for a big Green revolution, and it still didn't work out.

It's the "eating an elephant one bite at a time" thing, and it's frustrating, but it's how it all works IMO. I'm looking forward to seeing a lot more of Dean "on the road" in the next few months. He remains a class act, and we're lucky to have him. :toast:

[Bread and Circus]

5. Dean's doing the best thing ever (not about him endorsing Kerry)

Frankly, in the long run Dean is doing the most important
work. That is, educating the next generation of activists and
promoting grass roots.

Go Dean!

[slinkerwink]

6. *sigh* I miss him----he's a good man---a lot better than some here

have made him out to be through their vitriolic hatred.

[mzmolly]

7. *No heart attack for this Deaniac*!

:toast: To Governor Dean.

Thanks again MF for keeping us all posted!

:*

[slinkerwink]

8. I like that Dean didn't tell us to fall in line or "lockstep"

he's such a good man. *sigh*

[mzmolly]

9. I agree. He'd never do that. He is a respectful man.

I think the DLC and the RNC will be sorry he didn't get the nomination.

:evilgrin:

[Jai4WKC08]

16. Honest question

Are you implying that some other candidate did tell his supporters to "fall in line" or "lockstep"?

Because that would be grossly incorrect.

[slinkerwink]

19. because those supporters are different from Dean's supporters

where a lot of Dean's supporters aren't Democrats, but are Independents.

[Dr Fate]

10. A great approach- Dean's a good one...

I hope Dean continues his efforts to get people fired up...

I dont see why he cant run for Senate, congress...

How 'bout a Kerry appointment... or anything?... else- he is young and certainly qualified...

[never cry wolf]

12. How about chairman of the DNC?

He framed this campaign, goddamnit! I was undecided and by the time the Illinois primary campaign came it was all over, but I will NEVER forget what Howard did prior to the primaries!

Almost nobody was speaking up against the war or bunnypants. All the serious candidates (apologies to Dennis, whom I did vote for) were playing the same old chickenshit, afraid to alienate the swing voter, better not be controversial crap until Howard started questioning and his innovative grassroots internet campaign got real legs. As I heard Joe trippi say on c-span over the weekend, "They all said, hey, this works! I better do the same." (paraphrase)

Howard made bush bashing fashionable, having a spine fashionable. He struck a chord that is still resonating and increasing. He IS already the defacto party leader, IMHO. He has shown the path to victory.

[dorktv]

13. But but McCrappy gets Money!

Yeah I think DNC Chair would be good...Or perhaps VP.

[hippiechick]

14. Is this verbatim ?

'Cause his grammar and verbage sucks, if it is.

:wow:

[madfloridian]

18. Yes, his blogging is famous for being hurried.

It is kind of a running joke. During the campaign, the staff would fix it if it were a press release.

This is note to the members of DFA 2.0, not a press release...so he just posts. As a retired teacher, I find myself wanting to correct it. But that is just how it is.

[Hippo_Tron]

15. Dean should LITERALLY send him a bus ticket to crawford after he looses...

That would get so much press coverage and embarass the chimp.

[chocolateeater]

17. Very well said.

I especially like this part: "I don't want to give any of you a heart attack, but I plan to formally endorse John Kerry on Thursday, along with all 34 Congress people who endorsed me during the campaign."
I promise not to have a heart attack over this.:7